voice; day 106, late afternoon

[enchangement]

What is the _point...?

Every step forard becomes another leap behind.

There is ^no food. Or not enough to go around.

There is a monster in the wa_{ter that they} can't keep in check.

The guess is: the captors are gone.

The ex^{periment has g}one awry.

And we remain.

[ ooc: weird text is meant to indicate parts of River's post that are difficult to understand. Network instability for the lose! ]

Comments

ain't no party like a telepath party

[mentis]

Has Erik's pessimism begun to rub off on you, darling?

[ Charles is in another room than River, but he doesn't want to try and use the network. Too much hassle and he already has the edges of a headache. ]

'cause a telepathy party don't stop

[enchangement]

Everyone's.

Chin up and make the best, don't think of the worst.

Erik's desire to break something has rubbed off more.

[mentis]

Well, if you insist on it, make sure it's a chair and not a bone.

[ He knows how Erik feels, is the thing, knows how River feels too.He wishes he could do more. ]

[enchangement]

No insistence. Who wants splinters?

[ He exists. He's ALIVE. That's enough, really and none of this is his fault at all. ]

Improvement or change, either way.

[mentis]

Not me. Though you wouldn't let me use staples on my trousers so I suppose you know all about my delicate skin.

[ Everyone here is a lit fuse. He worries. ]

[enchangement]

Delicate skin and softer heart.

[ He does. He does and he should and shouldn't, at the same time. ]

It's hard.

Being here is hard.

[mentis]

[ From their connection there is a strong sense of understanding, of sympathy. He doesn't intend to patronise, but he does understand a part of it. Charles is lucky, he has Erik here with him. But River -? ]

Is there anything I can do?

[enchangement]

No.

[ It's more quiet and contained, unsure than certain. What could he do? She has no idea. ]

What can I do?

[mentis]

Perhaps we merely need to get out of the house. Find something that we can use that will allow us to be productive.

[enchangement]

There was a woman who could grow plants.

Things would be different if she'd remained.

We'll walk slowly?

[mentis]

I remember her.

[ Charles knows why River is specifying, and part of him wants to let out the heavy sigh that is brewing under his ribcage. River means well though, and so when his affirmative comes it's enthused with understanding. ]

Slowly, I can do.

[enchangement]

There is an allowance to worry. [ Friend, confidant, near-parent ...Charles fits into quite a few boxes in River's life and she would prefer he not fall ill or exacerbate his injuries at all.

Either way, given about twenty minutes, she knocks on the door of his room. ]

[mentis]

[ He opens the door and he's standing and dressed all by himself. Basically his grin carries with it an air of smugness. ]

Hello River.

[enchangement]

Hi Charles.

Arm in arm? [ Or is that too indicative of needing support? ]

[mentis]

Only because I'm a gentleman.

[ He offers her a half joking, stern expression. ] There's absolutely no other reason why I should walk with your arm in mine. [ It's a tease, an attempt to smooth a balm over everything that has happened. ] You can pick the route. I believe you know more of the outside world than I do.

[ English? Upper class? Liable to sunburn? Outside is not his go-to. ]