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

[digophelia]

[ 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.

Comments

video;

[boutant]

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?

video;

[digophelia]

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.

video;

[boutant]

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.

1/2 - video;

[digophelia]

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. ]

video;

[digophelia]

Well, what is it like? The bandersnatch?

video;

[boutant]

[ Stubborn, all of them. ]

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

video;

[digophelia]

That almost makes him sound like a puppy.

video;

[boutant]

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

video;

[digophelia]

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

video;

[boutant]

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

video;

[digophelia]

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

video;

[boutant]

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

video;

[digophelia]

Flightless birds? Like dodos?

video;

[boutant]

Or penguins or something.

video;

[digophelia]

[ 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?

video;

[boutant]

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... ]

video;

[digophelia]

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

Are their wings too small to fly like a dodos?

video;

[boutant]

Yes. But penguins can swim very well, and the others can run extremely fast.

video;

[digophelia]

[ She squints, hoping to see the bandersnatch, speaking of that. But also, wait for it. ]

There wouldn't be anything of that nature here, would there?

video;

[boutant]

[ Alas, the cub is in the stables, sleeping with a hound and her pups; Ariadne figures it'll be better for him to be there instead of bringing him with to the audience later. ]

Not that I know of, but there might be.

video;

[digophelia]

[ Drat. On both accounts. At least it gets somewhat of a smile from Alice. ]

Well, that would be simply wonderful! Dodos and bandersnatches. Even jubjub birds.

[ Just no jabberwockies. ]

video;

[boutant]

[ Yeaaah, about that... ]

Maybe we could take a trip to look for them, someday.

video;

[digophelia]

Really? It was Mr. Celegorm who found the baby bandersnatch, wasn't it? That would be wonderful, but perhaps sometime when I actually return or get closer to unseelie lands.

video;

[boutant]

No, it was me. He just found me finding him.

[ And made sure she didn't fall in the den. ]

We've got time. I'll look in the library, see if I can find any mentions of flightless birds.

video;

[digophelia]

I would hope that what you find has plenty of good visual aids.