"They're very useful in general, but life-saving up here in the north."

"And they render such gear as furs and cloaks and coats used by the commoners unnecessary," adds Enthir. The way he says the word "commoners" suggests he's not exactly talking about people who aren't nobility.

"Is that why the two of you are naked?"

"These are enchanted fabrics to hold magical effects and improve spellcasting," says Enthir, with a growing note of irritation in his voice and eyebrows. "This specific set is the garb of members of the College, in spite of this man."

"I was a member of the College," says Nelacar cheerfully. "And the decision to remove me from it was not mine."

"You violated the College's rules for research and were expelled, as was part of the agreement you signed when you joined." The note of irritation is now a whole melody. "And you and I both know that you wear these to trick commoners into thinking you represent the College."

"No comment," he says, still cheerful.

...yeah this Nelacar figure is not exactly a good person. Not that he ever claimed so, but Ruby did wonder at all the excuses he seemed to have to help him.

"So... these fabrics are expensive or hard to make?" he guesses. "So you keep the total amount of them low?"

"Right in one!"

"We wear only enough of them for the enchantments to cover our whole bodies."

"And also for aesthetics!"

Enthir ignores him. "And mages will typically eschew armour. It hinders movement and your main survival strategy in any combat situation should be avoidance, not defence."

"And the 'flesh' spells work best with fewer barriers between them and your body, so ironically enough unless you start to get fairly heavy armour you are effectively in less danger of physical harm naked. Those scars there on you? I'm going to guess wolves?"

Ruby had actually completely forgotten about the wounds, seeing as how they just no longer hurt at all, probably courtesy of Nelacar's healing. But he does have fading scars where they were, a couple of which are looking like they might stay there.

"Wolves, yeah."

"You might have gotten much more badly wounded had you been wearing armour."

"And there's always the extra benefit of—"

"Nelacar I will make your mouth disappear."

"Well now he's gonna be curious!"

He is, yeah. Or would be, because the look Nelacar gave him and the tone of voice do have implications.

"I think I get it," he says, crossing his legs.

"Oh, you're quick, I like you."

The waitress arrives then with their food, and actually blushes when she looks at Ruby. She hastily scurries away as soon as everything is on the table.

Nelacar takes a swig of his ale and clicks his tongue in satisfaction. "Do you even know enough Alteration to make good on that threat, Enthir?"

"No, but Tolfdir would do it if I asked."

"Ahh, so this was not an immediate threat, I could have just said it."

"Perhaps I should study the necessary steps for specifically that."