[ In another life, he could use this as a calculation. It's not lost on him that in the fragments of truth he's chosen to share which have left out his decisions as the leader of the Alliance he could go much further. More could be bent, a different picture painted: he waits, considers, and finds no desire to even try it. Not on Petra.
It's too heavy. And haven't they both dealt with enough? Claude's well aware there's no avoiding this topic, that someday it'll have to be addressed in more than broad strokes still concealing what he knows. But for now - maybe it wouldn't be the worst to brush it aside, to keep this a better reunion than what he knows their next time meeting in Fodlan turned out to be.
In the wake of her apology, Claude merely puts on a convincing smile. ]
I'm not sure that you have anything to apologize for, Petra. It's not like you started the war. Unless... you've been holding out on me all this time? And in that case, I'm more offended you held out that you were a brilliant tactician all this time. Think of all we could've gotten up to together at the academy!
[ He's careful to say it in exactly the same tone he would've once used at the training grounds when her shots bested his, just to make it clear there's zero accusations happening. Some part of him is also aware of the unfairness of joking now and in forcing the pendulum swing of the conversation back from the ledge it's teetering on. There's much in the here and now they'll have to focus on, and Claude glances up to follow the path of a guard walking by before looking back at Petra once again, good humor fading slightly. ]
The last wagon into Cadens for today should be leaving soon so they can make it there and back here before sundown. I have to be on it, and the offer still stands for you to come back with me.
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It's too heavy. And haven't they both dealt with enough? Claude's well aware there's no avoiding this topic, that someday it'll have to be addressed in more than broad strokes still concealing what he knows. But for now - maybe it wouldn't be the worst to brush it aside, to keep this a better reunion than what he knows their next time meeting in Fodlan turned out to be.
In the wake of her apology, Claude merely puts on a convincing smile. ]
I'm not sure that you have anything to apologize for, Petra. It's not like you started the war. Unless... you've been holding out on me all this time? And in that case, I'm more offended you held out that you were a brilliant tactician all this time. Think of all we could've gotten up to together at the academy!
[ He's careful to say it in exactly the same tone he would've once used at the training grounds when her shots bested his, just to make it clear there's zero accusations happening. Some part of him is also aware of the unfairness of joking now and in forcing the pendulum swing of the conversation back from the ledge it's teetering on. There's much in the here and now they'll have to focus on, and Claude glances up to follow the path of a guard walking by before looking back at Petra once again, good humor fading slightly. ]
The last wagon into Cadens for today should be leaving soon so they can make it there and back here before sundown. I have to be on it, and the offer still stands for you to come back with me.