Ivans are playing cards.
Mileses, including Solvei, are debating the wisdom of borrowing another strategy game from Bar; Mark, a voice of caution, does not know what will happen if all of them (Solvei, Mial, Miles, Milo, Stalas) all start screaming at each other in twenty directions.
And -
"You know, I'd never thought of my world as a Science Fantasy Land before but when I go home I'm going to have a new appreciation for gravity and microwaves."
"Unfortunately it sounds like you'll be very inhibited in your ability to bring home useful souvenirs. Pens are obviously out of the question, I'm not sure if you even want runecasting books."
"I don't hate my life enough to bring home any useful objects from Science Fantasy Land," says Milan. "The responsible thing to do with a portal to Science Fantasy Land is to run and never look back. But, alas, my family's in another country. So I will just have an amusing chat with you all and then go back to school. Maybe lightly taunt the next interplanar studies student I see."
"What do you study?" asks Ivan. "It seems like it would be hard to study things if nobody can do any science. Maybe 'political science' and so on don't count."
"History and lore, with a minor in martial combat. I wanted to go into thaumatology, but Mother convinced me that I would almost certainly die."
"It's the study of magical theory. You might call it the closest you can get to science and survive. Normal thaumatologists don't tend to die of it, but I would not be a normal thaumatologist. And back before people learned better, when they did attempt an outright scientific study of magic, they died of it very frequently."
"Whether you pass this sentiment on less verbally depends on you and her," adds Bella, winking at Linyabel.
"It was really awkward when we met the pair of them who are being raised as adoptive siblings. And nearly as bad when one of them was married to Mark's half-alt."
"Well, I'll still tell your hypothetical alt you would've hugged her, but now I'll be awkward and self-conscious about it," says Milan.
"I mean," says Milo, "the warnings about hubris and so on are mildly terrifying, but that fairy blessing of yours...! I wouldn't trade, but I definitely see the appeal."
"I'd take it added," says Mial.
"...Exchanged, if at all," says Miles.
"Actually - does your collection stack?" asks Mial. "If you, I don't know, break a bone, and then break the same one again...?"
"I stand by my refusal," says Milo. "No way I'd trade, and I'd only consider adding if my blessing took precedence over the scars thing. ...Although when I think about it that way I understand even better why you're all so excited."
"I'd... have to think about it," says Ashras. "Not that I don't see the temptation."
"If it adds up, I am even more enthusiastic," says Mial.
"I mean, extra brain space in a pinch is nice but it sounds like it's all things considered better to avoid being pinched."