(no subject)

[river_meimei]

The rafters have a few advantages.

They're comfortable, for one thing! (If you're River Tam.) And interesting. And sometimes you find candy. And they provide a fun change of perspective.

And sometimes they're a good way to find people.

Comments

[river_meimei]

"I don't know."

Her shoulders are tight with frustration; her gaze jerks sideways, to the doorknob and the soundproofed door beyond. She presses stiff fingers to her thigh, skating them over the slightly crumpled fabric of her skirt.

"The words hid. And I can't see what they're underneath."

[nita_callahan]

"Okay," gently. "That's okay. If you can't get at it, that's fine. Do you want to move on?"

[river_meimei]

River's face tightens a little more.

"It's not relevant."

[nita_callahan]

. . . Nita isn't sure if that's a yes or a no, but asking seems liable to upset River further.

Damned if you do . . .

"Can I ask about the other party?"

She's pretty certain it's the vampire, but it can't hurt to check.

[river_meimei]

"You don't remember," River says softly.

So that's a yes.

[nita_callahan]

"So. The vampire?" She swallows. "Just checking."

[river_meimei]

"Teeth in the corners. Sweep over the tracks."

[nita_callahan]

"I--

(I prefer the quiet and the comfort of darkness. . . . I have forgotten my manners.)

I know."

She folds her arms, tucking the bite on her wrist against herself.

"You don't have any suggestions for finding lost memories, do you?" she adds, very rueful, then shakes her head. "Sorry. That's kind of -- tangential."

[river_meimei]

River's posture is a little hunched; her gaze is now firmly fixed on something across the room.

(The names of the doctors. The names of the teachers. What were they?)

Low, "Hypnosis is a proven facilitator. Under optimized conditions."

[nita_callahan]

Nita blinks, re-focusing.

"I'd thought about that," slowly, "but I don't think I know anyone with that particular skill set."

[river_meimei]

"Peace of the clearing," River says softly.

"Watch the bullets."

If Roland comes around again, maybe.

A beat; her eyes dart back to Nita. "Ask the undermind. You know it. Just got hidden."

[nita_callahan]

She makes a face that's not unlike some of the frustrated ones River has been making.

"I know," tiredly. "I guess if I'm supposed to find it, I'll find it. The Powers have a way of making that kind of thing work out."

[river_meimei]

River's face, this time, is eloquent (if grumpy) accord.

Ka, she'd say, because she was well taught by one Roland Deschain. But it amounts to the same thing in the end, maybe.

(Except that Nita's much fonder of her Powers than River is of ka.)

"We'll help. In the couch cushions."

[nita_callahan]

She snickers a little. "If you find a vacuum, let me know."

Blowing out a breath, she straightens. "Okay, let me see if I've got all this. Puck has promised the vampire that he'll do something, in exchange for his own safety, and he'll be released from that bond when he completes that task. And in the meantime, he can't talk about it. Does that sound right?"

[river_meimei]

River listens intently, pressing her fingertips against the edge of the chair.

At the end of that, she waits for a second or two more, to make sure, and then nods once, firmly.

[nita_callahan]

"Okay." She essays a quick smile. "As dangerous and frustrating situations go, I think this one is one we can handle."

[river_meimei]

River doesn't smile back, but she does meet Nita's eyes.

"It's a deal," she says, and oh, there's the smile, tiny and sweet.