Trust me, we'd know if it was following. It's absolutely hunting something if that ravine was supposed to be a trap, but nothing that size could be subtle enough to track us with no one noticing.
We're all in one piece. I should probably find some way to thank Teach for making sure we learned healing spells since it's come in handy here and there.
[ Surely a joke will make this better and also definitely come across over mind text. ]
It is true, large beasts are often lacking in subtlety... they are having troubles being sneaky, but this world is not like our own. We never know when something might be surprising us.
The Professor did want to make sure we were being prepared for any situation. Does that mean someone was injured enough to be needing healing?
To be perfectly fair to the beast, it was pretty good at being stealthy. It wasn't until we looked into the ravine that we knew something was there.
[ Even if Petra can't see his responses, Claude does wince for multiple reasons: in that he realizes how that sounds after it's too late to take back, and because he perhaps told on himself with that joke about Teach. ]
Hey now, maybe I just wanted to brainstorm some gratitude for someone we all know! But no, no injuries worse than what we would've dealt with in the academy days.
[ This is perhaps a redirection every bit as much as he's curious where the mention of the professor in question will go, but - ]
Manuela would've been proud of the foresight we had in packing some potions and salves along to go with the healing magic side of things. Speaking of that, if you haven't already been by there then remind me to take you to Nadine's clinic here so you can stock up as well.
Hmm. I suppose that is being good enough. As long as you are fine now, I will be trying not to worry. I do not have much to spare; things in Libertas are still being very dangerous. The relief effort will be taking us quite some time.
It is good that you have extra supplies, she would be very proud! When you are back, I would be glad to be visiting the clinic with you. My own healing is being very limited, I will be needing curatives while out monster hunting, just in case. Of course, I am having no intention of letting the desert creatures get the drop on me.
[ Well - file worry under things he should've expected - from the message, the trip, the state of everything. Joking probably really wasn't the right approach. ]
Sorry, Petra. I promise we actually all are fine. Don't worry too much, alright? And be careful while you're in Libertas, too.
[ File that one under things he should said before now - but her next statement brings a genuine smile to his face. ]
Nadine's a great healer so she'll have anything you need. And I don't doubt you could take on most anything that's out in the desert and then some, but save some for the rest of us, will you?
I am always being careful, and I am less worried about myself than I am the people here. Their suffering is great. Anything we can be doing to offer relief is worth the risk.
[Admittedly, she has more experience with the more aggressive parts of war— but here, Libertas feels like the right place for her to be at the moment.]
I promise, I will be leaving plenty for you to hunt when you get back. Maybe we can be having another contest when you do— see who can bring back the greatest bounty!
Agreed with you on both the suffering and for helping out wherever we can. There's a lot to be done and they'll need as much assistance as we can provide.
[ Granted, he has some thoughts on attaching other goals to said offering of assistance, but - the meaning to offer it at all and do whatever they can is still entirely genuine. That counts, right?
Better to not dwell on that too long, because what she says next makes him genuinely laugh. ]
Are you sure you really wanna offer me a challenge like that? I have to warn you, I haven't become less competitive over the years. Don't get me wrong - I'm still absolutely going to take you up on it, so get ready for some trips out into the desert. We've gotta make up for not getting any hunting time in at Nocwich.
Good, I am being glad to hear it. I would be disappointed if you were less competitive than I remember. It's not as much fun if winning is being too easy!
I will be holding you to that, then, once you return from your trip. Something for us both to be looking forward to, yes?
[They definitely do have to make up for not getting to hunt together in Nocwich! They were too busy competing at bullying their way through that feast table...]
[ Well - that's two for two in unexpected smiles today. ]
Careful, those sure sound like fighting words when it comes to setting up a competition. I'm going to come back to you having scouted every place, aren't I? But you're right, it is something to look forward to.
I know I certainly will be. Even if you're gonna get a head start on me.
Hmm, I don't know about taking the fun out of it. What if it means you get to scope out something even better for us to see?
But - I'm not opposed to it being fairly square, either. [ He's absolutely going to run with that. ] And on that note, what do you say we make it more interesting? Loser buys dinner somewhere of the winner's choice.
Why, Petra. You're not saying you're planning on emptying my pockets of coins, are you? I'm wounded.
[ Unsurprisingly, he's no such thing in reality when it's more fun to play that up to tease. It's not even a very good act what with trying a little too hard to sound offended in order to cover up amusement, but that's besides the point in Claude's mind. ]
Luckily for you, I'm willing to pull out all the stops. And not just because if you're choosing somewhere that expensive it means we both get to benefit from an excellent meal or what's hopefully one, but that also helps.
When you think of it that way, we are both being winners no matter what, yes?
[The best kind of competition! Everyone comes out of it with something.]
I knew you would be willing to be showing any dinner guest an excellent time. I will be remembering you said that you were willing to... pull out all the stops?
Winning in terms of you claiming all of my coins, or because of the dinner? Just curious since they both fall under that.
[ Not really, and he knows what she means. To likely no one's surprise, that won't stop him from being a little difficult all because he can. ]
I might like to host [ "host" ] dinners for friends, it's true, but stops or not I plan on giving it my all now as I know you will, too. I'm looking forward to it.
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Trust me, we'd know if it was following. It's absolutely hunting something if that ravine was supposed to be a trap, but nothing that size could be subtle enough to track us with no one noticing.
We're all in one piece. I should probably find some way to thank Teach for making sure we learned healing spells since it's come in handy here and there.
[ Surely a joke will make this better and also definitely come across over mind text. ]
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It is true, large beasts are often lacking in subtlety... they are having troubles being sneaky, but this world is not like our own. We never know when something might be surprising us.
The Professor did want to make sure we were being prepared for any situation. Does that mean someone was injured enough to be needing healing?
[You're not getting off that easily!]
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[ Even if Petra can't see his responses, Claude does wince for multiple reasons: in that he realizes how that sounds after it's too late to take back, and because he perhaps told on himself with that joke about Teach. ]
Hey now, maybe I just wanted to brainstorm some gratitude for someone we all know! But no, no injuries worse than what we would've dealt with in the academy days.
[ This is perhaps a redirection every bit as much as he's curious where the mention of the professor in question will go, but - ]
Manuela would've been proud of the foresight we had in packing some potions and salves along to go with the healing magic side of things. Speaking of that, if you haven't already been by there then remind me to take you to Nadine's clinic here so you can stock up as well.
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Hmm. I suppose that is being good enough. As long as you are fine now, I will be trying not to worry. I do not have much to spare; things in Libertas are still being very dangerous. The relief effort will be taking us quite some time.
It is good that you have extra supplies, she would be very proud! When you are back, I would be glad to be visiting the clinic with you. My own healing is being very limited, I will be needing curatives while out monster hunting, just in case. Of course, I am having no intention of letting the desert creatures get the drop on me.
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Sorry, Petra. I promise we actually all are fine. Don't worry too much, alright? And be careful while you're in Libertas, too.
[ File that one under things he should said before now - but her next statement brings a genuine smile to his face. ]
Nadine's a great healer so she'll have anything you need. And I don't doubt you could take on most anything that's out in the desert and then some, but save some for the rest of us, will you?
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I am always being careful, and I am less worried about myself than I am the people here. Their suffering is great. Anything we can be doing to offer relief is worth the risk.
[Admittedly, she has more experience with the more aggressive parts of war— but here, Libertas feels like the right place for her to be at the moment.]
I promise, I will be leaving plenty for you to hunt when you get back. Maybe we can be having another contest when you do— see who can bring back the greatest bounty!
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[ Granted, he has some thoughts on attaching other goals to said offering of assistance, but - the meaning to offer it at all and do whatever they can is still entirely genuine. That counts, right?
Better to not dwell on that too long, because what she says next makes him genuinely laugh. ]
Are you sure you really wanna offer me a challenge like that? I have to warn you, I haven't become less competitive over the years. Don't get me wrong - I'm still absolutely going to take you up on it, so get ready for some trips out into the desert. We've gotta make up for not getting any hunting time in at Nocwich.
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I will be holding you to that, then, once you return from your trip. Something for us both to be looking forward to, yes?
[They definitely do have to make up for not getting to hunt together in Nocwich! They were too busy competing at bullying their way through that feast table...]
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Careful, those sure sound like fighting words when it comes to setting up a competition. I'm going to come back to you having scouted every place, aren't I? But you're right, it is something to look forward to.
I know I certainly will be. Even if you're gonna get a head start on me.
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[Though maybe Claude might enjoy that, if it meant getting the upper hand on the right person.]
When I beat you, it will be fairly square!
[She thinks that's the saying...?]
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But - I'm not opposed to it being fairly square, either. [ He's absolutely going to run with that. ] And on that note, what do you say we make it more interesting? Loser buys dinner somewhere of the winner's choice.
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[This surely won't be the last competition of this sort they have, after all, but instead, the first of many.]
Loser buys dinner? That is perfect! I am accepting your terms!
I hope you are having plenty of money tucked away.
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[ Unsurprisingly, he's no such thing in reality when it's more fun to play that up to tease. It's not even a very good act what with trying a little too hard to sound offended in order to cover up amusement, but that's besides the point in Claude's mind. ]
Luckily for you, I'm willing to pull out all the stops. And not just because if you're choosing somewhere that expensive it means we both get to benefit from an excellent meal or what's hopefully one, but that also helps.
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[The best kind of competition! Everyone comes out of it with something.]
I knew you would be willing to be showing any dinner guest an excellent time. I will be remembering you said that you were willing to... pull out all the stops?
[Is that right??]
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[ Not really, and he knows what she means. To likely no one's surprise, that won't stop him from being a little difficult all because he can. ]
I might like to host [ "host" ] dinners for friends, it's true, but stops or not I plan on giving it my all now as I know you will, too. I'm looking forward to it.
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[Good food and good company, what's not to like? However, he wouldn't be Claude if he didn't prod at her, would he.]
I am glad to hear it. I would be able to tell if you were not, and it would be disappointing if you were holding back!
Stay safe, and we will be putting our skills to the test when you return.