It's a habit that when the plum core is set aside Viatorus eyes it like it might be a demon in disguise. What he's actually making sure is that it doesn't go near any notes or books and make a mess. Paper is sacrosanct. Once sure it isn't going to do any harm, he takes a sip of his tea and looks back to his work.

He scratches his head and rereads the page in front of him quickly. "I've come across a few new approaches to casting certain spells. They might help me with the portals, but I need to read further and do a few more tests."