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]

The breeze smells faintly of salt, though not so long ago it didn't. It lifts River's hair about her face, and ruffles the hem of her white and pink skirt.

A breath passes before her head turns, but when it does she meets Galadan's wintery eyes.

[wolflord_andain]

"What do you know of Nicholas Rosse?"

Galadan often begins as he means to go on.

When he can afford that choice.

[river_meimei]

River's gaze sharpens.

"Lucifer," she says softly, and her eyes don't drop.

"It's a name."

[wolflord_andain]

"More than that, to hear some tell of it."

Galadan has his own opinions on the subject--though that is all they are.

For the moment.

"Your father tells me he has a particular interest in you."

[river_meimei]

River does look away, now.

"Got an interest in everybody. Fingers in the dumplings."

That's not a no.

[wolflord_andain]

"River."

Galadan does not raise his voice at all.

"Are you certain it's not more than that?"

Her father seemed to think it was. Is.

Could be.

Galadan would rather know for sure.

[river_meimei]

River turns her gaze back on him.

There's a rare focus there: distant, weighing. Self-contained.

She says nothing, not yet.

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan meets her gaze, winter-grey eyes cool and unwavering.

"I know what I would have done, were this a scant few months ago."

River knows, too, most likely.

He has taken few pains to hide it, after all.

[river_meimei]

"Times change."

A statement, or a question.

[wolflord_andain]

"They do."

He sounds certain of that.

"Should you prefer to be sure?"

There is an invitation there, strange as it may seem.

[river_meimei]

Silence, for a moment.

And then, "He's Lucifer."

[wolflord_andain]

One corner of Galadan's mouth curls in a sardonic smile.

"And I am the Wolflord."

And, very carefully, he cracks open his shield.

It is entirely possible that he is not always sure of himself.

Redemption, such as it may be, is rarely a straight and short path.

[river_meimei]

Moments pass in silence.

What River sees, she doesn't say -- but, then, that's nothing new.




"Yes," she says finally.

[wolflord_andain]

"Well, then."

He is once more entirely self-contained, no stray wisp of thought snaking into the ether for her to read.

"Will you?"

[river_meimei]

"Likes me," she says finally. "Here." Her lips twitch slightly. "Walk the conversational balance beam."

Soberly again, "Timelines are a complication."

[wolflord_andain]

"Timelines," Galadan repeats, frowning momentarily.

"And there?"

[river_meimei]

Silence.

Then, "We haven't met."

"Did. It's in the nature of linear progression. The tenses are inherently flawed."

"I don't know."

[wolflord_andain]

"That certainly puts a different spin on things."

One that will, doubtless, be difficult to take entirely into account.

Fortunately Galadan has always enjoyed a challenge.

"You will tell me, should you find out?"

[river_meimei]

"Can't be trusted," River says softly. "Got a low line of boredom -- she doesn't pretend."

Beat.

Her eyes flick up to Galadan's. "I'll remember."

[wolflord_andain]

He doesn't smile, just nods.

"And so will I."

[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.