Yeah, life would be a lot simpler if every asshole trying to kill us was just like a walking cliche going on about those meddling kids. I used to think that's how it was when I was a kid. Everybody probably did, but then you grow up. [ And even though it turns out magic is real and life becomes better than it could've been, those assholes trying to kill you aren't cartoon villains.

Seeing Klaus's reaction to his magic just now, it reminds him for a second of that time that he'd used his mending to repair a broken model airplane right in front of his dad, showing him what he would be doing with his life. It's a bittersweet memory, it was even then, and it hurts to think of it now, enough that he shoves it down, reminding himself that it probably won't be long before he sees his dad anyway, and absolutely not thinking about the rest of it. Or trying not to anyway.

Luckily, this stranger he's sitting next to now makes that easier. ] Actual magic. [ He says it with a bit of a smile, remembering that he had loved it at some point, still kind of did, or was starting to before-- well, before he died. ] I guess they don't have it in your world? Or they do and it's a big behind the scenes secret like it is in mine.

[ He leans back against the wall, eyes closing for a moment, but he's looking at the other almost instantly again. ] Yeah, have you met him? Tall, dark curls, hazel eyes, he's got this fancy cane right now, a nice long black coat, and he's probably been really flirty with people. [ He takes half a second to study Klaus - yup. Eliot definitely would've flirted with him if they'd met.

He gives a little shrug. ] Yeah. If you want to. I'm not really tired, so maybe I'll just look around. Quietly. I'll sleep later. When I'm dead.

[ Ha. ]