[Not bad, as villainous smiles go. Geralt would have him beat in that regard, though. He’s long since mastered the art of evil smiles, and he uses them regularly against people he doesn’t like.

But they’re not talking of smiles, and Geralt forces himself to focus while Julian is obliging his curiosity. Admittedly, he somewhat loses track after Julian mentions being a masochist, as it’s quite a private thing to be privy to.]

The magicians of your world sound increasingly like the ones of my own. I thank you for indulging me in an answer.

[Another mouthful of gin, and by now Geralt’s face should be showing some colour, but it’s remaining stubbornly pale. Another benefit of being a witcher: you can’t blush. Not without great effort, anyway.]

What might you call it instead?