"Erik Lehnsherr." Murdock's grip was firm, and Erik could feel the calluses on his palm. "I've been here nearly eighteen months."

The slight stress on the word here hadn't been intentional, but it didn't go unnoticed; Murdock's eyebrow ticked upward, and Erik relented, adding, "And another year before that in a similar situation— elsewhere." Abrupt, but he didn't think it important, nor did he particularly feel like explaining the station to a stranger.

"Suffice to say it's been some time since I've been home," he summed up, his mouth twisting ruefully as he lifted his glass for another sip.