#like a mass illusion over baldurs gate. so ordinary and unimpressive and unknown to everyone

[recitedemise]

Please. There's no reason to be humble here! Surrounded by brilliant mages and pretentious scholars both, it's pride not modesty that's more the currency. As it were, this man is brilliant, dripping a cultured demeanor of lacquered class. Truthfully, Gale will not be made to deny his genius, but similarly, he's not at all the wherewithal to deny his glee. See, he's always been readable, complex but wonderfully Dr. Seuss in transparency, and taking his hand, it practically buzzes off his skin. To think! The voice of fae studies here on these grounds! Gale only hopes he can impress him, too, but as Wendell's greeting pitters to a whisper, he watches and supposes he likely has.

True to form, the wizard preens a twinge like a peacock.

"Oh! Well, I'm pleased to hear it, especially when one considers how our humble campus lacks in the exalted pedigree held by Cambridge," he teases, "but it's no small wonder what with Baldur's Gate's secrecy. To those not permitted, we would seem but a normal institution of normal means. Yet, to those that are, there will wait only wonder that'd greet them in these halls. Prepare yourself, Mr. Bambleby." He swaggers. "We will enchant you." My. Gale leads him in, the doors opening to reveal high, cobbled walls of exceptional masonry. Immediately, a hearth greets the pair, crackling its embers to smolder the chill. The quaint campus café awaits them but a few strides farther. "I wasn't expecting you'd be perplexed so soon. Haven't you made your whole career absorbing yourself in the illusive?"

Everything about Wendell's own appearance is easy - from the way he carries himself with his shoulders back and hands in the pockets of his black tweed peacoat to the easy smile ever-present on his lips. He by no means considers himself to be the celebrity of the day. No, in his experience such guest lectures are contained to a handful of students already studying dryadology and their professors. To hear that Dr. Dekarios' students are eager to hear him speak, despite not having a connection to the study themselves, is... a first. "Is it? Your university president must be more open-minded than most. It's an honor to be here to corrupt the minds of your oh so willing stu-."

The handshake is distracted, at best. Out of the corner of his eye, Wendell catches sight of the glimmering phantom hands reaching for his luggage. That's not something he's used to seeing out in the open at a university and what he finds even more perplexing is that the cabbie doesn't seem to notice at all. "Ah, yes..." He turns his attention back to Gale, the crease in his brow evaporating almost immediately at the mention of food. "Thank you for the helping hand. I'm never one to turn down a nice meal after an arduous journey." To be fair, Wendell would consider any journey arduous. He's simply not enthusiastic about the traveling part of travel. "I would also very much enjoy a tour of your university. I find it perplexing that I hadn't heard of Baldur's Gate prior to your correspondence. It seems lovely thus far."