video; (unlocked, forward dated to June 1st)

[digophelia]

[It is late in the evening and Alice is riled up from exploring. When she comes into view, she looks tired, but all the same, she's absorbed in the atmosphere of this world. Unfortunately, she's still in her blue pinafore dress and a blood-stained apron, plopped up on the castle walls with her feet swaying calmly.]

Curiouser and curiouser.

[She can't help but say it, thumbing her hands together with a key resting in her hands.]

How strange it is that even the stars, despite how bright they are, look nothing like the ones I used to see. They're certainly not this bright in London. But they will never be bright as the ones in Wonderland. Where I come from, these are nothing but old stories passed onto others from centuries ago, long before Her Majesty's kingdom actually became a kingdom. I still cannot begin to fathom why I was place in such a court, but-

[Her mind is wandering until Alice remembers.]

Oh, before I forget once more, there is a very tall, unusual man looking for his son. Tall with black hair, grey eyes, and pointed ears. Red-haired, I believe. I suppose if anyone were looking for their father, you may inquire with me.

[Being the paranoid person she is, she's purposefully withholding some information.]

Comments

[digophelia]

Is that not obvious? Each court may speak of good and offer us lodgings along with food, but what true goodness plucks those who don't belong here against their own will? Nothing is that ever simple.

[inafadingcrown]

Were you taken by force? I admit, I was not given all the details I might have wished, but I did follow the fairies by my own choice. I might have easily ignored them.

[But that bit aside...] Still, your point stands.

[digophelia]

[You know what? Alice isn't even going to lie about it, not completely.]

I wouldn't call waking up here on arrival a mutual agreement. But yes, I'm a little weary to take any sort of side. I wish there was a neutral ground.

[inafadingcrown]

Nor would I. [Which only makes things worse. Makes it more difficult for her to understand Celegorm's devotion.] I have been told that the place known as 'the Station' is regarded as neutral territory. [A sad little smile] I asked for the sake of my kinsmen.

[Which has not turned out so well for her.]

[digophelia]

Really?

[She has a lot to think about.

She spoke to a dead man and she just killed a man for killing her family. He won't live to harm children again and Alice is starting to fear he may follow. He can't follow.

And Alice isn't a soldier. She doesn't want to fight.]

How many reside at the station or do you know?

[inafadingcrown]

[She shakes her head] I do not yet know. I journey there now, however; I may have an answer for you in time.

[digophelia]

If we were to go there, would we have to fight?

[inafadingcrown]

To my understanding, no.

[digophelia]

Thank goodness. I am no soldier, let alone a mercenary. I'm nothing more than a meager maid.

[ If you ignore the blood splatters on her apron, but hey! ]

[inafadingcrown]

[Which she will. Or at least she will say nothing of them. There may be a pointed glance at the blood, though.]

I do not yet know you well, but already I doubt 'meager' is a fitting word for you.

[digophelia]

[ Alice is, surprisingly sheepish, despite appearances. The few people she's spoken to are insightful and wise. They make her feel small, which is why she feels so meager compared to them. ]

If you think so, but I am no different than any other lady my age.

[inafadingcrown]

[A little chuckle] If you have spoken to my uncle and still make the effort to aid him, you have already proven yourself unusual. [Because... he's a tad abrasive.]

[digophelia]

[ Abrasive would be putting it lightly. And not only that, Alice is a trooper. ]

No more unusual I'm afraid.