I shoot a lot of people.

"not as many as you'd like these days, i'm sure." it's an offer more than a statement, she knows, and less of a wink from him than it might be from anyone else. rarely does it escape claire's attention that there is sincerity even in the most exaggerated of his veiled threats --- i shoot a lot of people, he says. say the word, is what he means. it's harder than it looks to tuck away the part of her that feels just a little bit powerful for knowing it, but she does the best she can. ( it's only a little smile, and with it she dutifully ignores that they are not joking, not really, not if they needed not to be -- but having grown up in church pews, claire knows when not to boast her faith, and now is not the time. )

"unfortunately, i don't think you'll be breaking that streak anytime soon." to her credit, she doesn't let it come across too teasing, half convinced in her own right that it really is a shame. "still," it spreads, then, that little smile, and her head weighs slightly to the side as she looks him over. "i appreciate the dedication."