video - unseelie locked;

[digophelia]

[ It's evening, about nine or ten or so, which means it's the bed time of the children and the children should be asleep. At least now, Alice can finally take a break, plopping herself down. ]

Hello. I suppose I should introduce myself for those who don't know me -- my name is Alice Liddell of the Unseelie court, and I've been here for almost two years now, next month. Forgive me, I haven't slept well in a few weeks, so my thoughts may be a bit scattered.

[ God, she's forgotten how awkward this is. Alice clears her throat, cupping her hands in her lap. ]

Currently, I oversee a small orphanage in Aghmor, with six children underneath my care. Each of them come from Dorchadas, a few of them have lost fathers in the siege. One girl has lost an arm due to- well. I won't get into that. Anyway, there are more orphaned children and I am unfortunately very limited in my resources. In Whitechapel, London, I was the only caregiver to 18 children, so when I created this orphanage, it was my intent to take a small number, so that I wouldn't be overwhelmed.

What is on the coast is frightening the natives here in Ahgmor; while I do have volunteers, I want to expand what I do. The six children are an oddity here, aside from their traumas -- they know how to read, write, and possess a basic knowledge of arithmetic. In addition, they're learning skills to help them grow as adults and set an example to other children. I've worked very hard to ensure that they recover, mentally and physically.

I want to continue doing this, I want to teach more children, I want to continue what my father would have done. I understand what is coming and what lies on the coast. May this be a reminder to use what we have to stop the Void and save each and every life and world. An absolution--something that will spare everything, though, I can't think of that now, I still have to think about the simplest things, for the sake of these children.

I want to ask my fellow travelers to help spread aid once again. I may be force to move once again, to pick up what I made and chose a location further out of harm's way. Should I find more like-minded individuals outside of the natives I've grown to know or Erik Lehnsherr, I hope to grow another establishment in which children can learn and have a safe haven.

[ She's normally not this meek; Alice eventually sighs into her hands, as the exhaustion mounts on her. ]

Anyway- I should also mention I would not be opposed to additional help. If anything, I could use a few days to myself, half of it to catch up on sleep.

[ That was such a stupid choice on her part, she'll admit to that much. ]

Well, they're all in bed. Hopefully.

Comments

video

[getinthechariot]

If you are looking for a babysitter, I would be happy to watch the little ones for a few hours for you!

[That sounds like a terrible idea]

video

[digophelia]

Ah-

[ Oh, my god. The last time he was there, nearly all six of them were climbing on Rider. As much as she wants a day or two off, she's not sure if that's entirely a good idea. How do you politely decline? ]

Well, I'm... I'm not sure. They're handful, after all.

[getinthechariot]

I'd have to ask to be sure, but it isn't as though we have a lot of business at the Barrel with the new restrictions in place.

Besides, it isn't as if they're affiliated with either court - so they could come over as they pleased!

[digophelia]

Court matters aren't discussed with the children; they have no place here I don't intend to foster hatred. It's already bad enough some of them easily fright at the mention of "Seelie".

[ She sighs, she hates having to censor herself -- what she would say, is that she doesn't matter what court anyone comes from. ]

My closest confidants are Unseelie, so if I had the option, unfortunately I am limited in my courts. But with the infant dryads, I'm sure we'll be on our toes regardless of sanctions.

[ There's too many kids, Rider, too, too many of them. ]

video;

[fulminants]

[ Kids? Wow. ]

Sure, Alice. What kind of aid do you need? I'll definitely see what I can do.

video;

[digophelia]

My children are well, so far, though, I am not in any position to turn any donations away. Children do grow after all and they are very active.

[ She's sure that her oldest children will start hitting that growth spurt in a few years. ]

There's more children around here that could afford the basic necessities -- clothing, food, and toys. Things to help them and pull their minds away with what is around them.

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[fulminants]

Well, I think I can help right there. So, clothes, money, food and company. I'll be sure to bring along some toys, too.

I'm Johnny, by the way. Johnny Storm.

video;

[shamanism]

If you need supplies, I can send something your way.

[He loves kids. He wants to spoil the hell out of them, just like he spoils Scian.]

I may be able to give some time to you as well, though my appearance is somewhat... frightening to some children. I am not sure I would be welcome.

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[digophelia]

[ They know Scian fairly well. Sometimes Alice has to get Aithne to stop bothering him and the other boys. ]

I would not turn any down, though, if it means I can have more means to distribute them to other native children, that would help immensely. I'm sure most of us are aware of the fact that the last battle has left an unfortunate amount without homes, or worse, families. Unfortunately, I am just one woman, but I would be very happy to see more of my fellow travelers help out.

[ Alice's face softens. ]

Your appearance frightening them is an unfortunate possibility, but they can learn better that way that strange looking fellows aren't necessarily bad. Children can accept others easier than adults.

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[shamanism]

I'll ask a favor of someone, then. A whole city's worth of supplies would be wasted without the manpower to distribute them.

[It's good to be a trader/merchant of sorts. Good word gets around, so he'll ask one of his native acquaintances in the area to help out. It's only a temporary thing, but work is work, and Thrall always pays his people.]

There are orcs among the Unseelie, but they are not quite as viridian as I am. [He coughs lightly.] Anyway. If I find myself in the area, I will let you know. My name is Thrall.

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[zerotohiro]

[A few things catch his attention here and it's a lot to really process. On the one hand, Hiro's still a little more wary of the natives now as the months continue to pass. They haven't exactly been too thrilled with the existence of the shardbearers in the first place. On the other hand, they're just kids. He's heard of the orphanage in passing but hearing Alice actually talk about it really puts things into perspective. There's also the fact that these kids are learning. It's something familiar to him and while he's not sure how much he can really help, it can't hurt to check even if they've never met.]

I know a couple of people I can ask about getting supplies from if you need that kind of help. [Something keeps looping in his head though and he pauses again. He's not exactly a stranger to losing things and he can now understand how important it is to make sure people get back on track after something traumatic, especially if they're kids. It might not be what Alice needs, but it's definitely something he can help with.] What kind of lessons and skills are you teaching them now?

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[digophelia]

I would be very grateful, certainly, but more so the children.

As for their lessons, well- since most natives don't know how to read and write, I've focused their attention on that, mostly, so that obtaining books and such would be easier for them. Learning to read and write would make it easier for any child to learn more. The arithmetic has been fairly basic, since they have to learn at the same pace as the others, most times, regardless of their age.

audio;

[zerotohiro]

I'll ask around and see what I can do.

[Hm. There's a thoughtful pause as he debates his offer...the worst she can say is that she's got it covered.] As far as teaching them how to read and write and everything, think you could use some more curriculum to help them keep advancing? I can probably draft up some stuff. Workbooks or whatever. [It's only a few kids and it's basic stuff. Truthfully he's probably better at math than English but how hard can this be?]

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[raavashing]

Bring them to the university between Redgate and Donna. I'll be happy to watch them for a day or three.

[With all that had been happening lately, a small break to help others would be welcome.]

They can play with ZhenZhen and Qing Lin, too.

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[digophelia]

Three? Oh, goodness, I was thinking two at the most, I don't want to upset the littler ones.

[ She's worried how Slania, especially, next to Liam would react. Though, she's interacted with Wan, she likes him. ]

Oh, no- I should ask... you would? They're getting a little more comfortable and rambunctious in turn!

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[raavashing]

Two, then. And you don't have to ask. I just offered.

[He laughed lightly, his grin brightening.]

I have a decent sized room here. Should be enough for an overnight stay for five kids. They'll have fun.

video.

[semiurge]

[ Billy isn't sure what's more surprising, hearing about the orphanage or the reference to Erik. Either way, at least he finally had a name to go with the face he remembered from the Dullahan stuff. ]

I can help out with baby-sitting. My normal references aren't here, but Erik can vouch for me.

video.

[digophelia]

[ It's always awkward to talk to someone after you experience a psychotic episode. For the first few seconds, she looks rather unsure. ]

If Mr. Lehnsherr can vouch for you, that should be fine. His concerns mirror my own, to a degree. He's helped take in children, certainly, though those with gifts, you could say. I've done what I've could to help pass children onto him that I can't.

Re: video.

[semiurge]

[ Billy is the last person who's going to hold anything against her. He's trying to do his best reassuring face. ]

I know, I'm one of those people with gifts. A little too old to be one of the kids, though.

Video

[benumbing]

And money. Are you in need of that?

Video

[digophelia]

Ah.

[ Alice always feels the slightest guilty taking money donations. That one she's had given to her by Saber is still stored away. ]

Well, yes, but- I hate to ask for such a thing, I only ask what anyone is capable of giving.

Video

[benumbing]

You shouldn't. I don't know much about children, but even I know that they need clothes.

[He sighs. Really, this is more the sort of thing his sister would be concerned with. But his life here hasn't been as easy as it was when he was a prince who wanted for nothing - nothing material, anyway. Maybe he has learned a lesson or two.]

I have a small source of revenue. I'll send some with Johnny. He'll undoubtedly be coming to play.

» video

[survivra]

You know what I'm still willing to teach them if they want to learn. It would take a few of them off your hands for a while, if anything.

» video

[digophelia]

You can, if it doesn't involve swords.

[ Alice won't bend on that rule, at all, no matter what anyone says. ]

Aithne almost nearly learned the hard way.

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[survivra]

I imagine you won't find knives any more pleasing, then. Or wooden ones.

[ She can be just as stubborn. They're never going to agree on this topic, are they. ]

Better to learn as play from someone well meant than the hard way in the end.