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

[cagedinflesh]

Truly, one of the greatest accomplishments of the modern world and of this world is that equality of the sexes. One would think in our time, the rule of a queen might do more to lessen the gap, and yet, it is not so. One cannot blame you for preferring the Drabwurld, surely for a great many reasons.

If only the same could be said for those children.

[digophelia]

It will take more than Her Majesty Queen Victoria to abolish old mindsets no matter how strong he is.

[ She tries what she can not to seethe at the thought. ] Blame the man who was supposed to help them. Though, in retrospect, for them to be sent off to other orphanages... it would be better for them.

[ She hopes. ]

[cagedinflesh]

Ah. One who would abuse his power, is it? I do not voice such strong opinions with any ease, it is something which tends to be best kept to oneself. Yet there is nothing so detestable as the abuse of power, to harm or torment those without.

[A pause.] Do you mind my asking what he did? ...Of course, if you would rather not think on it, then please do not.

[digophelia]

More or less. The worst sort of man.

[ She's so glad that he's dead, too. He will always be the core reason why Alice has taken to be so violent in battle. ]

I would rather not, sir. I will say that he is dead and that matters. I do not speak of the acts he committed other than the world would be better off without him.

[cagedinflesh]

I understand. I am glad to hear it, a man like that should never have lived to begin with. No wonder then, that the orphanage should close, if he is gone. I shall pray the children do not end up on the streets themselves.

[Backtracking, though, he smiles.] I am no 'sir', however! Dr. Henry Jekyll, it's a pleasure to meet you, miss...?

[At least with her time period, it's safe to give his real name. Thinking it less worrying than Berserker would be.]

[digophelia]

[ It doesn't matter what type of doctor they are, Alice will always be a little nervous around them. ]

A doctor? [ Maybe a medical doctor would be less of a worry, she's not sure. ] Well, a pleasure, doctor. My name is Alice Liddell.

[cagedinflesh]

[He nods, offering a smile.] Miss Liddell. That's right. If your children need any such help, do call upon me. I can offer medicines and supplies to use as you will as well.

[digophelia]

[ Neutral. She can do a neutral face. Alice gives a small nod. ]

I shall keep it in mind, Dr. Jekyll, thank you.