[ Ferdinand may not be the most observant person out there, but he is able to glean some perhaps unintentional meaning behind that particular choice of words. Claude need not say any more about it, as Lorenz has already given him quite the earful. The Great Bridge of Myrddin was, to some people here, the place where he lost his life. He'll not overwhelm the poor man by discussing the nature of branching timelines, partially out of consideration for Claude's mental well-being and partially because it still gives him a headache to think about. ]

Likewise, Claude. [ He gives a kind, polite nod, one befitting a former schoolmate. He has not seen Claude since the Empire's capture of Derdriu, though he always suspected that would not be the last he saw of him. ] As... [ how does he say this gracefully ] distasteful as I find the entire situation here, I must admit that it is a welcome change from the devastation of war.