(Untitled)

[river_meimei]

River is curled on an armchair, legs tucked tidily beneath her

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[creator_raven]

There is a quiet thump as a ragged bundle of black feathers drops from the rafters to the back of a chair.

From there it hop into the air again and resettles as a man.

That man blinks at River, eyes sharp and bright.

"Hello. You are well today, I hope?"

[river_meimei]

River blinks at him, startled.

It's a different kind of startlement than usual; the kind you get when someone's surprised, and hadn't expected to be. There's a downside to the sudden blockage of psychic sensitivity.

Then she grins at him.

With solemn honesty, "Yes."

[creator_raven]

He grins back, wrinkling his nose.

"It is a fine thing, I think. I am fond of quiet."

His shoulders twitch.

"Also space."

[river_meimei]

"It's a vacuum."

Beat.

Helpfully, "The soundwaves have to detour."

[simon_doctor]

Simon returns from the bar, carrying two plates, each bearing a bread-bowl full of thick hot soup. He passes her one and settles on the chair next to her.

"How're you feeling, meimei?" It's a more specific question than usual, even from him.

[river_meimei]

River cocks her head as if listening to the air.

A tiny twist of the neck, and she beams at him.

As if confiding a secret, "It's quiet."

[simon_doctor]

"That's good." He's lowered his own voice; it's as automatic a reaction as returning her smile.

[river_meimei]

River's face is still glowing as she settles her plate on the table in front of her and bends over it. Fragrant steam drifts up from the fish chowder in the bread bowl.

[outofdepth]

Because she is probably the only one who could beat him at his own games...

Guildenstern, too, is watching the people. He's grinning less often, which is to say, not at all, but he doesn't fail to notice when the young woman seems to flash a small smile in his direction.

He nods a greeting and raises his glass to her.

[river_meimei]

River's smile widens.

[outofdepth]

Well, that's an invitation, isn't it? It is in his world, anyway.

He takes his beer and heads over to her.

"Might I join you, miss?" he asks, indicating the chair beside her.

[river_meimei]

River considers.

Very seriously, "Yes."

The seriousness breaks, then, back into cheer.

[redhorserider]

She sits lazily (slouched, one leg thrown over the side) in an armchair next to her.

"You're not as fun today," she says with all seriousness.

[river_meimei]

River's eyes narrow instantly.

"Say sorry."

She's not.

[redhorserider]

"Only on rare occasions." She grins.

[river_meimei]

River is silent.

Watching her.

Fingers tighten unconsciously, twisting in the loose folds of her skirt.

[silver_flecks]

There's someone humming nearby.

[river_meimei]

A sharp glance at the source of the humming.

And then River's face relaxes into a hesitant smile.

[silver_flecks]

"It's quieter," she says by way of explanation with a smile.

[river_meimei]

River's smile gets a lot less hesitant.

As if confiding something, she says softly, "Nobody's talking."