(Untitled)

[gonna_live]

The greatest challenge in Kaylee's life these days (among all the others that she's just trying not to think about):

Peeling off the label on the bottle without ripping it.

She's at the bar, deeply engrossed in this task.

Comments

[jack_f_twist]

Sallie's headed into the bar tonight, and like usual she'd mentioned it in passing--just in case Jack were listening--before going her own way in.

He'd waited about an hour, then gotten up, stretched, and headed through the pantry himself, to find a barstool to set himself down at, and maybe some company.

So there's a clump of boots on the floor, and the squeak a barstool not to far away, and a cowboy leaning over ordering a beer of his own.

Oh, yeah, and he talks, too, friendly and easy as ever. (Even if it's been so damn long since he's seen this particular face.)

"Got somethin against the paper, there?"

[gonna_live]

Things've changed, with Kaylee, and while it's not like she's not glad to see him --

Muted is a good word for it.

Kaylee shakes her head. "Lack of somethin' better to do. Hey, Jack."

[jack_f_twist]

"Hey."

It must've been a hell of a lot longer than he'd thought--though it's been long enough, near a year since--

But just months passing don't have that effect on someone who used to be as bright and cheery as a new penny, do they? So Jack's brow furrows a little. "You okay, there, darlin'?"

[gonna_live]

First time she's run into somebody she doesn't have to tell, because it wasn't obvious.

Makes this a little...interesting.

One thing's for sure: she doesn't feel like talking about it right now. So there it is: she puts on a smile, and nods. "Doin' shiny. How's things by you?"

(Later on she might feel a little sick, but --

You do what you have to do. That's all.)

[gonna_live]

"Thanks for the tip," Kaylee says, without glancing up.

The point, she doesn't say, is to make the process extend as long as possible.

[gonna_live]

A sidelong glance.

Not like she never sees people drunk to the point of obnoxious; she'll wait and see how bad it gets.

"'S fine," is her only contribution.

[river_meimei]

Simon's in the bathroom.

River's staring at the far wall. Near Kaylee, but not quite in her direction, and flatly.

[gonna_live]

Kaylee's at the bar.

The range of photographs, wizarding and not, behind the bar -- they're...interesting, to say the least.

(Not that Kaylee's focusing on them, but whatever.)

[river_meimei]

River's drink is empty. So's Simon's, and there's a dearth of waitrats in sight.

River waits anyway, until finally she breathes out and rises to make her way towards the bar.

[gonna_live]

When she's close enough --

River gets a brief half-smile. "Hey." Quiet.