Jean-Claude is happy to interpret it as the latter, for he's quickly moving to fit himself into the space created for him nonetheless. Regardless, he tilts his head at the other man and offers him a smile as the other man speaks and fidgets with his vest.

The truth is that he has missed Daryl. He has not seen him much since he'd ascended to the role of Duke, and he was half afraid that Daryl might have assumed his interested had ended when he'd not needed the support of the other factions to help him climb further. While he didn't need the manpower anymore, that much was true, that doesn't mean that his business is done with Daryl though. Not by a long shot, not if Jean-Claude has anything to say about it.

"It has been, yes," he replies. "New faction, then a campaign for a seat on the Night Council. Busy indeed." He tilts his head at the other man again. "But you know about those things. Tell me about your time. How have you been spending it? How have you been busy yourself, mon ami?" he asks, a clever smile spreading its way across his face as he does.