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

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

[ 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.

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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.

You weren't? I don't see why anyone would be against the idea. It's...a real possibility that there will be some children that lose their parents. Through various tragedies. War being one of them. Someone needs to make sure they are cared for. If some of us might be up to the task, I see no reason why it shouldn't be at least a consideration.

[Snow tries to be reassuring, giving a nod of agreement.]

Every little assistance helps. I know. I've done enough fundraisers and class projects with my children at school to understand that much. Besides that, my--my daughter grew up in the foster system. And I know it wasn't easy for her, so if I could help, I'd appreciate it.

Mm.

[ Out of politeness, Alice will not ask about her daughter growing up out of her eye. There are various reasons for that and Alice respects that. Better a foster system than an orphanage, frankly. Alice gives a gentle shake of her head "no". ]

Well, with so many things on everyone's mind, I.. I wasn't expecting anyone to humor me. I barely have any good ideas or give myself good advice- [ But she's always felt this way about herself, even young. ]

- So, yes, I wasn't. But I see that not everyone wants to focus on war and training. It's very pleasing.

[ And it almost gives her hope again, if she wasn't so careful about it. ]

[Yeah. That and even if Snow did try to explain, who would really believe her? That they were cursed and thus sent Emma to the land without magic through a portal wardrobe so she could save them. Really.]

Well, I can dispute that. I think this is a wonderful idea. Really, if this war has been going on as long, I'm surprised you might be the first to have considered this. I myself am still in the process of considering where I stand in all of this. So I can understand others might be the same and wanting to help in some way outside of the fighting.

I'm certain that I'm not the first to think of it and from others so far, it doesn't seem to be the case, thankfully. There is a boy in my care and he reminded me of what I used to do and I finally got the courage to ask this.

[ Alice is frank about gaining the courage to ask. She has been struggling to maintain her mind for some time now and now, she's been able to consider it no thanks to her friend. She offers a small smile. ]

If you do not know where you stand, you don't have to be involved in the fighting. You don't have to follow anyone's words if they make you uncomfortable.

A boy? I hope he's faring well. I know this would take a lot of work but I feel it will be one way we could contribute outside of fighting. One way to provide support for those in need here. Though admit I'm not sure how well received this idea might be coming from us when most of us do seem to be engaged in the fighting that causes these children to lose their families.

[Still, there's nothing for it but to at least ask and see what happens of the idea. Snow herself fully supports it, even if she's aware how it might seem to others.]

I think I bore him; he is very antsy and wanders a bit. I've told him to tell me if he leaves and not to stray too far, but he doesn't listen.

[ He doesn't listen as an adult, so this shouldn't be a surprise. Kind of. He's weird. ]

A negative reception is to be expected; after all, this is a very upsetting subject, and one of a personal nature for some.

[ Like her, losing her family so young. ]

It can be done, it's a matter of picking the perfect opportunity.

I think most boys are like that. My grandson tends to be the same at times.

[Sneaking out to the mines for one. But that's just his way of trying to help, and most boys tend to run off and do their own thing as they get older, really.]

I know. And I do hope that this works out! It seems like there's plenty of interest so if you do figure starting it you'll have help. I was a teacher, so I could come spend time with the children. I hadn't really considered the idea of school here but I'll help where I can.

[ She scoffs. ] Let me guess: it doesn't change with age.

[ Just as she thought before in her conversation with Rin: Men are babies. ]

Lessons can be anywhere! Although lessons and school are better in a stabler environment. [ She lets out a small sigh; she really wishes she could have been a teacher. ] Did you teach young children?

Not necessarily. Probably depends on the boy. But then, I can't really talk. I've done a lot of running away and into things I probably shouldn't have myself.

[There's a nod at that, a small smile at the memories of the classroom.]

Of course they are. I taught the ten year old's. My grandson's class, actually. Though I'd probably need to figure resources and what children would know in this world, of course.

[ That confirms it even more for her. But this is a subject she loves already -- education. She wanted to be so much like her father, to be a school mistress. Alice smiles. ]

More than likely how to read; I don't know how many of them know how to read. There are ways, too, to make it fun for them.

[ She breathes at a distant memory of how she would tell her sister there was no point in books if they had no pictures. ]

Most of the time they are decent enough at reading by the time they came to my class. But I will do what I can to help. It's at least some way I can...contribute outside of the fighting and all.

[Because the war is still something Snow is debating how involved she wants to get. Whether her step mother might be here or otherwise. But books, reading, that she is passionate about. She could help there, to that end.]

I don't care for the fighting, either.

[ To some degree. She is ruthless and exceptionally sadistic in her matter of combat. Alice can be very frightening if she is forced to fight. But who can expect that from a girl who talks about caring for kids or teaching? Hardly anyone, unless they know her. ]

And you do not have to if you do not want to -- I believe that as much, anyway.

I will fight if I have to, to keep others safe or to defend myself. But I'm not going out of my way to get involved. At least not yet until I feel I have a better idea of the situation. And that's not even going into my step mother being with the Unseelie. Or, she was.

[Snow isn't sure if Regina is still around. But either way that doesn't change much in terms of Snow's stance on things. At least for the time being. Perhaps eventually she would get more involved and take up her bow against the other Court, but not for now. Not without reason.]

[ She seems too nice and the world needs more teachers, Alice thinks. It would be better if she stays out of it, though Alice knows she can't convince her of that, especially with family. ]

Mm. It is possibly the best solution; the battles can get very ugly, as it is.

[Oh, Alice, if you only knew Snow and what she was - is capable of. But the war is a touchy subject, so Snow tries not to dwell on it too much.]

They can. I am well aware of what it is like to fight. To lose those you care about to others; their ambitions and hatred. I'm capable of defending myself or the children if necessary.

At the moment, I know in Caer Scima, they are making arrangements for safe havens and moving those who are not fit for battle out of harm's way.

[ She has an inkling feeling she's a Seelie, anyway, otherwise, she would know what is going on in Caer Scima. ]

I'm sure that they will do the same in Caer Glaem.

[Of course she is Seelie. No, whatever gave Alice that impression. Beyond specifying her step mother as in the other - Unseelie Court. It's rather obvious, really. As much as Snow might bend and break the rules at times, she is such a rallying presence for her kingdom for a reason.]

They are? That is good to hear. I know we've been doing the same, which I'm grateful for the time to prepare, even if it still makes me uneasy.

[ She nods. ]

We have very wise people here with unfortunate battle experience --- though, at least, they possess compassion. Not even some of us want to put innocents into harm's way. I'm sure that the Unseelie have a less than favorable reputation by others, especially if you're familiar with fairy lore.

But there are good people here, just as much as there are in the Seelie court.

Oh, no I agree. At least, the ones I've talked to that I know are in that Court, they don't seem so different or bad. I know it's apparently 'Order' that brings us here to Seelie, but I don't see what difference it really makes. We're all pulled here to fight like this and not all of us want to.

[Whether they are Seelie or Unseelie. Though Snow isn't sure that they will really have the option if things get worse like this.]

The majority of the travelers feel the same way -- it's a shame that the monarchs do not feel the same way, or the natives for that matter. Well, one can never say it doesn't make for interesting dinner conversations.

No, I gather the natives and monarchs don't exactly agree or necessarily approve of some trying to stay out of all this. Though I suppose you're right. I can only imagine Thanksgiving or any dinner conversation with our family back home about this sort of mess.

[Because she is certain a few of her friends would be all for going up against the monarchs to get back home and act rashly initially. If they were here. But they aren't. None of them are. Even necessarily Regina anymore if Snow being unable to contact her on the lockets means what she thinks.]

It only makes it a bit worse in diplomatic situations.

[ She is thinking back to the time that Korra and Grell nearly murdered each other in Redgate over dinner. ]

Just know whatever you chose to do sate a hand or avoid conflict in this war, that it is not entirely impossible. [ Alice feels for these newcomers, she really does. She came in wanting to avoid the war, but now she's she's trenched in some aspects of it. ]

I know. Especially in such tense circumstances. It doesn't always bring out the best in people, to say the least.

[But there is a nod and appreciative smile at that.]

I hope so. Hope to keep things that way. I have a feeling things are only going to get more....heated and eventually force our hand one way or another if the monarchs get their way.

[But if Snow does end up getting involved and actually fighting, she wants it to be of her own volition. Not because the monarchs say to do so.]

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