[through his explanation, it gives wanda the clear understanding that sam knows more than he's letting on at first. he seems unlike the part, at first glance, but this—along as with what she picks up—is telling enough.]

You're the scholarly type, aren't you?

[studious, she means. it's a vibe she's getting. another vibe she is picking up is that he's very much trying to change the subject, a flash of an image of despair closing in on him. he exudes quietude, calm, but on the inside—? she wonders how much he is harboring.

is it her business, though? she shouldn't intrude in the troubles of others.]

—not too long ago, I was desperate about getting my children back. I was alone, tucked myself away into a corner of the planet, and kept only to the company of magic and spells of... debatable character. [she turns the cup around in her hands, leaning forward a bit more to look over at the water below them, crashing against the ship.] Seeking out the right magical element to get what I wanted was a road full of failure. Magic can be dangerous — it can fool you into thinking it can give you what you want, and then you lose sight of what's morally right.

['the caster's heart'.

a sacrifice?]

If — you ever find yourself wanting to talk about the reason you want to change the subject, I'm more than all ears. [she turns her head to look at him.] I'd rather others didn't make the same mistakes I did.