eachdraidh | video; open to both courts

[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...!

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[ She's almost tempted to quip that she is far from a child, but Alice is far too hungry to care at this rate. After a while, the pain is dulling and Alice is getting her nourishment.

The rabbit, at least, gets a leaf since Alice is very open about sharing her food with the animals around her. Even as Alice made a point to slow down her consumption, she's nearly done and feels incredibly guilty for eating so much. ]

It's fine. I mean- thank you.

[ She thinks, even as she tries her damndest to avoid the puzzled look on her face. ]

[Everyone is a child compared to her, Alice. And Celebrían herself could almost still be a child compared to her mother or Maglor.

She's glad she's getting a proper meal though. And she considers finding something for the rabbit too until Alice shares some of her meal. And she means what she says when she offers to make sure Alice is kept fed.]

You are welcome.

[ And Alice is finished and fallen silent again, because there really is nothing she can think of to thank her for the kind gesture. She feels guilty and if there was one thing she did as a child, it was clam up. The only thing that can be heard now is the rabbit munching on her own leaf. Even Sophie won't have a full stomach -- or at least she hopes. The rabbit is a nice distraction and support when Alice manages not to be awkward. ]

I guess rabbits really do like spinach.

[ She breaks the silence because she feels that it is an obligation not to be rude. ]

[It's true that it is an awkward silence. Celebrían hasn't been around children, human children, in some time. And never in a situation like the one they found themselves in.]

Rabbits are good animals. Does she like carrots? I can slice some up for her.

[ Eventually, from underneath the table and Alice's lap, comes two little white ears.

Of a very, very fluffy white rabbit. Sophie doesn't move or budge, she seems to know what the conversation entails, sniffing her nose and plopping back on Alice's lap now that she's not standing on her hind legs.

They have a good relationship, these two, Alice would like to carry her everywhere now that she's not at Redgate. ]

I don't think she would object from the looks of it.

[How cute! And she's glad that Alice has a companion, especially one so adorable. Maybe in the future, that will help her to make sure Alice eats. Or for Alice to keep herself fed so well as she will the rabbit.]

Diced carrots it is then.

[She smiles and gathers a few already cleaned carrots, quickly cutting them into neat pieces and setting them in a small dish.]

That should be enough to start.

[ Rabbits have an interesting way of eating. She doesn't really wait for Celebrian to say anything when she puts her on the table. Sophie isn't like any other rabbits, after all. She picks up on Alice's emotions and wishes, she keeps herself in one spot, at all times now that Alice seems to hover over her. Diced carrots are good and that much is clear the way the rabbit seems to woof them down like liquid. Alice is resting her head on her palm, as she sits there, right on the table.

The rabbit's chewing has become hypnotic and that is when Alice knows she's tired. She'll wait for the rabbit to finish and then Alice will just excuse herself. ]

I- I apologize, Miss Celebrian.

[ Alice starts to brace herself against the table as the rabbit has finished with her dish and in Alice's arms like an infant. ]

Thank you for the supper. I feel that I must retire for the evening.

[She watches quietly, recognizing the look of sleepiness in Alice's eyes (even if she might deny it when asked directly) and how she leans. Celebrían doesn't expect her to stay awake too much longer.]

You do not need to apologize. [Her voices stays soft, and understanding.]

Are you certain that you will make it back alright. You are welcome to take my bed if you wish.

Elves sleep rarely, I do not need it.

I'm fine.

[ Alice has already scooped up her rabbit, who peers over her shoulder as Alice mutters a 'thank you' to Celebrian. She won't make it that far and that's mostly because Alice's sleeping habits are bizarre, at best. When she was a child, she often sought refuge in imagining herself drinking the shrinking potion, and being small enough to where she won't be found.

The closest she could get to was burrowing underneath a mass of blankets, literally turning it into a cocoon and tightly curled up to where no one can jab at her. It's an old, engraved habit by Alice who learned to act this way from her childhood in Rutledge.

She opts to find a couch for this; thankfully, she's small enough that she doesn't spill over. Alice lets her rabbit do as she pleases and with a small huff, she gives in.

Of course her sleep will be anything but peaceful, but that is nothing new. ]

[And of course Celebrían keeps an eye on her, not wanting to simply let her go without being sure that she'd be alright. Once Alice is asleep, she lightly drapes a soft blanket over her. A pillow might rouse her if she were to try that so she sticks with just the blanket for now.

Maybe when she does wake up, and finds the blanket, she might be a bit more open to being cared for.]