Alice
"Scholar from the academies, right?" 
Danico mentioned to the elder man who'd just entered the room, the entrance to the upper rooms not far from the table he was sat at. At first he spoke while not taking his eyes from his plate, wiping the corners of his mouth with gloved finger and thumb. Raising his eyes once again to who he assumed to be the scholar, Danico pushed the intentionally strange red mask around to the back of his neck. 

"Eotus, correct?" He guessed incorrectly, taking a swig of water without breaking eye contact with the other. A surprise if any to find a man of curiosity like him in a place like this. The people at the academy sure spoke of him, some in praise and others in question and judgement over his seemingly crazy story about a magical bird. 

Though he know next to nothing of the old man's story, Danico would be lying to himself if he said he wasn't curious to know more.
Cassie
"Eotum." The scholar corrected in a goodnaturedly tone as he approached the table. "Though Eotus is a lovely-sounding name that sounds like 'lotus', I've yet to meet someone with that name."

"And yes, I am a scholar from the academies. Zarahda, Astoria." He sighed out the formalities as he took a seat, the luxury of relaxing his legs on a familiar thing otherwise known as a chair already soothing his muscles. "Though I've never met you before, good sir, much less someone who is willing to speak to a 'kook' like myself - oh thank you."

He leaned back to let a waitress put down a tray of warm food as well as some ale. He pursed his lips at the provided drink as he preferred tea, but he supposed that he'd take what he could get.

"Anyways. Right, I don't think I've ever met you, Sir...?" He hung out an empty slot name in his sentence for the alchemist to fill like a blank on a piece of paper, whilst picking up his knife and fork.
Alice
Danico let out little more than a soft chuckle at Eotum's mention of eotus sounding like lotus, given that it's based on an incorrect mention of his name, making it's mention feel.. Redundant. But still, he'd entertain the man in his ramblings a little while longer at least. If he's to learn of this man's curious tale of a big strange black bird, he'd have no choice in the matter.

Danico nods along with Eotum's words as a show of attention, leaning back in his chair with arms folded as the waitress takes Danico's empty plate. 

"Danico" He replies with a cocked eyebrow. "I'm aware, I've a lab up there myself. Alchemist first and foremost, I conduct a large portion of research on strange and rare creatures." The alchemist blinks for the first time during their encounter, just one of the strange lasting effects from a lifetime of meddling with potions. An effect that has made his eyes slightly more pale than is usual- not a sickly colour, but it is noticeable to any who would view them.

"Irony seems to have found us here, however. I had recently been thinking about you, no less." He continues as he readjusts himself in the chair. "I had heard in passing that you may know the whereabouts of a rare animal, no?" As usual, Danico is to the point and all business. All work and no play, if you will.
Cassie
Eotum put the forkful of shepherds pie into his mouth and began to chew, leaning back on the chair as he gazed upon Danico as a whole. 

As he masticated the food, he began to assess the man sitting in front of him as innumerable questions bubbled up in his mind. 

Why was he asking about the Maladrius? Was he seeking some kind of debate on its existence? If so, was he trying to ascertain it from him? Or was he trying to gain a frivolous argument for his pleasure? He seemed like that type. Or was he seeking it out because he believed in its existence? Was he trying to gain a benefit economically? Socially? In terms of reputation? Was he seeking fame? 

Did he know that he would be here and waited for him for to arrive?

No. That is now edging on paranoia. Come back, Eotum, he silently chided himself.

But the biggest question of all that stood out to him was why. Why did he want him to sit with him?

Perhaps he simply found him an interesting entity. Among all the other scholars in the world, only a few stood out for their contributions to society, medicine and science. Some also prevented wars from happening.

But Eotum? A tale. A folk story. A mad man. 

Why wouldn't he be interesting? 

Some took interest in him in more ways than one. Most avoided him. Some shunned. A few took interest, half of them seeking a way to humiliate him in an argument and half wanting to know about his side of the story.

But asking about the Maladrius? Never.

Eotum swallowed and smiled before beginning to cut another piece of the pie. "And... What would you like to know about my fantastical bird?"