(no subject)

[river_meimei]

There are points in the rafters where two beams cross. Some of those points intersect with vertical supports; others don't, providing a broader flat surface at the junction.

A laptop is balanced on one. Early 21st century model, sleek and advanced for its time; a knowledgeable eye, given a close look at the specs, might notice that a few components look suspiciously... well, alien. And that a simple laptop probably shouldn't be capable of quite so many things.

River is reading something on it.

She's a huddle inside her long brown coat; her face is pale and tear-splotched, with dark circles under her narrowed eyes, and hot slow tears spill down her cheeks. But she doesn't move, except to scroll down, and she doesn't look away.

Comments

[river_meimei]

Flatly, "Not my decision."

River stares at the screen, unblinking, jaw tight.

A hulking, brutally solid building amid red rubble shines back at her, pixels sketching a bloody alien sky.

[gifted_profiler]

"You'd rather be doing something than sitting back and waiting."

They believe we can't just sit back and hope for a happy ending.

There's understanding in the rough gravel of his words.

"I'm sorry."

[river_meimei]

"It's not relevant."

Lower. Wearier.

Her jaw's still set with bitter frustration.

[gifted_profiler]

"I know."

He shifts his balance, easing from his crouch to sit on the rafter.