Now this, this is a face he wasn't terribly surprised to see again. Elminster had not changed a bit since Balduran's childhood- of course, because as far as he knew, the man was immortal. A great mage would have ways to get around things like death, or perhaps he truly had the favor of the divine. There had been a time long ago that Balduran attributed what he started to believe was an unnatural lifespan in the making to his dragon companion- not that he knew how dragon magic worked. He certainly never figured that one out. How else could he explain it, though? Humans didn't live that long, and illithid lifespans reached a century and a few decades. No matter.
❝ It seems you are still untouched by time, ❞ spoken fondly, because he had no reason not to admire Elminster. The man had more legends to his name than Balduran did, and in those legends, it was said he'd lived a thousand years. To be able to live that long, to share in adventure after adventure- that was something Balduran would happily trade his soul for.
Foolish as it was, of course, because making deals with devils and bargaining souls was never wise. He'd been lucky that time, but he had his doubts on whether or not that luck would happen again.
❝ I am not so surprised to see you here. A great mage such as yourself would be drawn to a place full of mystery. I was never terribly gifted in harnessing the weave, but I can only assume it runs deep in this city. ❞
❝ ... what I mean is ... I was hoping for some guidance. I feel rather ... lost. ❞
