video, open to both courts (action if you are at the barrel)

[digophelia]

[ Alice has been at the Barrel for a few weeks now. No one's asked her to cook and clean, but it's been a bit of an engraved habit brought over from her time in London. It's only through getting children's clothing and interacting with the nearby town that it's been plaguing the back of her mind. Unlike the last time she's popped on the lockets back in December, Alice looks healthier, but she is still pretty thin.

As usual. And as usual, her white rabbit is sitting there beside her, munching away at a bowl of food. She's not good at public speaking. ]

Hello.

These may be strange times to open a dialogue about this subject while both of our courts prepare for another skirmish. There are plenty of natives here of various ages who have been hit the most by war, especially children. I used to be the maidservant of an orphanage back in Whitechapel London.

[ Her face only flashes with a hint of pain when she mentions it. ]

Houndsditch Home for Wayward Youth—if you heard of it. And the children there came from similar backgrounds, that they were all traumatized and lost family either by sickness, death, or murder. These children are often overlooked, sometimes they are swept up by those with ill intentions and treated even worse. But they are still children and they still have pieces of their innocence left.

I may not have the resources nor the... capacity right now to replicate that orphanage, but I still want to help the youngest natives here have the smallest comforts like food or clothing. I've only had a handful of opportunities in Redgate and the Station to make good on my word and clearly I need the additional hands.

In addition to natives being sent away from the path of war, I hope that there can be a way to provide resources for them or find them the appropriate care somewhere down the line. I know that it is silly to think of such a thing when all the adults in this world are preparing for battle, but they are so young and they deserve so much more while they are being guided to safety.

But if I were to oversee these things, I reserve the right to be very picky. The children I cared for weren't even spared from the cruelty of adults, even the proprietor of that orphanage.

Surely my friends will be thrilled if I focused my attention on children rather than them. I know they must tire of my nagging.

Comments

Private - Video

[scorchedchivalry]

When these upcoming battles conclude, I am willing to petition the High-King and High-Queen for coin to fund such a venture.

Private - Video

[digophelia]

Really? Would they even humor that?

[video]

[chaoticwhimsy]

[Alice is going to big sister people that aren't her? YES!]

That sounds like a great thing to do, Alice.

[Lumina has turned on all of the charm.]

[video]

[digophelia]

[ UNLIKELY. ]

Did you need something, Lumina?

video;

[gandere]

[ Listening, Rin looks at it another way. She can't get attached to anyone here, but maybe it would be all right to help the life of a single child or two--once she has the resources to do so. Coming into a lot of gold in her future could allow her to... share it. ]

Thank for you reminding me of this. It's so... easy to overlook the things you don't pay attention to.

video;

[digophelia]

[ Alice is a little surprised to see Rin responding to her. Guess who is still plenty awkward talking? After some visible hesitation. ]

With an upcoming battle, I cannot fault you for that.

[ She can be polite! ]

video;

[parallels]

I've been tasked with starting schools for children in Glaschu. But I don't think it ought to stop there. Orphans, as you said, are often forgotten, the most overlooked, the most vulnerable. They need schooling perhaps more than anyone else.

video;

[digophelia]

There isn't any such thing in the northern lands, not yet, anyway. Or on much more stable, neutral grounds. Of course they need schooling, but I hate to think what they have to keep them warm or their bellies full.

private video »

[huntedby]

It's a good idea, Alice.

I'll be doing my best to get any people on the Unseelie, natives included, out of the line of fire. I'll help if I can, but I think I may be tied up in defense of their lives, not comfort.

private video »

[digophelia]

I know. But I hope when everything is said and done - whenever that may be - more things can be done. And it is, unfortunately, a problem in which children can be taken away young for nefarious purposes. So taking natives to safer places prevents this, too.

video; private

[aureinsof]

[She managed to strike an especially sympathetic chord with him and he nods, resolving himself. He only remembers her as the nice young woman with the wonderful drawings but it doesn't take more than that for Emil to trust someone.]

...I was an orphan of a massacre. I... I was pretty forgotten, too. I think all survivors were. So please tell me how I can help. I could tame monsters to be playmates and guardians for the orphans.

video; private

[digophelia]

[ He is both young and Alice remembers him, so it doesn't earn her scrutiny. ]

We just may have to wait until the battle subsides. But there is no doubt they need clothing and food afterwards, and extra attention to ensure that no one is preying on them. If it can be a mutual effort on both courts, the better.

( video. )

[atoned]

[ it's moments like these zuko wishes he could do something. he has nothing to give alice, nothing but his own word or vow or approval of her kind and selfless actions. he's not the fire lord here, even if those from his future often remind him of the greatness he apparently achieves, restoring balance and healing the world with a softer hand than his father's. ]

[ zuko's beaming. ] That's great, Alice. [ perhaps, even though he can't help fund her venture, his offering of assistance might help take the weight off her shoulders. ] I'm not sure how I could help — but, if you need anything, I'll try. I can get things for you, at least. I'm sure Sokka wouldn't mind helping.

( video. )

[digophelia]

[ For Alice, she's always preparing for the worst outcomes. It wasn't until recently she started to consider it more and more, despite her inner struggle to fight off psychosis. ]

Consider it just a survey and just preliminary plans, for now. I may have to wait to see what will happen with the up and coming clash... as much as it pains me to say.

I am afraid I am not familiar with a Sokka.

voice;

[bullhorned]

Do you think they'll want your help? Or any of our help? They'll see us and all they'll see is the folk that put them out of family and home. It's our war they're caught in.

[He doesn't like this conclusion. But he's been on that side of the street scowling at the nobles and their wars. Well, now it's natives scowling at shardbearers and their wars. He hates to be on the other side of it, but there it is. They're the ones making the mess of it all.]

voice;

[digophelia]

Would that not depend on some the circumstances?

[ She, too, knows that sentiment. She knows what it's like to glare at an adult and expect the worst. She's too empathetic for her own good, sometimes. ]

It is our war that they are caught in, yes, but that doesn't mean that we ignore their suffering and do not try to find ways to help them, too.

voice;

[jaywalks]

[ also, dammit alice, the pieces of the mystery are all falling into place, girl. ]

I know there's a shardbearer-run orphanage in the Corthromach... but that's still a trip and a half for most people in Glaschu. And — like Gendry said. Natives might not like it if a shardbearer starts rounding up their kids, orphaned or not. [ it might harken back to the seelie child sellers... ]

You might want to consider finding a trustworthy local who can front it for you, though.

[ a brief pause, and then as an after thought. ]

And maybe see if you can keep siblings together. They're less likely to run off that way.

voice;

[digophelia]

Of course.

[ Alice is more than understanding of that. It wouldn't be fair for a non-native to come in and attempt to dictate how things are. ]

But I am not prepared to undertake an orphanage right now, just as I said. There were twenty at the one I worked at and I was the only provider.

[ Well, Bumby was supposedly, but Alice continues to minimize his work. He didn't do anything now that she thinks about it. He only dictated her chores and his expectations were ridiculous. ]

I don't expect things to change overnight, I want to at least make the effort to help them by clothing and food. And, well, I'd like to see that orphanage, myself, to make sure that they're being cared for properly and that they're not being hurt.

[ Alice visibly cringes at that. ] I wouldn't dream of it; siblings are separated all the time and when they run off, the chances of finding them again are too slim. I don't even know why they get separated in the first place.

video;

[bolincredible]

[ If combining helping people with orphans isn't a way to pull Bolin's active interest and investment, then nothing in the world is. ]

I can volunteer my additional hands. I mean, I've only got two, but I'll do whatever I can to help. If that's... okay. [ If this is a Seelie-proof strategy, he can't exactly change the fundamentals. ] And between you and me, you kinda find out that a lot of orphans have similar backgrounds down the line. Since there's sort of a, uh. A family loss. Requirement.

[ It only really gets weird when they hang out in the same alleyways and try to see who trumps everyone else for the most tragic history, obviously. ]

video;

[digophelia]

Well, right not, it's surveying to see who would help with such a thing and planning. I don't expect anything to happen until after some dust settles.

[ Whenever that may be. ]

Usually lose is some sort of requirement, yes, I know that all too well.

[ She saw the children often swapping stories, even having their own little groups. They're lucky, in a sense, she didn't have that as a child. She only had her imaginary friends. ]

[cinnamoned]

[Orphans....yes. It's possibly inevitable with the fighting escalating that there would be some. As much as that idea pains her. As much as it reminds her of Emma having to grow up in the foster system. The time Snow lost and should have had with her daughter.]

If they would accept the help, I think this is a wonderful idea. I'm not entirely sure how I might manage to help but I'd like to somehow if this does go ahead if possible.

[digophelia]

I haven't made any solid plans yet -- to be frank, I wasn't expecting this large of a response.

[ It does restore a bit of her faith in humanity. ]

Do not discredit yourself yet; when I'm finally able to act, I will return asking for the extra set of hands. I know from experience in working in a meager orphanage that the little things help.

video; the bone-breaker will provide~

[ziggyzoggy]

[He honestly doesn't think much about the concept of children being innocent; it's not usually a thing that the world allows in children. Or, at least not his own world. Still, this is a good thing you're doing, little Alice. +5, Vol'jin approves. Starts calling you Orphan Matron Alice.]

Children often get forgot when it comes to war. What ya need to make this a reality?

video;

[digophelia]

[ She's surprised no one's called her a matron yet, frankly. She's a mother hen to virtually anyone she knows. ]

After the initial battle, I want to see about going about compiling clothing and food for them and checking in on them. There's no doubt in my mind that some of the natives will be weary of me and others, so I want to start simply as possible.

[cagedinflesh]

That is a truly wonderful idea, Miss. It's all too easy to forget the importance of looking to those who cannot help themselves, yet it should be the top priority. I would very much like to help, by any means I am able - medical attention, gathering resources or escorting them to safety, anything.

...Additionally, you, and those children, have my deepest sympathies. While I am not familiar with the particular institution, I am all too familiar with Whitechapel. A terrible place to live or work, I can only imagine the things you saw.

[digophelia]

It would be lovely if it was a top priority, but all the same, I will not get my hopes up.

[ Medical? Alice is hoping that doesn't mean he's a doctor. In addition to Whitechapel, she's had terrible experiences with so many doctors. ]

You are not familiar with it?

[ She really wishes she could figure out what happened to the orphanage; the children would be split up, no doubt, sent to other places. Some would run away. Or worse. Alice lets out a small sigh of disappointment. ]

I never had a choice in being in Whitechapel; it was the only place that would take soemone like me.

private video

[bythewaves]

As great hearted as ever, little butterfly. I think you would make for a good mother, Alice, and you could do much good, I think.

private video

[digophelia]

I don't think I could ever entertain the idea of being a mother. A nanny, perhaps, since I am so used to it.

[ She looks a little flustered at the thought. ]

video.

[winterwork]

[Oh, dear Alice, your big bro Jack is so proud of you.]

Look at you! Taking cares of kids. You're like an honorary Guardian yourself.

video.

[digophelia]

A guardian? ... Oh, no, it's what I used to do and I wasn't very good at it and I want to make up for it, even here.

[ Also, this is what happens when your friends get shrunk down to children, apparently. ]