love keeps her in the air

[soulmakingsound]

Who: River Tam (soulmakingsound) & Open To All
What: Starting a new life
When: Anytime during September
Where: In and around Olympia
Warning(s): Possible trigger warnings for past psychological abuse



[i. The Simwe Institute: The Library in Evras's Research Centre]

Now that they're more settled and have found a house, River has decided that she should contribute to the house funds. Though housing is free for a month, there is still food and clothing to consider, and rent past the first month. So after a bit of hunting around and dozens and dozens of questions asked, she's managed to find herself a position as a Cataloguer.

Which is all well and good, but also a bit distracting, because she's found several books that interest her. These are stacked next to her at the reference desk. She'll answer your question in a moment, let her finish this page.


[ii. The Housing District: Possibly Your House]

It seems as though she's talked to so many people, now, that live in Olympia. But talking over the network and meeting face to face are very different things. So River, thinking logically, figures that if she systematically knocks on doors of the houses nearby, she will surely find someone she's spoken to.

Or maybe someone entirely new.


[iii. The Market]

She hasn't seen a marketplace like this. Not since Osiris, where resources were more plentiful. Most of the planets she's visited had backwater little towns with tiny tourist shops attempting to sell homemade goods. But this? This is fantastic. Almost overwhelming.

She wanders from booth to booth, touching fabrics, dipping her fingers in bags of grain or seed just to enjoy the sensation of it. She may not buy anything, but she can still appreciate.


[iv. Wildcard]
If you have an idea, hmu on my ooc inbox or on plurk at wherethefigslie

Comments

ii

[seeingscarlet]

River...?

[Maybe she should ask how River found out where she lives, but instead Wanda's stepping out of the doorway and beckoning her into her apartment.]

Are you all right?

[soulmakingsound]

[Oh, she's enchanted. Especially by the fairy lights. They make her think of Kaylee's bunk, and she's peering past Wanda to try and get a better look]

I am introducing myself to new neighbours. But I know you already, so hello again. Your apartment is lovely. It looks like a home.

[seeingscarlet]

In Olympia? Or did you move into this building too?

[She smiles warmly - this is a place she feels safe now, and she's tried so hard to make it feel like home. One day Pietro will wake up, but until then it's her job to make a place for them. She can keep going as long as the Natha keep him safe.

There's always a strand of sadness in her mind as long the twins are kept apart, but she's filled the house with things that make her feel cozy and safe. Like the fairy lights.

...and the little cat that comes trotting out of her bedroom to investigate the new arrival.]

[soulmakingsound]

One of the starter houses, with a friend. I work at the library. [The moment she sees the cat, River is on her knees, reaching past Wanda's legs to great the curious little creature with a pleased coo.]

It seems as though you have a friend, as well. I haven't seen a cat since -- [Since before everything. Her expression falls a little, but she concentrates on softly touching the top of the cat's head.] You don't get many cats on Rim planets. More of a Core luxery. The Rim has working animals. Cattle, horses.

[seeingscarlet]

Her name's Zora.

['Dawn' in various Slavic languages. She's a pretty friendly cat, and after a moment of sniffing gently headbutts River's hand. Wanda laughs.]

I think she likes you. [Yep, she's even starting to purr.] Only rich people have horses where I'm from. I always wanted to ride one but I never had a chance.

[But she, Pietro, and the other kids totally took whatever sled-like items they could find and raced down the hills in the winter, and as much as Wanda would still love to ride a horse, she's sure it can't compare to the thrill of hurtling over the snow.]

[soulmakingsound]

Oh, hello Zora. [She laughs a little and sits right there on Wanda's front stoop, scratching Zora behind the ears and happily being headbutted.]

I've never ridden one, but some of them let me say hello. Stroke their nose, their flank. We'd get a lot of jobs from ranch folk. Lots of ranch folk out on the Rim, in need of a favour here and there. Never the highest paying jobs, but always the most rewarding.

Are you from Earth That Was?

[seeingscarlet]

[If River doesn't stop her, Zora might attempt to climb on her shoulder. You know, for Reasons.]

It sounds like you've had a lot of adventures.

[The good kind, not just what was done to her. Like what Wanda had hoped to have with the Avengers.]

I'm from Earth. It was 2015 before I was brought here.

[soulmakingsound]

[Well who is she to stop a curious kitten? Only a monster would consider such a thing. She happily allows Zora free reign of her head and shoulders, holding still to accommodate her during her lecture.]

In the year 2030, scientists declared that Earth could only be sustained for another century, if that, at current population growth and resource usage. We'd used her up. Planet-wide evacuation began sixty years after that, and by midcentury in 2100, Earth was no more. Still there, in theory. But uninhabitable.

[seeingscarlet]

[Well, at least Zora isn't trying to groom her...yet.]

They talk about us destroying the planet, but it feels like no one does anything. But I guess it doesn't matter now.

[...that got depressing. Way to kill the mood.]

Do you want to come in? I can get you tea or a snack and I have treats you can give Zora.

[soulmakingsound]

I would like that very much, thank you. Would she stay in place if I stand? Or would she go and hide.

Though treats could be used to bribe her back out again.

[seeingscarlet]

She rides on my shoulder sometimes? Just be careful and move slowly.

[Look, she lives with the Scarlet Witch. She's a very chill cat.]