Drifting so he was standing much closer so that the conversation was easier. He had always been conscientious of making sure to give people the appropriate space, but their conversation had taken a deeper turn and he thought that was an appropriate reason to be at a reasonable distance. He watched over to where Elliott and his sister were investigating something he couldn't see, but his full attention was on Mrs. Rowle still. "I agree. I wonder if we as wizards lack some of their ingenuity sometimes." Jack had studied a little muggle medicine and he had to admit their methods could be effective if there were ever some sort of collaboration, the two sides could learn a lot from one another.

"Admittedly, I'm not sure I could go without, but mostly for work and little else." Magic was so integrated into his job that it would take entirely too long to teach himself any other way.

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"I'm sure there are bits of magic I could live without," Evangeline agreed. "So much is for the sake of convenience. I'm sure it's made me lazy in ways I haven't even considered." Because, of course, why get up to get something on the other side of the room when a simple summoning spell would do? And that was only one example.

"And I wonder," she continued, "if wizardkind's time and inventiveness wouldn't be better served focusing on more complex problems, if we weren't trying to solve problems that already have non-magical solutions." Well, she said she "wondered," but having said it, it felt very true, and embarrassingly obvious now.

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Set by Bee <3

Jack was finding himself more and more impressed with Mrs. Rowle's insights. Their acquaintance thus far had only been as professional as his treatment of her son, but this conversation was quite the eye-opener. He found himself truly looking forward to what it was she had to say. I thad been a long time since he'd had a good, in-depth conversation that didn't revolve around work. "Quite right. We grow complacent. I have always been intrigued by muggle medicine, I should venture to learn more about it. Their solutions work more often than not." Some weren't all that complex and their medicines were often just as effective as potions. "A lot of it is rooted in the same plants we have, too."

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This conversation was going much more pleasantly than Eva would have ever imagined. Obviously, her interactions before with Mr. Collins had been limited to interacting with him as a professional, and that was not always a great indicator of anything personal. "Really, I think the thing magic has going for it is its expediency," she said. "But even still, there are things that magic hasn't managed to make better, so why not take a balanced approach to it? At the very least?"

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Set by Bee <3

"Sometimes," Jack agreed. "But potions take time sometimes, which could be a drawback." If they were ready-made it was fine, but if they were behind in brewing or there was a large emergency (like dragons in London) everything went quickly. "You've inspired me, I should pick up a book or two and read up." Jack added with a smile. He had been thinking about it anyway, but Mrs. Rowle had provoked some more thought into the subject and he could use more to fill his time at home with Emerson at school.

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"I'd be interested in what you find out, if you're willing to share," Eva said. "I admit I don't know much about healing, but it's so rare to speak to anyone else who takes muggle matters seriously." Evangeline had friends, of course, who would consider themselves progressives, but there were always more people who thought her strange at best than not.

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"I am not so old to learn a thing or two, nor so set in my ways." Jack laughed lightly. This was the most authentic conversation he'd had in a long time and he was quite enjoying it. "I will happily share, if I come across anything good. I am intrigued by their medicines particularly. Not entirely unlike potions, but some of the components are not entirely natural, but manmade, it will be an education." Jack was enthused by the prospect. That he had someone who was also interested might be the key to following through on what had only been a passing fancy previously.

"Perhaps we could try the library in London sometime, see what we can find?" Crowdy surely had to have a section on the subject, or at least muggle inventions and the like. He would have to sniff around the hospital wards to see if he had any muggleborn colleagues he could ask, as well.

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"That sounds like an excellent idea," Evangeline said. It had been a while since she had indulged in research for its own sake, but she had been in Ravenclaw, after all--studying was a skill that she was sure she still had.

Looking back towards her children, and noting their somewhat exasperated expressions when they looked back at her, Eva laughed, and said, "I think my children are eager to move on to the other exhibits." She smiled at Mr. Collins. "It was lovely speaking to you, Mr. Collins. Do be in touch soon, about your research."

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Set by Bee <3