River-Simon, on the ship after Niska's arrival at Milliways

[river_meimei]

River's in the common room, sitting crosslegged on the floor with her elbows resting comfortably to either side of the card game in front of her.

It appears to be a highly complex version of solitaire, incorporating two Tall Card decks and a 20th century 52-card deck. This particular variant may have not technically existed before she started playing, but she's absorbed in it.

Just be glad she hasn't broken out the Exploding Snap cards yet.

Comments

[simon_doctor]

"Ah."

He sits down on one of the chairs nearby, leaning over to watch.

She's content, right now. He hates to spoil that. And he's going to have to, but ... give it a minute.

[river_meimei]

River places a round card printed with a plum on top of a two of clubs, with great deliberation.

"The theory is sound," she tells the cards with satisfaction.

Withdrawing her hand, she glances up at Simon.

[simon_doctor]

He moves a little closer on the chair.

"There's been trouble at the bar."

[river_meimei]

River's silent.

Sober, now, the satisfaction and the cheerful absorption drained away, and watchful.

[simon_doctor]

"Do you remember -- " He's never sure how clear she is on things that happened during her less lucid periods. Sometimes she seems to recall them with remarkable clarity; other times ....

"Do you remember after Ariel, when the captain and Wash were taken by Adelai Niska?"

[river_meimei]

River flinches, just slightly, at the word Ariel.

"In a pine," she whispers, with what might be a nod.

And then -- her eyes widen, staring at him or at something beyond him -- she sits up in a swift jerk that's almost too sudden, as if she'll overbalance from the motion, though she doesn't.

[simon_doctor]

"River. River? Stay with me."

His hand's gone out to grasp hers.

"What do you see?"

[river_meimei]

Her eyes meet his, and hold them.

"No," she says, low and tense. It's to him, not a protest against any hallucination.

"Trouble."

Her eyes are fixed on his.

[simon_doctor]

Simon nods.

"And the trouble is, by the rules of the bar --"

He doesn't even have to finish the sentence. They know; oh, they know.

It's Jubal Early all over again.

[river_meimei]

"No unpleasantness."

River's head shifts, tiny jerky movements; she looks away, then down, heedless of the cards carefully arranged by her knees.

[simon_doctor]

"Mal and Wash and Jayne attacked him. They're in the cells now. Zoe's with Wash."

A pause. "Niska's in the infirmary."

[river_meimei]

A pause.

"You're not," she says, low, to the floor.

And then, with greater urgency, staring at Simon, "Locks."

Her voice rises. "Locks and bars and doors, they, they forget and it's technicalities--"

[simon_doctor]

"...who's forgetting? River. Who's forgetting what?"

[river_meimei]

River breathes in, and out.

"I don't know yet," she whispers.

Simon's still holding her hand in his; with her free hand, she pushes herself up as if to stand.

[simon_doctor]

His hand in hers pulls slightly, steadily, enough to help her get to her feet.

And doesn't let go.

"River, we can't go there yet."

[river_meimei]

"Simon--"

She tries to pull away, towards the door.

[simon_doctor]

His free hand takes her shoulder, and turns him towards her; his eyes hold hers.

"Niska is still there."

[river_meimei]

River tugs against his hands, fretfully. Not enough to break his hold, but the point is clear.

[simon_doctor]

"It's not safe, meimei."

[river_meimei]

"Simon, they're behind the doors--"

[simon_doctor]

"River. If Niska sees us, and finds out we're on this ship, he will use that knowledge against Mal."

He states it flatly, like the first two-thirds of a syllogism.

[river_meimei]

River is suddenly, absolutely still, and watching her brother's face.

Her face is still tight with misery and protest, but she's not pulling away.

[simon_doctor]

"It's not safe for them."

He lets the pause hang in the air for a moment before continuing, more quietly.

"Kaylee will check the bar and let us know when it's clear. But until she gives the word, we can't go back."

[river_meimei]

Another moment passes.

And then River's whole body slumps in reluctant acquiescence.

[simon_doctor]

Simon's shoulders sag, in unconscious echo.

He leans forward and gently pulls River into a hug.

[river_meimei]

River leans against him, cheek resting against his knit shirt, and stares down with unseeing bleakness at the empty air.

After a minute, her hand winds absently in the hem of Simon's shirt.