[ Smiling as his mind races. Is he so obvious? It's different with Hilda, but that might not be a fair comparison. After everything, it could only be Hilda. But it is different: that with Hilda, he accepts that she might look at him and understand. That her deceptively sharp eyes would see more than he'd intended, more than he crafted in the practiced swoop of his smile.
With Lorenz, even with their occasional discussion, he's less comfortable with the notion. It should not be very surprising, and it isn't, because once he'd been all too aware of the close attention Lorenz paid him. But then Lorenz had been drawn to the Black Eagles by that irresistible, uncanny magnetism Teach had. But then war.
It's been awhile.
Despite kneejerk discomfort, it isn't as though it's a bad thing. He has no desire to be confused with any other Claude, no intention of fostering that confusion. But in a moment such as this, put just that much on edge by the memory and its exposure, for Lorenz to approach in anger and recognition—
Well, he almost feels young again, so acute is the impetus to run. Energy stirs in his hands, his fingers, nervous. Claude's got too much self-control to fist them or to yield to crossing his arms.
That would only make him look as defensive as he feels.
And once again with this Lorenz, Claude wonders for how long he can maintain a deceit. at least this is one he knows. Likely not very.
But he'll stall for time, anyway, repeating himself neatly from their first meeting here. ]
As ever, Lorenz, you'll need to be more specific. What part of it? If you mean the entire,
[ Hand waved wide, gesturing to the space once occupied by the moving images ]
no subject
[ Smiling as his mind races. Is he so obvious? It's different with Hilda, but that might not be a fair comparison. After everything, it could only be Hilda. But it is different: that with Hilda, he accepts that she might look at him and understand. That her deceptively sharp eyes would see more than he'd intended, more than he crafted in the practiced swoop of his smile.
With Lorenz, even with their occasional discussion, he's less comfortable with the notion. It should not be very surprising, and it isn't, because once he'd been all too aware of the close attention Lorenz paid him. But then Lorenz had been drawn to the Black Eagles by that irresistible, uncanny magnetism Teach had. But then war.
It's been awhile.
Despite kneejerk discomfort, it isn't as though it's a bad thing. He has no desire to be confused with any other Claude, no intention of fostering that confusion. But in a moment such as this, put just that much on edge by the memory and its exposure, for Lorenz to approach in anger and recognition—
Well, he almost feels young again, so acute is the impetus to run. Energy stirs in his hands, his fingers, nervous. Claude's got too much self-control to fist them or to yield to crossing his arms.
That would only make him look as defensive as he feels.
And once again with this Lorenz, Claude wonders for how long he can maintain a deceit. at least this is one he knows. Likely not very.
But he'll stall for time, anyway, repeating himself neatly from their first meeting here. ]
As ever, Lorenz, you'll need to be more specific. What part of it? If you mean the entire,
[ Hand waved wide, gesturing to the space once occupied by the moving images ]
then I'd like to know, myself.