004: [visual] - Look for the girl with the broken smile Ask her if she wants to stay a while

[littlestcastle]

Alexis stood outside the steps of the Sanctuary and for a moment she stared up at the building where they'd been stuck for three weeks, then down at her tablet. Her expression was confused, and there was slow growing worry in her eyes

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[ visual ]

[gotcouplings]

"Oh mei mei."

Kaylee frowned down at her tablet, eyes full of sympathy. It wasn't easy, when someone you were close to went home, but for whatever stupid reason or glitch the hamsters had, it happened.

"There's room at the Ranch, if you're interested. Serenity too, if you don't mind Jayne bumblin' about on occasion." She thought that Alexis would probably prefer something grounded, though. It would be more familiar, easier to adjust to. "If you got an offer already to take, that's alright too."

[ visual/ locked to kaylee ]

[littlestcastle]

Kaylee's response got the most relieved, grateful expression from Alexis. It wasn't that she disliked either of her new friends, but there was something horribly awkward to a teenage girl's mind about staying with male friends (or teachers). She double-checked the tablet to make sure she was broadcasting only to Kaylee.

"Really, Kaylee? You wouldn't mind?" she asked. She looked ready to hug the older woman on the spot. "Stefen and Mr. Smecker have been really nice about it, but it's kind of..." The blush returned, bright now on pale cheeks. "awkward."

[ visual / locked ]

[gotcouplings]

It was clear, judging by the time taken to lock the connection, that Alexis didn't want to hurt any feelings. She didn't actually have to say so for Kaylee to know it. The mechanic couldn't really blame her for it, either. Alexis was obviously more sheltered than she had ever been as a kid.

"Wouldn't offer if I minded," she promised, smile only growing. "No use in lettin' a room sit empty if it'll be some good to somebody. Like a little life in the house, besides."

[ visual / locked ]

[littlestcastle]

Alexis was certainly sheltered in all the ways Richard Castle could shelter his daughter. He couldn't, however, shelter her from himself, which meant Alexis took some very strange things in stride (like being asked to duct tape her dad to a chair in the name of research) while being completely unprepared for others (like the entire current scenario).

She nodded, the blush starting to fade now. "Thanks Kaylee." There was a pause as she brushed a lock of bright red hair behind her ear. "I think that's why my dad let my grandma stay with us too. It keeps the house interesting."

Not that the house wasn't interesting all by her dad's doing. The space cowboy costume alone...

[ visual / locked ]

[gotcouplings]

"Interestin's good," Kaylee laughed. Well, most of the time it was good. She wasn't so much a fan of the hamsters' version of interesting, to be certain.

The mechanic paused, rubbing the back of her neck. "Should also mention River's livin' here. Don't know if you've met her or not...but she's got her own way about things. She's every bit of genius I know all rolled up into one girl, so it can be a bit unnervin' at times." Don't be scared by the crazy girl, Alexis.

[ visual / locked ]

[littlestcastle]

Alexis furrowed her brow at the unfamiliar name, trying to recall if she'd heard it before or seen the girl Kaylee mentioned on the network. She hadn't, but she nodded anyway. "I'm sure she's nice, even if she's unnerving."

[ visual / locked ]

[gotcouplings]

“She’s plenty nice,” Kaylee promised, maybe a little too quickly. “I’m sure you’ll be fast friends.” Hopefully River would agree with that and at least attempt to be pleasant. Kaylee really didn’t want to deal with a household revolution so soon after Alexis moving in.

[ visual / locked ]

[littlestcastle]

The too-quick reassurance made Alexis a little nervous, but Kaylee had been nothing but nice to her. Maybe it was something about Alexis herself that would make River nervous, and Kaylee was just too nice to say so. But she'd make the best of it. If worse comes to worst, she could always move back into the Sanctuary, like everyone else said.

Alexis looked up at the fake sky, judging fake sun's fake path across it. "Should I come visit first?" she asked. "So it's not too much a surprise for River, or you, to have another new person in the house?"

[ visual / locked ]

[gotcouplings]

"We're no strangers to people stayin' here." Given the number of people who had spent at least their first few weeks in Taxon at the Ranch, and those who had stayed on even after that, Kaylee was plenty used to having guests. River...should have been, but there was never any telling with her. "If you wanna give it a trial for your own peace of mind, though, that's shiny too."

[ visual / locked ]

[littlestcastle]

There was a moment of frowning, as Alexis pulled up the map of the renewed city to find the Ranch Kaylee was talking about and the most expedient route there. "Would you mind company now? I--" She shrugged, bright red hair falling into her face at the movement. "--don't really know what to do, beside go putting away things in the empty apartment."

[ visual / locked ]

[gotcouplings]

Thankfully, the hamsters’ remodeling of the city had somehow left the Ranch within walking distance of the Sanctuary. It was a small blessing in Kaylee’s mind. It was easier for her to jump in and help new arrivals if she was closer to them.

“Company now’d be just fine. I could even meet ya, if you like?”

[visual --> action?]

[littlestcastle]

"No, I think I can make it," she answered. It would even give Alexis a little time to explore the new city, even. "The map's helpful for things like that."

It took a little longer than Alexis had anticipated to make it to the Ranch, but only because she kept stopping to marvel at the rebuilt city. She approached with a little hesitance, calling out, "Hello? Kaylee?"

[ visual --> action ]

[gotcouplings]

Kaylee nodded. “That it is.” It was one useful thing the aliens gave them, at least. A small perk in a world of Enjoy Your Forced Extended Stay. She gave Alexis another smile and changed her tablet over to the map as well before going about her business. Occasionally, she glanced over to check on the approaching dot that was Alexis.

The moment Alexis called out, Kaylee was at the door. “In here!” she called, waving Alexis to the door. “Come on in.”