The Perk, morning

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

After running with Peter, and stopping by to see Jack, Parker headed into town for coffee and to pick up coffee beans. Just in case Jake needed therapy or a security blanket after being kidnapped.

[open for all Perkly needs, and caffiene security substitutes]

Comments

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Yup. Who knows if they're treating him right? Jake requires massive caffiene at the best of times, and these are definitely not that." Parker smirked a little. "Hopefully we'll be able to track him down and get him back without anyone getting hurt, though."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

Somehow River was quite sure they would. Get him back, that was. Hurt was always a possibility. "What's Europe like?" she asked, having a very vague idea herself.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Lots of different little places all up against each other. Italy's warm, and soft, and has gorgeous architecture. I spent nearly a year there before moving here. France has the best chocolate and champagne, England has the best bookstores..." Parker grinned. "And now we're going to a part I've never seen, that was cut off from most of the world up until about fifteen years ago. Should be interesting. Mountains and new music and hopefully not too dangerous."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River raised an eyebrow. "Cut off? Not too dangerous?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"The last government was totalitarian and isolationist. They've all broken up into little different countries now, I can't even keep track of them all. Sooooo, the locals may or may not be helpful. Kawalsky has contacts, though." Parker paused. "And that's not really as reassuring as it should be, is it?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"No," River said, stirring her coffee. "But I believe there are worse places." Unless it came to personal revenge, River had faith in Parker's judgement of situations.

A smile returned to her face. "Jack's better. And he promised to help me redecorating the Acorn."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Defintely," Parker agreed, remembering Miranda. No way it was going to get that weird. "And cool! So, uh." She grinned. "No more lava lamps? Or more of them in brighter colors?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Bright coloured lava lamps." River nodded. "And soft furniture attached to the floor in case of spinning around. And now murals."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Murals? Like the one you did of the fish?" That if she remembered right, had followed her up the stairs, once. "The last time Jack did murals, they were obscene stick figures. But funny."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Yes. Although now they mostly stay in one place. No magical symbols included." She grinned. "Stick figures? I think I'll have to do most of the painting. He can to the easy parts." Her enthusiasm over the project was obvious.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"If you've still got stuff left to be done when I get back, I think it would be fun to help." Parker grinned at her. "Or at least ooo and ahhh at the results."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"This is a long-term project," River stated. "Will be plenty left to do when you get back. Including oohing and ahhing. Sam promised to check the engine over and teach me how to fly it better."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Good for Sam." Parker relaxed a little more at that bit of information, knowing that Sam seemed to be okay with River. "You and Jack are still doing well? No problems yet?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River gave her a somewhat surprised look. "Yet?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker smiled wryly. "Problems are inevitable, I think. How serious they are, and when they show up, isn't. You guys may not have any before Graduation." She shrugged. "Then again, maybe I'm jaded."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Not much time," River said quietly. "Trying to remember that. Make it a good memory." She fell silent, looking thoughtful.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Definitely. Although knowing Jack, he'll drop in on you too, after he's at the Time Agency. It's not like he won't have time to play with."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River gave her a crooked smile. "Perhaps. But now... no plans needed. No impossible promises being made. Less opportunities for conflict. Time to be happy." She turned away her gaze. "Next year I need to find out where to go after Fandom."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Not home, back to Serenity?" Parker raised her eyebrows as she took a sip of her coffee. "You know you're welcome to stay here, if you want to. Maybe get a college degree, find a life here...."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Can't leave Simon," River replied. "But I'm not who I was when I left Serenity. Can't go back to being the crazy meimei. Need a role to play."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker nodded, understanding that. "You have another year to figure it out. What you want to do there, and how to get to that. You know I'll help, if you need it."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

A tiny smile appeared on her lips. "Thank you. I... have to make plans. There's still time. Going home made it too clear. Ticking in my mind."