(Untitled)

[river_meimei]

No notebook today. No scribbled tangle of equations and layouts and plans.

River listens to advice, sometimes. Even reluctantly

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[simon_doctor]

Kaylee's out at the house, working on some routine maintenance. She asked him -- gently, a little apologetically -- not to come with her; she needed the time alone to think, she said.

So Simon's in the bar by himself, for dinner, looking for a booth.

His feet pass by River's booth. Pause. Come back.

He bends down to look under the table.

[river_meimei]

River doesn't look at him for a long moment.

And then her head lifts a little, turns, and she does.

[simon_doctor]

Quietly: "Hey, meimei."

A light click as he sets down his plate on the table, and slides down to sit next to her on the floor.

"Are you all right?"

[river_meimei]

River leans into his side, gaze dropping, and doesn't answer.

[simon_doctor]

He sighs, low, and takes her hand.

"I know."

[river_meimei]

"I want to help."

[simon_doctor]

"So do I."

Help Kitty, imprisoned by her own government. Help Kaylee, trying to explain a fundamental part of the human condition to something that's never been human.

He can't help either of them.

[river_meimei]

River's face twists, and she looks sharply at him.

"Simon."

"Simon, you're looking. And." Her face twists again, and her voice drops with defeat. "I don't know."

"I listen and, and she can't see."

[simon_doctor]

"It's all right."

He strokes her hand.

"It's all right, River."

[river_meimei]

"Nothing's all right!" she bursts out, and then flinches.

"I'm sorry. Everybody's under the umbrella. I'm sorry."

[simon_doctor]

"Shhh."

He touches her shoulder.

"Have you had dinner?"

[river_meimei]

"Not hungry."

No, she hasn't.

[simon_doctor]

"You should eat something."

So should he, come to that.

[river_meimei]

River closes her eyes.

Which is not a yes, and not a no. She's not hungry, but

(You should eat. Keep up your strength.)

she knows. And looking after each other is what siblings do.