lastgunslinger

Simon's reaching out to her with both hands, in a half-wary, half-comforting gesture she's seen countless times before, but never directed at her --

"Kaylee? Kaylee, it's all right --"

only it's not all right, not even close, because the idea of somebody tampering with Kaylee's brain has reached deep within him and laid a cold finger directly on a knot of fear and outrage.

And he's shaking.

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gonna_live

"Simon -- I pulled a sword on River -- I didn't -- didn't know -- "

But hadn't she known?

Hadn't she wanted to, at least a little?

And yet now -- how could she have wanted to?

Tears now. "I'm so sorry -- "

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He takes her hands, and holds them.

If she hasn't already noticed him shaking, she can probably feel it now.

"Kaylee, no -- it's okay. You weren't ... you weren't yourself."

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gonna_live

She can feel it -- and she reaches out, hugging him tightly. "I -- Simon -- "

She doesn't know what to say.

There's nothing to say.

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From his chair, Roland says quietly: "No. Not your fault, Kaylee. Never in life."

Any more than the Nyarlathotep's actions were Lord Morpheus's fault.

He stands. "We'll talk later, I think, you and I. Not today, though. For now..." He looks to the both of them on the bed. "I've business to take care of, and you need to rest."

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Simon nods, and his voice is gentle and calm and only shakes a little. "Kaylee? Do you want to come back to the ship, or stay here for the night?"

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gonna_live

"I ain't goin' back." Kaylee is definite as she passes her hand over her face, wiping the tears away. "Have to explain, then. Might as well hide out here."

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Still very calm: "There's our suite here, it's just down the hall. I'll stay with you."

He glances up at Roland, then back at Kaylee.

"Will you be all right here for a little while if I go back to get a few things? And is there anything from the ship you'd like me to get you?"

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gonna_live

"I'll -- yeah. I'll be okay."

Pause.

"In -- in my bunk. Over the chair. There's pajamas. And my toothbrush."

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He nods. "And I should tell the captain that you're staying here tonight -- I won't tell him why, though. If, ah, if you'd rather I didn't."

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gonna_live

Kaylee's quiet.

Either way, Mal is going to worry.

"Don't tell him. Or...tell him I'll talk to him, later. If he asks."

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"I will."

He squeezes her hand once, then stands up and turns to Roland.

"Is it all right if she stays here until I get back?"

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Roland nods. "Fine." Gently -- for Roland, anyhow. "Go on. We'll be here."

He's aware of Alain standing there, quietly observing all of this.

There'll be time to answer questions later. For now...there's Kaylee to deal with, and then...

...Paris.

God and the Man Jesus.

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gonna_live

Simon slips out of the room, and the door closes behind him.

Kaylee's alone with Alain and Roland.

She can't look at either of them.

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Alain's hand rested on Roland's shoulder while he was sitting, a silent You all right? and a grounding presence. He let his arm fall when Roland stood, but both messages are still there, passing wordless between them. But he doesn't say anything, yet -- not with Kaylee here, and still upset. He doesn't want to do anything to make her feel worse, and he doesn't need words, with Roland. Not for the important things.

So he speaks to Kaylee instead, after a minute, soft and compassionate. "Nobody blames you, Kaylee. None of us. Not your fault -- spell-mazing's nothing to be ashamed of. Say true."

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Roland nods. "I've seen the work of black roses before. The Lord of Dreams himself couldn't stand against one."

Only hesitating a moment, not sure if it will be a welcome gesture, he steps closer to Kaylee and rests a light hand on her head.

"No lasting harm's been done. Not to me, or to River or Simon, or to Anthy." Pause. "And what passed doesn't have to go beyond these people. I'll not speak of it, and I know that Alain won't -- unless you allow it. All right?"

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gonna_live

An audible sniff, and a shaky sigh.

And she nods.

"Feel kinda stupid. Met him. Kinda...creepifyin'. But...I didn't know that's what he did."

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"I met him, too. And yes. As you say. Creepifying."

Quiet. Soothing.

"We'll sort it out."

Sort him out.

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Only a quick flicker of a glance at Roland -- all that's needed, for understanding and full agreement -- and his face is again calm and soothing as his eyes return to Kaylee. He crouches, near the bed. Not so near as to impinge, if she still wants to avoid looking at them, but he doesn't want to be towering over her.

Gently, "He'd have worked hard to make sure no one did know. We do now. It will be well, Kaylee."

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gonna_live

A sidelong glance at Alain...and she nods. For a moment there's a hint of a smile.

"...thanks."

It's all she knows to say.

And then there's a knock on the door, and Simon sticks his head back in.

Kaylee rises, a little shaky, and goes to the door. She looks back at them for a moment, and then there's another hint of a smile -- and then she slips out the door after Simon, and the door closes.

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And as soon as the door is closed, Roland's hand goes to his chest. "Fuck."

He lowers himself onto the bed, and looks at Alain, shaking his head slightly. "Just...fuck."

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And Alain lets the mask of soothing calm drop, and his disquiet and deep worry show through clearly.

Softly, "You all right, Ro'?"

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He almost replies acerbically -- and then the fundamental absurdity of the situation just...gets to him.

Roland grins.

"I just had a fucking sword pulled out of my fucking chest, Al." And he laughs. "What do you think?"

Still laughing. Then: "Ow. Fuck."

No more laughter. Hurts his chest.

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Alain's not laughing.

The worry just got deeper.

After a moment, with quiet venom, "I think I want to find that bastard Mikage." Three guesses what happens next.

He exhales. "Fuck."

It's the word of the hour.

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