[There's a moment, brief and enough to make his heart catch in his throat, where he worries what else Claude might think. Who he might guess feels like home to him. Color rises to his cheeks but, thank the Goddess, Claude carries on talking before he's able to stammer out some foolish excuse or insistence that it was the city itself.]

Only Lions? Hmm... It is a pity that Lysithea is no longer here. It would do my heart good to see that she is safe.

[Too many moments in the past months that have reminded him of what those people are capable of, of how much damage they could do. Things that made him worry that The Count might have made a play at Ordelia or at least was planning to. Territory that would make him even more of a force to be reckoned with. ]

Ah... no I- had rather a lot to think about and no idea others were here so I... took the advice of some townsfolk. I believe this place is Cherrygrove? A bit misleading when one is on a beach but there are certainly worse things to call a place.

I'd hate to impose, Claude, really. I'm sure I can find my way well enough. You needn't trouble yourself over me.

[Polite as ever no matter how much he wants to beg Claude to come find him just so he can assure himself this isn't some far fetched fantasy or hallucination after what surely must have been a fatal wound.]