(no subject)

[river_meimei]

River is sitting on her bunk. She has a long piece of string, and is carefully making cat's cradles.

Subdued. But not quite so withdrawn as she has been.

There's a new -- well, old and well-worn, really -- poncho hanging on a hook in her closet.

Comments

[river_meimei]

Her gaze wanders off, to a spot near the door.

"I know."

[simon_doctor]

"You'll stay behind, then?"

[river_meimei]

Her face twists.

She doesn't say anything.

The string is tangled around her fingers.

[simon_doctor]

"You can stay in the Dreaming again, even. If you want. We'll be back with Anthy before you know it."

His words are just a bit too rapid to sound as confidently coaxing as they're meant to.

[river_meimei]

Her eyes close.

Barely audible, "Gotta."

She looks up at him, eyes glittering with unshed tears.

"Went for me. Why she's there. She's not supposed to be but she is."

[simon_doctor]

"River, no ..." He squeezes her hands. "This is not your fault--"

Another thread; he grasps at it. "She went to keep you from having to go back. If you go..."

[river_meimei]

She jerks her hands out of his.

"They hurt her because she's me!" Teary and furious, nearly a shout.

[simon_doctor]

His own voice rises in response, closer to shouting than hers. "And they're not getting the chance to hurt you!"

[river_meimei]

"She promised!" Glaring. "Said I'd help. Took the sword. What it means."

"Means I'll come for her!"

[simon_doctor]

I made a promise too --

Simon's on his feet, with no clear idea of how he got there.

"You are not going along on this one, River. You are not setting foot in that place, ever again."

[river_meimei]

Every line of her body shouts stubbornness.

She glares up at him, unyielding.

[simon_doctor]

"Now. You can stay on the ship, but I'd prefer it if you stay at the bar, in case -- "

He breaks off, and starts again.

"We'll bring Anthy out of there, meimei."

[river_meimei]

She's shaking her head, back and forth and back and forth.

Softly, "That's not how it goes."

Swallows.

"Gotta go. It's reciprocal. She can do it."

[simon_doctor]

"River --!"

It's fury now, fury over a suffocating tangle of fear for her. With an effort, he forces his voice down into something approaching a level tone.

"You're not going. I absolutely forbid it."

[river_meimei]

She stiffens, staring at him, and then her eyes narrow.

"Can't." Soft and simple, and definite.

She's well into her own muddle of fear and fury and stubbornness, and the likeness in their faces is showing clearly as their gazes clash.

[simon_doctor]

"If I have to sedate you before we leave --"

[river_meimei]

She flinches, sudden hurt shifting quickly to more anger.

"You're trying to scare her. Won't do it. Think she'll be fooled."

[simon_doctor]

He opens his mouth to deny it, to threaten something worse, something bad enough to frighten her into crying off.

And stops.

(You're on your own. I will not come for you.)

[river_meimei]

She's still glowering up at him.

"Won't work."

[simon_doctor]

And of course it won't. Of course it won't. It didn't work when their father tried it, either.

Oh. Oh, Dad.

Simon's shoulders bow, and he slowly folds back down to sit beside her on the bed.

"There's no way I can talk you out of it. Is there."

[river_meimei]

She wilts, a little, against him.

"I promised."

No. He can't.

[simon_doctor]

His fear for her gives one last convulsive heave, and then lies still; not gone, but for the moment defeated.

Simon reaches out and gathers River into a hug.

"Be careful, meimei."

[river_meimei]

Her arms go around his neck, and she clings.

Just because she's determined doesn't mean she's not terrified.

[simon_doctor]

He rocks her, just slightly, back and forth.

"I'll be there."