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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[ 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.