Derrick waited for his family to leave on the tour, pretending to read some bulletins on the Visitor board. Once they had left, he scanned the huge reception area and spotted the minotaur getting ready to carry a huge number of suitcases for some other guests. Except… there was another one pushing a heavily-laden cart. And a third over by the elevator. The bull-men must be popular for heavy indoor work.
As he was staring, the minotaur by the elevator turned and looked directly at him. Embarrassed, Derrick looked away and resumed pretending to read the announcements. When he glanced back, the minotaur was still staring at him, and waved for him to come over.
He could ignore the summons, but Derrick was too curious to let the chance go. They he was still red-cheeked from being caught, he made his way across the lobby. The minotaur must have pressed the call button, for the elevator doors slid open just as Derrick arrived, and the huge being stepped inside. Derrick hesitated a moment, then stepped in as well, trying to keep his eyes averted. This turned out to be easier than expected, for the walls of the elevator car were mirrors. He could examine the massive beast indirectly.
As the doors slid closed, the minotaur’s odor hit him hard. It was an acrid stink of sweat, urine, and musk that slightly burned his nostrils and got his blood pounding. They stood there is silence for a half-minute before the bull-man reached over past Derrick and pressed the bottom button on the elevator panel. His hard black fingers brushed against Derrick’s cheek reaching out, and then stopped to lightly tousle the boy’s hair. A bit startled but pleased at the contact, Derrick looked up at the minotaur with a hesitant smile. The beast was looking down at him with what looked like a friendly expression. His hand slid over to Derrick’s opposite shoulder and effortlessly pulled him close just as the doors slid open.