(no subject)

[lastgunslinger]

It might be midsummer, but the heat isn't stifling.

Roland is sitting outside by the lake, on the big flat rock he favors. He has a copy of Pride and Prejudice with him, but soon finds it boring.

He's had other things to think about, anyway.

So he settles back, and puts the book over his face, and puts his arms behind his head -- thinking and dozing and trying not to think.

Comments

[river_meimei]

Dozing or not, Roland's a gunslinger. He probably hears the soft rustle of bare feet on heather and grass.

Silently, River settles down next to him on the sun-warmed rock, and wraps her arms around her knees.

[lastgunslinger]

After some time, voice muffled by book, he says, "Shouldn't you be with your brother?"

[river_meimei]

Peacefully, "No."

[lastgunslinger]

It'd be easier if she were.

Still with the book over his face: "You all right?"

Last night wasn't easy.

[river_meimei]

Silence, for a while.

River rests her chin on her knees, and looks out at the lake.

"Gonna be." Soft, and a little bleak.

Broken hearts mend.

[lastgunslinger]

The book moves a little; Roland is nodding.

He doesn't say anything.

[river_meimei]

Neither does River, for several minutes.

Just sits next to him, curled up, and watches the slight breeze ruffle the lake and the treetops.

"You're not." Quiet. Almost a question.

[lastgunslinger]

"That doesn't matter." Voice even.

[river_meimei]

He can't see it, but he's getting a very flat look.

[lastgunslinger]

No, he can't see it.

And he doesn't say anything. He's said his piece.

[river_meimei]

"In defiance of the empirical evidence."

Beat.

"Don't be a dummy."

[lastgunslinger]

Silence.

"Go find your brother."

[river_meimei]

"He's on the ship."

She doesn't move.

The exasperated look is continuing, yes.

[lastgunslinger]

"Then return to the ship."

It's not that Roland is jealous of Gabriel Tam. Truly.

[river_meimei]

River looks away, out at the lake. She pulls her arms tighter around her shins.

Hurt, now.

Silence.

[lastgunslinger]

It's that Roland let himself care too much for no reason.
I got nobody but you, Frankie.
He doesn't say anything, either.
Well, you got me.
The smell of ink on page is foreign, and comforting.

[river_meimei]

The silence stretches. For a while.

River is curled up small, and she watch the air over the water.

She closes her eyes, breathes in, breathes out. Opens them again. "You want to forget her too."

Soft. Flat. Accepting, or almost.

[lastgunslinger]

"No." Beat. "He had to. For his own safety. And he'll remember, in time. You know that."

What he will never admit, to anyone, with perhaps the exception of Eddie Dean -- he and Gabriel Tam are

(go, then)

similar.

[river_meimei]

Her head whips around to stare at him. Angry tears stand in her eyes.

"I know. She remembers."

[lastgunslinger]

Roland can't see her expression.

"All right, then." As though a question has been settled.

[river_meimei]

Another moment of staring.

And then she buries her face in her knees, scooting a few inches further from him on the rock, and pulls her arms tight around herself.

She's crying. Very quietly -- there are no sobs, but if he's listening closely to her breathing he'll be able to hear it.

[lastgunslinger]

He takes the book from his face and rests it next to him, his eyes closed against the sunlight.

"No need for that."

[river_meimei]

No answer.

[lastgunslinger]

Now he sits up, blinking a little in the light.
Well, you got me.
He sees her...and closes his eyes again. A small sigh.
At least until we find you a manager.
Then: "All right. What has thee fashed?"

[river_meimei]

She lifts her head, and stares at him.

Incredulity -- Isn't it obvious? -- and anger, and mostly hurt.
You gonna leave me again?
Another tear spills over, and she closes her eyes and buries her face in her knees again.