[video]

[ihearcrickets]

[River is actually outside the ship. She's in the Old City, sitting on the street somewhere, arms wrapped around her knees. She's wearing the same dress she arrived in, and still hasn't gotten any shoes. There's a collar around her neck.]

I can't see them...can't pull out the bits inside. They talk to me, but I hear words that mean nothing.

[she says the next bit quietly, as if she's reminding herself] I could function like I'm a girl...


((ooc: There will be a separate log for collar removal once I know for sure who's all going to be involved in that. You're welcome to action thread here, if you like! River won't be able to read your character at all because of the collar.))

Comments

[ihearcrickets]

[she frowns, remembering what he said before] You know someone. A telepath?

[Telepathy isn't the same as her abilities, based on the definition she knows. But talking to them might still be helpful.]

[lehnsherr]

Two, in fact.

[Technically three, if he includes Charles' twin. But he doesn't trust the other version. Not in the slightest. So while he isn't going to stop others from approaching that Charles for help, it'll only ever be the one he worked alongside that he'll suggest to others.]

Shortly before our arrival, my friend had been teaching others how to control their gifts. I'm sure he'd be more than willing to do the same for you.

[ihearcrickets]

[River is just going to cling to you, Erik. No one has ever offered her something like that before -- the Alliance wasn't interested in teaching her control at the Academy. They were only interested in ripping up any shred of control she had.]

[lehnsherr]

[He tenses up immediately, only moments away from launching some kind of an attack in retaliation. He's been on edge since first waking up on this planet, so there's only a certain amount of physical contact he can deal with. Namely, anything he himself initiates.

But instead of shoving River away, he just steps back, trying to put some distance back between them.

Another moment later and he, somewhat reluctantly, offers over his hand instead.]