Galadan-River, shortly after Galadan-Gabriel

[river_meimei]

There are three places River spends most of her time nowadays: Serenity, the lake and forest of Milliways, and her father's hospital room.

Only one of them is free of grief and guilt and strain. Free except for what she might bring, of course. It's that one she's in now: curled on a rock set a few feet into the lake, damp bare feet tucked under her skirt. Her boots wait on the shore, haphazard and abandoned.

Comments

[river_meimei]

"I know."

There are many things Galadan takes no pains to hide.

[wolflord_andain]

"I thought you might."

He regards her in silence for a moment or two.

Waiting, perhaps.

[river_meimei]

River studies him in return.

Some of the distance is gone from her regard; the scrutiny isn't, entirely.

[wolflord_andain]

He doesn't drop her gaze.

After another few moments, one corner of his mouth curves in the barest of smiles.