voidtreckernet | Following that other one... [video]

[ It can be a first for both of them! Despite having years and years more life experience, Alice sure hasn't had the opportunity to ever have anything like a blanket fort..

Though the last thing that the other girl says makes her frown. Not angrily - thoughtfully. She's trying hard to calm down so she can say something useful here. ]

.. Alice, you remember that poem, right? The one about the Jabberwock? It was slightly difficult, but I know you must've read it. [ Because she remembers reading it herself when she was that age. ]

I have it memorized, Miss Alice. Why do you ask? Did you wish for me to recite it?

[ She shakes her head. ]

No, that's quite alright. It's just.. I am the person in that poem.

[ Well. Technically not, since she didn't kill the Jabberwock under those specific circumstances. But it's better to explain it this way rather than have to tell this younger Alice the full horrific story.. ]

I've slain the Jabberwock. I can't imagine the entity threatening us here to be much worse than that. So if he tries to do anything to you whatsoever, know I will be there to protect you.

You're very brave, Miss Alice. [Alice swallows. Does that mean she's to slay the beast when she's older?] I wish I were as brave as you.

[She feels so terribly scared of so many things, more here than before. She's still scared of the dark, she's now scared of the nasty phantom monster man, she's scared of being left on a planet and no one noticing, she's scared of never going home again, she's scared of not being helpful on this train...

She hates this train so very much, but she's utterly terrified of getting off on a platform lest it not be home.]

You're brave too. You just don't see it.

[ Okay, so maybe the younger Alice isn't exactly 'go and fight a horrible monster' material.. but that's fine. It's better for her to be that way, actually. Alice would trade just about anything to be able to go back to the way she used to be before she was forced to harden up enough to be able to fight without fear like that.

And while she hates sharing her feelings, she figures this is one of those moments where she has to. If not just to make things clearer to the younger Alice. ]

Besides, I fear things as well. I fear not being able to protect you when you need it the most. Like how I couldn't stop you from having to witness all this.

[Alice would be the sort to "go find and befriend a horrible monster" material, but in this place, that's not an option.]

You get scared?

[As Alice went on to say what scared her, she gave a small nod.] I don't wish for you to be scared about what I see. But I think I would be more upset not knowing what's going on... Or well, I'm not sure. I think I'm well, not happier knowing about the scary monster man, but I think I would be more worried about everyone talking about this and what was going on. [Alice did so hate being ignorant.]

[ She sucks in a deep breath, and although there's something faintly pained in Alice's expression when it shifts, there's something fond at its edges as well. Of course she'd say that. They both do hate being kept in the dark, even when it'd be for the better, huh.. ]

I understand.

[ She gently moves her hand over the other girl's hair, smoothing it down. ]

But I.. I still wish to protect you from seeing things that are too difficult to watch. [ There's the slightest hesitation, but then she decides to just be open about why. There's no other convincing argument she could use against herself. She knows Alice's mind too well. ] I have.. been through some really, really awful things, Alice.

[ Even though she'd rather not elaborate on what. Especially not right now. ]

That's why I absolutely want to keep you from having to go through the same. I want to keep things right for you.

[She let out a breath, as if she was exhaling the air the older one had inhaled. She reached out and hugged herself closer to the older girl, wanting to protect her and chase away the pain the way the older girl did for her.]

Alright.

[A breath, and then.]

I'm sorry you went through awful things, Miss Alice. [She looked up at her.]I hope being here is better than the awful things back home.

[ The way the other girl clings to her so tightly makes the corners of her mouth tug up just a tiny bit, even though it's a wry smile. ]

Do you want to know a secret, Alice? [ She lowers the volume of her voice, as if to make sure it's really just audible for the two of them while they're this close. ] A major reason why I don't mind being here is since I get to see you. It's been a blessing to be here with you. I.. almost forgot. What I used to be like.

[ It's bittersweet in a way, since it reminds her of all the things she lost, everything that changed about her. But Alice is such a sweet, precious presence all the same. ]

But you remind me by always so wonderfully trying your best.

Miss Alice, I have a secret too. [She lowered her voice.] I don't know I would be as happy if you weren't here either. I'll say something and it's wonderful to be instantly understood. [The other adults and children meant well, but Alice was well aware she was an odd child. She got told it often enough that she assumed it must simply be a fact.]

[ "Then I'm glad I'm at least doing something good," she almost says, but decides last minute that that might just be a little too dark to say to someone as sweet and pure as her younger self. So instead she just says: ]

I'm glad.

[ And she does mean that. ]

Now, shall we go sit down somewhere here? Perhaps I get us a cup of tea. [ Just to make things feel a bit more normal after today's crazy happenings. ]

I shall never say not a cup of tea. [Alice would never call it a "cuppa" her mother would have been absolutely aghast at the slang.]

Following that other one... [video]

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