"Ah, if you've seen Nina and Sagramore, I know you've been given the best of welcomes. Sagramore is the soul of charm, and Nina a talented woman at making friends." He speaks with fondness for them both, though his fondness for Nina is tinged with some wonder at the friends she's made. Once more, Claudius reminds himself how dangerous it is for him to be invested in Luo Binghe's relationships -- but here he is leading Luo Binghe's wife and empress to the game room, curious what she'll make of it.

Claudius finds the way easily, well-acquainted with it now. Even without the pleasant victory, playing billiards with Grantaire reminded him much he enjoyed shifting calculations and assessing angles, during a time where he needed to keep his mind occupied, or else spiral into grief. Learning new entertainments, and devising new strategies, served the purpose. It also meant Claudius had many more hustles in his pocket, if he ever wanted to pretend complete ignorance of pinball.