【 RIVER LIN 】
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【 dialogue: #003366 | outfit 】
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Oh I hope someday
I'll make it out of here.
Even if it takes all night
or a hundred years.
Need a place to hide
but I can't find one near.
Wanna feel the life outside
I can't fight my fear.
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Oh I hope someday
I'll make it out of here.
Even if it takes all night
or a hundred years.
Need a place to hide
but I can't find one near.
Wanna feel the life outside
I can't fight my fear.
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”Why is there a stranger at the table?” the young girl's voice pulled River from his thought as he swallowed his last bite of food. His eyes focused on Izzy who seemed to have been the one to ask the question. Theo scolded her, but that didn't change the fact that she had a point. He was, indeed, a stranger who had long since overstayed his welcome. Theo apologized on his sister's behalf once she and the rest of the girls had left, but River slowly shook his head. "No, she's right." the young boy stated, slowly rising from his chair. His muscles were still sore and despite his best effort, the stings of pain that shot through his body were reflected on his face. Still, he was determined to not give Theo any leeway into insisting on taking him home. "I can get myself home." he said as he approached Theo. "Thank you, for...everything. You have no idea how much it helped." though his voice came as almost a whisper, he gathered the courage to meet Theo's gaze, wearing a smile of gratitude. "Tell your sister I said I'm sorry for intruding on your family breakfast." he added, and before Theo could get in anything else, River headed out the door.
He hoped the man wouldn't try to follow him because he didn't want to have to lie to the person that had been so kind to him. Up until now, he technically hadn't lied, he'd simply kept the details of his journey to himself. Details that wouldn't do Theo any good to know. Not to mention, he'd left $200 and a note that read thank you for caring on Theo's nightstand. He managed to leave in peace, and through a series of buses and finally a taxi, he made it back home. The mansion was silent, nothing out of the ordinary. He wasn't sure if anyone was home, but he hoped that was the case. All he wanted to do was take a hot back, slip into some sweatpants, and sleep for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, his preset schedule called for other things.
"River, you're back?" a woman's voice echoed throughout the high ceilings. River stopped in his tracks, his eyes looking in the direction the voice had come from. Within seconds, his mother's face came into view, a very diplomatic smile on her face. "Hi mom." he muttered, his voice threatening to give out. The woman's features contorted into something between curiosity and concern. "Are you alright dear? You sound sick."[/color] there was a silent pause as River pondered whether he should tell the tale of what had gone on the night before with Blake or simply lie. Not that it would make a difference. "I think I might be." he said, deciding to keep his sentences short and to the point.
The woman raised her hand, placing the back of it against River's forehead. [b]"Oh dear, you're burning up." she set aside the small tack on papers in her hand as she called for the housekeeper. A moment later, Emma walked in, her concerned gaze first falling upon River before looking at his mother. "Yes ma'am?" River's mother took a step towards him, instructing Emma to deliver some medications to his room while turning to face him. "Why don't you go take a hot shower and Emma will get those to you. We can't have you being sick at tonight's event." River would be lying if he said he didn't think, for a split second, that his mother actually cared about his well being. Clearly, that was the least of her concerns. "Mom, I really don't feel well, do you think I could just-"
"Absolutely not." her stern voice interrupted, any trace of concern quickly falling from her features. "You know how important this event is River, now go."