[ As someone absolutely delighted by dramatic displays there's no shortage of said delight here now as Sylvain pulls out one long suffering act after another in quick succession. There's no surprise in that being focused on over everything else said, what with it being easier than the rest, and as Sylvain lifts his cup Claude chuckles slightly. ]

I think you'd be surprised. Much like the rest of us Lorenz isn't who he once was. That said, [ with a pause absolutely meant to signal the obvious remark coming, ] it's not like he's strayed too far from being the noble head of House Gloucester.

[ With those final words said in a pristine imitation of Lorenz as well, what with all those years of being able to study the man's mannerisms - and several times of mockery of them along with Hilda. He lets those thoughts fall away as they arrive, focusing instead on leaning forward to signal his own toast. ]

See, that's exactly the kind of response I like to hear. Rewriting all the rules might just be the best birthday present of all.

[ Or something like that as it's another thought he doesn't follow in favor of casting a wink towards Sylvain over the edge of his cup while going to take that first sip finally - and without any teasing behind that much.

It's almost exactly as he remembers it, so much so that homesickness and contentment battle for a few seconds before the latter triumphs, and the smile on his face is nothing but genuine. The amount of work put into creating this tea is something he can only imagine and was done so expertly Claude can't help but marvel over it being done out of nothing but thoughtfulness. ]

If I've already said you've outdone yourself tonight, then I really mean it now after this.