username: butterfly (video, post event)

[digophelia]

[ If it sounds like Alice is daycare, there's a good reason for it. She looks a little tired and very confused. There's a good number of children around her and one decides to plop themselves on her lap.

Oh. Okay. Fine. Deep breaths. ]

Hello, there. Can you stand, just for a minute? It shan't take long, then you can sit in my lap all you want.

[ She shoos him along. Alice heaves a deep sigh, holding her face.] ]

For a small minute, I thought I was back in London. Possibly because I have been around a large number of children, this many, with same limited resources.

I suppose my question is, is there a particular reason why I came back to over a dozen or so children? Not that I mind it, although I wouldn't be opposed to having a bigger space.

[ Yes, when did this happen? Alice has forgotten some tidbits of that fight, after all. ]

Comments

[digophelia]

Not yet, it may be a bit early.

[ Her shoulders sag in response. She knows a few signs of trauma, other than physical. Children are meant to be talkative and playful, though, if the subject comes up, there's plenty of aversion to it. She's sincerely patient, being crawled on, and having one child insistent on sitting on her lap.

At least they're playing around, it could be much worse. ]

Other than the goblins are very scary and they didn't like the fight that much. Children have their own ways of discussing fear, if they chose to.

[ Or they can be like her, and shut down. Alice doesn't want to push them to that. ]

[wright_idea]

...I see. I guess I was hoping that kids would be a little more willing to bridge the gaps, but...

[He rubs his face.]

Sorry, I know that was asking a bit much. It just frustrates me how little solid information there is.

[digophelia]

Why are you apologizing?

[ It's that sincerity that softens her tone. She leans into a jewel with the most gentle voice she can muster. ]

It's alright. Though, children are very truthful and don't have the tendency to lie, they just need more time. Hopefully... At least they're talking and playing. Damaged children aren't nearly as playful and boisterous.

[ She manages a smile. ]

There is that. I'm sure we'll find something.

[wright_idea]

Y...yeah... I hope so. It just makes me sad that the kids are probably too scared of goblins now to make friends with any.

[...Hmm? Is that... no, there's no proof of that right now, right? Nothing to suggest the fight wasn't just a breakout of tension. Still...]

[He seems a little lost in thought.]

[digophelia]

I would say that adults have to be the leading examples and show them not to be afraid, however-

[ Alice trails off in the midst of children around her. Well. She did attack a few, after hurting innocent people. ]

Not until we determined the cause of it.

[wright_idea]

Y...yeah. I guess unless we know where and why it started, we can't really come to any conclusions. I just can't shake the feeling there's something fishy about the whole thing.

Maybe it's just my imagination.

[digophelia]

Then your imagination is very on point. There is something deeply unsettling about the situation, it isn't just you.