[...Was what he said an issue? It seemed like it for a moment, but then it was dialed back. He was only saying what makes the most sense to him. Although, one of the things he's learned in the last decade is that his opinions and brand of honesty aren't often appreciated. Maybe Will is just sensitive? He's not really prepared to ponder that yet, not when this is a second conversation.

So he lets it pass, taking a drink from his glass and makes a small shrug when Will asks if he expects to be here.]

I'm not a...natural optimist, nor pessimist for that matter. Would I like to be able to say that? Certainly, but I don't see any reason to make an empty statement when I have nothing to back it up.

[The road home is never an easy one he finds. It took over a decade to even start coming close to going back the first time and the second time...he doesn't want it to take as long, doesn't want a chunk of his life wasted (people say you don't remember being here, but who can say for sure?), but he likes to be realistic about these things. Researching the porter has brought up very little and his current job doesn't line up with the time to study like back in his world.]

I've heard some people stay here for only a month. Others have been here for years. There may be no real pattern to the whims of this strange device that whisks people to and from their worlds. I'd like to understand it, but I won't bet on it to bend to my will.

[At least, not the way it is now. One day, maybe, but not today and not any time in the near future.]