The Beach, Saturday morning

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

There was nothing like swimming to clear your mind. After breakfast and feeding Berthold, River had left her room, which felt quite empty without a Buffy in it, and walked down to the beach. She had water, fruit and a drawingpad, and after a long swim she sat down on a blanket on the sand, just staring at the waves.

[open!]

Comments

[iftheseshadows.livejournal.com]

Even though it was the weekend that didn't mean that Neil wasn't up early, particularly as it promised to be a hot day and if he wanted to get in any sort of exercise he'd best do it in the morning.

He bypassed the common room having no desire to accidentally wake any of his late sleeping floormates and instead headed down to the beach. He didn't have a proper bathing suit -that would have required asking his father for money to buy one- but had cut the legs out of some old jeans and figured that would work for the rest of the summer.

The sand already seemed to be getting warm as he headed along the surf line towards what looked like a safe spot to leave his towel. Seeing River he gave her a smile and a wave.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River raised a hand and waved in reply, smiling back.

[not_in_the_book]

Ronan made his way to the beach, enjoying the warmth of the sun on his face and torso as he walked down to the water. He stood there a moment, just looking out over the waves, trying to sort through everything from the previous night and the conversation with Johnny.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

Sensing someone else, River turned her head and smiled as she recognised Ronan. Sea and thinking is a good combination, she thought to him.

[not_in_the_book]

At the touch against his mind, Ronan smiled. It is, he thought back. Although thinking doesn't seem to be helping a lot right now. Not on my own, anyway. He turned to look for River, and his smile widened a little when he saw her.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River raised a hand, waving and then gesturing at the blanket, offering him a seat. Seem happier than when we last met, she replied, and noted she cared about that. It made her happy.

[not_in_the_book]

I... think I am? The question was obvious in the 'tone', as much as there was tone in this communication. He moved to the blanket, sitting beside her, and lay back to enjoy the sun. There's this guy who's been acting like an idiot, although not without reason, and we're starting to actually work things out. We actually have a date now. Before, we were just... There were images associated with that thought that Ronan couldn't quite filter out, and that might be more than River wished to know.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

That made River giggle. "Johnny?" I've met him. Good heart, I think. Am happy for you. Her own mind was calm, still focused on the waves, emulating their movement.

[not_in_the_book]

Ronan nodded, the assent carrying across their connection. He's got a good heart, yeah, he just... he's got some growing up to do, still, I think. More than a lot of people at this school. He shrugged. And I'm not the only person dating him, by any means. So we'll see what happens. Thank you, though, he finished, smiling.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River laughed again. I know what you mean. We did sparring in the gym the other day. "I think the fire was cheating," she said, mock pouting. Picking up an apple, she handed it to Ronan. Here

[not_in_the_book]

Ronan smiled and accepted the apple, taking a big bite. Thanks! he thought. One advantage to talking this way, eh?

I'd be curious to see you spar, as well, he added. How badly did you beat him before he used his fire?

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

He resorted to fire as too quickly, River replied, laughing again. And yes, many advantages. Will spar with you if you want. Don't want to hurt you though. That was still something that worried her; to lose herself in the fighting so much that even friends became nothing but obstacles to overcome.

[not_in_the_book]

Sparring would be fun, Ronan replied. Do you do any weapons work? Maybe staff-fighting?

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

Knives. Guns. Would like to learn staff-fighting of you'll show me, she replied. "I'm a fast learner."

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

John stalked along the beach, his thoughts in turmoil. Was it really Fandom? Was he too late? Too early?

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River sensed the confusion in his mind and stayed quiet, her own focus on the waves.

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

His eyes wandered, looking for familiar people. He saw the gal on the sand. She looked like the spitting image of what's-her-name. Brooke. Maybe it was her. He waved.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River waved back. Her name wasn't Brooke.

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

He walked over to Brooke, still kinda waving. It was Brooke, right? It was something about flowing water, and Brooke was a flowing water name. So were Creek and Stream, but they were dumb names.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"It's River. Still water-themed."

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

Did she just--? "Hi. John Connor. Is... Is this still Fandom?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Yes. Any reason why it shouldn't be?"

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

"Only the fact that I've been trying to get back here for a couple years. Do you... what's the date today?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"July 7, 2007," River replied, frowning.

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

"It's--damn. So it's been two months? That's it? I mean, the seniors just graduated and the school got blown to bits, right?" Unless he was in Bizzaro Alternate Universe Fandom with evil twins. He checks Broo--River for a goatee.