There are these--beads. When exchanged, and both parties have gone home, they allow visiting. I'm not sure how it all works in actuality but I've done a few of these exchanges.
[Maybe it doesn't work. Can't say when you have to both be gone to see. But it's worth a shot, isn't it?]
[ more silence ensues, broken only by a thoughtful noise. punctuated by another inhale, exhale. ]
That so? [ it sounds too good to be true. then again, he thought that about this place as a whole the first time he came, and in the end it made good on its promises. still, always better to approach with skepticism. ] Pray tell, what do these beads cost?
[ nothing. as expected. his small, self-deprecating smile isn't visible, but it's there in his tone when he says, ] Perhaps I will.
[ he takes another drag on his cigarette. ]
If I do, will you exchange with me, Claire Fraser? [ this time, his words are lighter. teasing. but he doesn't doubt she'll be able to sense the sincere question behind them. ]
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No. But there are ways to visit, once you go home. Ways provided by the city.
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Aye?
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[Maybe it doesn't work. Can't say when you have to both be gone to see. But it's worth a shot, isn't it?]
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That so? [ it sounds too good to be true. then again, he thought that about this place as a whole the first time he came, and in the end it made good on its promises. still, always better to approach with skepticism. ] Pray tell, what do these beads cost?
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[A pause on her end.]
I hope you do.
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[ he takes another drag on his cigarette. ]
If I do, will you exchange with me, Claire Fraser? [ this time, his words are lighter. teasing. but he doesn't doubt she'll be able to sense the sincere question behind them. ]
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[If her voice sounds a little thick, well. It's the phone line. Totally.]
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[ he'll ignore the way her voice sounds if she ignores the crack in his. ]
Of course, I've not met many that can compare, and even when I have it were but briefly.
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[Had more time.]