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

[livedtwice]

I think I may know precisely who that is. He seems like the type to leave someone with a lot of children. I bet he had a pretty good excuse for it, too. [He pauses, looking rueful.] Or will, if you haven't heard it yet.

I'm really willing to help. I'm certain they have somewhere to go. And honestly, I think it's better that we do that than try to worry about them ourselves. We don't know how long we'll be here. [So the sooner the better.]

[digophelia]

Ah. [ Well, now she genuinely feels conflicted about this. He hasn't exactly gotten on her better side and she's already struck out against him with her knife. Alice drops her shoulders, with a tired sigh. ] I have yet to hear it and I hope that I do, outside of a drunken stupor.

I really do enjoy children and I would love to help them, but yes, our presence here could be very limited. And it's very difficult to care for more than four on your own. Any sort of help is deeply appreciated, Harry, truly.

[livedtwice]

When—or how—did you end up with them, anyway? Both of those might give me some clarity in where we're supposed to bring them. But we might just want to take them to the police. They aren't the most ... competent individuals, but they'll know about missing children.

[And hopefully, the children won't disappear for some kind of sacrifice.]

[digophelia]

I came back and they were here, where I was staying. I believe some of them were wandering around during that fight. There were native children out there, alongside adult bystanders and some of them do look familiar to me.

[ Alice drops her gaze to her hands, weakly admitting- ]

Competent or not, they need someone well-rested and more than one person. And hopefully, they will have a place to go. Regardless, I will ask him, to see what he says. He has to be coherent enough to answer that.

[livedtwice]

They might just not know how to get home, then. It's possible that their parents were locked up, but they should be out now. The people who didn't escape were let out with some time that passed. [He talks freely about the escape on here, but that's only because Harry doubts that any of the city officials will ever gain access to ALASTAIR's network.

Of course, he could be wrong, but he's working on that right now. Otherwise, they would have a better idea on why the outsiders are there. He thinks it's a safe assumption.]

And regardless of what our drunken friend might have to say, I'll be by to help them to the station.

[digophelia]

Yes, of course.

[ Alice will still badger Ban as to why and what he knows about the children. Not only for what has transpired, but the matter of leaving children in her care is personal. She's letting what has happened in London cloud her children.

And as soon as Alice realizes that, she snaps out of her thoughts. ]

Then we can help them get home safely. Regardless, it's never good for children so young to be without adults. There will always be adults out there who have less than good intentions helping children. That would be the best course of action, I think, gather the ones who have had parents jailed and take them home, and if the ones less fortunate, well...

The police, as you suggested.

[livedtwice]

I hope my faith isn't misplaced in them, but we should have a better idea once we drop them off.

[Harry hopes that they aren't without homes, because he knows what it's like to be someone without family in a situation like the one here. Oh, he has family, but much of it was fostered in time (and lost, too, because he's experienced a great deal of loss).]

[digophelia]

I feel the same way.

[ The police in Whitechapel, London, aren't the most forthcoming and noble. After being left in horrendous care herself, Alice takes it as a personal mission to make sure these children are left in good care. ]

You have my deepest gratitude, Harry. Not many would be willing to spare time, let alone resources for children.

[ In London, anyway. ]

They're all here with me at the inn. You may come any time you please.

[livedtwice]

It's really no problem. And I think you'll find that among us, there are definitely people willing to help children.

[Ban just isn't one of them.]

1/2

[digophelia]

Some, yes.

[ She shouldn't be surprised or disappointed by this, really. It's the same story, no matter where she is. ]

Cruelty knows no bounds. Give me a moment or so, to see what I can find and what the children say.

[ Alice rise on her feet, gathering up her skirts as she does so. ]

[digophelia]

[ After ten or so minutes of unexpected silence, Alice comes back into view, looking visibly discouraged. The explanation provided to her wasn't good enough for her and the children's responses was not what she expected. ]

I was not provided with much information -- no, surprise, really.

[ She tries to not let upset her as much as it does. The children's plight is too much for her to ignore. ]

Some of them do have homes, thankfully, some do not. I'm leading them out tonight and will be seeking the help of others, alongside two. I'll see if I can check in on the orphans another time. Hopefully.

[livedtwice]

Even the orphans should have a place. [Being an orphan himself, he assumes that they have family, or people who can be reached. But Odette is very different from England, so he knows there's a chance that he's wrong.]

I'm still coming with you. I don't mind at all.

[digophelia]

I know. And hopefully, it is a good place.

[ Parts of Odette remind her very much of Whitechapel, London, she knows. ]

Good. Then I shall start preparing them. You are welcome to come at Abel Inn, the room is 204, I believe.

[livedtwice]

I'll see you soon, then.

[And then he ends the transmission, partly because he's on his way.]

[digophelia]

Thank you, Harry.

[ ooc; I forgot to say, we I am for handwaving or logging it out. Your pick! ]

[livedtwice]

You're welcome.

[ooc: NORMALLY I WOULD BE GAME but I am making the ill-advised choice of doing Nano late w/o hiatusing so I need to balance my tag load!]

[digophelia]

[ ooc; no worries, seriously. i just feel bad for being so slow ;o;!! but good luck to you and your nano! ]