Sherlock doesn't need to be putting anything in air quotes when they're perfectly audible. Dorian's eyebrows twitch with undisguised mirth - how fun! Discussing magic with someone who isn't having a moral pissing contest!

"You sound like you're bursting with disbelief. Don't worry - I won't start calling on unsuspecting spirits, twisting their purpose. Or shaping the elements to my will. Not unless you ask pretty."

He tilts his head, and sweeps his right foot from in front of his left, to the back of it, shifting where he stands. Being affable is such hard work, see.

"And to answer your question: no, that didn't work. Nothing I could think of to do seemed to have any effect, until I picked up the damned book. I like books. I just don't trust this one."