A Little Mouse, In Over Its Head [Claudia/Arlette/Eliane, Alastair]

For a woman that had just professed her disinterest in politics, it was still of little surprise that Claudia was so knowledgeable about such matters. He had, of course, read several dossiers on relations between Vastime and the Vandenreich prior to undertaking this mission. But even they were redacted in places, information held behind clearances that he did not have. It was likely the Duvalier Group had the means to work around such bureaucratic restrictions, though even then perhaps there was a value in hearing of events from a different perspective.

"The Grandmaster is indeed quite the figure of renown, he inspired me to put my faith in an organisation that has so failed my kind times in the past. As for relations between the two, I have read reports and studied articles but I would not call myself an expert on the matter. Much like yourself, I would rather leave politics to the politicians and focus on what actually matters. But perhaps you can illuminate me on matters I was not yet aware of? I am not well versed in local customs, though I believe there was some bad blood between the Grandmaster and local leadership?"

His questions were broached carefully, there was some truth mixed in with his absence of knowledge after all. But if she was perhaps using him for some purpose or another then the least he could do was pick up a few answers along the way. Not that he felt particularly used, toyed with a little but hardly anything to write home about.

"There are times when actions speak louder than words, I suppose. Though perhaps it is the relationship between the King and the Grandmaster that averted further conflict, especially in the face of greater foes. There are lessons to be learned from both sides, I am sure, for pride only goes so far."

There was more to it than that, they both knew it, though it was not like the answers were just out there waiting to be said. Alastair knew where the red tape began, and continuing to pry was only going to put him in a more compromising position when it came to his business here. If she had more to offer him, of course, he would listen and be both appreciative and concerned by how she had come into such information. But it would not surprise him. Assuming Claudia Duvalier knew everything and working backwards was a good policy to have, that was something he had quickly deduced from her reputation and continued to maintain.

At the mention of dinner or even just the suggestion of it, Alastair did wonder if they should relocate to a dining table or the like. They had been perched on this sofa for a while, sitting side-by-side, perhaps they would be face-to-face soon enough.

"If anything, it shows the value in forging bonds outside of our respective organisations so that we can come together to overcome that which divides us."

There was a conviction to Claudia's delivery that did take Alastair by surprise. He had known that the woman was driven, resourceful, and oddly charismatic yet it seemed ever so genuine when she spoke so harshly of pride. Perhaps she was pandering to him, but he had hardly been overly vocal of his opinion on where exactly pride had got them. Suddenly he caught himself looking at her with a genuine feeling of intrigue, and then, just as suddenly, the rug was getting pulled out from underneath him.

"I cannot help but wonder if the world was once a utopia or rather that is what history wants us to believe. But I would be interested to see what a world without pride looked like."

Rising to his feet a moment behind Claudia, Alastair looked towards the kitchen and offered a polite nod to the twins as they went about their duties. At her direction, he began to follow her in the direction of the food.

"Of course, this is hardly fitting talk for the table. So, I am a guest in your home, but is there anything you might ask of me?"

The meal had certainly been pleasant, extravagant compared to the meals that he was used to in the City of Lights, but so too was the company. In a way, it was alarming that he could sit down with the head of the Duvalier Group and enjoy a quiet dinner like they were old associates. Who was he to her, but a small part of a larger tool, yet she went to all of this trouble on an idle whim? Standing as Claudia did, Alastair offered her a thankful nod as he headed for the balcony with a rucksack slung over one shoulder.

"That was much appreciated, Lady Duvalier. I suppose I shall see you in a few."

The evening sun still hung low in the sky as he stepped out onto the balcony, a city bathed in the orange glow lingered beneath him, yet he did not focus upon the scenic views quite yet. Turning right, as instructed, he made for the pool at a leisurely pace. Leaving his bag tucked away in a corner, he took out a pair of swim shorts and hunted for a place to change. If there was nothing out there then he would head inside and use a bathroom.

Eventually, bereft of most of his clothes now, Alastair found himself slowly sinking into the pool. It was refreshing cool against the ambient heat of the country, which remained present and somewhat oppressive well into the night here. Slinking deeper into the water, until he was nearly up to his neck, he rolled back his head to look up to the sky and awaited Claudia's eventual arrival.

Alastair did jolt in surprise as the door was cracked open in what he had once thought was an opaque glass wall before he rotated around to face the source of the commotion whilst resting his arms on the side of the pool. The sight of Claudia in her bathing suit was a pleasant one, he supposed, but it did suddenly make him think about what was on the other side of that wall and whether it was as opaque as he had so naively assumed. Thankfully, he had been prudent to change elsewhere, but it still did feel like he had been putting on something of a show for her. He dismissed those thoughts quickly though, Claudia had plenty more about her than to be spending her precious time sneaking in a look or two.

"There are only so many compliments I can pay you before I begin to sound like a broken record, but the views are to die for."

Casting his gaze away from Claudia and back out over the metropolis, he began to swim towards the edge of the water that looked out over the city. It was a slow stroke, purposefully done to disrupt the water as little as possible. Eventually coming to a stop near the cusp, he continued to look out for a moment before turning back to his hostess wearing a smile similar to her own.

"There is a certain homely comfort to a conventional pool compared to the vastness of the ocean, but I would be remiss if I did not also pay respect to the City of Lights. Regardless of your affiliation, I think none can deny it is a rare beauty. A jewel in the midst of the Pacific. I would certainly recommend visiting one of the many beaches to a passing tourist."