"Yes. Hopefully we're all reformed people now. Well behaved and all that," he replies with a smirk, not really believing it. Cesare has been around for a while, long enough to witness cycles. He does not believe that people nor humanity changes. Trends shift, yes. But genuine changes at a person's core? Definitely not.

"I would hate for there to be another upheaval. Jean-Claude is a friend of mine." Friend is a bit of a strange term for how the two men consider each other, with far too rich a history and very little trust. But friend will suffice for this conversation. "It would be a such a shame if his leadership were dashed so early in its course."