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

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[digophelia]

[ She nearly forgot to mention! ]

It's outside of the station.

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[silvergift]

Good. Stay there then.

[Guess who's coming to get you girly?]

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[digophelia]

I beg your pardon...?

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[silvergift]

If you will not leave them, I have little choice but to bring a meal out to you, do I? It will hardly be comfortable, I imagine but it will do.

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[digophelia]

Oh, no, that's alright! I don't want to be a bother. I'm sorry I caused you to worry.

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[silvergift]

It is not alright. Nor are you a bother. You look as I did years ago and I will not have someone so young being half starved if I might help it.

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[digophelia]

Then at the very least, please let me make it up to you in some fashion.

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[silvergift]

Hm... [She actually gives that some thought. If anything, she can turn that around later as another chance to get Alice to eat.]

That sounds fair enough to me.

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[digophelia]

[ In the meantime, Alice is going to sit here like an awkward turtle while the imp is feeling pretty triumphant right now. ]

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[silvergift]

[It takes her a little while. She makes sure to find fresh vegetables and fruit, cooks some of the vegetables and leaves some raw so Alice has a selection. And then cooks up some chicken, lightly seasoning it so nothing weighs too heavily on Alice's stomach.

It takes her a little while but Celebrían is a determined individual. Within half an hour, Alice has company. And she has a basket with everything carefully packed inside and covered to stay warm.]

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[digophelia]

[ When she does get there, Alice has nodded off on the stable floor of all places, right against the grey mare who is sitting alongside her. The journey here has exhausted her and coupled with little to no sleep and nourishment, she's tired. As soon as a stranger steps in, the mare makes a noise in response and Alice snaps awake, startled, nearly jumping off the ground. She's already on edge, long before Drabwurld that any noises startle her. Alice groans, rubbing her face noticing that her body is shaking from hunger and exhaustion.

Bleary-eyed, she rubs her eyes. ]

... Hello?

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[silvergift]

[Celebrían's smile is soft and she keeps herself calm as Alice's jolts awake. She doesn't approach just yet, giving her a chance to fully wake up before she very nearly glided to her side, barely making any extra noise but the light clothing and silver hair makes it hard for her to go unnoticed.]

Did you sleep well, little one?

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[digophelia]

[ She almost looks like a spectre with that eerie, pale hair. Alice closes her mind for one moment and reopens them just to ensure that she's not dreaming. She doesn't budge, but the horse does, moving to the other side of the stable once she approaches, occupying herself with more food. ]

Yes.

[ It was a short nap and when Alice does sleep again, she'll be sleeping for a while. Alice is different in person, she lacks the same bravado that she does behind the locket. She's awkward, even as she starts to slowly pull herself up, like a child being dragged to school with the way she walks. She had been worse conditions and she would say so herself. In the night, it's cool and Alice is a little cold; in both an attempt to warm herself and to feel secure, she is holding herself as she walks forward. ]

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[silvergift]

[The hair is hard to help when her grandmother and her father both have silver hair, as well as Thingol having had silver hair as well. Her clothes at least are only light colors rather than anything that truly adds to an eerie appearance.]

I am glad. Shall we find somewhere comfortable to sit? I brought you plenty to choose from. And I promise that nothing will go to waste.

Would you like to eat here or go somewhere else where I might get you a cloak?

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[digophelia]

[ Alice realizes that she must not smell wonderful having traveled so far and spent so much time with the mare. She was becoming attached to the horse, but it was cold and Alice can't really turn Celebrian away.

No matter how undeserving she thinks she is. Even the sight of that food has Alice nearly bursting into tears. How long had it been? She could remember food like this when she was seven years old, in the care of her family. ]

I- No, I suppose that some place more warm. But I will be back out here to check on the mare.

Re: action

[silvergift]

[She hadn't smelled any better when she and her mother had first traveled to the Station themselves. Nor when she used to travel from Imladris to Lothlorien. So she can't bring herself to comment on it, even if she gave it much thought.]

Come with me then, we will go to where my mother and I are staying. And after you have eaten, I will come and help you check on them.

Re: action

[digophelia]

[ It is her natural reaction to be weary of strangers, at first. She does a strange circle around her, so that she's beside her. She hates it when people are behind her or take lead for many reasons. And just because she is a woman, doesn't make Alice less cautious. She is accustomed to being polite, especially when offered food.

Alice does well to remember that this is not London and a meal isn't a prelude to something horrible. ]

Yes, of course. Thank you.

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[silvergift]

[And she lets her, almost understands her. Very few people had been able to go near her, after all, or behind her when she'd last been in Middle Earth. Or even move quickly. So some part of her understands Alice.]

This way then.

[She doesn't walk too quickly and her footsteps remains light and silent but it shouldn't take them too long to get there. Providing Alice isn't too exhausted to keep up.]

It occurs to me that I neglected to introduce myself in my rush to see you fed. I am Celebrían.

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[digophelia]

[ Hilariously enough, while the mare stays, the rabbit follows Alice when it was often the other way around. Eventually, Alice has stopped to pick her up, carrying the rabbit in one hand. She's getting a bit bigger, but still small enough to where she can carry her.

She's tired and still stubborn to walk with her. ]

My name is Alice. Alice Liddell.

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[silvergift]

A pleasure, Alice.

[Celebrían waits while Alice picks up the rabbit, smiling a bit before continuing on. When they get to where they're headed, she lets Alice go in first before heading inside and unpacking everything. It all gets set up neatly and then she she ushers Alice to take a seat.]

Re: action

[digophelia]

[ She watches her every move like the overly cautious person she is. She really cannot recall the last time she had dinner with someone else that wasn't a child outside of Redgate. But unlike that time, Celebrian was one person, so it makes it slightly easier for Alice to take the seat. The rabbit isn't going anywhere, she's resting comfortably in Alice's lap. ]

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[silvergift]

[And she still doesn't mind it. It's strange, really, how much she can relate to this girl so she doesn't object to the caution. Not even to how the rabbit sits in her lap, though she would have objected to it when her children were still children.]

Is there anything you like best to drink with your meal?

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[digophelia]

I am fine with water, thank you.

[ She looks down at her plate, unsure if she can really take it yet. She had done the same in the welcoming hall, unsure of whether or not to take a dish. Food was so scarce, that it made her feel guilty to even eat it here. Surely there would be some sort of repercussion if she ate it. Alice doesn't lift her fork without any verbal go ahead, no matter how hungry she is. ]

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[silvergift]

If you are sure.

[She smiles a bit and gets her a glass of water, setting it down within Alice's reach before taking a seat nearby. It almost hurts to see Alice, or any child, like this. To see anyone hesitate at an offered meal when they clearly need it. And when they know that they need it.] No need to wait on my account.

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[digophelia]

[ Alice hesitates a bit longer before carefully taking up a loaf of bread before she feigns off any disbelief that food like this could be real. No, she's really never had anything outside of bread that she changes her mind and takes up a fork. The first few bites are completely awkward, slow and savoring. It's been a very long time and Alice eventually works up the confidence she's forgone table manners because she's that hungry and hasn't had a meal outside of soup and bread for years. ]