[that is a very nice answer, as far as viktor's concerned. he chases the kiss to steal another, pulling back and thinking probably for the umpteenth time how much better the academy would have been to have minds like pal's instead of the same pompous, static nonsense. all of jayce's vision without jayce's unfortunate naivety in many areas.]

It is why our work draws me, I admit. The practical application cannot be ignored but I think we have a chance of starting to untangle the system here the farther we go. [he says, leaned in a little to impart that. he's still shaking the feeling that delving into magic is something for hushed tones largely.

oh right, not just puzzle talk.] Oh, no, I cannot say I do. In truth I've never cared about such things. [unless it's pal's squid day and then he does. or jayce's probably, but jayce is probably the one who wheedled him into accepting the whole 'celebrate the person existing' aspect until viktor caved.]