milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Christmas at the Taos installation was ... different this year. Fifty-odd traumatized psychic children, all of them missing home and none of them too certain about this archaic form of the holiday, will do that.

But there were tiny lights against the dark desert winter, and there was fire and warmth against the cold, and there was food and drink and song and the all-encompassing embrace of the good-mind against the loneliness of exile. And for the most part the kids are okay.

And Irene Tassenbaum is scheduled to move in and take up her teaching job after the New Year.

Charlie McGee feels she's earned herself a short break.

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"Greetinmgs, Madame."

A white robed man wanders over.

"And greetings to you," she says amiably. "Have we met?"

He shakes his head.

"I do not believe so. I am Magius of Krynn, a student of knowledge and places. I have been here a few months now, but havent met everyone yet."

he smiles.

"Pleased to meet you. Call me Charlie." She offers her hand.

He shakes her hand.

"A pleasure to meet you, Charlie. Have you bee here long?"

"I first came here about two months ago, but I don't get to come that often."

"Oh, lack of a Door, or lack of time?"

He is curious, as a man newly Bound.

"Lack of time, mostly. I've got a job that keeps me pretty busy."

She sounds cheerful about it, though.

He smiles, enjoying the obvious light she has.

"What, if I may ask, is the job?"

"Oh, I run the southwest branch of a New York City corporation." A pause. "I'm not sure how much that'll mean to you. Where did you say you were from?"

"I am from a planet called Krynn. And I am afraid I have no idea what a new York Corporation is."

he grins abashedly at her.

"That makes us even," she says easily. "I don't think I've ever heard of a world called Krynn."

"As far as I can tell, it is in another galaxy from Earth, far away and completely different. it is a world of magic and monsters and gods."

His voice is quiet as he speaks, and for once he misses home.

A little wryly: "We've got some of those on Earth as well."

he smiles.

"So I have heard. I am a student, who seeks to learn all I can. And thius I have ben learning a lot about Earth. what is yours like?"

Charlie's eyebrows go up. "I don't even know how to give a meaningful answer to that question. What's it like compared to what?"

He blinks, then chuckles.

"Ah, that is a good answer. What things are in your life there that make the most impresssion?"

She sobers, a little.

"That wouldn't really give you an accurate picture of my world. I've had ... kind of a strange life."

"Oh. This place does seem to attract those who have had such a life. I hope you can find some peace."

Briskly, and smiling again: "Oh, peace is overrated. I've found work, back home."

"I take it the work is good? "

he chuckles.

"It is always good to like what you do."

She nods. "It's work that not many could do, and it's important. Finding this company is possibly the single best thing that ever happened to me."

he smiles at her pleasuire and nods.

"Well, I hope it always does so for you. I hope you will excuse me, but I need to do something. Perhaps we can speak again?"

"Sometime again, yes."

She smiles.

"Have a good evening. ...Or whatever time of day it is, here."

"Fare thee well, Lady Charlie and good day."

he bows his ehad and goes, his steps slow and careful.

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