(no subject)

[stairjumper]

'Driel was curled up in a big, comfy chair in the lounge, clutching a rag doll to herself as she read from a book of fairytales. The fingers that turned the pages were covered in band-aids; a good look at the doll suggested she'd made it herself. The coffee table across from the chair was covered with candy wrappers and a couple empty soda cans. She'd gotten a little overexcited when she'd found the vending machines.

The little girl frowned as she read, wishing one of her uncles was there to read to her. She really hoped they weren't too lonely without her.

Comments

[mrthunderbolt]

[Raiden had a son of his own and he paused when he saw a girl of similar age reading in the lounge. He still wasn't sure how to act around kids, but, seeing her wearing that frown, he wanted to help her somehow. Kids, more than anything he felt, should he happy.]

Reading anything good?

[He wouldn't blame her if his appearance scared her away.]

[stairjumper]

She glanced up at the voice and her eyes widened for a second; this man didn't look anything like what she was used to. 'Driel actually just stared for a moment before she nodded, holding up the book. Manners!

"Uh huh. It's got princesses and kings and faeries, and stuff."

She set the book back down in her lap, shifting her grip on her doll.

"I was gonna read to Maple Leaf, but she doesn't want a story."

[mrthunderbolt]

[He was more happy than he could say that she didn't scream and run away.]

What does Maple Leaf want?

[The cyborg tried to smile a bit. It wasn't something he was used to doing.]

[stairjumper]

'Driel held her doll up to her ear, as if she were listening, then hugged her tight before looking back up at the man. "She wants to go home, but I already told her we gotta wait. My uncle'll find us."

He would, she knew it. Just like she'd told Aisling and Ryou and Henry. She just had to take care of herself in the meantime, and she was doing a pretty good job so far. "Uncle Lemos'll be proud, I make my bed every morning and clean up my messes."

She glanced at the mess on the coffee table and squeaked in embarrassment, pulling the book up to hide her face. Okay, maybe not all of them.

[mrthunderbolt]

I bet he is.

[She seemed like a good kid - mature for her age. Being stuck in this place would age someone quickly - for the sake of survival.]

[Raiden grabbed all the trash, aimed, then threw it all into a trashcan on the other side of the room, making it all in no problem.]

What mess? Heh.

[He wasn't one to boast about his sense of humor, but he hoped she found his actions funny.]