(no subject)

[lastgunslinger]

He never had much opportunity to skip stones, growing up.

This doesn't mean he's bad at it.

Roland stands on the shore of the lake, by the large rock he likes to sit on sometimes, and practices skipping flat rocks across the surface of the water.

Current personal best: six.

Comments

[lastgunslinger]

"So -- Mal likes River, then?"

He seemed to, the day that Roland met Mal.

[gonna_live]

Kaylee considers this.

"Seems to. Fights more with Simon, when it comes down to it -- but it's kinda hard to fight with River. You know?"

[lastgunslinger]

Roland snorts. "Aye. I kennit well." Pause. "How often does she have bad days?"

It's not a clinical interest. It's personal.

This comes across.

[gonna_live]

"...less often than she used to." Kaylee shrugs. "I...I dunno. You'd have to ask Simon about that."

She looks at him, wondering.

[lastgunslinger]

Roland nods...and sees her look.

"We're friends, she and I." Calm.

[gonna_live]

"'Course you are -- both gunslingers, and whatnot." Kaylee smiles, a little.

It doesn't reach her eyes.

[lastgunslinger]

Roland notices.

"There's that, certainly -- and more besides. We get along well." Pause. "Though -- I suppose the touch isn't as common in your where and when. I'm fairly used to it, say true."

[gonna_live]

"The touch? You mean Readin'?"

[lastgunslinger]

"Psychics. Mind-reading. Alain does it, though he can control it, and does -- it's not polite, you ken. To touch someone's mind without their permission. River...can't control it, and I imagine that gets odd, at times, for one who isn't used to it." Calm.

[gonna_live]

Kaylee nods. "Yeah. I...we ain't used to it. There was a time when we didn't all believe it...but...somethin's in front of your nose long enough, you start believin' it's true."

Pause.

"Or if somethin's shockin' enough."

She looks at him.

"I...told Alain a while back that I'd help you out any way I could, even if the rest of 'em didn't. Why'd I still have the dream?"

[lastgunslinger]

Roland is quiet for a long moment, considering.

Then he looks at Kaylee.

"What did you do when you awoke, Kaylee?"

[gonna_live]

"I..."

A shaky breath.

"I went to the kitchen. Had my blanket with me. Didn't...feel much like sleepin'. And I thought I'd make a cup of somethin' hot, but...hands were shakin' too hard. So I turned on all the lights, and I went in and sat on one of the couches, and..." A slight shrug. "That's where I was when Simon came in, and then Wash and Zoe and the captain, and then Simon and I went and found River."

[lastgunslinger]

Roland nods slowly.

"Might be they had to see you affected so before they could be convinced."

[gonna_live]

Kaylee turns to him, eyes wide. "Is that -- that's why -- you think that's the only reason I had to -- "

[lastgunslinger]

Quietly: "Kaylee, it is very well that you said you'd help us, and I say thankee-sai, and I say it sincerely. But...did you truly understand what we work for, before the dream?"

[gonna_live]

Kaylee looks down.

She shakes her head.

[lastgunslinger]

Still quiet: "Then there you are."

[gonna_live]

She looks up at Roland, and nods.

Not good to tell him of her misgivings. He's like the captain...and yet not.

Kaylee's scared of Mal, sometimes, when Mal gets angry.

Kaylee's a little scared of Roland all the time.

"Reckon...I ought to be gettin' back."

[lastgunslinger]

Roland inclines his head slightly. "Then I'll wish you long days and pleasant nights, Kaylee." Pause. "My regards to River, if you would."

[gonna_live]

"Sure." And the smile's back. "See you 'round, Roland."

Kaylee heads inside, unsettled...and she can't quite put her finger on why.