(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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[wasnt_adream]

If she is seeing the passersby, this one is short enough that more than legs are visible. Pretty much all of the small girl is, really, as a moment before she was squatting down on the floor, trying to see what was caught between the floorboards.

After getting bored of this, though, she looks up to the girl - definitely much older than Satsuki, but not an adult - who's sitting under the booth. Without much of a greeting or hesitation, she moves closer with curious eyes.

[river_meimei]

River's gaze shifts, eventually.

And she looks -- surprised, for a moment, but there's a half-shy friendliness in her face, more than there's been all night.

[wasnt_adream]

Hmm.

Mei's head tilts slightly as she comes closer, until she's right up next to River, eyes still wide.

"Why're you down here?" she asks finally. This seems the most important question - older people didn't usually come down to her level.

[river_meimei]

Only babies and animals get this particular soft regard from River, even if it's more muted today than usual.

"It's comfortable."

She watches Mei, and doesn't move.

[wasnt_adream]

This answer doesn't seem entirely satisfactory to Mei. And without much care for manners, the girl pokes at the duster.

"People here don't sit like that," she muses. "They're all too big."

[river_meimei]

"No."

River watches her poke at the duster, studying and a little curious, and doesn't object.

"Just think they are."

[wasnt_adream]

Her fingers are small and, because she hasn't had time to head outside again, clean, and she seems mostly interested in feeling the fabric.

There's a slight nod, maybe something like an agreement, with, "Satsuki doesn't want to sit with me anymore. Not when anyone's around."

A pause, and then, "What's your name?"

[river_meimei]

"River."

Beat.

Softer, "I will."

[wasnt_adream]

Mei still looks curious, but there's a smile now, and her eyes don't take in River like a new tree or flower that needs to be examined.

"Mine's Mei," she says, though it's not so quiet. And following what, to her at least, is a consistent line of though - "Do you have an older sister, too?"

[river_meimei]

"Simon."

The smile is brief, and barely there, but it's the first one yet.

"He's my brother."

[wasnt_adream]

"I don't have a brother," the girl says thoughtfully. One hand brushes against River's very long hair. "Just Satsuki. She'd probably yell at me, if she knew I came here all by myself."

The second part might have a bit of pride in it.

[river_meimei]

"In the job description," River agrees.

Sympathetically, it must be said.

"You can hide under the tables."

[wasnt_adream]

Mei nods, though she's not about to admit that Satsuki is good at it.

"She doesn't come here. Maybe... she doesn't see it. Mommy and Daddy are like that."

[river_meimei]

River's face tightens a little.

"Call it a treehouse," she says, very soft. "Under the stairs."

[wasnt_adream]

Mei doesn't speak for a moment, apparently thinking about this.

"They'd think it was - like Totoro. Only me and Satsuki see him."

It's just the wind, for others. She pauses for another moment, and then shakes her head. "Satsuki'd want to come, if I told her. Or say I was making it up."

[river_meimei]

"Want it yours."

It's hard to tell if River approves or not, but it's clear that she understands.