Locked video call to River Song

[im_with_stupid]

[Amy looked sad, and a little upset. There was a sharpie drawn design around her wrist that looked uncomfortably like a familiar crack.]

"When you have a moment, I could use a favor."

Comments

[polyandrist]

[River answers immediately, and when she sees how her mother looks, River frowns. That may be the 'someone is going to die for hurting my family frown.']

What do you need, Amy?

[im_with_stupid]

"I had a guest, he lives at the orphanage. He left something here, I was hoping you would return it." [She was hoping River, who had been Mels and Melody could maybe understand and help the kid where she could not.]

[polyandrist]

[At the mention of the orphanage, River just inclined her head a bit, because she expected that her mother was up to something, but she nodded.]

Why have you got a crack on your wrist?

[im_with_stupid]

"Because for now... he's gone, but not forgotten. A reminder. Anyway, apparently I wasn't much help to him. But even if I was, I'm way past the days when I'd take some kid's lunch money. And even then it was pretty much just Rory."

[A small shrug, as if it was nothing. It was something, but she wanted River to help, not to get protective.]

"I gave him food, he left money for it. I told him he didn't have to, so if you could come get it and return it, I'd appreciate it."

[polyandrist]

[For a moment, River doesn't say anything other than to ask:]

Who am I returning it to?

[im_with_stupid]

"His name is Link. Short kid, blond hair, ears out till tomorrow, looks human but isn't, looks like he'd be a heartbreaker if his race aged the way we do."

[polyandrist]

Alright, I'll swing by the house and then head to the orphanage. You kept his exact money, yeah?

[im_with_stupid]

"Yeah, it's on the kitchen table where he left it, I haven't touched it."

[polyandrist]

That can be important. Because it's his<\i>.

[river's voice is soft. She remembers that.]

[im_with_stupid]

"Yeah. I figured as much. That's why I didn't touch it."

[polyandrist]

Good. Did he say anything else? Are you sure he's going back there?

[im_with_stupid]

"I'm not sure if he is. Just a guess. I... I told him that I was going upstairs and if he wanted to stay, he was more then welcome, but if he wanted to leave, I wouldn't stop him."

[polyandrist]

What had you been talking about to him about before?

[As she talks, the background is changing around her, River is moving towards home and she's doing it rather quickly.]

[im_with_stupid]

"Fish fingers and custard. That laughing is not always the same as laughing AT them, him thinking I set him up like a bully, my trying to explain why it was a gesture of friendship. Basically I was myself, and he's one of the many people that don't get my personality." [She was trying very hard not to be hurt by that, and harder still not to let River see she was hurt by that.]

[polyandrist]

It's alright, Amy. If everyone got it then we'd all have to share you with them and we'd all go mental.

[its sad with a smile that's entirely meant to reassure because while Amy is concerned about the kid, River is concerned about her.]

[im_with_stupid]

[Amy gave her a small smile.] "Thanks. And the people who can handle my personality stay, and are the best people. So I guess I just weeded out the rest then."

[And if it hadn't been a kid, this wouldn't have thrown her for more than a moment, really. Probably.]

[polyandrist]

You did. Sod anyone else who doesn't like you, mum. Even though I don't know how they couldn't!

[im_with_stupid]

[A smile and a small chuckle.] "You're a good girl, you know that?"

[polyandrist]

Well, don't tell anyone. Wouldn't want to lose my stellar and hard earned reputation!

[im_with_stupid]

[She chuckled.] "Well, those of us who like fish fingers and custard already see it. I think you're safe from everyone else."

[polyandrist]

Well, that's one less thing to worry about.

[The words came with a quick grin.]

I should be home in about five minutes or so.

[im_with_stupid]

[She grinned back.] "Thanks."