[Lizzie smiles and shrugs a little.]

It is what it is, but thank you. We were just ill-suited to the task. I got too hot-headed, and he... had a rough time with it.

[Dimitri never elaborated on why his pulse kept spiking like it had, and Lizzie never asked. She's a curious sort, sure, but she knows when to leave well enough alone.]

I think the audience with Arthur will suit him much better. I wish you both the best of luck.

I see.

[She doesn't press further. It wouldn't be fair to ask Claude about another man's demons.

Instead, she focuses on Claude himself.]

I have to say, I'm impressed by all the political work you've been putting in of late. It's certainly well beyond my ken, and assassination attempt aside it suits you. Is it safe to assume you were politically involved back home, too?

[Lizzie's eyes widen slightly as he speaks.]

You're a duke. I had no idea I was living with someone so esteemed.

[She's mostly teasing, speaking with a small grin, and even considers making a sex joke about it. Ultimately, she errs on the side of caution--he's talking about himself in some depth, which in her admittedly brief time knowing him is not something he's done much of. Better to not knock things off the rails right away.]

My condolences that things have gotten messy. [There's no shortage of things that can be euphemistic for--war, Calamity, natural disaster, and so no--and none of them are good.] But that certainly explains a lot about you from what I've seen so far.

Sorry, sorry. [Yeah, it's better that she kept her joke to herself.]

If it makes you feel better, this doesn't change anything about how I think of you. And if you hit your head or something and decide you want to start being a pompous arse, I'll be sure to clock you for it. Fair?

[Clearly, the threat of violence is the truest expression of friendship.]

As for Dimitri, it sounds like the change of scenery here may do him some good, if what you say is true. I don't know him well, but I do like the man. He deserves to be happy.

[That would be awful!]

Good for him! His best is all anyone can ask for.

I saw him there and had half a mind to try and peel him from the wall, but I never quite made it to him. Perhaps next time.

[Assuming there is a next time, but Lizzie's hopeful that the masquerade isn't a unique event.]

How many people are here from Fodlan, then?

I've met three others so far. Two elezen teenagers and a Garlean.

[There's a bit of a rough edge on how she says that last word, but she moves past it quickly enough.]

I've heard that there are others from my star here as well, but I can't say for sure. That said, no one I actually know from home is here. I only met Blaze recently, when she arrived here. So I'm a bit envious that you aren't quite so unlucky.

Oh. Right, those words mean nothing to you because you aren't from the same star.

[She should be used to that by now, but it still often takes her by surprise how terms and all differ.]

They're races of men, or "Spoken" as we tend to call them. Elezen are tall, lanky, pointy eared. [She brings her fingers to a point next to her head, demonstrating the length and shape of them.] They tend to be from the woods or the cold north. Most of the ones I've met tend to be a bit stuffy, but they're generally good people. Or bad people, depending on the individual.

And then the Garleans... [Siiiiigh.] Honestly, I don't know much about them as a people. But as a nation, they're responsible for a great many sins that they have yet to answer for. Imperial invasions, stripping entire peoples of their sovereignty, cruelty to those they conquer, forced conscription. All in the name of their emperor. When there is one.

[Civil war has been something of a frequent occurrence in Garlemald of late, now that she thinks about it.

She pauses, a dark seriousness falling over her features.]

I've seen what horror they've left in their wake. It's why I refuse to allow Camelot to invade Elphame. We'd be doing to the fae what the Garleans have done to Ala Mhigo, Doma, Dalmasca, Bozja... the list goes on and on. I want no part of it.

[Lizzie lets out a heavy sigh, but then she gives Claude a small smile.]

Thank you, truly. My relationship with all of it is complicated, and a conversation for another time. But I appreciate the sympathy all the same.

[Time to move on to talking about the here and now so this doesn't become a heavy heart to heart she isn't prepared for!]

I can't speak to the politics, but I agree with your conclusion. If our goal is to work together, I can't imagine how subjugating them would get us anywhere near that objective.

It makes no sense to me, either. Glad we agree on that point.

[Siiiiiigh.]

I just hope that whatever we decide, it's the right choice.

Good. I'd much prefer to have you here instead of me having to go and avenge you.

[Although she would, if it came to it.]

Ghosts make for terrible company.

Until you got bored.

[No hate in the callout. She'd probably become a stir-crazy ghost over time, too.]

Also, I'd miss you in bed. It wouldn't be the same without you there.