A waste of potential and the chance of a 'fun' life answer made William's mouth twitch in amusement as if that was the worse fate that could happen to a magic-devoid person. It was almost enough to make him get up and leave, if his drugged body would have allowed that, were it not for the ice that jagged through his veins as the girl nonchalantly stated the abyss that was the surgery to remove said shard. ~Wonderful, if those are my opinions..magic devoid or dead. The first has worked out so well for me. Hell, I don't even know where I am, much less if this girl and her crazy father would keep her word to leave me alone after I left. After all, a shard that gives one magical abilities could upset a few powerful people..if the right connections were made ~ William pondered as the girl's speech droned in the background in an attempt to appeal him to his apparent destiny. Still he kept such thoughts to himself as the party rose to follow their guide as the other blonde chirped out a question about himself and the other woman's apprehension, but merely nodded stiffly, not trusting his tongue to not lash at the man's nativity. 


It was hard to admit, but food did sound pleasant as he felt his stomach growl mutely at the thought. His thoughts of food almost passed over as the other skeptic whispered to him a soft voice inquiring about his excitement as a soft dry chuckle escaped him "Like the grave..refusing it all, well I am just a dead man walking..in the eyes of the world. Best to just keep living I suppose..". Crimson eyes flickered about the fine decorations about the hallway as his companion did the same, an escape would be fatal in his eyes. Yet, there was something about his companion that conveyed her need for freedom like a doe caught in a trap. The feeling of pity pooled in his chest as William shook the feeling away, it would be insulting to even think it. He knew nothing of this woman or her life, only that she was in the exact same situation as he was. Guarded would be a good word as even her clothes were relatively normal, perhaps a office drone in some boring desk job? A part of William was curious to ask, but he doubted it would be answered truthfully or without ire. 


A cool smirk settled on his face at her barbed comment towards their hostess as he deadpanned "Ah, the age old argument of nature verse nurture. Given her 'talent', it isn't surprising she is so..excited to share it with the world..and..us. Given what we know about her visionary father..which is nothing..I doubt he was much of a companion in her youth". His voice trailed off as he realized train of thought, commenting dryly "This is why I am not a psychologist..I can't read people. Well..living ones..". His face paled as he hastily explained himself "I am a coroner..hence..the morbid...humor..". Once again his voice faded as a faint pink tint, this always happened when he was given a chance to speak. Speaking too much and offering it up much too quickly in an effort to make a point..it got lost in the rambling. As a child, he only had so much time to speak his piece before his siblings took it away..it was a habit that never gone away. Thankfully his apology was cut off as a wave of scents flooded in from the dining room. It smelled even better than his mother's home cooking, which was a mighty feat as William hoped to smooth his previous mistakes by pulling out a free chair for his skeptic friend "My name is William Aftone, miss..please have a seat. Apologies for my..rambling, it's an old habit...which I am doing again..". Sighing under his breath as he took a seat to her right before flickering over the food.


As the conversation turned to their talents as William paused in his bite of salad commenting "I should consider myself lucky, I wasn't given your shard, Luca. Afraid I am not a fan of heights after my sisters dared me to climb an extraordinary high structure..I somehow got stuck and couldn't get down. Haunted my dreams ever since..". His posture relaxed as the meal progressed as his stomach ceased complaining after a few select portions from dishes. Still his interest perked up from his food as Lola asked another key question, that could explain how exactly he had managed this supposedly impossible feat. Making the magic devoid, magical with a simple gem..it would make 'enhancement' companies seethe at the thought. William would be the first to admit that he too had fallen prey to a few select schemes in his youth that this cream or that drink would help spark his magic..most of the time it merely made him slightly nauseated and his parents furious. A person doesn't need magic in this world to be special, you are special to those that matter to you. All that sugary nonsense to ease the cool anger in his heart..that would gradually flare up even as an adult. William did have a place in the world patching up corpses for the living, it wasn't much of a place..but it was something he was profound at.

Yet, the idea of having a magic all his own..like nothing else in the world. Setting down his fork and knife as he took a sip from his wine glass mulling over the exquisite taste. Even he was held here..at least would be plenty of good wine bottles to keep him company in darker times. Still a spark of excitement gleamed at the thought of seeing creatures he had only seen in pictures and read about in books to be at his beck and call. It would be a much less lonely existence even if he was surrounded by strangers on a stage performing for some apparent visionary. It would be utterly stupid to walk out even with unlocking his shard, what if something went wrong with it or his magic went out of control. Setting down the glass as William whispered in a soft tone to Cynthia "Please don't leave me alone with the sugar and rainbows brigade..I will go crazy..".  

[@Sterling]