[ sylvain doesn't appreciate the accusation, but... he can't exactly blame him for coming to that conclusion, either. if their positions were reversed, he'd likely have his fair share of suspicion.

he's just glad he doesn't have to spell out what happened, which is no small relief. he knows from personal experience just how deeply mistrust runs in people, how impossible it is to budge preconceptions once they've taken root. (however, he really has no idea just how far claude's wariness might go, or the reason behind it.) ]

You sort of did. Though, to be fair, I sort of dropped you...

[ he at least has the wherewithal to look sheepish about it. ]

You've been out for some time now. Just thought I'd move you somewhere quieter, since we're old acquaintances and all. ...What sort of candy did you eat, anyway?

[ good grief. but also, sylvain thinks he'll pocket some for future use. ]