River's voicemail

[moonbrain_tam]

*Silence* BEEP!

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[mparkerceo]

"Hey, River. It's Parker."

[moonbrain_tam]

River picked up the phone. "Parker?"

[mparkerceo]

"Long time no talk," Parker said, smiling into the phone, and putting another pair of pants into her duffel bag. "How are you doing? Did you get my last e-mail?"

[moonbrain_tam]

"Long time," River agreed. It was good to hear Parker's voice again. "Trying to keep busy. Got your email." She just hadn't been in a writing mood.

[mparkerceo]

"Cool. What've you been up to? How's the temporary Principal working out? Jack said she was another crazy one." Parker moved over to the window, and checked on Zero and Dave in the parking lot.

[moonbrain_tam]

"She's evil. Radio reported today that she's gone," River replied. She fell silent for a moment. "Been going to classes. Been going to work at the hotel. Cheer camp this weekend. When did you last hear from me?"

[mparkerceo]

"You know, I think it was last month when I visited," Parker said, thinking back. "And yay on the crazy lady being gone, woo, and cheer camp. Classes are starting soon, aren't they?"

[moonbrain_tam]

"They are," River said, not elaborating. "I've been an owl. I've been to the moon and danced on air. I'm improving as a pilot." She sounded tired, but tried laughing. "Not as excting as your life."

[mparkerceo]

"Hardly," Parker said with a smile. "Although I'm not sorry to be missing the owl kind of excitement. But I envy you the dancing on air. How'd that happen?" She sat back on the bed, and tried to think of how to lead up to what had partly prompted her call. "I'm heading out on a trip with Zero in an hour. I have no idea where we're going yet, though."

[moonbrain_tam]

"Wizard friend," River explained. "I've learnt that magic can make air solid." This brought out a giggle. "But I liked being an owl. Flying, hunting and nothing else. Broke my wardrobe when I returned to human form." There was a moment of silence. "Wish I could go with you. Some other time, perhaps."

[mparkerceo]

Parker snickered at the comments about the wardrobe, then sighed. "Yeah, me too. You are gonna visit me in England, though. First break you get at school, okay?" She bit her lip, then rolled her eyes at herself. "Listen, there's another reason I called, more than just catching up with you."

[moonbrain_tam]

"Looking forward to visiting you in Oxford," River said smiling. "What is the reason?"

[mparkerceo]

Taking a breath, Parker said, "You're doing okay, lately. Right? No problems, like the one with Miranda... no bad dreams?"

[moonbrain_tam]

River hesitated. "No bad dreams. No... changes. Just no sense of direction. Need a compass."

[mparkerceo]

Parker frowned, because this was a real challenge too, but not one she could do anything about. "The piloting isn't enough, hunh?" She tapped her fingers on the bed, and sighed. "I was asking because-- River, does anyone in Fandom, besides Jack, know those safe words Simon used on Beaumonde?"

[moonbrain_tam]

"No." Jack hadn't told anyone, and she trusted Parker hadn't either. "No one." It made her feel less protected, suddenly.