5th floor common room, Monday morning

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River was back in the dorms. She had waved her brother off the previous night, and while that had been upsetting she was now feeling better. Not that she had forgot last week's events, but she tried not to dwell on them and their implications. Everyone seemed to want to think she could avoid doing that again. She really wanted to believe them.

Berthold was happy to see her, and even more happy to see his blanket again. Thus, being unusually cheerful, he ventured out into the common room with River in the morning, and got a bowl of ice cream. River wondered who did the ice cream shopping around here, as the supply seemed unlimited.

For herself, River opted for popcorns. She made them without a lid as usual, and rushed around the room trying to catch them all. She may have missed one or two.

[welcome to talk to River, Berthold or just steal some popcorn]

Comments

[lovelymissbrown.livejournal.com]

"Hello." said Lavender coming into the room. "I don't think we've met. I'm Lavender."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River looked up and missed a popcorn or two. "Hello Lavender, I'm River." She pointed at the blanket on the floor under which Berthold the tentacled monster was hiding. "That's Berthold. Have some popcorns."

She caught another popcorn. "You don't smell like lavender."

[lovelymissbrown.livejournal.com]

Lavender laughed. "No I'd imagine I don't. I'm allergic to it. Makes my eyes puff up. River is a lovely name." She helped herself to some popcorn.

Lavender bent down in an attempt to peek under the blanket. "And what manner of creature are you Berthold?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

Berthold made a screeching sound and pulled the blanket tighter. Some tentacles might have been visible though.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"He's shy," River explained. "But he likes ice cream."

[lovechildblair.livejournal.com]

Blair went upstairs before his first class on a River search. He leaned against the wall and watched her chase popcorn around. "Morning."

[lovelymissbrown.livejournal.com]

"Ooh I didn't mean to scare him!" Lavender looked apoligetic. She'd seen the tentacles, though.
"Where are you from, River?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River grinned when she noticed him. "Morning. Want popcorns?"

[lovelymissbrown.livejournal.com]

"I can understand that." Lavender commented. She took a spoonful of icecream and held it a few inches away from the blanket. "Hey, little guy. You want some?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"The future. I lived on a space ship. You?" She chewed on a popcorn.

[lovechildblair.livejournal.com]

"Do I have to catch them myself?" Blair came closer. "You're home again."

[lovelymissbrown.livejournal.com]

"Ten years ago, I'm a witch. You know Hermione or Luna or Cedric? They're from my world."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Yes. I'm home. You have to catch them. That's part of the fun." But to contradict what she just said River caught a popcorn and handed it to Blair.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River watched Lavender feed Berthold and smiled. "Now you're a friend."

"I know of Hermione, Luna and Cedric. I know Phoebe and she's a witch. And some people tried to burn me as a witch once, but I'm not."

[lovechildblair.livejournal.com]

"I'm happy you're home." Blair said with a smile, reaching out to take the popcorn. "Did Simon leave?"

[demonbelthazor]

After Prophecy, Bel headed back up to his room. He stopped short and scowled when he saw River in the common room.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River nodded, looking a little less cheerful. "Last night. I miss him."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River decided being friendly was the best approach. She caught a popcorn and threw it to Bel. "Catch!"

[lovelymissbrown.livejournal.com]

Lavender grinned. "Friends are good."
"Phoebe's nice, she's a different kind of witch, though."
Lavender frowned. "I'm glad they didn't succeed. Witches in my world can't be burned. We can cast a charm that just makes it tickle."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"I don't know about the different kind of witches. And just making fire tickle sounds handy. And have some popcorn. Or ice cream. I wonder who buys the ice cream here."

[lovechildblair.livejournal.com]

"I'm sorry." Blair hesitated before holding out his arms. "Do you want a hug?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River hugged him gently and carefully, not wanting to hurt him. "But I'm happy to be here," she said.

[lovelymissbrown.livejournal.com]

"Hmm icecream for breakfast." Lavender grinned. "I don't know. The common rooms always seem well stocked."

"Is he from your world?" Lavender gestured to Berthold.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River looked at Berthold, or rather the blanket covering Berthold. "No, he lives under Buffy's bed. He was just here."

[lovelymissbrown.livejournal.com]

"Buffy's Dawn's sister who's a puppy right?"