[ Given the source of the sound, it likely doesn't really echo through the cave. But proximity and the cool, enclosed but potentially expansive face makes it seem louder than it may otherwise have. It's subjectively, mildly unpleasant, watching Felix twist himself until something gives, but Claude tends to regard the mildly unpleasant (the squeamish, maybe) as potentially interesting. Feelings worth dissecting so to prevent later distraction.
And so, Claude looks on with amused curiosity before turning, and would have commented, but that --
Huh. Felix is coming along. Sure, that had been a half-hoped intent, an indirect challenge in what preceded, but it came down to Felix's obstinacy (having expressed his thorough disinterest, to now remain adamantly unmoved) against his -- competitiveness? Or, what Claude can't imagine him ever admitting to, but suspects -- kind-heartedness? Deep, deep-seated.
Before he can accuse Felix of actually caring, a more self-interested motive comes.
Claude pretends to think about it, hand rubbing at his hair. ]
Hmmm, that's probably true.
[ Absolutely wicked, the grin that begins to break behind his wrist. ]
I'd need you to say hello to Lysithea for me.
[ Inside joke, sorry. ]
Plus, you seem like a good candidate for haunting.
[One could argue on behalf of deep, very deep-seated kindheartedness, sure; but Felix would insist they're wrong and that he's only doing so because he'd get charged with some ancient war crime -- no, he doesn't know which, look it up -- and no one, least of all Dimitri, would ever let him hear the end of it. More than enough incentive, he'd say.
Felix wrinkles his nose at the mention of Lysithea. The joke's completely lost on him. All he knows of her is her diminutive side, her penchant for Reasoning, and an even bigger penchant for baked goods. He makes an even weirder face at the remark that follows, and even scoffs, his expression thankfully unseen.
Thankful, because it's too close to an amused grin.]
A good candidate, huh. What's even the criteria for something like that? A lack of regard towards the supernatural? No patience?
[Up ahead, the cave stretches out even further, eventually forking into two 'roads' -- one dry path going into even darker mouth of the cave, and the other stretching the pond out into something better lit, albeit with hardly any walking room. Felix hadn't gone far enough to pick a path during his previous exploration of the cave. And from the looks of things, he's not keen on making that choice today.]
...please tell me your curiosity's already slaked.
[ And Claude wouldn't have faulted such a motive. Not a bit, given that he's himself not so much on the chivalry, in favor of saving his own hide. He not only understands a wariness of the possible repercussions, but could respect it.
Though, he would doubt one point: that anyone would care very much, for any length of time. A less charitable part of him might just be able to picture Lorenz throwing Felix a party for leading the Riegan heir into his early and likely self-steered demise and so assuring the security and illustrious future of the Alliance.
But privy to none of that, he returns his arms behind his head and considers the question. He considers simultaneously whether he's getting better at judging the subtle shifts in Felix's tone, if there is an actual touch of humor in his gruff tone. It isn't so ludicrous a thought given their surroundings and all that preceded this.
Claude would likely respond in much the same way regardless, but with the growing suspicion that Felix might just have an iota of patience for him, his comfort in teasing him sprouts new roots. ]
Exactly that. A guy like you wouldn't spook, and I get the feeling sticking by you, I'd always see something interesting.
[ Maybe, maybe not. In the moment, he entertains the notion, and the branching path gives credence to it. No mistaking the flicker flame of interest as he looks between the two. ]
Liiiike that. Do you often ask questions to which you know the answers? I'll compromise: we'll go down just one path today.
[ Sweeping his arms out from behind his head to gesture grandly, one arm pointed in each direction. ]
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And so, Claude looks on with amused curiosity before turning, and would have commented, but that --
Huh. Felix is coming along. Sure, that had been a half-hoped intent, an indirect challenge in what preceded, but it came down to Felix's obstinacy (having expressed his thorough disinterest, to now remain adamantly unmoved) against his -- competitiveness? Or, what Claude can't imagine him ever admitting to, but suspects -- kind-heartedness? Deep, deep-seated.
Before he can accuse Felix of actually caring, a more self-interested motive comes.
Claude pretends to think about it, hand rubbing at his hair. ]
Hmmm, that's probably true.
[ Absolutely wicked, the grin that begins to break behind his wrist. ]
I'd need you to say hello to Lysithea for me.
[ Inside joke, sorry. ]
Plus, you seem like a good candidate for haunting.
no subject
Felix wrinkles his nose at the mention of Lysithea. The joke's completely lost on him. All he knows of her is her diminutive side, her penchant for Reasoning, and an even bigger penchant for baked goods. He makes an even weirder face at the remark that follows, and even scoffs, his expression thankfully unseen.
Thankful, because it's too close to an amused grin.]
A good candidate, huh. What's even the criteria for something like that? A lack of regard towards the supernatural? No patience?
[Up ahead, the cave stretches out even further, eventually forking into two 'roads' -- one dry path going into even darker mouth of the cave, and the other stretching the pond out into something better lit, albeit with hardly any walking room. Felix hadn't gone far enough to pick a path during his previous exploration of the cave. And from the looks of things, he's not keen on making that choice today.]
...please tell me your curiosity's already slaked.
no subject
Though, he would doubt one point: that anyone would care very much, for any length of time. A less charitable part of him might just be able to picture Lorenz throwing Felix a party for leading the Riegan heir into his early and likely self-steered demise and so assuring the security and illustrious future of the Alliance.
But privy to none of that, he returns his arms behind his head and considers the question. He considers simultaneously whether he's getting better at judging the subtle shifts in Felix's tone, if there is an actual touch of humor in his gruff tone. It isn't so ludicrous a thought given their surroundings and all that preceded this.
Claude would likely respond in much the same way regardless, but with the growing suspicion that Felix might just have an iota of patience for him, his comfort in teasing him sprouts new roots. ]
Exactly that. A guy like you wouldn't spook, and I get the feeling sticking by you, I'd always see something interesting.
[ Maybe, maybe not. In the moment, he entertains the notion, and the branching path gives credence to it. No mistaking the flicker flame of interest as he looks between the two. ]
Liiiike that. Do you often ask questions to which you know the answers? I'll compromise: we'll go down just one path today.
[ Sweeping his arms out from behind his head to gesture grandly, one arm pointed in each direction. ]
You can even pick!