[ It's such a relief to see her - something only compounded by that she seems to feel the same. At least based on all those times he'd spent carefully watching Marianne's reactions to figure out where she stood on something, that is, and enough that Claude thinks he can apply that here, too. He nods in response to being here for only a couple of days, another relief that he hadn't somehow overlooked her for far longer, and as for the rest - ]

As far as I know, I was the only one who arrived alone. Unfortunately, the rest of you have been stuck with seeing me soon after your arrival.

[ A small hint that there's more than just the two of them even if their other friends aren't around at the moment. He'll get to that momentarily. It's important, but not nearly as much as offering Marianne whatever reassurance he can given everything about the upheaval of arriving here brings.

Claude's not much of a hugger by default, but: when it fits, it fits. Recent events have certainly pushed that forward more too, so he'll hold out one arm to pull her in for one should she want to accept it. All while also gesturing to the sort of cats again with another smile, since something about this also feels fitting. ]

I should've guessed I'd find you here wherever animals might be. It's just like old times, isn't it?

[ As if he'd known Marianne would be here, but he's still attempting to get a smile out of her. Eventually is a good goal. ]