(no subject)

[ladyfirestarter]

The permanent door from Milliways opens onto a hallway that looks like it could be a teacher's area in a primary school. Drawings and photographs are tacked up on the walls; the doors leading off the hallway are painted a calm pale-rose color, and each has a nameplate on it. (The closest one reads IRENE TASSENBAUM. It's locked; Irene's out today.)

Charlie steps aside to let her guest through. "Welcome to Taos."

Comments

[thisfatefulhour]

"Reminds me a little of my sister when we were younger," he says thoughtfully, opening the door to the hallway for Charlie.

[ladyfirestarter]

"You have a sister?"

The tone's mostly curious; it would take someone deeply perceptive to pick up on the wistfulness creeping around the edges.

[thisfatefulhour]

Glancing over at her, he nods. "She's the eldest; we have twin brothers in between us."

[ladyfirestarter]

"I was an only kid, myself." It's said briskly, matter-of-factly.

"Kind of understandable, really. My folks had a hard enough time with just me."

[thisfatefulhour]

Another nod; but he doesn't comment.

When they reach the door to Milliways, he pauses, tilting his head again.

"The goodmind, you called it?"

[ladyfirestarter]

She nods.

The hum's all around them, quiet and somehow soothing as the sound of the sea.

[thisfatefulhour]

He closes his eyes for a moment, just listening to it.

Then, smiling, he opens them and nods towards the door. "Shall we? I owe you that drink."