001

[littlesoul]

[She's perched on the highest spot she can find in the lobby, her journal clutched against her chest. This isn't anything like she's used to, nothing feels familiar. Her heart is beating hard in her chest and her hands want to start shaking.

Her mind is racing, filled with the thoughts of so many people around her. The night before, she had achieved some kind of calm, she remembered that, but now, with this new, strange turn of events, she's falling again, lost amidst the sea of thoughts around her.

She scribbles in her journal at a feverish pace, the words small and pushed together as she tries to hold back panic.]

Lost.

Lost, lost, lost, lost.

Fell into the black and landed here. Fell and fell and fell until I hit the ground. I can't remember how to get back, too lost to see clearly.

Can someone pick her up again? Can someone put her back where she belongs?

Too loud.

Can't go high enough, can't find a way out, can't find anything that I want.

Ship, she needs a ship again. She needs the sky.

Comments

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate knelt to her level, trying to catch her eye.]

Nice to meet you, River. Is there anything I can do to help you?

[littlesoul]

[She tenses, her body going stuff as she feels what Kate is trying to do. She doesn't like eye contact, not really. It makes her uncomfortable.]

Don't know, don't....I know the speeches but not the meaning behind them. I don't know what to d.

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate wants to reach out and touch her shoulder, reassure her that it was okay, but she thought that might just make things worse.]

You could come to my room. Or I could help you find your room. It would be quieter there.

[littlesoul]

[She nods her head, looking up at Kate with a grateful expression. The touch would only send her spinning and she cant' help but be pleased the woman had enough sense to not do it]

Quiet, quiet. Don't care where, just...away.

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate steps back, allowing River room to come down from her perch.]

You can follow me if you want.

[littlesoul]

She leaps down, landing with her usual grace.] Follow the leader, I can do that.

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate smiles at that, then starts to make her way to her room.]

How old are you, River?

[littlesoul]

[She shrugs.] Can't keep track. Time shifts oddly, never behaving itself. it's very rude.

[not_nikkiheat]

Time is very rude like that.

[They reach Kate's room and she opens the door, gesturing for River to enter.]

Hopefully this will be more quiet for you.

[littlesoul]

[She enters carefully, her feet moving quiet as anything over the ground. She doesn't settle immediately, moving to touch bits and pieces of things that lay around.[

Not as harsh here. [She looks over her shoulder at Kate ad smiles just a little.] It's better.

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate's smile goes from gentle to friendly, and she's happy to have helped the girl.]

I'm glad, River. You're welcome to come here anytime.

[littlesoul]

[She nods her head looking pleased.] You're comfortable. Solid like stones and smooth in my hand.

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate tilts her head to the side, still smiling.]

Thanks. I think.

[littlesoul]

[She smiles brightly.] Stones are good for games, they're good for weapons too.

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate laughs lightly, fondly.]

Well, they can be weapons if your aim is good enough.

[littlesoul]

[Her expression shifts from something light to something more stern.] It is.

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate's eyebrows go up at that.]

I wasn't doubting you, just making a generalization.

[littlesoul]

[She frowns a little, tilting her head.][There's a apologetic smile]

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate returns the smile, still a little bemused.]

Well, make yourself comfortable. Have a seat if you'd like.

[littlesoul]

[She looks around, spying a bookcase and moving to climb it. She settled at the tip, pressing herself between the bookcase ad the ceiling ad the smiles doesn't Kate.

She did say make herself comfortable.]

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate opens her mouth to say something about her choice in seating, but ultimately decides to shake her head and smile. She walks to her chair and picks up the book she's reading, settling in.]

Let me know if you need anything, okay?

[littlesoul]

[River nods, smiling and settling in quite comfortably in her little nook.]