[ It's all easier said than done, and for a second Claude feels the urge to reiterate that again. Nothing about this is simple, nothing about finding who you are is straightforward even if the foundation of it is in place. But that would just be repeating Wilhelm or himself for the umpteenth time at this point, so he lets Wilhelm contemplate it in silence before he seems to come to his own conclusion.

The wisp of a smile is encouraging, and especially so given how things had started, and it makes the one on his own face grow that much wider. ]

You don't have to apologize. I might talk a lot, [ now with a grin, since they're both aware that's an understatement even if he's using it to joke here to bring things back full circle, ] but I am occasionally good at listening, too. I don't mind it at all.

And, for whatever it's worth, if there's ever a time you want to talk about this or anything else, you're always welcome to find me here whenever you need to. I promise next time the doors will be open so you won't have to find yourself in the pond again.

[ For good measure, even if that unexpected dip in the water was the Horizon's doing and not Claude's own. And with that, if Wilhelm would like to stay a bit longer, there's a tea tray nearby he'll reach for with the same offerings as before. At least he's consistent. ]