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[ Up Fabian meanders in his slow placid sort of way. He drapes his arms over the podium and links those bony fingers for a moment before deciding this question would be best delivered around a cigarette. Once that's been taken care of, he goes back to previous posture. ]

Do you fear death; do you long for it? Does death inspire a curiosity or a paralysis within your thoughts? Have you put great thought in to after death? Do you have your own personal belief?

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[ True in many cases. He thinks art is important but not important to everyone. He thinks it is important to himself and should it touch others, very well. It's more that this Professor is terribly fun to prod at. ]

So indulge me then, what is your current focus?

The reinforcement of good medicinal practice and the thorough investigation of practical uses of magic. [A slight tilt of the head as if you say 'See? Far more important'.]

Really. [ You have immediately climbed the ladder on his list of interesting people. Indeed, it is important. ] Has real magic ever been impractical, do you recall?

Yes. Uneducated mages and those who persist in street magic are hardly contributors to society.

I'm quite surprised you would consider them at all.

They exist, so they must be considered, if even for a fleeting moment.

That they do, unfortunate as it is. You practice, then?

I practice, I study, I teach. I take it you do as well.

[ Now this is fun. Someone more practical and skeptical than he. Rare when in such a practice, but suddenly sheds a light on a lot of respect. He may be an artist, yes. It might be a waste of time in this man's eyes but magic is another matter and an entirely difference side of him. ]

I do, yes.

[Even before every breath was a conscious effort, Lichtenstein had been focused on facts and study more than people. Although he understood people better now, he disliked wasting time on trivial social games. So his direct manner remained on after death.]

Your specialties are?

Herbology- Healing and charms, primarily.

[ Well, that's all he's going to offer up now as that's the main reason people come to him. ]

[He crooks an eyebrow.]

Witchcraft, then. [Not what he was expecting. The lich raises a hand and summons a flame. Partly to check his reaction. Partly to help illustrate his query.] You don't look into less tangible applications of magic?

[Living people generally gravitate towards the flashier aspects of magic. Herbology and charms actually sound like they require patience.]

You sounds surprised, almost. [ a moment- ah. He almost never gets along with wizards, or those who know that type of magic. Because honestly, he's never impressed. Not by those he typically meets, anyhow. Oh, good for you. You have lighting in your fingers.

Cynicism aside: ]

More and more, nature is being underestimated. It really shouldn't be.

[ Which is not a no and not a yes but a rather firm statement that his passion and skill lays in the old practice. ]

[The flame vanishes. A low "Hm" rumbling in his throat. So many reasonable assumptions to make from just one small thing.]

[Nature and Lichtenstein don't get along well. He defies it by living, but doesn't disrespect it. Not by a longshot.]

That is the mistake of people being led to believe that they should scorn nature. A symptom of the 'civilised' world.

[ If he was being fully honest, which is not to say he is being dishonest as he isn't but he also isn't being fully honest, he also defied nature. He did so long ago and now pays the toll. Perhaps some people wish for immortality or longevity but if someone is not strong in their purpose they end up mad. He did so for love because he is stupid. The amount of pleasure he gets from seeing another grey hair or wrinkle is bordering profound. ]

It is, but I have both patience and faith. Nature will always endure. And so, I turn the question to you.

It's not hard to guess, is it? Healing, the magic of life and death. The taking and giving of energy. But my studies have varied a fair amount.

I assumed they would have, but as one who honors facts let us not assume or guess anything. [ He remembers your rather blunt displeasure at his 'what are you' question. Couple it with magic and his mind cam conjure a few possibilities. ]

You seem both proud of your work and secretive of it. I would consider this as something similar to my art, that you do what you do only for yourself, but you mentioned teaching.

I do what I do in the hope to later offer my findings up to the world as a whole. However, I have yet to find humanity to be trustworthy enough to be given a large amount of dangerous knowledge.

I am very careful in selecting my students. I know what they will do with my teachings and they understand that I will... regulate any misuse of what I have taught them.

Edited 2014-10-12 16:57 (UTC)

You will never be capable of educating the inhabitants of the earth as a whole. [ He pauses to light a cigarette ]

[He sighs. 'Cannot', 'should not', 'would not'... such dull and uninspired responses. A little bit of condescension seeps into his tone.]

I assure you you aren't the first to tell me my goals are impossible. I am fully aware of the difficulties involved in the task I have set myself. If I succeed or fail, it will be of little consequence to you.

Do you know why I know you will fail? Not that the ambition is unworthy.

[Lichtenstein rocks his weight back onto one foot and tilts his chin up. He doubts any socially acceptable response he gives will stop the impending 'enlightenment'.]

Do you know how much I loathe condescending attitudes?

Entirely conjured from your own emotions, that. I offer thoughts for reflection by no means do I consider myself superior to you or anyone. [ usually ]

[He folds his arm and tips his head back down. Slipping into a familiar 'teacher talking down his student' role. He never was a favourite with the students.]

For a man who wishes to make no assumptions, you made several. First, assuming that I chose this project and didn't fully consider how plausible it is. Second, assuming that you know me well enough to understand the resources at my disposal. Third, assuming that you understood me correctly. Fourth, assuming that I will take the word of a complete stranger and consider it seriously.

[He doesn't stop, just speaks slowly and clearly.] Take a minute to consider your approach very seriously. I have offered you a small inkling of what I have put all my time and effort into. Is saying to me, a stranger, 'you are going to fail' a good thing to do?

[ He listens, tending to his cigarette. So defensive. Suppose that is a side effect of someone who is truly passionate about their decisions but all the listed assumptions are of themselves assumptions.

As previously noted: Fabian is patient. Incredibly patient. And more than patient, he is detached. ]

I'm optimistic that you recognize the hypocrisy in your lecture.