"And I was a worldly fifteen." He waves a hand dismissively, and stumps over to look through Balthazar's supplies for the caustic stuff, probably in a glass jar or bottle...

"That's good. The impromptu circles are good practice, but there's something to be said for a carefully crafted, more permanent one, provided you have a safe place to establish one." He fetches things one-handed, as familiar with the ritual as Balthazar is.