The flames on my skin to wash all bad away.

[digophelia]

CHARACTERS: Alice Liddell [OPEN]
DATE: November 1st through 5th
WARNINGS: Depends on who approaches her and how things go!
SUMMARY: A few days after Halloween, Alice checks in on the children left in her care and receives an unexpected gift. Optional prompts inside!



A - COMMONER'S DISTRICT, 1ST - 4TH

[ Making good on her word, Alice seeks out some of the children out on the street, playing or attempting to steal from those out on the streets. The ground was littered with trash and the city looked to be beautiful once -- in a way, it was exactly like Whitechapel, London. Alice had found a suitable spot in the Commoner's District, with a few of them sitting with her in a spot that wasn't littered. The children were at least able to give her a better insight of the deep divide between goblins and humans, the history of this land. For the first time since she arrived in Odette, she was learning more and more about her surroundings, after boarding herself at Abel Inn for several days and hardly coming out.

Small children rarely went out by themselves in Whitechapel, unlike here. Even with the knowledge of bandits and thieves, Alice braved it with her knife tucked in a sheathe, of the sort, almost like a sword. Under lanterns and in a clearing that was well lit, she sat there with five children, exchanging a story after they told her of the beautiful queen, Odette.

For once, Alice was in her absolute element, visibly happy with little children and entertaining them with bits of Wonderland and the Queen of Hearts. ]

"Stuff and nonsense!" I said, "The idea of having the sentence first!"

"Hold your tongue!" And the Queen of Hearts turned purple, like a beat! "Off with her head!" the Queen shouted at the top of her voice. Nobody moved, not a soul in the court. Everyone was afraid of losing their head.

"Who cares for you?" I said, and I returned to my full size! "You're nothing but a pack of cards!"

[ It was nonsensical to adults, but the children listening to her seemed to be thrilled with it, giggling at the mental image of a purple-faced queen and Alice gesturing with her story of the Queen of Hearts and all of the court dissolving into a pack of cards. ]


B - ABEL INN, NOVEMBER 5TH, BEFORE THE STORM OF THE CASTLE

[ It was easy to remember it.

Alice counted six days after Halloween, each time, with a heavy heart. Officially, it had been twelve years since that faithful night. She would spend each of those nights, crying herself to sleep, shutting herself off to the world. But come the "day" of November 5th, Alice emerged before she departed from the Inn.

It had to be a sign.

Alice was looking at her signature white and blue dress, with blue metal gleaming under the dull light of the inn. With her books and drawings laying on her bed, Alice held pieces of the armor, bit by bit, as if to get a feel for it, softly murmuring to herself. She dreamed of knights, ever since she was a child. Of white and red chess pieces, and of the last white knights and pawns of the Pale Realm fighting with her in Queensland.

But never did she dream of wearing armor. Like Joan of Arc, she thinks, grateful that it allows her a bit of modesty of wearing a skirt instead of trousers. Plates of metal on her side and encasing her slender torso, the weight of it felt strange. Odd. She was used to bustles and petticoats, but not armor.

Almost like a child on Christmas morning, she walked around in it, outside of the inn, eagerly pacing in it. Turning on a heel, Alice twisted her hip to see what it felt like if she moved swiftly enough with armor on. Blue, silver, and white, gleaming through a flutter of butterflies as Alice landed on her feet. With a heavy sigh, Alice looked at her hands. Her eagerness fades quickly, as reality pulled her back into the world again, and out of memories of the Pale Realm, remembering that this was the very night her home had burned to ashes. ]

Why on earth do I have this? I'm no knight.

Comments

B ...

[naturallywavy]

Oi, ooooi. What is that? I don't see a young lady down there, all I see is a Silver Saint. What are you doing here of all places?

<sub>[ Gintoki is, indeed, making a reference to Saint Seiya, but there is a different sort of tone in his voice this morning. He sounds more awake and energetic— one could probably think that he was even happy even if his gaze remained appearing lifeless and disinterested.
He is also perched on the rooftop of the inn when Alice emerges out of it. Yep. Just chilling out up there.

His legs are dangerously hanging over the side, and, his chronic nose-picking has begun once more as his index finger finds its way in his right nostril. ]</sub>

[digophelia]

[ Alice stops in her steps, glancing back up at Gin, who happens to be on a roof. Never mind that split moment of confusion as to why or how he got up there, Alice snaps her head up, ignoring the slow crawl of something on her cheeks. Her response is to pat the sides of her face as she throws him her usual puzzled face. ]

I beg your pardon?

[ Silver Saint? That makes her face turn a small shade of pink and because Alice is not accustomed to becoming visibly flustered, she assumes it's hair in her face and starts pushing her hair frantically back. ]

Well, I don't know what it is, I didn't ask for armor, but I have it.

[ Alice kicks the ground, pulling her hands back behind her back and begins her usual rock on her feet. ]

I wanted to see what it felt like.

[naturallywavy]

<sub>[ He got a present too. You're not alone.

Gintoki stands up to his feet, placing his bokuto tip on the rooftop. His hands curve along the very end of the hilt on top of each other before his cheek rests on top of his knuckles and keeps his gaze focused on her from above. It's a wooden sword with some kind of writing on the hilt; wasn't he fighting with a real sword previously? Wouldn't this be a downgrade?

There's a bit of fondness in his eyes, again, like when he first noticed the children. ]</sub>

Ah, the typical attire of a warrior. You want to know what it feels like? Cut the crap.
Feeling like a warrior has nothing to do with what is on the outside.
It has everything to do with what is on the inside.

_{[ He wants to say: 'so you should already know what that feels like,' but that's a bit much, considering he is just basing the statement off of what he has observed about Alice here. ]}

[digophelia]

[ Alice, who has been in her room reading about knights and kings for the past couples of days, has her mind filled with images.

What it feels like on the inside her says. She's still not sure what that feels like, too. ]

I am not that much of a warrior or a knight, I'm none of those things.

[ Alice would even say she isn't that great with children, too, despite her care days before. She tilts her head at his wooden sword, curious as to why he has it. For all of his oddities, Gin at least seems to know a thing or two about being a warrior, unlike Alice. ]

I did what to know what it feels like, I always heard it was heavy to wear armor. It's about half-true, really. I don't think I deserve it, too, truth be told.

1.3

[naturallywavy]

_{[ Gintoki would admit that he is (well, was) a warrior, but not so easily can admit he was (and is) a hero.
He pulls his weight off of his bokuto and lifts it to his shoulder, allowing the hilt to rest against his body. ]}

I would say you were those children's knight when everyone was fighting. Ah, well, you're in shining armor now. Better late than never.

<sub>[ Gintoki reaches the very edge of the building, almost like he's about to jump, and looks around. He mutters. ]

... Ah, how do I get down.</sub>

2.3

[naturallywavy]

_{[ ... brb.
Turning around and taking the staircase. Give him a minute. ]}

3.3

[naturallywavy]

_{[ And there he is, approaching her and standing by her side. ]}

What is this? Did Satan Clause come early this year?
_{[ Yeah, Satan Clause. ]}

B!

[babbylon]

[The day held no special occasion for Gilgamesh himself. He'd simply grown restless and taken to wandering the streets once he had his fill of wine and women. Eventually he finds his footsteps drifting back to the inn, back to where Alice made her home. Perhaps he misses the girl; perhaps he's waiting for a chance to apologize, rare for the King of Heroes but not unheard of. Or perhaps she's just the best way to relieve boredom that he's found.

Whatever the case, when he sees her spinning in that shining armor, Gilgamesh can only stare at first. He's reminded of another, of the true King of Knights, so splendid with her sword and her golden hair and her blue-and-silver plate. He's a little in love watching Alice and it's hard to hide it. He doesn't exactly blend into a crowd, after all. He does emerge from the corner after a while, knowing Alice would not like it if she caught him spying.

At her bewilderment, Gilgamesh smiles and simply provides:]

You are as you wish to be, Alice.

[A knight, a queen, or anything in between.]

[digophelia]

[ It shouldn't be much of a surprise she doesn't seem to notice him. As a little girl, it was not uncommon for her to retreat to her imagination with her toy hobby horse and pretend she was apart of those stories. The days she would freely trot around the Liddell estate, off in her own world. Even as an adult, it's easy for her to completely lose herself in her thoughts, though, thankfully with sleep, her hallucinations aren't wracking her mind, tonight.

Ironic, despite the welt of pain in her heart. She flinches, of course, and Alice's first instinct when startled is to pull out the vorpal blade on reflex.

Though, once she sees it's Gilgamesh, she does lower it, just a bit, but not without the weapon tightly gripped in her hand. Alice is out of her moment of eagerness and centered back into reality. She doesn't bother pulling her long, dark hair out of her face, as a strange sensation crawls on her cheeks. Alice has no idea what fluster feels like and turns away. ]

That is not what I wish to be.

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh no longer minds that blade being turned upon him. He recognizes it as a safety net, a means of security for Alice. It's not a threat. It was never one to begin with, just a girl lashing out to protect herself as she'd been forced to do. Because kind touch was never given to me, she'd said. Gilgamesh did not forget it. Gilgamesh would never forget it.]

Then what?

[He challenges her with a straightforward sort of statement, approaching slowly and to the side as he'd learn to do with her. He relaxes his posture and softens his voice and does not look at her directly, as he'd treat a scared animal.]

If you are to fight, would you not wish for better protection? Have you not been given a great gift?

[Though he will dare, just a little.]

It looks splendid on you.

[digophelia]

[ Her mind still filled with stories of knights and warriors, Alice feels surprisingly smaller than she had been before. She wasn't one of many skills or strengths, in her opinion, who could barely keep herself composed most days. Worst of all, no one really knew how fragile her mind had been, since arriving in Odette. Tormented and wracked with guilt, Alice really did feel undeserving of such a gift. She pulls at her skirt, and shakes her head "no".

Naturally, she wasn't going to verbally express she didn't feel like she needed that protection. Her fighting had all bordered on nearly suicidal and very reckless. Alice would say she didn't care about her own well being, unlike others. ]

It should have been given to someone much more suitable than to someone like me, simply put.

[ A compliment? Well, Alice doesn't respond to that, she simply turns her head away, letting her hair completely mask her face. ]

[babbylon]

What does "someone like you" even mean? Have you ever stopped to think about it?

[Gilgamesh pauses a comfortable distance away, but hits hard with that question. What does it mean to you? His eyes do look to hers now, insistent and intense. It would be a shame to let such beautiful armor go to waste simply because the wearer did not know how to bear it, or did not want to.

As expected, once again this has already proven interesting.]

Have you ever stepped outside yourself to gaze into that mirror? The looking glass of your soul. It shows everything. And I believe it would show you—such a brave young woman who faces the world as she must. To take up the sword and shield, to stand tall in the face of danger. Is that not you?

[She can try to ignore his praise, but this time it comes through particularly strong. It is not so easy to shrug off from the King of Heroes.]

A, nov 2nd

[strictdiscipline]

[With how rapidly tensions have been rising of late, particularly after the newly revealed deaths of just a few days prior, Riza's surprised to stumble across a small bubble of peace on the streets in the form of the young lady she'd met her first day in Odette, surrounded by a circle of enraptured children. She pauses, one ear tilted towards Alice as she takes in the tale being put together. It's something of a bizarre story - "off with her head"? - but the children seem to be enjoying themselves well enough so Riza deigns to comment, attributing the tale instead to differences in culture and background.

She keeps to the side, not speaking up until Alice draws the story to a conclusion and a few of the children start to scatter and play amongst themselves. (Most of them loiter behind, small voices crying out for another story.) A smile's offered with her words.]

The children seem quite fond of you.

[It'll be a shame when they have to leave this place.]

[digophelia]

[ She does what she can to end it on a happy note, of Alice waking back up to her sister scolding her for dozing off during a history lesson. The Queen of Hearts court dissolving into a pack of cards and Alice was back home. She would even assure children that the Queen of Hearts liked to threaten execution, but really never meant it. It seemed to be a nice contrast between the stories of the Queen Odette. She does let them go, not without telling them to come back to her, when they want her, for more stories of Wonderland.

But not surprisingly, Alice doesn't see herself to be good with children and doesn't think they should be fond of her. ]

Oh, well... I wanted to see that they were fine after taking them back to their homes.

[ The orphans, at least, she wanted to see if they were happy and healthy. ]

[strictdiscipline]

[For the most part, they circle around her, wide eyes casting glances at the stiffness of her back and the lack of humor across her face. She's never been good with children, too focused on her own personal goals to pay them much mind, but she considers them important all the same, the leading hope for generations to come. It's admirable to see others doing what she can't, and it's nice to see Alice with some of her guard lowered.]

They all seem to be doing just fine. [From what she knows of kids, at least.] Were any of their parents caught up in the brawl, do you know?

[For all she knows, they're simply playing away from home, having grown bored of having a neglectful parent as their only company.]

[digophelia]

Some of them have.

[ After speaking with them and careful care, Alice has come to learn that they're a mixed batch. Maybe it's easier for her to speak to children, since oftentimes Alice clings to some of her childhood visions of Wonderland. Still, the situation with the children upsets her and she wishes she could do more than just tell stories.

A lot more. A roof of their their heads, to see that they're well-fed, and secure. One thing she's learned from the children from Houndsditch was showing grief was something the children often picked up on. Her relationship with them was far more harsh and difficult than the children on the street. She manages a strained smile. ]

It doesn't seem like there's many things for children to do for fun in Odette. What a shame! No parks, playgrounds, or toys.

[strictdiscipline]

[Riza's never given deep thought to the particular circumstances surrounding the children of Odette. The overall situation with the missing sun and the rising tensions, certainly, but those were things applicable to everyone in the town and far from the every day troubles of the younger generation.

Alice's thoughtful comment gives her pause, gaze going back to the myriad kids playing amongst themselves, and for the first time she notices the lack of dolls and toy trains, and the subsequent heavy reliance on playing games with their hands or nearby surroundings.]

I never realized. [The words are murmured, more of a personal discovery rather than anything requiring comment.] No one's ever thought to build them some sort of playground for the kids here? There's space enough for one.

A - if you're okay with the lateness!

[jamminshield]

[Steven happened to be wandering by when Alice was telling her story, and he beamed as he recognized it.]

Ooh - a classic! I love this one! [So he'll just sit in and cheer with the other kids.]

haha no it's all good. school and work keep me slow

[digophelia]

A classic?

[ Poor Alice, she's largely oblivious to Wonderland, still, outside of telling stories to children and after what Gilgamesh has told her. But her surprise is short lived until a little girl pulls on her hand, asking her what happens next. ]

Oh! Well, nothing really happened next, I woke up with my sister and she scolded me for falling asleep during our lessons.

[ She's mindful not to forget Steven, glancing up at him with a smile. ]

Hello, again.

Thanks!! Oh and let me know if it's not cool to assume they exchanged names

[jamminshield]

[He just nods at the classic part. And then as she greets him, he smiles and waves back.]

Hey Alice! You're pretty great at this storytelling business, you know.

How've you been?

SURE. go wild

[digophelia]

[ It's hard not to give him a smile as the small group of children divert their attention to him, asking Alice "who is that?" ]

Hello, Steven. Well, I would hope so. I don't mean to brag, but I've always had an active imagination.

[ She scoots aside, leaving a place for him to sit, if he so chooses. ]

You don't have to stand, you know.

A - one day I'll reply to things at a time an ordinary person would, maybe

[troublebusted]

[Somehow, it seems like there's a bigger kid in the audience than when it started. (With a bigger gap than it might necessarily seem.)

Nico'd come out to hand out fliers advertising some upcoming concert she has planned - not on her own, as she doesn't have unexpected knife skills unlike some people. Bolin's nearby, but she also got him to hand out another stack of fliers. Multitasking! He's close enough that she feels like she can call him over with the network if she gets in trouble.

At first, she's almost out of earshot, accosting passerby with a bright, cheerful, and perhaps a touch too cutesy voice and handing them the fliers. She notices the nearby scene and smiles - it's a nice sight - but initially she doesn't pay it much mind. However, as she overhears the story, it catches her interest. Slowly, she starts to drift over in the direction of the clearing to hear it better and as she gets more into the story, she pays less attention to handing out fliers and more to the story. She attempts to be subtle about moving closer and closer, ending up standing just a couple meters behind the kids, but since her clothes include a bunch of bright pink and by this point her expression is very obviously changing based on how things are going in the story, she's probably not very stealthy about it.]

are you kidding she's a weirdo magnet

[digophelia]

That's all for now, I'm sorry. Though, I can come back tomorrow and tell you all about the looking glass.

[ Alice story concludes with how she remembers how she woke up after coming out of Wonderland, right next to her sister. She still remembers her sister scolding her for not paying attention to her lesson and humored by her story of falling through rabbit hole.

All of that through a rabbit hole; that's something the children can't seem to let go of, and they keep asking how she fell through it. ]

I didn't realize my audience was growing.

[ She manages a soft smile when she glances up to see the other girl, dressed in pink. How cute, she thinks. ]

even for weird players like me (and nico is also weird even if she doesn't compare to the gi*s)

[troublebusted]

[She's nodding a little to herself as she listens to the rabbit hole questions (it seems like a good question to her as well) when - eep! She actually does squeak a little when Alice notices her - or, rather, makes it obvious that she has already noticed. (How could she have noticed? It's not like her outfit is decidedly unfit for stealth.)

She laughs awkwardly and looks away slightly, trying to pretend she wasn't absorbed in the story nearly as much as the rest of the audience - she's a grown 17-year-old, not a kid!]

A-ah, well, you know, I was in the area and so I just - was curious about the crowd!

[She looks down, eyes moving back and forth a bit, as she mumbles]

And the story was kind of interesting, I guess....

[And then, back to normal volume:]

Do you come out to tell stories to the kids here often?

haha she's used to it

[digophelia]

Sometimes I do tell them stories. Other times I play with them, too.

[ She thinks the outfit is adorable, wearing something equally just as frilly as she sits there, her dress splayed out. She looks surprised, until her expression fades into a soft smile. ]

I'm glad for that -- you should have came in earlier, I was just about to wrap up this story!