i'm reaching for the clouds

[godshattering]

Who: Claude and various
When: January + early February (pre-event)
Where: The Horizon, Aquila, TBA
What: Catch all
Warnings: None currently, will add/mark as needed


( Closed starters in the comments below. Feel free to find me at indech, arboria#1862, or by PM at any time to plot something! )

Comments

— kyle

[godshattering]

[ There's much to talk about. It's unfortunate there was no time to talk to Kyle about it in person - and many good reasons to avoid it - but on the bright side: they do have a good solution to that besides waiting until the next trip to Nocwich, close as it is.

This time Claude's seated in his own domain with a book propped in his lap, one hand resting on the page and ready to turn it though he's simply studying the page absently rather than making any attempt to absorb the words. It's a novel someone created and put on the monastery library's shelves which he'd stumbled across in his browsing and brought back with him, and one he'll have time for later. A cup of tea's perched on the arm of his chair though it's mostly ignored while he runs through what to discuss in an old habit from before other important meetings in another life.

He's not distracted enough to not hear someone approaching, however, and when Claude glances up to see who it is there's an easy grin which breaks over his face when it's just who he wanted to see. ]

Ah, good, you made it. I trust the monastery worked out as a decent enough landmark to find me here after all?

[ He'd been tempted to suggest it as a meeting place itself but at least this replication of Derdriu is... well, smaller, and with less places to get turned around in if one's unfamiliar with Garreg Mach's sprawling grounds. Still an option for a resource for all of this, though. ]

[ushiri]

[ Kahlil is having a busy day. After his meeting at Istredd's domain he begins making his way to his next meeting. It's only after he gets closer that he realizes he's visited this place before, some months ago. Sylvain has his domain here. So he did know something about what Fodlan looks like after all.

There are quite a few people from Claude's world in Abraxas, now.

Kahlil enters the space wearing a black cloak over his grey cassock, one of the outfits Claude has probably seen him wearing before. The shoulder of his cloak has the symbol of the Hanged Man emblazoned on it. ]

It was. [ He grins, stepping closer to where Claude is seated. ] I met another man on the grounds before - Sylvain.

[ He cocks his head to one side. ]

And on our trip I met another woman who mentioned knowing you. Hilda.

[ The Singularity favors his people. ]

[godshattering]

[ Claude shifts to set the book aside where it can be remembered later - if he does remember to ever bring it back to the library, which is a different problem in and of itself - and is in the process of leaning forward for the tea tray when Kyle mentions one familiar name and then another. ]

I see you met some of our social butterflies. I'd be more surprised if you hadn't met them somewhere by now, even if Hilda's just arrived.

[ A smile goes with that, both because Claude's well aware he has no room to talk about being social and since he means it as a compliment to the two in question. He gestures to the chair next to his for Kyle to have a seat if he hasn't taken one already before turning back to his tea task. ]

All of us went to the same academy, back when. Hilda is from the Alliance like I am, so we've spent considerably more time together over the years. 'Knowing' me's probably an understatement since she'd be the one to know me best.

[ There's an opening he could take in there with the mention of the trip to segue into other topics, but it feels like Kyle might have another question in there if he's not answered it. ]

[ushiri]

[ He takes the nearby seat, nodding. ]

She seems like a kind woman. [ She'd seen him having an issue during the bonfires and immediately tried to assist him without making him feel too self-conscious. She'd explained how she didn't necessarily want to go to the military academy, but that she'd made good friends.

A raised eyebrow, and a kind of wry look pointed at Claude. He does have another question, mostly out of curiosity: ]

Do you have any other friends here that I should keep an eye out for?

[ Sylvain and Hilda are from the Free Cities, but they still bumped into each other in the places the factions are allowed to meet. ]

[godshattering]

That she is. [ The words come out almost noncommittally even if Claude certainly agrees with that statement several times over from years now of knowing Hilda, but patience in waiting out where that thought of Kyle's is going takes precedence. He doesn't have long to wait and he glances up in time to catch that look crossing the other man's face which has a feeling smile crossing his own. ] Sounds like you've yet to meet Felix and Petra to round things out. They're also in Cadens with the rest of us. Felix you're most likely to meet if you're practicing with a weapon somewhere, and Nocwich's hunting grounds would be a good place to team up with Petra.

[ Aside from the Horizon, that is, since that's the obvious and likely far easier place to find them both. Maybe he should be wary about pointing out places to locate any of them, but - Claude doesn't think twice about it, instead looping it into the same branch of trust he's extended to Kyle. With the tea steeped he pours another cup of it and hands it with a saucer over to Kyle with a smile. ]

Hope you don't mind chamomile if you've had it before. I'm unsure how popular it is anywhere else since I've not been able to find an exact match in Cadens as of yet, just things that come close.

[ With that taken care of, Claude reaches for his own cup to refresh it considering the contents are likely long gone cold. ]

Speaking of it, how'd you enjoy our little mandatory excursion?

[ushiri]

[ Oh. Even though he asked, he's still a little surprised to find out there's two more, totaling to five of them. It reads across his features, along with vague amusement. He could try to parse out the meaning, what it is that calls to the Singularity from the warriors of Fodlan, but - it's not for him to understand.

He's glad for Claude, to have so many around him from home. People he can trust. When Kahlil first thought about who might arrive from his world, all he could imagine was enemies.

Kahlil takes the saucer, peering into the cup and giving it a sniff. ]

There's a tea shop in the castle city. I think I've had something similar. [ He takes a sip. It's good - a light floral taste, the kind that he prefers. ]

It's always nice to get out of Thorne. [ he answers as he sets his cup down again, cocking his head to one side. ] And, well, it seems to have gone without a hitch.

[ Aside from someone falling off the ship mid-journey. He hasn't heard of anything else going wrong. And the negotiations themselves - nothing major seems to have changed, yet. The war remains cold. No ground has been gained or lost. It's better than the explosive alternatives. ]

I heard a rumor about one of your officials. Quilleth Kaur? She seems to be at odds with another official, Klingel, regarding funds for Libertas. She supports rebuilding the city, she seems to think more than enough funding is already going to military inventions.

[godshattering]

Consider me jealous of your tea shop then, unless this is entirely my own fault for not investigating enough shops in Cadens and being unsure of where to find teas like in Fodlan. In which case, shame on me.

[ There's a slight smile he'll smother by lifting his own cup to take a drink and with a slight hum of acknowledgement about getting away from Thorne. He's heard from a couple others there since the last time they talked, and if they hadn't said it outright Claude's certain the sentiment is the same. No time to consider that or the outcome of everything, since what Kyle says next has him setting his cup down almost immediately. The motion is smooth and controlled, almost as if it just happened to be perfectly timed and not because of intense interest on his part. ]

A rumor, is it. [ Claude's contemplating that information while absently tapping a fingertip against his cup's saucer. It feels too convenient one of those officials had come up in conversation recently, though in a different context. ] I know of Quilleth. Not on a personal level, but she's the representative for Libertas. Rebuilding's just started though it's been... slow. A couple of other Summoned have been organizing efforts to help with what we can. I assume that's also a reflection of where funding is being sent.

[ Officials not getting along sounds familiar on many levels, but first: ] The name Klingel doesn't ring a bell for me, unfortunately. But speaking of that, sort of. Do you happen to know of any Thorne officials who are siblings who aren't getting along?

— steve rogers

[godshattering]

[ Normally he's met Steve in person - at the inn, around Cadens, now out and about in the desert - but with what's on his mind these days now that they've all returned to a relative home? Wariness kicks in about being overheard for a variety of reasons. But Steve is someone he's come to trust a great deal for just as many reasons, and so to be sure any conversation's between the two of them alone he suggests the Horizon for them to meet. On the plus side, it won't be as sweltering as it can get on hot days in Cadens' wilderness.

With the invitation extended, there's nothing to do but wait. Restlessly wait as it turns out; before too long, Claude's picked up Failnaught from the rack of weapons waiting at the training grounds he's created for a little archery practice. The heft of the Relic is as comforting - in some ways - as it was on the day he'd picked it up for the first time and then inheritance had made it his alone. A part of him is ignoring what he now knows about the bow's history or rather, its creation. Maybe it helps that what's here is now not the Relic itself.

He lets another arrow fly for it to sink into the target a hair away from the bullseye before Claude lets out a tsk to himself at that error. Most people would be happy with that, but he reaches for another arrow for another attempt. It's deceptive that Failnaught is mere memory and nothing else, though, given how the bow still glows as the Crest Stone in it calls to the matching one in him.

How this might potentially look to someone walking in who's unfamiliar with Crests, even with their shared nightmare between them, is lost on Claude while he concentrates on lining up another shot. ]

[assembles]

[ When given the option of meeting in the Horizon or in person, Steve's going to go with in person nine times out of ten. It's what he's more comfortable with, even though he'll also admit that getting to see the domains that people have created for themselves can be an interesting look into their heads — into what "home" means for them. Still, if Claude's suggesting they meet in the Horizon, he figures it's for good reason, so he agrees without any hesitation.

Steve still has memories of what he'd seen as a part of Claude's nightmare, but it had been dark and dismal in that dream. He didn't really get to see much of what Claude's world was actually like beyond some architecture and the level of technology that was available to them for warfare. This domain, on the other hand, is bright and pleasant. A fountain bubbles in the nearby courtyard, a perfectly cool breeze catches against his shirt, and the lighting is picturesque. Like he's walked into a perfectly framed photo, even.

As he walks up, Claude's holding what to him looks like a massive bow — even larger than the compound bow that Clint usually prefers. It's glowing too, but he isn't particularly thrown off by that. He's seen his own teammates shoot glowing magic from their hands, so this isn't that strange in comparison.

Claude makes an almost perfect shot, but even that isn't good enough for him. Steve huffs in amusement to himself as he approaches from behind, pausing a few steps back to watch Claude's second shot. ]

I should have guessed you'd be a perfectionist about this kind of thing.

[godshattering]

Perfectionist is one word for it, I suppose. [ Though he was focusing on this second arrow, it can wait a second in order for him to shoot a grin back over his shoulder in Steve's direction. He'd heard someone approaching and that familiar voice was confirmation of who he'd hoped it'd be. ] 'Pain in the ass' might be the phrase you're more likely to hear from my friends both for now and for how I used to be at archery practice a few years ago.

[ Maybe a slight exaggeration considering at said practice he'd been more than willing to help those who needed it, and yet: those lessons had also been mostly tailored to build skills. Or that'd been his plan, anyway. Whether they were successful is better answered by someone other than this particular instructor.

For now he'll let the shot fly, and when this one lands a hair-width away from the bullseye but on the opposite side from his first arrow? Claude will take that as a sign to take a break, and to properly turn around to face Steve before nodding the direction of the weapons back stocked with bows, swords, lances - any kind of medieval weaponry as the other man might've suspected. ]

Feel free to grab something from there if you'd like, though I had a bit more in mind for meeting here than combat practice alone. What'd you make of our recent trip?

[assembles]

Always upstaging them?

[ Steve smirks. Yeah, Clint could get that way too. Natasha was the only one who even stood a chance against him, and the rest of them had quickly tired of him "teaching them archery." Apparently he'd been a lot more patient and less obnoxious with his kids, which was understandable.

That second shot looks practically spot-on to Steve, but he can tell from the slight slump of Claude's shoulders as he turns that he still wasn't satisfied. They're not really here for combat practice, it's true, but Steve wanders over to the weapons rack. Yet instead of looking at any of the swords, spears, or bows, he seems far more interested in the shields.

It's no surprise that Claude wants to talk about their trip, about the negotiations and everything else that took place there. Or perhaps most importantly, what sort of information was overheard or exchanged. Steve rips his gaze away from the ornate shields to look back over at Claude. ]

Sam and I worked together on sending a message to the negotiating table. I wasn't actually expecting them to listen, but... [ He shrugs. It turns out that Sam's name meant something here. He's glad for that. ] Mainly, I'm relieved that the talks didn't completely break down and make matters worse.

[godshattering]

[ There's a small hand wave and a smirk to match Steve's as he lowers Failnaught, as if Claude's not going to confirm or deny said statement. (Never mind that's as good as confirming it.) Besides, even archery's not as interesting as what Steve says, so Claude tilts his head to one side as he considers it. ]

It seems like if there was a good chance of those officials listening to anyone here, Sam would certainly be the right choice. [ Approvingly, since he's met the man in question and already thought highly of Sam from what he'd heard then had that confirmed. Even if he's supposedly taking a break, Claude picks up another arrow now to spin around in a couple fingers while in thought. ] He strikes me as someone invested in looking out for the good of everyone.

[ Summoned or otherwise; while he has plenty of worry for what impending war means for all of them brought here by the mages, Claude's also plenty concerned about the Free Cities citizens caught between nations intent on harming each other. Libertas is a sobering reminder of what more might come if not for what's hopefully a stasis reached by the negotiations. ]

There is something I'd overheard that I thought you might be interested in rather than just the generalities we were told about what was going on.

[ But first - a nod towards the shields Steve was examining and a grin to go with it. ]

You can pick one of those up if you'd like to try them out, you know.

[assembles]

He is. He's looking out for the Summoned most of all, but he wants to make sure the civilians aren't used as collateral damage either.

[ Granted, that's already happened and there was very little any of them could do about it, but that's no reason for them to throw their hands up and assume that it's a lost cause, as far as Steve's concerned. Their words actually were considered in the negotiations, and that alone is a sign that they're not just being cast aside and disregarded in the political realm.

This is about more than that, though, as Claude hints that he's got additional information. It must be important if he'd arranged this meeting.

As for the shields, Steve immediately grabs one of the circular ones. It's a bit smaller than what he's used to, more like a buckler, and also quite heavy for its size. Nonetheless, he still turns it around in his hands, inspecting it. ]

Something you overheard? From who?

[ They may as well get right into it. There will always be time to mess around in the training yard after they've talked through the important stuff. ]

— sylvain

[godshattering]

[ There might have been a lot of complaining involved in this.

Complaining Sylvain isn't going to get to see; oh no, that was reserved entirely for Hilda. Some part of him is still flabbergasted by this turn of events - because even during the war when disguises had been floated around and Teach had suggested making him wear a dress, Hilda had said no and then promptly told him about it. Now they've ended up here, and he can't even tell her that because it's something she's not yet lived.

But. It's a good thing Claude got all of that out of his system (sorry, Hilda) because afterwards came something far more important: the knowledge that sure, he's lost the bet, but that doesn't mean he doesn't get to have fun with everything about it. Maybe this is Sylvain's win, but Claude's not about to make it his loss. Where's the appeal in that?

And so he'd chosen a restaurant but hadn't told Sylvain where; not by name, anyway, since it'd been more fun to present him with a series of hints. Claude thought he was rather nice about it, in his own opinion, since they were less hints than particularly blatant clues to make sure the other didn't spend his night wandering about Aquila. In the meantime, Claude's seated on a stool at the bar in the front part of the restaurant that's a bit more like a tavern, where the entirety is upscale enough to where no one seems to look twice at him sitting there in a dress in a very particular blue while he sips an ale, and not enough that this'll feel more like punishment where they have to behave. Hopefully.

Now all there is to do is wait for Sylvain to appear for the grand reveal. ]

he's so glad you said yes to the dress 0:)

[philancer]

[ When coming to Aquila, this hadn't actually been on his agenda. But he's never been one to pass up a good opportunity, especially when it promised a little fun. Although he's not quite sure what he's expecting to find as he shows up at the location Claude had left for him.

Surprisingly enough, there'd been more debate on his end what to show up in tonight. Although he'd had Hilda's help in selecting the dress that would serve as the catalyst to the wager, carefully dyed in the very distinct Faerghus Blue, his own outfit had been more of a whim he'd spotted earlier in the afternoon. Which is why he walks through the door in an outfit carefully selected in gold and black hues. Just so he evened out the house representation for the evening.

Spotting the familiar figure over at the bar, his lips immediately curve into a bemused grin, because Hilda had indeed carried through on her half of the evening. He saunters over with an easy stride and slides onto the stool next to his friend. ]

I wasn't sure you'd actually show up, once you saw what Hilda was bringing you.

😒 - claude leading up to this, probably

[godshattering]

[ There's a couple down at the end of the other bar he's noticed while idling his time away here waiting for Sylvain to show up, and said couple's arguing in hushed undertones. Arguing's a guess on his part though the presence of the occasional rather pointed hand gestures make him more sure of it and it's only been escalating from there. Tempting to go into old habits of people watching and making up stories for his own entertainment and sometimes the benefit of whoever he was with, except there's no one here currently.

Until a too familiar voice and figure catch his attention, and Claude sits up slightly like he'd been waiting on pins and needles all along rather than being rather unconcerned. An eyebrow's immediately arched as he realizes - possibly to his slight and well concealed surprised - he's not the only one who got dressed up for the occasion. Huh. ]

Well, it is a little bit more than I was expecting. I suppose that's on me for not taking your flair for the dramatic into account. [ Not that he knows anything about the latter in his own actions and moves right along as he gestures with one hand to Sylvain's own outfit. ] At least this place will be fitting for both outfits considering you also went all out.

And all out in, I think, [ with a squint for good measure as if he doesn't recognize the color choices immediately from having worn them himself, ] Alliance colors. Thinking about a belated house change, are you?

there is no emote to convey the level of sylvain's smug

[philancer]

[ That surprise might not be as well-concealed as he hopes, not that Sylvain's doing anything to give that away yet. Other than the slight growth of his smirk when Claude abruptly straightens up and looks him over. ]

You are the last person to be complaining about a flair for the dramatic. [ Just saying. But he lets Claude continue to play at this, even as Sylvain gestures to the bartender to bring him one of whatever Claude's drinking. And then he just laughs when Claude squints at his color choice, as if trying to decide if it was deliberate or not. Of course it was deliberate, yellow is not one of the colors that does him a lot of justice, but he's trying anyway. ]

You're cute, Claude, but you're not that cute.

[ He's pretty sure the Professor would have been the only reason strong enough to lure him to a different house. And even that's a little questionable. Besides. Lysithea was scary. And don't even get him started on Lorenz. ]

[godshattering]

Who said I was complaining?

[ The advent of leading Sylvain around in circles has officially started. Well - more like started again, and started for the umpteenth time. Claude's just going to ignore that his comment more or less meant that especially in light of slander being tossed his way. A scoff leaves him like his pride's seriously wounded over the denial of changing houses a whole almost decade too late. There's a snappy comeback on the tip of his tongue, but. He thinks better of it a millisecond later, and instead leans an elbow on the edge of the bar and his chin in that hand. It might almost be in feigned disappointment if Claude wasn't also using it as a chance to survey Sylvain for a second.

All the better to follow that up by leaning over, just slightly, to regard the other man from beneath his lashes with a smirk of his own. ]

No? Sounds like you're not looking closely enough.

[ That's barely getting started since before he can, the bartender sets Sylvain's drink down and he sits back just in time for the ongoing argument nearby to escalate as one of them breaks out into tears. ]

Well, at least we're going to have a better night than them.

[ Probably. ]

[philancer]

The night's still young.

[ The words are a little flippant, even as he casts a slightly worried look in the direction of the arguing couple. Especially since he'd just gotten slapped in the face with a wave of very unhappy emotions. He makes a face and reaches for his drink to take a long, bracing swallow before turning his grin purposefully back on Claude.

He doesn't miss the way he's leaned close, or the look he shot him, and that just has fond amusement glinting in dark eyes as he chuckles and props his chin in his palm and leans back, smirk still lingering on his lips. ]

You have no idea how closely I've looked. [ A playful wink, before his gaze glances around the room around them. ] Should we grab a table?

[ A safe distance from the drama happening at the other end of the bar would be helpful for his focus for the rest of his night. ]

— hilda

[godshattering]

[ Sure, there's the looming threat of a bet coming back to haunt him, but Claude's in good spirits. Bets turning out to not be in his favor's been a bit of a theme lately but for this one? He's mostly convinced himself Sylvain is bluffing. He has to be. There's no way Hilda would betray him like this in getting involved.

He should know better. He really should.

Evening's approaching and after an afternoon of wandering around to see what Aquila has to offer, relaxing with a book sounds like a good plan. At first he was going to head back down to the shore but in the end sprawling out on the bed becomes far more appealing, to the point where he loses track of time. There's a knock on the door and Claude glances up from the book he's reading. Maybe it wasn't for this room. He's about to turn a page when there's a second and decidedly more impatient knock following it. ]

Alright, alright. Just a second.

[ Maybe it's just Felix or Sylvain coming back from shopping with their hands full. But it's not, Claude discovers when he opens the door, because instead it's Hilda standing there with a garment bag which looks suspiciously dress-shaped. He can still escape this! It just might take a little work first, and as such he immediately narrows his eyes in jest. ]

So you are betraying me after all, huh?

[theidlemaiden]

[ Her afternoon with Sylvain dress shopping had been a fun one, probably made more fun because of who they were shopping for.

Did a part of her feel a little guilty about this? Maybe. But there was no loyalties when it came to lost bets and from the sounds of it, it had been one that Claude had lost on his own accord. Of course, she would have been lying if she said there hadn't been something in it for her. A whole afternoon shopping for someone else could have easily been spent on herself. It didn't matter that she had effectively become a personal shopper for Sylvain and Claude. Hilda knew what her time and expertise was worth.

When the door to Claude's room opens she makes a grand show of it, wiggling the garment bag in her hands that is a stark contrast to the big old pout on her face. ]

This hurts me more than it hurts you, Claude. Really. This could have been my dress.

[godshattering]

It can still be your dress! Nothing's stopping you from just keeping it for yourself, after all.

[ Except for that bet he's regretting, especially now that it's clear even Hilda's not going to let him out of it by not just swooping in to take the dress. It'd be a great solution! Everyone would win and what could be better than that?

Claude knows better than going too over the top with his finagling immediately. There's an art to this, and the first step is stepping aside to let Hilda into the room with that ominous dress-shaped bag and all so she can go to wherever she'd like to and start setting up whatever The Dress Process will be. ]

Whatever you have there is certainly more... voluminous than I'd expected. [ Still casual, still like he's not eying that bag with great suspicion since he'd pictured something more, say, simple. ] I don't suppose there's a chance it looks that way just because it's wrapped very, very carefully?

[theidlemaiden]

And leave you without something to wear on your date? I couldn't do that to a dear old friend.

[ There's a disappointed shake as she breezes past him into the room as if it's a crueler thought than doing whatever it is she's here to do now. She doesn't waste any time hanging the dress bag over the door ledge so she can unzip to reveal the dress in question. Her voice is nothing but all bright innocence. ]

Nope!

[ Upon closer inspection it's a heavier dress than Hilda carrying it would have been it seem; the fabric that makes up the bottom of the dress is finely sewn together, and the embroidery is a product of half magic, and half stitched by hand so at least the cost hadn't been exuberant -- but it's good that it could pass. She taps her chin thoughtfully upon seeing the dress again in its full glory. ]

On second thought, this really isn't my colour. It wouldn't fit my complexion, but it would fit yours.

[godshattering]

I have things to wear on a date already. I have a perfectly good pair of pants and a shirt right here.

[ With a gesture sweeping down himself to point out the exact clothes in question, just in case Hilda wasn't clear on that, and not that Claude believes anything about this is an actual date. Some part of him still thinks this is a joke despite the indicators it's not. Curiosity about what's in the bag does get the better of him and he crosses his arms over his chest lightly to watch as she hangs it.

The dress is revealed once it's stripped away and Claude freezes into place. This is not the simple dress he'd pictured in something befitting Faerghus. It appears like it might meant to fit in a sort of tailored sense at the top given what looks vaguely like a corset to his eyes, and then there's the skirt billowing out. It's well made and surprisingly fashionable in a way he hadn't anticipated but really should have considering Hilda's involvement in picking one out. And - most importantly - it's a very distinct shade of blue.

As he looks at it Claude doesn't even register his jaw's dropped slightly. The dress is real; it's happening. That's also why he looks at Hilda with something like disbelief he doesn't bother hiding though he's not giving up just yet. ]

We could make it your color if Sylvain meant it about that magic dye since surely there's some left to turn it red. I'm not above bribing you with even more accessories to go with it and all of them ones of your choice, of course.

[theidlemaiden]

But you have to match Sylvain. You don't want him to out do you, do you?

[ Hilda knew what she was doing when she tried to stoke the competitiveness out of Claude. Despite the ridiculousness of the situation, that part of him would never wane.

But in all seriousness despite all the needling and teasing to gave Sylvain, she had to admit that he knew what he looked good in. Claude's puffy and quilted jacket from home on the other hand...

Well it's hard to concentrate on much of anything else when he looks as shocked as he does. Silently she gives Sylvain a little high five and notes every minute detail of it so she can recreate it for him later when they're back from their date. It's hard to keep a straight face but she does. At this rate, maybe picking up acting as a hobby wouldn't be such a bad idea. ]

Unfortunately we used all of it. [ A sigh leaves her mouth as if she's disappointed too - never mind that Sylvain was going to get her a bottle of the stuff as payment for helping him out with this. Her expression is so carefully crafted that anyone else would never guess that she isn't the least bit swayed by some of her favourite things. Only Claude would see the prickle of interest in her eyes before she turns from him to take the dress off the hanger with a pout. ]

You can't using that on me you know! I'm not that easily won over. [ In other words, he was going to have to make the pot really sweet in to get her to fold. ]