(no subject)

[e_delmar]

Ain't like the air's so different here.

There's a bit more grass. Bit fewer mountains. But there's air and water and land just the same's Wyoming.



Why it don't feel none like Wyoming, then, Ennis couldn't rightly say, but it feels comfortable enough, standing out here with one of the horses, looking off to what, he don't rightly know.

Comments

[river_meimei]

River is pacing along the fence, slow barefoot steps, trailing one hand along the fence.

She has a new hat. It's a cloche, bright purple with a lavender band and a sparkly brooch; her hair straggles down her back from underneath. It contrasts quite interestingly with her battered brown duster and bare feet.

[e_delmar]

He doesn't hear her, not until she's nearly right there, and his head pops up quickly, surprised, and he can't quite help the smile that crosses his face.

[river_meimei]

River's surprised into an answering smile, sudden and happy.

[e_delmar]

There's an awkward shuffle as he debates whether or not to hug her, and he kicks at the ground lightly, unsure of what to say.

[river_meimei]

"Hi," River says solemnly to Tequila, so he won't feel left out.

[e_delmar]

Ennis' hand goes instinctively towards the horse's mane, and the smile softens, a little unsure now.

There's a low rumble as he clears his throat, turning his head away to spit quickly.

"Hey."

[river_meimei]

River turns the smile on him again. The brooch on her hat sparkles when she turns her head. (It really has quite an improbable number of rhinestones. Death and River have similar taste sometimes.)

"Out in the sunshine."

[e_delmar]

He narrows his eyes a bit against the light, but the smile don't go nowhere.

"Warmer here'n home."

[river_meimei]

"Yes," River agrees.

"It's in the climatic variation."

Beat.

To the sky, "Summertime."

[e_delmar]

Ennis takes the saddle off of Tequila, setting it to the side and tying him to a nearby post before settling against the fence.

"Trees're starting to change."

[river_meimei]

River glances at him. Faintly dubious.

[e_delmar]

There's a blink of confusion.

"Back home."

[river_meimei]

River accepts that.

curiously, "Into what?"

[e_delmar]

" . . . "

[river_meimei]

River waits patiently.

[e_delmar]

"You ain't never seen the leaves change?"

[river_meimei]

River glances down, at the grass around his feet or at something else.

Softly, "Always do."

[e_delmar]

Now Ennis is the one confused.


Or, y'know, still.


He looks at her questioningly.

[river_meimei]

River glances at him. After a moment, she smiles a little, crookedly.

"Right there." She lifts a hand, indicating a patch of empty space, or the willow tree beyond.

[e_delmar]

Ennis watches, and nods a bit.

"Guess I'll see."

[river_meimei]

River smiles, wider and maybe approving.

"Yes."

[e_delmar]

There's a minute, or maybe it's five or maybe it's ten. Either way, it's comfortable.









"Been okay?"

[river_meimei]

Proudly, "I'm twenty."

River, as usual, chooses the most short-term answer possible to this, rather than actually running down the emotionally complicated list.

[e_delmar]

There's a pause, then, a hesitant look.



"Oh."


The rumble of a cough and dirt sprays up from his boot.


"Happy birthday."

[river_meimei]

"Thank you," says River, careful and solemn as a child, and then happily runs her fingers along the edge of the fence and grins up at Ennis.

"Yes."

[e_delmar]

He tilts his head to the side a bit, watching her.

[river_meimei]

River peers back.

[e_delmar]

"Don't got a present for you."

[river_meimei]

River blinks, honestly surprised.

"I don't mind," she reassures him.

"Got a hat."

Among other things. But the hat's the one both present and visible.

[e_delmar]

Don't mean he doesn't feel bad about it.



"Present?"

[river_meimei]

River beams.

That's a yes.

[e_delmar]

He reaches up and taps the brim with his hand, and smiles.


"Looks good."

[river_meimei]

"It's very purple," River informs him.

In case he hadn't noticed.

[e_delmar]

"It's shiny."

It's possible she can't tell. It is on top of HER head, after all.

[river_meimei]

River beams.

Because yes. Yes it is. And he's even using her 'verse's slang! (Even if it's totally unintentional.)

[e_delmar]

Totally unintentional. On his part, anyway.




"You get a party?"


Should always get a party.

[river_meimei]

"It's in the common parlance."

[e_delmar]

He blinks, and shuffles his foot like he does when he don't know what something means. But that ain't so bad, she don't make him feel dumb like some people.

[river_meimei]

Don't fret, Ennis. Nobody understands River all the time. River herself included.

She looks cheerful, anyway?

[e_delmar]

Cheerful's good, and Ennis leans forward and gives her a hug, no sign of the earlier hesitation there.

[river_meimei]

River's surprised, but happily so. And after a moment's startlement, she slips an arm around his waist -- the other one is still brushing the fence rail -- and hugs back.