[ eliot gives a despairing sigh. it was worth the ask, even if the results were as expected. the other man does seem quite a bit more anxious than eliot finds himself though, so he gestures soft circles with his hand. ] Deep breaths, handsome. We'll figure this out.

[ a slow breath of his own later, he continues: ] The answer is far simpler than you could imagine, though I suppose it would be down to your predilections whether or not you believe it. It's magic. Whenever you find yourself dealing with nonsensical bullshit, it's pretty much always magic.

[ clearly not his first rodeo. ]

Eliot, by the way. [ he gestures toward himself, offering a small bow. ] Enchanté.