Catch-all: Claude

[ercnerd]

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Week 0: Monday

[ercnerd]

[Should Claude enter the coffeehouse at the start of the day, he'll be greeted by a muffled yawn from Sieghart, who's nursing a disposable cup of steaming liquid. He blinks drowsily at Claude.]

Uh? You're up early. Have you eaten yet?

[shaft]

[ Claude is a morning person, despite everything else about him, so he's surprised to see Sieghart in the coffeehouse. ]

I haven't, not yet. But I could say the same for you! I hadn't expected to see anyone awake so early in the morning.

[ercnerd]

Today's the first official day, and I slept almost all of yesterday.

[He takes a sip. Ah, caffeine.]

Don't forget to eat before you go to class. You shouldn't skip a meal, no matter how busy you are.

[shaft]

[ He blinks, a little disoriented. ]

You really have the countenance of a father. Is that on purpose?

[ercnerd]

Hm . . . is that how I come off?

[He sets the cup down on the counter. It's a natural gesture, not a pensive one.]

Maybe it's because I used to be one?

[shaft]

You... hardly look any older than myself.

[ wait, "used" to be? ]

[ercnerd]

That's because I don't age.

[shaft]

[ . . . ]

Are you perhaps a dragon?

[ercnerd]

[He looks at Claude with the amused arch of his eyebrow. That's new.]

Do I look like a spirit to you? No, I'm human.

[shaft]

Never have I, in all my years, heard of a human who does not age... What elixir did you drink to gain this power?

[ercnerd]

[He takes a longer sip while Claude speaks. The cup lingers by his lips before he lowers it farther.]

Immortality isn't a power. It just means I stopped being mortal.

[shaft]

You make it sound as normal as hitting puberty.

[ercnerd]

It's not as dramatic.

[shaft]

[ He lifts a brow. ]

Was puberty that dramatic for you?

[ercnerd]

Was it not for you?

[shaft]

Not... particularly?

[ercnerd]

Was your childhood that unexciting?

[shaft]

That's what I'm starting to think. [ He lifts a brow. ] I'd be curious to hear your stories of puberty.

[ercnerd]

[He waves with his free hand.]

There's no time for that. Classes are starting soon—grab a drink or eat something while you're here.

[shaft]

[ boo ]

Are you making breakfast?

[ercnerd]

There are snacks on the table. I'd watch out for the ones in basket.

[shaft]

Did they give you a little confidence boost?

[ercnerd]

No . . . I felt like talking to everyone.

[He sighs.]

Just thinking about it wears me out.

[shaft]

Ah, not normally the chatty type?

[ercnerd]

Chatting is fine, but I walked and stood around way too much. My legs were killing me.