Concordia (Shabby): I feel compelled to note that you’re turning lead into gold again. Anataeus (Shabby): You noticed. Yes, it seems the world is determined to taunt me. Clara: You’re an alchemist, after all. Anataeus (Shabby): So I’ve been informed. Clara: Is this a matter of some sensitivity to him? Concordia (Shabby): Something about how he doesn’t like being typecast, I believe. Anataeus (Shabby): Lead into gold may as well be my parlor trick. Clara: At least this time you’re doing it in the service of your own ends. ----------- Concordia (Shabby): This is altogether a greater quantity of gold than any I’ve seen in my life. Anataeus (Shabby): We need to set aside some for Nils’ payment. The rest we’ll use for Clara’s outfit. Clara: You’re going to use that gold to adorn me? Clara: Please don’t suggest I don plated armor or something of the like. Concordia (Shabby): No, I have a much better idea. You’ll be the talk of the city for a generation. Clara: You say that as though there won’t be anything else unusual about this ball. Concordia (Shabby): Right. Sometimes I forget about the rest of our plan.