video; open to both courts

[digophelia]

[Alice is currently outside the stables once again, sprinting up to greet a small, white rabbit. The imp that's decided to become her company has made a point to turn on the locket, in the midst of a mild debate.]

Oh, not now, it can wait- Sophie!

[ It's no ordinary white rabbit, as it runs up to Alice when she greets her, Alice kneeling down beside a familiar grey mare.]

Sophie! I am so sorry, I didn't mean to leave you!

[ Alice picks her up and holds her up to look at her better. The imp is tugging on her hair gently and Alice is ignoring. ]

Miss, please-

No, it's alright, my friend, They need to eat first. Oh, surely you two like something other than hay?

[ Alice glances to the horse grazing behind her. Alice looks exhausted and even paler if it were possible. She feels more secure with the animals and the small imp that she talks a bit more freely than she would with others.]

Miss, I think you need to eat! They're already so well fed, don't you think?

No, it wouldn't feel right. They've both been so lonely, I think! I'll be fine, I-

[ Hold up, Alice pauses with the rabbit jumping out of her hands and grazing besides the horse. Alice shoots a look up to the imp above her head. Exasperation crosses over her face more than anger.]

For goodness sakes! I said I was fine!

If it makes you rest for yourself just once...!

Comments

[digophelia]

I have just returned, not without seeing Lady Alyosha before coming back to the station.

[ Who also insisted Alice eat and rest, but she's likely to run herself out before either happen. ]

[gordianknots]

[Waver's a bit surprised that Alice insisted on heading all the way back to Redgate before hightailing it to the Station, but it also speaks volumes about her.

That's an incredible amount of ground to cover. I would have fallen over from exhaustion, if I were you.

[digophelia]

[ She's getting close to it and it will happen later. She's tired, but it's not unusual for her to push herself to the extreme. ]

Yes, well. It seemed like the right thing to do.

[gordianknots]

Mm. And if I've gathered anything about Alyosha, it is that she seems to genuinely appreciate when people go out of their way to do that.

[digophelia]

[ It's more than that. When she was young, suffering in the infirmary from her burns and in Rutledge, no one had came for her. ]

She gave us great hospitality, it is only fair that her kindness was returned.

[gordianknots]

I'm sure it'll be perpetuated by the rest at Redgate well into the future. The place's brickwork is lined with the love and protection that exists there.

[And there's unmistakable warmth when Waver says it.]

Are you planning on taking a break from traveling, now that you've been all over?

[digophelia]

I would hope so, it is a village all it's own. As for traveling, I am not sure. I'm no knight or taction, I'm not skilled in anything.

[gordianknots]

But from what your small not-friend says, it strikes me as you're bad at sitting idle too.

[digophelia]

Well, I don't know what to do with myself. The only thing I know is that I've already grown tired of pride hurting others, even taking lives.

[gordianknots]

What do you normally do with yourself back home?

[digophelia]

I was a maid and a caretaker for orphaned children in exchange for room and board. Women my age become exactly that when they are not married.

[gordianknots]

Ah, I see. And now it's just like being burdened with overabundance of possibilities of what to do?

[digophelia]

I don't know, I cannot say for sure. It's more like freedom to me.

[gordianknots]

[Waver nods, to show that he's got an understanding of Alice's perspective here but--

--right, this is audio, Velvet.]

Got it.

[digophelia]

What year are you from, Mr. Waver?

[gordianknots]

2016. I work in London, England

[digophelia]

[ She's getting used to speaking to others from different times. ]

You came from London, too?

[gordianknots]

Mm! I grew up in the city, but now I live outside of it and commute in.

What year is it for you?

[digophelia]

Well, I hope that London is better for you. The year is 1875 where I come from.

[gordianknots]

God, that's a fair time gap. I feel like the best way to describe the London I know is just a lot...more. Albeit a lot cleaner.

[digophelia]

I've learn to get used to it.

And that's a start. Is there still slums and rampant poverty?

[ Look at this face, she's proof of that enough. ]

[gordianknots]

It's...morphed, I think is the best way to put it. What you know in regards to slums and rampant poverty are gone, due to a variety of factors including people caring and a few world events that changed the face of the city.

[digophelia]

I will not lie, the London I came from is a place that I am not fond of. I do harbor ill feelings for it as well as have terrible memories of it. I came from Oxford originally and I miss it, it wasn't anything like London. Everything is cleaner.

[gordianknots]

Then I won't press the matter of London further. I've only been into Oxford one or two times for work, although I suspect it's closer to what you remember it being.

[digophelia]

I hope so! It as so very colorful and lush, much like this world, almost. Only here, it's much more clean. Is the university still there?