[ oo2 ∞ video ]

[thoughts]

[ river's standing in the middle of the road, looking a little worse for wear, but she doesn't seem to care about the blood drying on her skin, and her eyes are wide and bright as ever. the natives are walking past her, singing and holding one another, and one hands her a small candle that she holds in the center of her palm curiously. the hymns gets quieter as they pass and then she speaks down to her little flame. ]

Ghosts in the streets tonight, but you're alive now.

[ she blows on the candle, but not strong enough to put it out. it just flickers back in place and she smiles, looks directly into the camera feed. ]

Sǐ mǎ dāng huó mǎ yī. Did you do something good lately?

[ ooc; trying this one last time. river has been gone since june and has only just come back today with a canon bump to the end of serenity, so she's a little more sane but also in dire need of a bath. come say hi? ( permissions are still here. ) ]

Comments

[text]

[snowstormed]

could say that

[He feels, oddly enough, relieved to see River again. Her disappearance had him worried, had him wondering what had happened, but now here she is, and he feels as if the weight on his shoulders has lifted even slightly.]

need anyone to come get you [And get the blood off you, seriously, kiddo.]

[text]

[thoughts]

[ there are more important things to deal with right now than baths! ]

maybe not need. might like it though. she's only been waiting a few hours.

[text] > [action]

[snowstormed]

sit tight for one more

[It's actually fifteen minutes less than that--he's just nearby, and it's fairly easy to find someone who has, you know, blood on their clothes. That tends to stick out in a crowd and in someone's memory, for some reason.

When he sees River, he makes sure to make some noise as he approaches. His footsteps are a little louder than usual, and he's even humming something that sounds like an old, old tune, if somewhat disjointed and off-key. Crosby would weep just to hear it, but he doesn't remember the tune right. Getting it right isn't the point, anyway, it's only to let her know that he's here.]

You okay?

[action]

[thoughts]

[ he's good at that, at giving her time and space to catch up to him. it makes her smile and wish they had the time to dance. maybe they can, eventually. ]

Better.

[ covered in blood, tired, lost again. but she's better. she turns to him, walks closer. ]

Are you?

[brainsqueeze]

( This was not a face that Maria had expected to see again, and whilst Maria liked the girl she also hadn't been 100% sad when the girl had gone back home. Their arrival was rough, and this was turning even more into a war situation with every day - the girl should miss it.

But she was back, and Maria's initial expression has a little surprise to it. And quick recovery because- oh god, what happened to her? She sounds... River, but something drastic had to have happened to leave her appearance in that state )

River?

( There's hope that she remembers since not everyone who returns does. If not Maria will work on that little bit of trust again. She can't explain why she has to keep River safe, but someone has to )

Where are you?

[thoughts]

[ she remembers their faces clearly, names and voices and almost-smiles that she can call familiar because she remembers. it's new and fascinating and terrifying, but she smiles anyway, because she can. ]

I'm here. Went looking for a pillar and got swarmed by fireflies.

[ she holds up her candle, glances back to where the natives have already made it several blocks over. ]

[brainsqueeze]

You look like you're enjoying yourself already.

( And that was how it should be. But really, River you've been back like five minutes. Good on you )

[video]

[routinemercy]

Hardly.

Just for conversation's sake, when's the last time you bathed?

[video]

[thoughts]

Time spent off-planet is an arbitrary measurement dependent on the orbital cycles of a system light years away. Time planetside should be a varied measurement dependent on it's own orbital cycles, can't be standardised across systems for nice, neat clocks to keep you punctual, and even then, the concept is abstract.

She's travelled between three different planets but for conversation's sake, I'll say it's negligible.

[video]

[routinemercy]

[He wrinkles his nose]

Well, you may want to consider moving up your hygiene schedule. Believe me, there was a time I liked nothing more than the sight of a girl covered in blood, but Christ, I can practically smell you through the screen.

[bythewaves]

Well now, fileg, that would depend on what you consider good, hm? What are you doing these days, little hawk?

[thoughts]

Living. Lives are good. I took a leap.

[ it's said quietly, but she is quite proud of the fact. ]

[bythewaves]

They are.

And where did you land little hawk? Or did you fly?

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

[ !!!

Seeing her always makes his day. ]

River! Hello!

[Video]

[thoughts]

[ doctor. a doctor. her smile comes a little easier, still faint. ]

Nǐ hǎo. I'm glad you're alive.

[ that's a normal friendly greeting, right? ]

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

[ He barks a laughter. ]

Thanks!

You haven't changed a bit.

video.

[wasbrave]

[Tris looks fed up and tired. Most of all she's curious though. She isn't sure she understands what the other girl is on about, really. Why not find out, right?]

Can't say that trip was good exactly. What about you?

video.

[thoughts]

[ she thinks about it for a second. ]

Could say the same. Or couldn't. It was messy.

[ to say the least. ]

video.

[wasbrave]

Looks like it. But we're back now, I guess. No reason to dwell on it.

(Here, everyone comes back. She's got enough nightmares without thinking real hard about who burned to death in Muspelheim, who was swallowed by lava, crushed by falling debris. Who narrowly made it.)

[allpurposescarf]

I should certainly hope we were alive!

[The other option is significantly less enjoyable, after all. Or so he's always heard.]

[thoughts]

Living isn't the same as alive.

[allpurposescarf]

Not entirely the same. But some people might think it was close enough.

[video] Latey late late

[beforethewar]

[Now there's a sight for sore eyes!]

Hello again, River! And, yes, I do what I can, as always. How--

[Goodness, what is it with people returning bloody lately?]

Ah...that isn't all your blood, is it? Do you need help?

[video] never! ♥

[thoughts]

Oh.

[ she looks down at herself, like she has to check to remember it's there, then laughs a little. ]

Don't worry, it's not mine.

[ com ... forting?? ]

[beforethewar]

[Considering it looks like she's been bathing in the stuff, he's a bit comforted that it's not hers. Sort of. Even if it's still damned disturbing.]

I'd hope not. I...don't imagine I want to know the story of how you ended up covered head-to-toe in blood, do I?