Adrien took a sip of water to drown the last of his giggles; then he paused. "Is it alright that I told you all of this?".

Val chuckled. "Do I seem bothered?". He picked up knife and fork and cut himself a piece. "Besides, it is important to discuss your thoughts and approaches to spellcasting. Your logic is sound, after all. On the other hand", Val said, a little smirk at the edge of his mouth, "I don't think I will be writing about this particular exchange in my reports to the Council of Magic".

Adrien giggled, then resumed eating. Val had been about to bite into a morsel when he put the fork down - "Oh, I almost forgot -- I have a letter for you".

"For me?", Adrien gasped.

"Yes. Your mother wrote back".

Val retrieved an envelope that was sitting on top of the fireplace and handed it to Adrien, who tore it open and unfolded the paper inside.