(Untitled)

[victoryisboring]

Mai pauses as she opens the door to find Milliways.

This place again.

Well, she's here. And the tea is good. She might as well stick around.

Which means that a few minutes later she's sitting at a table out of the way with a teapot and a single glass. She is neither expecting nor inviting company.

(But don't let that stop you!)

Comments

[river_meimei]

River won't!

Well, if 'company' includes 'drifting by the table, holding a mug of hot chocolate very carefully in both hands.'

River's hands are steady, but all the same the whipped cream has slopped a little at least once.

[river_meimei]

There are rafters!

And... air...

And shadows, although none of them seem the sort to conceal ninjas or treasure or the like.

[victoryisboring]

Mai's gaze drifts back toward River.

Then back to the rafters.

Then back to River again.

Okaaaaay then.

[river_meimei]

River takes half a step away, and then another. Her steps are slow, absent-minded, and far more dancer than martial artist: the heel lifting first, then the foot arching, and bare toes automatically pointing as they leave the ground.

A third step, and she glances over her shoulder at Mai. "Watch out," she says, sympathetic but almost smiling: giving friendly advice. "They're circling. It won't hold."

And then she turns away, attention back on her drink and her meandering careful path.

[victoryisboring]

The little half-twitch that Mai makes is instinctive. When someone like River warns someone like Mai to watch out, she watches out.

But nothing happens. This causes Mai to glare at River.

"There's nothing there."

[river_meimei]

That gets River to pause.

And, slowly, half-turn.

"Always is," she says quietly. With compassion, maybe.

(River Tam knows traps, and boundaries, and escape.)

"That's the problem."

[victoryisboring]

Mai leans forward.

Almost in spite of herself, she eventually asks. "What happened to you?"

[river_meimei]

River's shoulders stiffen, and her face closes off.

The air just in front of Mai is getting a flat look that says answers on that subject are not forthcoming.

[victoryisboring]

The look... Mai hasn't seen that particular one, but the familiar flavor of it she knows well enough.

She simply inclines her head ever-so-slightly.

It's like that, then, is it?

[river_meimei]

"It's not relevant."

River can't play the game of restrained and courtly gestures in return; it's been a long time since she could attempt that one.

So she doesn't.

[victoryisboring]

"It is," Mai counters emotionlessly. But she feels no need to press the girl.