Edwin's first instinct was to snap back, more short-tempered than usual himself thanks to the lingering pain, because that was something he'd forgotten about as well, even iron burns eased after a few minutes, and any of the torments of hell were gone along with the destroyed self, which of course meant that they were fresh and new every time, but that was an entirely different sort of torture to the constant, exhausting, lingering ache.

Which was why he took a breath before responding, "Yes, thank you Charles." And then, "Before you come back down, would you please check for anything odd, markings or symbols about the lintel on the door or about the mirror?" Another breath, frustrated again that even just that small amount of talking took so much air, "I'd do it myself, but I don't think I can manage the stairs." And given the way the floor had disintegrated before, he doubted it would hold both their weight even if he did manage to get up there.

Realizing belatedly that Charles probably needed an explanation, he added: "It's only that I went through the mirror, and you didn't, and yet we're both suffering the same effects." He had, indeed, gone through it, he'd meant to return to the office and come back once he was sure the poltergeist was trapped, but he'd gone through the mirror itself as if it were an empty frame, and that was what had landed him -by way of going through the floor- back on the ground floor of the building.