Further, much as I may understand the impulse, in the specific circumstances we find ourselves in—meaning the war and that Riftwatch is itself made up of a rather strange mixed company of people who ought to know a thing or two about being poked and prodded and so on—, it seems to me incredibly reductive.

Do you know it took me at least six months to convince any native mage to discuss magic with me? That's absurd. I had to loiter around Enchanter Julius and Leander's heels before I could see any glyph work demonstrated. To say nothing of the agony involved with having simple questions of decorum answered—!

[Scoff. SCOFF! Somewhere, Wysteria probably has her hand on her hip and is only now realizing how strange it is to try the gesture with only one arm.]

I don't fault you in the slightest for disliking the whole prospect.