[Claude hadn't expected any of this to go smoothly, not by a long shot. He knew there was something suspect about Adelfoúla's cooperation, but he thought that perhaps because they had spared her, because he had kept his promise not to harm her and instead watched over her, that perhaps she had felt something of a change of heart in her loyalties to her master. Maybe she really did want Vander to be saved. There had been something genuinely childlike about her, given her fondness for the picture books he'd given her and her blank, doll-like expressions. Maybe he'd pitied her situation a bit, softy that he is, guessing she was probably another of Aetós' victims.
Of course, there was the high likelihood of it being a dangerous trap, too; he's not naive, but it was one they had no choice but to spring. What shocks him more, however, is the way Aetós disposes of the girl as though she's nothing, even though she had fulfilled her task. It's rare for Claude to show genuine anger or upset, but in that moment, what had at first been a trip to retrieve an ally and learn more about a formidable enemy has instead become something more personal for Claude.
So there's no forced cheer from him for once as he moves quietly through the Zoo accompanied by Byleth, bow in hand and on high alert for distant noises -- voices of other search parties echoing down the hall, perhaps, or a suspicious, ragged breathing noise down a dark path. So far they've managed to slip past such creatures by being quiet and careful, but Claude knows their good luck can't go on forever.]
Don't worry if you've lost your bearings. [He says it quietly to Byleth, when he's sure it's safe to speak.] If we get turned around in here, I think I'll be able to remember our way out.
[Sure, he was focused on the mission, but being Claude, he's also busy plotting contingencies on contingencies. Hopefully it will help Byleth focus on just paying attention to the monsters.]
Fódlan Girls Night II: Electric Zoogaloo
Of course, there was the high likelihood of it being a dangerous trap, too; he's not naive, but it was one they had no choice but to spring. What shocks him more, however, is the way Aetós disposes of the girl as though she's nothing, even though she had fulfilled her task. It's rare for Claude to show genuine anger or upset, but in that moment, what had at first been a trip to retrieve an ally and learn more about a formidable enemy has instead become something more personal for Claude.
So there's no forced cheer from him for once as he moves quietly through the Zoo accompanied by Byleth, bow in hand and on high alert for distant noises -- voices of other search parties echoing down the hall, perhaps, or a suspicious, ragged breathing noise down a dark path. So far they've managed to slip past such creatures by being quiet and careful, but Claude knows their good luck can't go on forever.]
Don't worry if you've lost your bearings. [He says it quietly to Byleth, when he's sure it's safe to speak.] If we get turned around in here, I think I'll be able to remember our way out.
[Sure, he was focused on the mission, but being Claude, he's also busy plotting contingencies on contingencies. Hopefully it will help Byleth focus on just paying attention to the monsters.]