"Ah, Viatorus! Good to see you once more, boy." Ixis Naugus even switches his staff to his claw so he can offer his hand for shaking! That's how special you are, kiddo. "I've been fine! Smashing! I've simply been tied up in a rather ambitious project. I tend to get a slight case of tunnel vision when research is reaching a fever pace." Right, because it's 'slight' when it makes you lock the door and allow no guests for months on the end.

"Nothing to do with you or what you've seen or said, of course not. In fact, I've barely spared it a thought since I had my initial breakthrough that allowed for great strides in my work! No issues to speak of. Dreams are dreams and have little to do with my work when awake."