"That's the idea, I'm not planning to leave here till I have something good enough."

"Then I will gladly try to see if our world's magic offers something good enough for your problem before delving into my own. Did you have any other questions for me before I move on to asking questions about Arda?" 

"I want to find out if you can use a mindless body for your power source."

"Oh. Interesting. Is a mindless body something that your power can create?" 

"Yes. I can't create bodies with minds, actually, the intelligence level of maker-created organisms tops out around 'bugs'. Humans route so much of their metabolism through the brain that a created human is even less functional than a created animal of any other kind."

"I find myself very curious why that is a limitation. I am not sure it is relevant, though." 

"Much ink has been spilled and nobody knows."

Leareth nods. "Based on my theoretical understanding of blood-magic, I would be somewhat surprised if a non-sentient body worked, but I certainly do not object to trying." 

"Hey, Bar, is killing a non-sapient human body against the establishment rules?"

No, although if you are mistaken that will be.

"May I leave a note for Alassëo with you in case I am kicked out of the bar that you can give him with his next meal?"

Of course.

Cam composes the note on his computer, conjures it onto a napkin of its own, and gives it to Bar.

"...Cam, um, I feel really uncomfortable about you risking getting kicked out. If there's any risk. Are you really sure this won't count?" 

"I assume to do the experiment Leareth has to kill it, not me. If I have to kill it I can drag it out back first. If somehow I wind up in violation of bar rules it is likely that I will do time in a Security cell rather than be evicted on a first offense, especially since Nechar can resurrect the dead. If basement dwellers are people that is actually really important information. And Alassëo is here to maintain access. I would still rather not be kicked out but the experiment seems important."

Lissa is making a face. "Where did they get the name 'basement dwellers'?" 

"If one is going to keep them around one stashes them in the basement so they don't disturb guests."

Lissa stifles a giggle. "Fair enough." 

"I would normally do the killing, yes," Leareth says calmly, "although that part is not mandatory, I would just need to be present. If out back is safer, then I would prefer that as well." Pause. "Also. Which world does he come from that has resurrection magic? I have been trying to invent that for centuries and it currently seems impossible in our world without the aid of a god." 

"It won't work except in Milliways or his own world, I checked."

"Unfortunate." Leareth doesn't seem surprised. "Shall we try it now?" 

"Backyard's this way."

Leareth follows Cam. 

Vanyel trails after them, looking pretty reluctant. (Lissa, for her part, seems intrigued or even excited.) 

"If anybody cares what the basement dweller looks like..."