entranceway | M e s s a g e 3 8

[The first thing anyone sees, even before the person posting...is a little pig, in one of the tea rooms. It snuffles and sniffles and sweeps the room for signs of danger, and once it is satisfied it trots away.

Then in a blink, Alice is standing in the middle of the room, pig cradled in her arms. And for the first time ever on the network, her face has wide blue eyes. She's a bit frantic, but otherwise unharmed.]

I think I'm starting to get used to doing that on purpose... Ah, hello everyone! It's...been some time, hasn't it?

[Even Alice can't seem to hide the fact that it's rather awkward to suddenly have eyes when she did not before. The pig squirms and she lets it down, as she's discovered it's wisest to listen to what the Duchess' pig wants.]

I'm so sorry to interrupt everything, but I need to warn you all! Something-- something terrible is going to happen soon! I don't want to cause anyone alarm, but it may very well be the worst thing that's ever happened to you.

[It's all distressing, and Alice crouches down to the pig's level so she can play with it's ears absently as she talks. It lets her.]

I'm afraid I still can't explain how I know, and the details are...rather distressing. But I promise, I'd never lie to all of you! I could never!

[She's adamant about that much at least. Even if her message isn't clear, there's more clarity in the way she speaks about it - she understands the importance of these messages now, in a way she'd forgotten for so long.]

Please, everyone. Take care of yourselves this weekend. I think it may be all you can do.

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Sure thing. Just let me know when.

[ He isn't going to assume that she means 'now,' but... ]

Well now, of course! Who knows how long I'll be around this time? I certainly don't!

[She's already stealthily heading for the gardens as they speak.]

Good point. I'll see you soon.

[ And he's there as quickly as he can be, though (unsurprisingly) Alice arrives first. ]

Hey. [ Sam offers, not getting too close, in case she's as skittish as some of her fellows. ] You okay?

[Alice isn't skittish, but the Duke immediately goes over to investigate, sniffing at Sam's feet. The piglet seems to be okay with him though, and eventually trots back to Alice's side.]

I'm okay, for the time being. It's very good to see you again!

Hey. [ Sam offers gently when the pig approaches, chuckling as it scurries back to Alice. ]

It's good to see you, too. Glad you're okay.

[ ... Well, without further ado, then. Sam removes the angel blade from his jacket, the one he'd gotten to try and stop the Jabberwocky (and failed). The one he'd given to Evie to try and keep her safe (and failed).

Maybe Alice will be luckier. ]

This is for you. I'm not sure it'll work against the Queen, but... it's a powerful weapon. I hope it'll help protect you.

[Despite her long stay in Wonderland, Alice has not often wielded weapons. More often than not in events, someone had tried to protect her. The last time she had used one had been the vorpal sword, in the brief time when she had been Queen, and it was much too large for her. It was heavy in weight and heavy in responsibility, and she simply could not do it.

This blade feels just right in her hand though. Small enough for a small girl, and dangerous enough to protect her if needed. Perhaps not from the Jabberwock, but certainly enough for anyone else who might try to harm her...at least, she hopes so.]

It's certainly worth a try.

[She'll have to get a belt or something else to put the blade in,
but for now she gently lays the blade at her feet so she can give Sam a tight hug without worry about what to do with her hands.]

Thank you, Sam. I'll take very good care of it, I promise. And good care of myself as well!

Edited 2017-12-05 05:47 (UTC)

[ He's surprised when she sets the blade down, and more surprised when she gives him a hug. This is the mythical Alice, after all: a character from the Wonderland narrative that has previously seemed flimsy enough that you might never see her in person. Yet, here she is, giving a hug, and she seems pretty real.

Sam can't remember the last hug he got, let alone from a kid. Despite himself, it's pretty heartwarming, and he chuckles quietly before giving her a bit of a hug back... as best he can, being a thousand times her height. ]

You're welcome. [ He replies. ] With that and, uh - the Duke? You should be better off than ever.

[ God, he hopes so. ]

M e s s a g e 3 8

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