(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

[nita_callahan]

"Who--?"

She blinks, stops herself.

"Okay. Go on."

This feels important -- which means she'll have to figure out the logic eventually, but interrupting won't help that. She can ask questions later.

[river_meimei]

"Secret," River says softly.

"They listen at the keyholes."

[nita_callahan]

"I won't tell."

[river_meimei]

I know THAT, says River's face impatiently.

"I'm telling you."

[nita_callahan]

"--Sorry. I'm listening."

[river_meimei]

River's fingertips press against the edge of the table. She looks a little frustrated -- not a lot, but it's creeping around the edges.

"I know it."

"The line's not secure. Passive monitoring is an ongoing concern."

[nita_callahan]

"--Wait, you mean down here? Would you like to go somewhere quieter?"

[river_meimei]

"Safer," River says softly.

She looks intent, serious, focused -- not scared.

[nita_callahan]

"Would my room work?"

[river_meimei]

"You tell me," River says, but she nods right afterward.

[nita_callahan]

"It ought to." She gathers up her manual. "And I can set up any wards you think we might need."

[river_meimei]

River's grin flashes, and as always it changes the whole look of her face. "It's a deal."

[nita_callahan]

It's infectious; Nita grins right back.

"C'mon up, then."

Room 63 is conveniently nearby, on the first floor up. Peach doesn't live in there anymore, but the furniture shows signs that she once did. Technically Nita doesn't live here at the moment, either, but there's some detritus on the desk -- papers, pens, a couple of books -- that suggests she's been up here recently.

There's also garlic hanging over the door.

"Should I soundproof the door?" Nita asks, as she shuts it behind them.

[river_meimei]

"It's a safeguard."

So that's a 'yes, if you would be so kind.'

[nita_callahan]

Nodding, she lays a hand on the door.

"Hi. Could you do me a favor? I need you to not let any sound out of this room for a while. If you could have a word with the walls as well, that'd be great. I'll let you know when you can go back to normal." She hesitates, then adds, "And please don't let anything in, either. No mist, no sound. No shadows, if you can." Another pause. "Thank you. No, that's fine, thanks."

[river_meimei]

"I'm a messenger," River says softly, when Nita's turned back to her.

She's watching the door with some interest, but it's absent; her focus is on Nita, even if her eyes aren't.

[nita_callahan]

Equally soft: "From who?"

[river_meimei]

Oh right, says River's face, she has to say that part aloud.

"Puck."

[nita_callahan]

Nita straightens up.

"What kind of trouble is he in?"

[river_meimei]

"He's a doofus."

This is at least partly affectionate, though.

...Also exasperated. But that's not wholly at Puck.

"Build a lattice in the quasi-legal framework."

[nita_callahan]

She groans.

"Oh, God. Doofus is too kind."

[river_meimei]

River is a kind soul!

Um.

"Can't talk. It's an oppositional course."

[nita_callahan]

"Yeah, we -- Havelock and I were getting that sense."

[river_meimei]

"Exactly."

[nita_callahan]

"He's bound some way, right? Did he manage to tell you how?"