milliways_bar | (no subject)

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It seems one not-exactly-deity-or-personification has decided to come down to the main bar, tonight. It also seems, however, that she's been elsewhere - there's grey ash caught in her hair, and the normal scent of woodsmoke is surprisingly strong.

She's also not really taking pains to appear mortal. If you look closely, you might be able to see the reflection of flames in her eyes, or just under her skin.

But she won't burn you, dear, of course not.

Right?

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Annoyingly cold, really, but that can be taken care of.

Fire takes a step forward in River's direction, "Cat got your tongue?"

"Fire," River says softly, to the air over the woman's left shoulder. (Though 'woman' is, perhaps, an approximation at best.)

She doesn't seem aware of having spoken, but her eyes snap back to Fire's face a moment later.

Another step forward. She's close, now.

"Yes."

River sways slightly, but she doesn't step back. Her chin lifts fractionally, instead, and she draws herself (together) up into a (fighter's) dancer's straight-backed poise.

"Yes," she says in answer, and keeps her eyes on Fire.

One more step and delicate fingers, slim and pale, flames seeming to fade and dance just under the surface, reach out to River's face, seeking the touch.

"Yes."

She does step back, now, one step. Controlled: toe first, then heel, bootsole scuffing silently against floorboards, and her other foot followin.

"You're greedy," she says, still watching.

Calm, and a little flat.

"Of course. It's my nature."

Fire remains where she is, for now, arm and hand still outstretched.

"Your terminology is misled."

"...is it, now?"

Drops her hand, and speaks in a coaxing voice.

"Now, sweetheart, you're cold. Surely you'd want to warm up?"

"Greedy," River says again, softer.

"Not cruel. Not kind. You just want to burn it all."

"It's what I'm meant to do."

Somewhat disconcerted by this.

River flinches ever so slightly at the last two words, inhaling with what might be a second's vertigo, and then her chin lifts again as her fingers move slowly at her side.

"Not me."

"But then what are you?"

And Fire? Really wants to know.

River looks at her for a minute, straight on, even though Fire's eyes dance with half-seen flames and her hair wavers in a heat-haze.

Softly, "I'm me."

For a second, Fire's face twists and she looks like she (wants to cry) wants nothing more then to hurt River.

But she doesn't.

Just glares.

River tenses a little anyway.

But, oddly enough, it doesn't look like fear.

"River," she says, after a moment.

"Figures."

Water doesn't go over too well with fire.

"Where're you from?"

"The black."

Vacuum doesn't go so well with fire, either; a spaceship's heart is fire, but

(burn the land and boil the sea)

very carefully tamed and directed.

Fire - it's maybe only for a heartbeat or two, but she looks - scared.

And then her normal expression of arrogance is back.

"Boring out there."

River's mouth curves in a tiny smile.

It's disconcertingly sweet.

"Okay."

Fire glares again.

River frowns slightly.

"You're angry."

"Feed the flames, reevaluate the fuel proportions."

Fire doesn't understand, and that only makes it worse.

River's right hand flutters, and lifts.

Taps her throat, one-two-three in quick succession.

She's smiling again, just a little.

And then her hand drops, and she eases another step back, and turns away.

Well, shit.

Fire's not impressed.

And sticks her tongue out at River before stalking away.

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