I can understand that. Even with everything that's happened here, this is probably the first place I've been where I'm not having to look over my shoulder constantly... metaphorically and literally for whatever might be on my heels. I've gotten used to it when I never really thought would be a reality.

[ It's not really until he says the words aloud for the first he realizes they're true beyond a subconscious understanding - an oddity for a man who normally carefully weighs each word to make sure it conveys no less than what he wants to be said and reveals nothing else from it. What Ciri's said resonates; was there ever a moment he could relax in Almyra or in Fodlan? Even as he thinks it he knows the answer is no beyond distant memories.

Claude's quiet for a minute - a rarity most days when it's not also paired with being engrossed in some task, book, or project before him. It's the thought of family which has turned reflection inward further yet than what's already been said. ]

I'll take some tea if you wouldn't mind making it, though perhaps the wine won't be far behind. But it sounds like, [ to turn the conversation back to Ciri momentarily while he considers a few other things in the back of his mind first, ] you've not had much rest before arriving here either.