(no subject)

[river_meimei]

River's in her room, curled up on the floor between bed and wall. There's a piece of paper in front of her; she's been scribbling something. She's not right now, though.

Right now her hands are curled between thighs and chest and her eyes are closed and damp, and her face is tight with misery.

Comments

[river_meimei]

River nods.

Swallows. Her voice is a clogged whisper when she says, "Wants to stay."

[simon_doctor]

"Instead of going back to the school?" he hazards.

Because the other guess is that she wants to stay at the school, which doesn't jibe with what River's already said.

[river_meimei]

Another nod -- delayed, and a little hesitant, but that seems to be because of River's usual distractability rather than any uncertainty about Mary.

"Call it a leave."

[simon_doctor]

"We can ask her more, then. Find out what it looks like to her."

Find out if perhaps there's any need to go take a closer look.

[river_meimei]

"Okay."

[simon_doctor]

"Okay," he echoes.

After a moment, more quietly, "Come here," and he draws her into a hug.

[river_meimei]

River doesn't resist; neither does she hug back, though, for a long moment.

And then she sags against her brother, and her arms slip around his waist, and she turns her wet face into his neck and shuts her eyes.

[simon_doctor]

"Shhh," he murmurs, and rubs her back soothingly, as he's done countless times before.

"It's going to be okay."