eachdraidh | 002 - Video (open to both courts, the morning of the 23rd)

[ Alice has not gotten very far this morning, as she practically fumbles into view, her locket going off to see something that's... oddly familiar. She freezes to feel something tugging on the hem of her apron.]

What on earth...?

[ No way. She looks utterly confused to see a white rabbit tugging at the hem of her apron. She freezes, momentarily ignoring a fair escort to crouch down. The rabbit hasn't ran away and Alice hasn't chased it into another rabbit hole. That would be a plus. She hesitates for a moment, as the little thing looks up at her, letting out a soft sneeze.]

Surely you're real and I am not imagining things. I've been down that route and I don't think it would be a very good idea if I went down your rabbit hole. Are you really real?

[ So it takes one small hop forward, throwing itself on Alice's knee, as if to say, "yes, I'm real". The fair is very much trying to point out that this is a boon, but Alice would say no, you don't understand, this is a big deal. With one hand, Alice offers it to the rabbit.

No biting. Aw. When it does nothing more than lick her finger tips, she breaks out in a soft smile, melting away the confusion and her usual paranoid, hardened demeanor. She's actually happy! With two nervous hands, Alice is carefully picking up the little rabbit who doesn't put up a fight. Finally, after 12 years, Alice can do what she wanted to do as a child: hold a rabbit.

This is fantastic and the little thing even lets her hold it like a baby. Now that Alice is practically fawning over the rabbit in her arms, her attention is finally gained when the fairy pulls a lock of her dark hair. ]

Ow! Was that necessary?

[ Hello, Miss Liddell, you didn't request anything and your queen gave you something. There's no words for how even more perplexed Alice looks.]

... You mean to tell me this little rabbit is a gift? Really?

[ She's not sure what to make of this. ]

Well, that's all fine and good, but in the distant future, I hope that you don't carry a small animal all the way from there to here.

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I can make it so no one can see me, hear me, even smell me. With all the people around here who actually know what they're doing when it comes to war, it seemed like a good idea.

[ It still seems like a good idea. ]

Yes. Or, well, I will -- I'm still a student, back home.

Then you want to be apart of the war?

[ She doesn't condone nor condemn it. She's sworn to keep herself neutral, even going far as traveling with someone who has supposedly a very notable reputation in the worst way possible. ]

That must be wonderful, being able to learn how to create works of art when many women are not that fortunate to do so. The idea of that study would be scandalous where I come from.

No. But it's already found me.

[ And she will fight to protect those she cares about, on either side. ]

It's still not as accepted as it should be. But where I'm from, women can do the same things men can.

[ She could respect that, if it weren't for the fact Alice is very strong in her affirmation of being independent. Funny enough, the idea of women being on the same level of men makes her very happy. Being an unmarried, 19 year old woman is terrible in 1875 London. ]

That must be very liberating, to do the same things as men. It would certainly be less grievous to be unmarried and without a family to care for.

Some people still act like it's the end of the world. But those people don't have opinions worth my time.

[ Not worth Alice's time either, as far as she's concerned. ]

Plenty of women decide not to have children, too.

[ A huge, huge breath of relief. That's another point in her favor that she's not insane. Because really, single life for her is very hard, falling into a life of poverty and scorn. ]

What I wouldn't give for something like that.

Well -- I suppose while you're here, there's no point in worrying about what they want for you back home. They can't reach you here.

And if they show up and try, you're not alone.

[ Feanor has said that he was dead; Alice's face grows dark as she says that, still with the rabbit cuddled in her arms. ]

I doubt it. They're dead.

[ She'll just graciously ignore the fact that it remains a possibility and it makes her skin crawl. ]

If anyone else tries, then.

[ People come from all sorts of times, after all. She's gotten her share of odd looks for saying what she does at home. ]

Have you thought of a name for her?

I'll manage.

[ She says it coldly, with a hint of irritation. She's already argued about that plenty with others. ]

I haven't really considered one yet. Maybe I'll find an appropriate name, once she shows me more of herself.

I know. [ She doesn't underestimate any of the members of either court. ] But you shouldn't have to do it alone.

[ Strength in numbers. ]

I'm still waiting on that with the bandersnatch. Names are... difficult.

I'd rather.

[ And better safe than sorry, for her. That momentary irritation will pass, Alice heaves a sigh so that she doesn't roll her eyes at her. Just one deep breath, and she'll let it go. ]

Well, what is it like? The bandersnatch?

[ Stubborn, all of them. ]

Playful. Curious. A little impulsive. Of course, he's very young.

That almost makes him sound like a puppy.

I think those traits can be applied to most young animals, honestly.

Not necessarily! I've always found kittens to be worse than puppies. Puppies can't exactly climb like they do.

[ She laughs. ] Okay, that's definitely true. And I suppose baby birds can't get into too much outside of the nest.

Not that I've seen, no, unless they tend to be ones that are pushed out of the nest during the late spring.

I suppose flightless birds might get into more trouble, too.

Flightless birds? Like dodos?

Or penguins or something.

[ The dodos are a big deal for her; she has never seen them in person, but she's seen plenty of her father's photographs. ]

There's more? How many are there?

I'm not entirely sure, but there are ostriches and emus and cassowaries. And there are all sorts of types of penguins.

[ She just won't break the news that dodos are extinct... ]

[ Clearly, those strange names must mean they're really magnificent birds. ]

Are their wings too small to fly like a dodos?

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