"I've tried some sympathy," he said with a shrug, but it doesn't seem to have any affect at all. Nothing. I'm not sure what else to try, unless I can find the name of the..." He made a vague gesture towards the barrier with his hand. "...the...whatever it is. Do you know what it's made out of?" Maybe Elodin would know. He would have to remember to ask him, later.
He raised an eyebrow and gave a little nod. He had found it was generally better to be polite than not to be, especially when you didn't know a person well. But this man, apparently, did not hold with such things.
"You're a full arcanist, though, yes? You must have some sort of ideas."