River made a face as he drew her into a hug, a face that pretty much said "Are you serious?" in a way that might have been somewhat comical had she not almost driven herself into hysterics. Don't worry. She always worried. Even when she was sleeping. No rest. Always awake.
"It'll be hard. Not in the spirit of the season to take. Only to give. But they have to take so that they can give again," she mused, accepting the embrace. "Bridge is falling apart. Hasn't been maintained. But she'll hold. She'll hold long as she needs to." River squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. "Simon's been standing for a long time. He forgot how to sit down."