Kaylee was speechless a moment, then. ”…River no, wait. I…” She said to the now empty room. [Gāisǐ de she moves ghostly, don’t she?] ”What was that about?” She said aloud to the empty shuttle, not really able to deny that what River had said had some truth in it.

River was back before too long though, seemingly holding no grudge and acting like nothing much had happened. Kaylee decided to just let it be for now.

———-

The sky was getting dark half the daylight later. Kaylee had watched River industriously making something for hours now from stuff she’d gotten from the woods and a bit of cloth from the shuttle. She’d asked what it was at one point, but all River had said was ’vacation’. She’d soon gotten the idea though that it was a litter.

”So that’s what you meant.” Kaylee said when she’d figured it out.

”Huh?” River looked up, having been absorbed in what she was doing.

”About the vacation.” Kaylee clarified.

River looked from Kaylee out the open hatch. ”Sun’s sleeping soon.” She explained. ”You have to see it with me.” She said it matter-of-factly, going back to her task. ”It’s important.”

Kaylee was quiet then and just watched her work, not really knowing what to say to that but not being able to stop from feeling sort of warm and fluttery about it. [And here I was actin’ scared of her, and her doing things like this… should be shamed of myself.] She lamented a little guiltily… but a part of her still was scared of the other girl even despite things like this. She just couldn’t seem to help it.

”You don’t have to worry.” River spoke.

Kaylee jumped in startlement. ”Tiàoyuè de tùzǐ, don’t do that to me. Bout scared a year off my life sneaking up on me like that.”

River looked blankly at her a moment then got up and dropped the litter she’d made and started pacing, nervous like, and holding her head with her hands. ”Not doing things right.” She said distractedly. ”Not right at all. The shadows are getting closer. Can’t see. Neehuh.” River held her head and shook a little, then ran over to the far side of the room and sat crouched against the wall, knees held up to her chest, she started to rock. ”Damaged, I’m not right. Not right at all anymore.” She sounded scared.