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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 3, 2022 13:12:49 GMT -8
Satisfied that the handkerchief finally came away clean, Wendy stuffed the blood-stained piece of cloth back into her pocket and came back around from the wall separating the cargo area. She'd been distractedly listening to the exchanges and had come back around just in time for Mal to pin her with another of his captainy looks.
"I got the perfect babysitter, Doc."
Mal was playing the River card. He knew she was Wendy's weakness. But Wendy's plan to stay behind was for River's--and Simon's--benefit. A benefit she felt far outweighed River's need of someone to watch over her aboard Serenity. She already had people watching over her. The whole crew, in fact.
"Ahh- celebration time," "We better enjoy the silence before it's over again."
'Save for jerkface,' she thought, ineffectually glaring at said jerkface in the monitor. "Nothing will happen to River," Wendy said adamantly. Though Simon was out of sight, she was sure he was still within earshot.
"I got it from here. Zoe, you're in charge. If things go sideways you come rescue me."
"Again I say, 'and risk my ship?',"
"Looks like we got a few bumps in the road, been in worse situations. We stick to the plan but we need to be keepin' River away from alliance eyes."
The shuttle landed just as Mal was finishing his instructions. Wendy couldn't agree more. She pulled River aside, not that it would do much. There wasn't any privacy aboard a small shuttle. She put her hands on the girl's shoulders and for the first time, her voice and features were not soft or gentle toward River. She pinned her with a very serious look that demanded River's attention and cooperation and knew that on top of it, River would be able to feel the seriousness of her words.
"River, nothing is more important to me than keeping you safely far away from the Hands of Blue. I won't risk them finding you. You're going to stay here on the shuttle, safely hidden with the doors locked, no matter what. If I pick up even the smallest sense that you've stepped one toe outside of this shuttle, I will turn right back around and abandon whatever chance I have of getting help. I will leave this planet and I will surrender to the effects of my condition. Do you understand?" Wendy smoothed River's hair out of her face, trying to soften the harshness of her very serious threat.
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Ariel
Lost RPG
Cashy-money: $88,900
Posts: 6,732
Harry Potter RPG:
- Cami Laroux
- Draco Malfoy
- Morgana Parkinson
- Odin Markell/Ashworth Jones
- Scorpius Malfoy
- Shane Hudson
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Marvel RPG:
- Nebula
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Ready Player One RPG:
- Emmett Rodgers
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X-Men RPG:
- Peter Maximoff/Quicksilver
- Vye Davidson/Ripple
_________________________
Lost RPG:
- Bennett "Rom" Friendly
- Harley-Rae Stone
- Jack Shephard
- Linda Pace
_________________________
Once Upon a Time RPG:
- Dracula/Vladimir Lee
_________________________
The Walking Dead RPG:
- Enid Snow
- Hazel Valentino
- Ingrid Snow
_________________________
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Post by Ariel on Apr 4, 2022 9:59:38 GMT -8
"Looks like we got a few bumps in the road, been in worse situations. We stick to the plan but we need to be keepin' River away from alliance eyes."
Dex made eye contact with Mal, giving him a single nod of understanding as he continued to keep his distance yet still be somewhat involved in the situation at hand. The shuttle shook slightly as it landed, startling Dex out of his headspace. He grabbed onto the side of the ship for stability, making a mental note that they had arrived at their destination.
"Well, I guess we better be gettin' locked and loaded, guys and gals," Dex spoke observationally, pulling his gun from his holster. Pointing it downwards to the side in one hand, Dex began to load the gun with bullets that sat in his other hand. As he got ready, he heard Wendy immediately shuffle River to the side. Dex's restraint from looking up at Wendy weakened as she began to speak to River, and as soon as her voice had entered the shuttle, Dex's gaze flickered upwards to bring into view the two girls across the way.
"River, nothing is more important to me than keeping you safely far away from the Hands of Blue. I won't risk them finding you. You're going to stay here on the shuttle, safely hidden with the doors locked, no matter what. If I pick up even the smallest sense that you've stepped one toe outside of this shuttle, I will turn right back around and abandon whatever chance I have of getting help. I will leave this planet and I will surrender to the effects of my condition. Do you understand?"
Dex felt the gravity of every word Wendy spoke to River. Her tone was sharp, and yet her touch still exuded the gentleness within her that he couldn't get enough of. The serious look in her piercing eyes rose an alarm within Dex, and knowing how devoted Wendy was to her words - her claims of leaving and surrendering to her condition - that rattled his being with fear. A painful, stern look overcame his features as he began to grow bitterly towards Wendy's circumstance. Her harrowing condition, robbing her of a good life. Robbing any sort of chance they had to be together. Dex didn't care anymore if the Alliance were to punish or even execute him for treason. His devotion was to Wendy.
Cocking his gun upwards, the loaded barrel clicked back in place and his weapon was ready for action. Walking over to Wendy and River, Dex crouched beside Wendy and looked River directly in the eyes with a sense of confidence and security, "River's gonna be a good girl and hide until we get back, ain't that right doll?" Dex placed a comforting hand on River's upper arm, trying to bring some sort of sense of peace to her terrified state, "Wendy will get the help she needs and you'll be back to your brother soon enough, but that's only gonna happen if you stay safe. Don't be leaving this ship for nothin', and don't open those doors for anyone." With a final nod, Dex gave River's arm a confirming pat before standing upright. Dex was about to turn back around and walk in another direction from Wendy. And some part of him figured he should have done as his brain was telling him to do. Yet, there was so much that laid on his heart from hearing the words that Wendy spoke to River that he simply just couldn't stay away any longer.
"Wendy," Dex knew he might regret this, but him or even Wendy might not make it out of this mission alive - so what was the harm anymore? "Can I have a word?" Dex looked upon Wendy apologetically, knowing she didn't want any part of him anymore. And knowing the fraud he truly was, maybe it was for the best. But his emotions sang another tune and he knew he had to say something before their worst nightmares came to life.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Apr 28, 2022 6:27:22 GMT -8
River had been standing in place, still glancing at the spot on the monitor where she'd seen her brother's face only seconds ago, when, suddenly, the ship made contact with the ground again. Anyway, before she could have taken a look around, Wendy turned to her with a very serious look on her face; and not only that, there was also something between them that felt different, something harsh and distant. River had guessed that Wendy had her little secrets, but now she was sure about it. There was something on her to-do that she didn't want River to witness or blow.
"River, nothing is more important to me than keeping you safely far away from the Hands of Blue. I won't risk them finding you. You're going to stay here on the shuttle, safely hidden with the doors locked, no matter what. If I pick up even the smallest sense that you've stepped one toe outside of this shuttle, I will turn right back around and abandon whatever chance I have of getting help. I will leave this planet and I will surrender to the effects of my condition. Do you understand?"
River remained silent but with widened eyes, not just due to Wendy's sharp tone and words, but above all, because she disagreed. Of course, she wasn't looking forward to meeting with the Hands of Blue ever again, but she was of help, and she knew that. There was something not right with this mission. She felt it. Just as she wanted to say something in return, Dex walked over to them, speaking up first.
"River's gonna be a good girl and hide until we get back, ain't that right doll?"
She winced a little at the touch on her shoulder yet remained silent.
"Wendy will get the help she needs and you'll be back to your brother soon enough, but that's only gonna happen if you stay safe. Don't be leaving this ship for nothin', and don't open those doors for anyone."
River knew it would be senseless to trying to argue about it, especially since everyone kept underestimating her abilities, so she confirmed their prompting with a nod, after all. It would not silence the voices of warning inside her, though. At this point, River didn't only care for her brother's safety but also the safety of the whole crew. It was, especially Wendy, who she felt might be getting in danger...
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Post by Lady Lee-o on May 7, 2022 19:34:21 GMT -8
Mal landed the shuttle down and finished the last post landing checklists. Mal remained silent and listened as everyone did their very best to convince River to stay on the shuttle. He wasn't sure leaving her alone with the shuttle was the best option but they had no other choice. He played with the idea of keeping Wendy there with her but they needed Wendy on this; everyone was an important piece of this.
Mal knew River did what she wanted to do. What she felt was necessary she would do, they had to be prepared for that and be ready to keep River safe and Wendy.
"River," Mal stood up and walked over to her, looking down into her eyes with a sigh. "I've gotten mighty attached to you, little one. I need you to stay here and be safe, if those blue guys come knockin', I don't know if we'll be able to stop them. So," Mal knelt down next to her and took her hand. "not for me, not for Wendy, Dex, or anyone here but for Simon- stay here."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on May 14, 2022 18:17:21 GMT -8
"River's gonna be a good girl and hide until we get back, ain't that right doll?" "Wendy will get the help she needs and you'll be back to your brother soon enough, but that's only gonna happen if you stay safe. Don't be leaving this ship for nothin', and don't open those doors for anyone."
With Dex beside her, doing the same to try to ensure River stay safely inside and away from any form of detection, a warm, fuzzy feeling started to overcome Wendy. She couldn't explain what it was because it was foreign to her, but she imagined that this might be what being part of a family felt like.
It was a wonderful feeling, someone she cared for as if they were sisters standing before her, a crotchety on the outside, gooey on the inside sometimes father-like, sometimes brother-like figure who'd just walked over to join them, and a man by her side, both literally and figuratively, that she felt she could always count on to be there in both variations of that way that she had such a magnetic pull to that even now, she found it hard to step away as she should so that they could get moving on their mission. Luckily, Dex found the strength to take a step away and break that magnetic pull that had distracted her.
"River," "I've gotten mighty attached to you, little one. I need you to stay here and be safe, if those blue guys come knockin', I don't know if we'll be able to stop them. So," "not for me, not for Wendy, Dex, or anyone here but for Simon- stay here."
"Wendy," "Can I have a word?"
It brought her relief to see that River was in such good hands. Watching Mal's tenderness with River helped to distract her but the simplest sound of her name on Dex's lips immediately activated that magnet. Wendy glanced at him without answering just yet and worked on strengthening her resolve as she tried to figure what Dex wanted to say without using her gift. Was he wanting to confess out loud what they'd both been silently and obviously feeling toward each other? Or was he going to attempt to talk her out of her decision of staying behind?
Wendy had also see how much it bothered River to be asked to stay behind and she put her concentration toward that for the moment. "I know you'd be an amazing asset on this mission, but if anybody sees you, it will get back to them. Serenity would no longer be a safe haven for you and Simon," she said as tactfully as she could. River was smart enough to know what the consequences would be not only for herself and Simon, but for the whole crew, should that occur. Wendy pulled her into a hug, stroking her hair. "Keep strong, mei-mei. Clouds and flowers. Take good care of Simon," she added quietly beside River's ear, pulling back to smile at River, affectionately pushing the girl's hair out of her eyes and momentarily resting it on her cheek before stepping away.
Wendy started to head for the door, having determined that whatever it was Dex had in mind to say, she simply couldn't handle it. It was pointless either way, so what was the point of making it even harder to deal with? Confessions that led to nowhere and that would only make the whole thing more painful to deal with for both parties, unfairly longer term for Dex, and if it were the other, it would most likely lead to an argument for she was already resolved to stay on this planet while Dex and the rest would fly off to other parts of the galaxy. If the doctor were to miraculously be able to help her, she'd find her way off this planet as soon as she could and go into hiding. Somewhere remote and far from core planets, definitely not in the same space as River, putting her and the rest of the crew in continued danger as long as she was around with the Alliance's dirty secrets in her mind making her a constant on their Most Wanted.
The apologetic look that remained on Dex's face since he'd made his request and the hurt in his eyes was killing her and making this even harder. As she reached his side and he fell in line beside her, Wendy finally answered as the descended the ramp. "I don't see how there's anything left to say at this juncture," she said as conciliatingly as possible.
***Wendy and Dex exit to Planet - Newhall - Dr. Evan Nakamora's Ranch***
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jul 9, 2022 2:07:22 GMT -8
"I know you'd be an amazing asset on this mission, but if anybody sees you, it will get back to them. Serenity would no longer be a safe haven for you and Simon,""Keep strong, mei-mei. Clouds and flowers. Take good care of Simon,"
River felt the warmth of the embrace and understood that everyone wanting to make her stay here was to keep her safe only, so she nodded her acceptance, after all.
"River,""I've gotten mighty attached to you, little one. I need you to stay here and be safe, if those blue guys come knockin', I don't know if we'll be able to stop them. So,""not for me, not for Wendy, Dex, or anyone here but for Simon- stay here."
To Wendy and also to Mal, who was, unexpectedly, as caring as the others had been. She knew that this man had a lot of feelings hidden inside himself, but only a few got to see them. As for herself, it was no task to make herself see them, but it was a surprise to hear him actually showing them.
She watched Mal following behind the others, going on that mission without her. Yes, she would stay here. She would do it for Simon, but also them; Because they were counting on her.
***
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Oct 22, 2022 18:08:20 GMT -8
***Inara via video screen***
"River, are you there, bao bei?" Inara's voice is light and cheery and a warm smile is on her face.
_______________________ Bao bei = sweetheart
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jan 8, 2023 8:53:45 GMT -8
When after a while of her just sitting in place and doing nothing really, only her head, the video screen turned on, and Inara's face showed there, River finally moved again after all. She was happy to see someone's face, the beautiful one of Inara at that. River thought she looked like a splendid painting all the time. Despite the fact that Inara didn't have any telepathic abilities, she always had a way of calming River whenever she felt lost or just lonely.
"This is River," she replied as if they would speak via audio only, then smiled some more, waiting for the other to tell her why she contacted her.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jan 28, 2023 18:12:13 GMT -8
***Inara via video screen***
Inara's calm, serene expression looked back through the screen. Her smile warmed when River's face came into her view.
"Well, hello. I have a little free time until Kaylee is ready for me, so I thought I'd give you an update. Mostly, I just wanted to see your sweet face." Inara's smiled turned loving as the movement of her arm toward the screen could be seen in a gesture of reaching out toward River's face. She had an easy mood and calm nature. "Everyone here has been keeping busy with repairs on the Shadowheart. I've been helping Kaylee in their engine room. We just popped back to Serenity for parts and supplies. How are you holding up, Bao bei?" There was a touch of worry now in Inara tone and expression.
_______________________ Bao bei = sweetheart
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Feb 11, 2023 3:42:36 GMT -8
"Well, hello. I have a little free time until Kaylee is ready for me, so I thought I'd give you an update. Mostly, I just wanted to see your sweet face."
She smiled some more when Inara placed her hand on the screen as if placing it on her cheek. River even came a little closer as if positioning herself into the other's gentle touch. For a moment, it even made her forget her worries a bit.
"Everyone here has been keeping busy with repairs on the Shadowheart. I've been helping Kaylee in their engine room. We just popped back to Serenity for parts and supplies. How are you holding up, Bao bei?"
River could sense her friend's growing worry, even at this range, and it brought back her own, which made the smile on her features vanish a bit. "It's a lot of waiting," River replied with her fingers nervously fidgeting with each other. She was feeling lonely and worried, and, especially, useless. But she promised to stay, so she would this time.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Feb 12, 2023 18:16:58 GMT -8
(Inara via video screen)
Inara smiled warmly. "Waiting is never fun. I have a little free time still. Why don't we think of something we can do?" Inara looked thoughtful a moment. "Stories." There was an excited lift of her voice. "They're a great way to pass the time. I'd love to hear about yours and Simon's childhood. What did you two like to play together?" Inara leaned closer and spoke conspiratorially. "Bonus points if it's something I can tease Simon about later." Inara sent her a wink.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Mar 4, 2023 4:10:33 GMT -8
As soon as Inara reeled back her concern, River relaxed somewhat. Still, worries were constantly on her mind. even in moments people might think that was not the case. She smiled a bit again as well.
"Waiting is never fun. I have a little free time still. Why don't we think of something we can do?"
At that suggestion, the smile on River's face widened, and the concern and worries about her mission partners got pushed into the background a bit after all.
"Stories,""They're a great way to pass the time. I'd love to hear about yours and Simon's childhood. What did you two like to play together?"
With Inara's excitement lifting, hers kicked in even more so. She liked storytimes. River nodded in happy agreement, then visibly started thinking, allowing her mind to take a path into their early childhood when the world was still alright, at least close around them.
"Bonus points if it's something I can tease Simon about later,"
"We were used to playing 'when am I?'," River spoke up again with a broad smile spreading all over her face. Everyone knew the game 'who am I' but, instead of guessing people, those two geniuses used to making it their own version, which was to guess a day in history by asking for occurrences, episodes, and inventions.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Mar 4, 2023 21:43:12 GMT -8
(Inara via video screen)
"That sounds intriguing." She sat forward, genuine interest clearly showing on her face. "How does it work?"
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Apr 2, 2023 2:50:23 GMT -8
It made River happy to hear and see that Inara was intrigued to hear more about it. She smiled just some more before sitting forward as well and started explaining. "One of us thinks of a day in history. The other asks for occurrences, episodes, or inventions to guess when they are." The mere memory of past days in which she had played this with her brother brought something to her eyes that wasn't seen there very often, not nowadays at least.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on May 7, 2023 9:41:01 GMT -8
(Inara via video screen)
Inara chuckled lovingly with the expression of one enjoying a mental image. "And I'm guessing you've tallied up more wins than Simon?" she asked with knowing grin.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on May 10, 2023 8:10:29 GMT -8
River's face reflected the smile on the screen as if the positive energy somehow made its way through the connection. Maybe it did. For the time being, at least, her mind was well distracted from worries and presentiments. Or maybe that was because, instead, it went to past memories of happy times with her brother.
"And I'm guessing you've tallied up more wins than Simon?"
"Yes, of course," River replied in a matter-of-fact tone and with a nod, not arrogant but like it simply was out of question. Simon was smart but she had outsmarted him long ago, in their early years.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jun 10, 2023 22:12:40 GMT -8
(Inara via video screen)
"I don't doubt it for a minute," Inara said on a chuckle.
"And what else? You have a gift for seeing the world with such richness. That must have made for some epic play pretend scenarios?" Inara grinned as she rested her chin in the palm of her hand.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jun 24, 2023 3:44:45 GMT -8
"And what else? You have a gift for seeing the world with such richness. That must have made for some epic play pretend scenarios?"
River smiled back at her, then closed her eyes to make it easier to think of past games she played with Simon. As soon as memories came to her more clearly, her smile widened, almost like a child who was just experiencing these things coming to mind.
River saw Simon sitting in front of her, trying to stay all focused on his studies while she was long done with her own, trying her best to make him play these kinds of games with her instead. And again, he was too weak to ignore her. She saw him opening his mouth as it was Simon's turn to come up with their next game, when, suddenly, there came no tone out of his mouth but, instead, a defeaning alarm that didn't match the situation at all, growing in its volume really fast, making Simon disappear at some point. Her whole memory then became overlayed with another. A cold white room, constant beeping sounds, blue hands reaching out for her, grabbing her as she started screaming and moving.
In River's mind, they covered her mouth, stopped her actions, but, in reality, no one was stopping her from screaming and moving.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jul 9, 2023 11:11:39 GMT -8
(Inara via video screen)
"River!" came Inara's sharp tone. Her image moved closer to the monitor as her hands framed the sides of her image. "River, listen to my voice." She spoke loud, yet calmly. "Come back to me. You're safe, do you hear me?" Her hand softly moved on the monitor as if caressing the image of River's hair seen on her side with a willing determination on her features that River feel the deep love and care she held for the sweet girl in her heart and was sending her way. "You're with your brother now. You're with us, on your home. On Serenity. Please, mei-mei. Come back to me." There was pleading in her voice, though the tone remained strong and positive.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Aug 5, 2023 6:05:00 GMT -8
At first, River wouldn't receive the words of calm, would not hear them through the mental image of blue hands grabbing her, same as through the beeping sound of different monitors. But the stronger Inara's voice became, the more her mind reached out to her in the best caring way, River could actually feel it. And eventually, this love finally overlie the nightmare within her. For now, at least. It would always be for now.
River was still holding her head but had stopped screaming. Her breathing was still heavy, yet calmed slowly. "Th-" she started to form words at some point, still not looking back at the monitor but instead down, as if through her own hands that still were resting close to her face without holding it anymore. "They are- not safe," River finished then, feeling danger coming from the outside world, same as from those nightmares only existing in her head.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Aug 5, 2023 20:00:55 GMT -8
(via video screen)
"River? River, look at me, Bao bei." Inara paused until River did so. "Who's not safe?" she asked, her tone and attitude serious but levelheaded and devoid of any panic or fear.
"We're all safe here, mei-mei. Wash has been diligently watching the monitors for any visitors," she reassured.
_______________________ Bao bei = sweetheart
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Aug 15, 2023 0:30:08 GMT -8
River's breathing was still heavy, but she tried calming as much as possible, especially because she felt the information was very importantly. She knew about her own state and that happenings from the past could easily confuse her mind in the present, but, this time, the threat was close, as this was about something in the present.
"W-Wendy.." River managed to say after another while, still not looking directly at Inara. It was easier to stay connected with the focus much more on her mind than the outside world. "She isn't feeling- well.. She's- suffering..."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Aug 28, 2023 21:30:28 GMT -8
(via video screen)
Inara's face softened into sorrow but she did not show any signs of surprise or panic. "Wendy told us this would be happening soon," Inara gently reminded in a somber tone. "The fact they didn't immediately return must mean that the doctor was in residence and is doing everything he can to help her."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Sept 20, 2023 0:31:37 GMT -8
"Wendy told us this would be happening soon,""The fact they didn't immediately return must mean that the doctor was in residence and is doing everything he can to help her."
River was not convinced, but she knew that Inara was just trying her best to stay positive. She wanted to do so as well, really, but this feeling that she had was strong. But maybe, only maybe... there was a chance River was overreacting due to everything that recently happened; due to her worries about something terrible might be happening to Wendy, the one person that seemed to understand her best.
After a few more seconds, River swallowed down the outside visible part of her worries and nodded slightly. She was still too overwhelmed to say anything, but she knew Inara was able to get her nod as a silent agreement. All they could, and surely all they should do was wait.
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