That little flush gives Eliot a moment of amusement. Jean really is bad at flirting. He wonders idly what the man might be like in bed. More pertinently, he wonders what the inspector is going to make of all the details he's about to provide about his world. Where will Jean think they come from?

"The Victorian era is named for Queen Victoria. She reigned for a ridiculously long time about 150 years ago, and was the queen of what was an extensive empire. Which I suppose makes her an empress, but I never heard her referred to that way. Her era was known for rampant sexual mores which most everyone secretly ignored, and really excellent waistcoats. And overcoat, and hats."

Eliot takes a bite of his bread, washing it down with the last of this glass of wine.

"And our advisor, Bigby, was the advisor for what I guess you would call a magic club. At Brakebills, the college I went to, students were sorted into clubs based on disciplines, so I was part of the physical kids. We were the smallest grouping - there was never more than 5 or 6 of us at any one time, usually. So Bigby would come to offer seminars and lesson specifically on physical magic. He wasn't bad at it, actually."

Eliot gives a mournful look to the now empty wine bottle. "Did you have to go to inspector school?"