[ Robby's listening, looking where she points and even glancing to the works on the table too, real life examples of runes at work (or, in a state of work). A magical language, made to be so. At least, he thinks he gets that much. ]

So... whatever you combine with the runes, [ he gestures to the papers, ] it's going to make some effect on what they mean. [ A pause. ] But they're not magic if you just write them with a pen or pencil, are they?

[ You need something more - magical - to activate them. Right? ]