[oh, dear. Cecelia hopes he isn't expecting her to call that creature cute...

she makes a faint, noncommittal sound at that, giving him the win without conceding a point.]

I'm perhaps projecting a bit to much of my resentment over the masquerade onto you, and for that, you have my apology. [for now.] Dark magics have their place, for better or worse.

[she could just let him guess, but...enh. she's tired. so:] I'm working on mastering elemental spells based on what texts I've skimmed in the Archivist's library. My penchant seems to be for fire. [which is...unsurprising.] Given the scope of how elements intermingle, I've more than enough to study.

[she raises an eyebrow.] You've not ventured there already? Are there far more interesting sights within these city walls that I've failed to hear about?

Mm. And what have the tomes within the city taught you?

[naturally. she ruminates for a few paces, her eyes lifting as she catches glimpse of the hotel drawing near, just a couple blocks ahead.

after a moment:] Of those bits and pieces...perchance you read anything about "Excalibur"-?

Because I have no doubt it or its ilk will play some key role in resolving all of these problems. [she sighs a little at the end of that, looking plainly tired, but too stubborn to stop now -- they're right there, for goodness' sake.] If it was the catalyst for the calamity, it will doubtless have to be something of the sort to fix it, is my thinking-way.

Then again...magic is fickle. Not every spell or curse has a perfectly-shaped bookend to counter it.

That's the hope, yes... [but she isn't the sort to put all her chickens into one basket. still, it is the best lead she can think of, save for...well, some deus ex machina situation, but those aren't things you plan for.

here it is, the hotel. a welcome sight for a change.

while slowly letting go of Claude's arm:] Thank you for your generous escort. It helped.