(no subject)

[river_meimei]

The room is comfortable, quiet and peaceful. Airy, with no mustiness, for all that it doesn't feel lived-in.

Mostly what it's been used for, these last few months, hasn't involved much of peace and comfort.

Simon unlocks the door, one arm around River in his habitual soothing guidance, and the group files in. Roland gestures to the round sofa with a jerk of his chin; the younger Tams are already settling into place there. The others follow suit.

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[lastgunslinger]

Silently, Roland stands and goes to the window, facing the outside, hands clasped behind his back.

[simon_doctor]

Levelly: "Get up."

He's looking down at his father and sister, and it's possibly not clear which of them he's speaking to.

"Please let's get this over with."

[gabriel_tam]

His stillness is sudden and absolute, even as River tenses beside him. Slowly, Gabriel reaches down and takes her shoulders, easing her away from him, and then gets to his feet.

He doesn't look down at her, nor does he say a word to Simon. Instead, he turns to look at Zoe, Roland, and Cuthbert in turn.

"I think I've taken quite enough of your time this evening." A pause. "I don't foresee this being a problem in the future, however."

"Gentlemen, ladies, I wish you all the best. Goodbye, and good luck." It's very professional, very smoothly corporate. Get the deal done, then walk away.

And walk away is just what Gabriel Tam does, heading for the door.

[river_meimei]

River's forehead rests on her knees. Her hands are raised to her head, fingers twined through her hair to dig roughly into her scalp.

Her face is hidden. Her shoulders shake -- perhaps with tears, or perhaps only with tremulous deep breaths.

She doesn't move.

She looks very small, curled in the open center of the circular couch.

[simon_doctor]

"Bà..."

Gabriel Tam stops. And stands for a moment, and turn slowly to look at his son.

Who is already lowering his gaze.

"Zhùyì."

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

As River first goes to her father, Cuthbert swallows hard, and looks away.

After everything that's happened, River Tam still remembers the face of her father.

Then, as Roland walks to the window, turning away from the scene and staying that way even as River sits curled up, his brow furrows.

[righthandwoman.livejournal.com]

Zoe watches the scene in silence, her face mostly impassive.

Then, as Gabriel walks toward the door and River huddles where she's been left...

Someone else might hesitate. Might wait for Simon to go to her, or hold back on the thought that she might flinch away, not accepting comfort.

Zoe crosses to River's side without hesitance and bends down, smoothing her hair back with one hand.

"Hey. It's gonna be okay, kid."

[gabriel_tam]

He is still looking at Simon, who is no longer meeting his gaze. Quietly,

"I will."

A pause. "You'll take care of her." It's as near as he can get to a request, but there's a clear certainty in the statement as well.

Gabriel turns to leave once more, but stops when Cuthbert says firmly, "We'll see you out."

[river_meimei]

River stands, slowly, and shoves her hair back, and raises her head.
Icarus' sister, she's a gap in the tale
She's not crying, now.
We don't know where she went
A bleak grief pulls at her shoulders and adds years to her face.
We can only make guesses about her
Silently, she moves to join the others, to see her father to the door. To see him walk into the hands of the Alliance, and into post-hypnotic amnesia.
Left the old man spinning in free fall...
She doesn't look at anyone.
Icarus' sister - still proud of you

[simon_doctor]

Down the stairs, and through the main barroom in a close knot, in a direct line for the door, ignoring the stares, ignoring the merrymaking going on all around them.

Simon doesn't see Kaylee until she's right beside him, looking up into his face with searching concern. He says nothing to her either, but takes her hand. Clutches it, really.

Please let's get this over with.

The front door opens in front of Gabriel Tam. And closes again behind him.

There is no goodbye.