The cult members seem pretty happy. Those That Were will protect them, [ he lilts, voice mocking. He wouldn't dare say this anywhere but here. Manjiro is an outsider; he hasn't been fleece by that group, or roped into playing at respectability like everyone else here. We have to be respectful of their beliefs, people were always saying.

Claude disagrees. He's never respected much of anyone's beliefs, and he won't start now, just because their beliefs are tied to some higher power. ]

I saw one of my own, you know. So whatever this is, it's not my first life. I guess that makes me the older man, [ Claude says, winking at him as he prepares a glass, taking a squeeze bottle and dripping chocolate sauce all around the rim. He pours the concoction in, a deep, velvety brown that already smells of nothing but sweetness and sugar, then garnishes it with a marshmallow upon a toothpick -- generally reserved for the alcoholic hot cocoas Claude will occasionally serve, but he's improvising. ]

May this meet your liking. Vanilla vodka, coffee liquer, Rumpituran creme liquer, double cream and, of course, a good dose of chocolate sauce.

[ He gives a deep, showy bow. ]

Enjoy!