[There is a sideways look Elidibus gives Esteban which suggests the nickname is noted. But there are more important matters, so he limits himself to a polite response.]

Elidibus, if you please. Three children did not pass by me. I would have stopped them had they done so. If the spirits paths took them to this mist, it was by a different path than the one you arrived on.

[These places, they're like that with their wending and not-straightforward ways, particularly now with the barriers so thin.

Raising a hand, the Ascian points it, palm outward, toward the beckoning mist. It halts and then begins to withdraw. Does Esteban have a sense for magic? Elidibus certainly did something. Whether it senses someone more powerful than it or is reacting to whatever the man did, it does not want to be near.

However it doesn't fully retreat.]

Hm. [He looks down with some actual surprise as the half-elf offers his hand. People just do not reach out of their own accord to touch him. He sighs and puts his free hand on Esteban's shoulder. It makes some sense to remain in contact.] ...If you have something of the children, it will be easier to find them.