"Mm, that might explain it," he said. It would track for a mage of Marie's family status, although he has his doubts. In his experience, the outsider angle is sometimes a greater help. Then again, his classroom was special, far moreso than any other mage in Clock Tower's. The strange and outsiders always drew closer to him and...there was selection bias, wasn't there?

For a very quiet moment, all the attitude of Lord El-Melloi II disappeared, leaving just Waver Velvet. The same bratty 19 year old that he loathed, loathed being, never wanted to see or have anything else to do with ever ever ever again. In that horrible moment, there was only one worry on his mind.

"If he responds at all."

And what would he do if Iskandar did not arrive?