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We've had no issues so far, right?

[ Kahlil has managed some healing without mishaps, anyway. ]

I'll try to keep an eye on him, if you want.

We haven't. I'd like to think that counts for something.

[ There's a delay before the next part. That's a generous offer, and the Claude of days past would've agreed to in no time flat. Strategy's within that - keeping an eye on someone from Fodlan but a different war, another time is arguably a wise move. And yet.

It seems like too much to ask of Kyle even if it's being offered. Plus, and to his own surprise, he mostly believes Linhardt; the other man's position on war hasn't wavered from what he'd remembered those complaints about dealing with bandits being from years ago. ]

I wouldn't say to go out of your way or anything, but. If there's anything too risky that comes up, I can talk to him about it. Or at least do whatever I can from... however far away Cadens is from the castle where you all are.

[ Or he'll get involved with whatever the bad idea is because it's actually a good one, if their time in Abyss was anything to go by, but if Kyle has reservations that probably won't help out any. ]

We practically live on top of each other compared to you all in the Cities, so it's not big ask.

[ He already keeps an eye on most Summoned to a certain degree, anyway. ]

That's true enough. If it wasn't for the Inn here we'd be all over Cadens, but even the Inn doesn't compare to Thorne and everything about that.

[ Something to consider, and that he does for another long moment. ]

Well. I can tell you that he'll be interested in magic and what it can do, and what he can do with it. For as much as I enjoy a good mystery to solve, Linhardt just might enjoy them even more. If you ever have a theory you need to build up or unravel, he's someone I would've gone to for that had the situation in Fodlan been different.

He tried to ask me about Abraxan geology...

[ Kahlil can tell he is a NERD.

There's a small pause, then: ]

Does he have a history that matches yours, or different?

[ Out of all the Summoned, the Fodlans seem to have the most issues with this. ]

When you say ask, do you mean - asked one question, or asked several along with citations and sources?

[ Look - Claude might be having a little fun with this. It's not like he's not self-aware enough to know he was much the same in another life, and then was once again not long after arriving to Abraxas himself when looking at all the things he'd need to learn to help being here make a little more sense. Granted, geology hadn't been on that list, but everyone starts somewhere. ]

From what we've talked about his history isn't the same as mine. It sounds like it could be Petra's, though I think Linhardt's from a later date than she- was. [ A correction which still never gets easier to make, but he moves right on past that. ] Thancred told me a while back that two others from Fodlan were in Thorne sometime before I arrived here. They would have also had the same history as Petra and Linhardt, most likely, so I'm not sure whether it further complicates anything or leaves it the same as what we knew before.

Several. He apologized after I pointed him to the library, though.

This is an awkward question but since the Singularity seems so fixated on your world - is there anyone I should be aware of, in case they arrive here?

[ Anyone he absolutely shouldn't trust. ]

It's not that awkward, considering the war we've all come from. Though: it is a little funny you're asking this when my answers would've been very different a year ago compared to now.

There are people I'd be wary of upon first seeing them, yes. I think it's only fair to say Edelgard and Dimitri when I'm sure I'd be in their answers - hazards of being the former leader of a rival nation which potentially no longer exists for them if they arrive. But I'd be willing to listen since we didn't get that chance to hear each other before, and I've since come to understand they've had their reasons as I had mine. I suppose I can't even include Hubert in that list, much as it pains me. Though if we're lucky, he'll end up in Solvunn to enjoy farm life if he ever arrives.

[ If Hubert were alive, he'd curse him for that, Claude's certain. And actually, on second thought - ]

You know what? Add Hubert to that list anyway. We'll hope for only my former classmates while we're at it. Should any of those who were intent on seeing Fodlan fall after working in the dark for so many years show up here, we'd have much bigger problems.

Fair enough. Everyone keeps telling me this is a place for second chances. Motivations change for some people outside of their home world. And you're in a much better position than any rivals at this point.

[ Claude has allies and friends, Kyle included. ]

I wouldn't want anyone like that close to the Singularity.

It's been a year now and I haven't seen or heard of anyone from my world, but there's a man named Fikiri who would likely want me dead if he arrived. He cannot be trusted.

There is another man, John Toffler, though he might go by the name Jath'ibaye. If he were to ever arrive in the Free Cities, I would need to know immediately.

You and me both. What they accomplished in Fodlan was enough without being given the chance to alter other worlds with it.

[ Because that's easier to focus on than the talk of rivals, true as it might be - and that being a thought that's crossed his own mind. But it soon becomes clear he'd perhaps treated Kyle's question a bit too flippantly even while simultaneously meaning what he'd said, because there's trust in giving the names and the reasons behind them. That's not difficult to tell from one person averse to giving out too many details about themselves to another, and so Claude considers what he's told carefully and reads those names several times before they disappear to commit them to memory. ]

Noted. If I ever come across either of them or happen to hear or see their names, I'll find you first to let you know.

[ And though he didn't address it before: ]

But the same goes for you as well, you know. You wouldn't be alone in facing them if they show up.

[ There's a slightly longer pause before he continues. ]

I appreciate it. Fikiri would have abilities like me. He slipped through my grasp the last time we met because I wasn't prepared.

[ Kahlil hates Fikiri with an intensity he can't completely account for. It must have something to do with his other memory, but he doesn't pursue those answers. ]

Jath'ibaye
I should explain better. He wouldn't be a threat to anyone here. He is a good man. It's just important that I find him if he were to arrive.

[ The John he knew wouldn't hurt a soul. What Jath'ibaye will do to Kahlil if they meet again - he can't say, but this isn't something his friends here could help him with. ]

[ It's an interesting tidbit Kyle mentions, that Fikiri has the same abilities, and that slipping through the other's grasp. He has questions - because of course he does - but he's also reading this as something possibly discussed at a later time. Or when Kyle chooses to share it, which feels like an even more important extension of trust. ]

Doubly noted about Fikiri. And same for Jath'ibaye.

[ That last statement is a complicated one, if he had to guess, and especially given what Claude knows he'd say for that when applying it to someone else arriving here from Fodlan for who it would fit. ]

For what it's worth, there's multiple meanings to facing someone. Not all of them negative, [ because would that be a reunion? Or something else? Regardless - ] but the sentiment stands all the same. You still wouldn't haven't to do it alone, not unless that's what you want.

[ There is another little pause. ]

Thank you, Claude.

[ Even if it's something he must do alone, he's never had someone offer to stand with him until he arrived here. Or be given a choice. ]

Of course. But I'll expect to be paid in the nicest tea you can find should that come to pass, mind you.

[ A little levity's never a bad thing. Though that does, perhaps, come with the undercurrent of that's what friends are for behind it, especially considering that's what's actually meant. ]

[ It's not. He needs it, sometimes. ]

I'll bring a special blend from Borrel.

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