[ That Hythlodaeus had not been alone gets a genuine smile from Claude since that's a relief for him to hear, considering while arriving somewhere unknown to figure everything out is something he knows well from past experience. So while arriving here hadn't had that particular shock (on top of all the others, at any rate) it's still not one he'd wish on anyone else. The mention of loneliness just has the smile on his face stretching a little wider since - that's not an unfamiliar concept to him either, not in all the varieties it's sunk in. Abraxas brought new people to know, at least, and in a fortunate twist of fate it wasn't long before familiar faces did show up even with all the complications that brought on with them.
All of that is a bit much to place upon Hythlodaeus, so it feels much simpler to say for now: ]
I've been lucky enough to have others I once knew arrive here. That's certainly helped though it's made me aware there are those that I would rather not see appear should the chance arise for them to also be present.
[ A complication, really; while Claude's not unfamiliar with smoothing out wrinkles in plans and in the realities of what comes to pass, there are some creases he'd rather leave where they are. The same goes for leaving that vague explanation as it is in favor of leaning forward in interest as Hythlodaeus mentions providing something new. There are few things which pique his curiosity more than the chance of something he's never seen before. Something being in Abraxas has paid back more than he could've ever guessed through both the lands themselves and from those he's met so far, so as the other concentrates Claude watches the tabletop with minor anticipation. A box is produced and he eyes it first before looking back to Hythlodaeus next.
What follows is an explanation he has to work to keep his face expressionless throughout, but from amusement and not disgust. It rings a distant bell of something he knows, another similarity between worlds, and he shakes his head slightly after. ]
I hope you'll find some relief in knowing there are plants where I'm from that are harvested much the same and thought of as delicacies or rare delights, given the amount of work which goes into them existing in the first place. So I'm not--
[ Bothered by it, is what he means to say but as the box is opened, Hythlodaeus has a very visceral reaction to it which has Claude standing out of instinct based on pure alarm. But inside are leaves from what he can see and he reaches down to tap it cautiously lest it be some kind of projection; it isn't. That has him looking up to gauge the other's reaction which also seems truthful enough. ]
Are you quite alright? If there's something that should be offending me about the leaves, I'm afraid to say I'm completely missing it.
[ But - in case it's affecting Hythlodaeus too much, Claude's quick to shut the box, as if that'll solve whatever is happening that's beyond his comprehension with his own affliction - yet unnoticed by him - faring much differently. ]
no subject
All of that is a bit much to place upon Hythlodaeus, so it feels much simpler to say for now: ]
I've been lucky enough to have others I once knew arrive here. That's certainly helped though it's made me aware there are those that I would rather not see appear should the chance arise for them to also be present.
[ A complication, really; while Claude's not unfamiliar with smoothing out wrinkles in plans and in the realities of what comes to pass, there are some creases he'd rather leave where they are. The same goes for leaving that vague explanation as it is in favor of leaning forward in interest as Hythlodaeus mentions providing something new. There are few things which pique his curiosity more than the chance of something he's never seen before. Something being in Abraxas has paid back more than he could've ever guessed through both the lands themselves and from those he's met so far, so as the other concentrates Claude watches the tabletop with minor anticipation. A box is produced and he eyes it first before looking back to Hythlodaeus next.
What follows is an explanation he has to work to keep his face expressionless throughout, but from amusement and not disgust. It rings a distant bell of something he knows, another similarity between worlds, and he shakes his head slightly after. ]
I hope you'll find some relief in knowing there are plants where I'm from that are harvested much the same and thought of as delicacies or rare delights, given the amount of work which goes into them existing in the first place. So I'm not--
[ Bothered by it, is what he means to say but as the box is opened, Hythlodaeus has a very visceral reaction to it which has Claude standing out of instinct based on pure alarm. But inside are leaves from what he can see and he reaches down to tap it cautiously lest it be some kind of projection; it isn't. That has him looking up to gauge the other's reaction which also seems truthful enough. ]
Are you quite alright? If there's something that should be offending me about the leaves, I'm afraid to say I'm completely missing it.
[ But - in case it's affecting Hythlodaeus too much, Claude's quick to shut the box, as if that'll solve whatever is happening that's beyond his comprehension with his own affliction - yet unnoticed by him - faring much differently. ]