"I mean, I haven't been on their radar before today," Claude says with a rueful grin. "Frankly, they weren't on mine, either. But I'm aware that I could wind up catching their attention today whether or not you do anything. Or maybe they won't care, who knows? I imagine it depends on how much of a nuisance I actually make of myself. I haven't really accomplished anything noteworthy yet, so unless I turn up better results soon, it'd be arrogant to think they'd care at all."

He listens to Thace's warning with due seriousness, although oddly he's smiling by the end of it. "Honestly, that makes me doubly glad we talked," he says with a chuckle. "Truth be told, I'm pretty much the same. I mean, I'm more known for clever schemes and plans than intelligence-gathering, but that's just because people don't appreciate how vital the latter is to be able to come up with the former. I'm also known for being a pretty secretive guy who doesn't just hand information out lightly - and that goes for yours as much as my own."

He cocks an eyebrow, a small smile still on his lips even as his eyes take a more serious look to them. "And despite the impression I know I give off, I'm a commander fresh from a pretty rough civil war, so I can recognize that code for 'killing spies and silencing loose lips'. And I appreciate the grim necessity of that kind of work. So I want you to know that I hear you, and I think we understand each other."

Then his smile becomes warmer, and he extends a hand. "That said...another thing I'm known for is preferring diplomacy over fighting. So I've got no interest in being your enemy, or doing anything that'd make you mine. It's nice to meet you, Thace."