[to be fair to the skull the average trench fishermen who frequent here probably look gaunt and unsettling enough to pass for skulls. still, viktor feels some level of contentment that ortus looks a little less lost than when they started talking.]

May I ask after the inspiration? [he's never really read poetry, mostly because it wasn't something readily available for most of his life. unless you count dirty undercity limericks, which he does not and ortus has already had to deal with the sixth's horny poetry anyway.] Oh yes, especially here where you never know what odd occurrence may keep you from your work. It's always something with this place.

[viktor nods- that is a very valuable insight, actually, one he'll remember.] It must be alarming, to have their entire system of magic and the rules that govern it turned on its head. I had always assumed mages and the like would have an easier time adapting to blood magic, though perhaps there's something to be said for having to unlearn what you know first. [a pause.] I suppose in terms of reticence it is true that the vulnerability of asking for help isn't easy to learn when you are used to being powerful.