[There's a small laugh from him.] Your people are always so wise when it comes to gambling with forces that perhaps should not be gambled with. [It was always nice to hear her straight-forward way of accepting events, making the jumble of thoughts in his head seem a little less daunting.] I should perhaps take that lesson to heart.

[But his eyes follow her gaze, catching the dull blackness of her nails. A sign of...what sort of creature? Are the nails the beginning of claws? Talons? He's curious, but--]

You don't have to share with me if you don't want to. [Claude's gaze draws back up to her face, flashing a reassuring smile.] If I can be frank for a moment, I can tell the whole process seems...uncomfortable to you.