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

username: Big Kitty

[evasively]

[ well, he has no idea how she got into that situation so he can't answer that, but -- ]

That little one seems to be fond of you. [ There's an amused chuckle. ] Were you a teacher or some sort back in 'London'?

[digophelia]

I was the maid and matron to an orphanage back in London to the same amount of children.

[ Alice adds while rubbing her head- ]

Their laundry, food, and tending to them in many other ways.

[evasively]

I see. That would explain why you seem be good with children. [ Through the video feed, Fai attempts to capture the young child's attention, giving her a little wave. His smile softens as he looks at the other children, indicating that he's someone quite fond of kids. ]

But it mustn't be easy at all, running an orphanage ...

[digophelia]

[ The children do wave back and offer up a an enthusiastic "HELLO!" in between the sprinting and jumping. ]

It's not easy to run an orphanage, no, especially in that location and whom we were housed with.

[ She won't go into too many details, of course. ]

Suffice to say, after that, it would be better to care for five or six children, at the most, not twenty.

[evasively]

[ Fai laughs, looking more and more endeared. He greets them back. ]

Are you going to need any help? They look like quite the handful!

[digophelia]

This many children? Yes, I would need assistance. I would like to sleep, eventually.

[evasively]

Where have you taken shelter? I could lend a hand, at least. It doesn't look like you'll be able to manage so many on your own.

[digophelia]

As much as I would like to, I never could.

[ She's being honest. There were no other caregivers in Houndsditch, just her. It was exhausting and she barely slept. ]

Currently, I'm staying at the inn, just down the end of the main street.

[evasively]

[ He's glad she's willing to accept the help. It does look like she's by herself, and there was no way she would be able to handle all those children on her own. Not to mention, she would have to keep them safe from intruders. ]

I'll make my way over. [ And a pause, before he realises he had forgotten his manners. ] Ah! And you may call me Fai!

[digophelia]

Thank you.

[ Oh. This is one of the men she was hoping to run into eventually. Sakura's caregivers... she wanted to assess them, just to make sure that they were trustworthy. She hides it well, her concerns, and moves past her initial double take with a nod -- an affirmation that she's heard him.

Discussing Sakura's safety is a conversation she wants in person, not over this thing. ]

How do you do, Mr. Fai, I am Alice Liddell.

video -> action?

[evasively]

That's quite a pretty name. [ a pretty name for a pretty girl tbh ] It's very nice to meet you, Alice!

I'm currently around the area, so it won't take me very long to get there. We can continue this conversation then.

[ And maybe a good 20-30 minutes later, she'll get a knock at the door. ]

action

[digophelia]

[ a knock at the door earns a chorus of small children screaming "DOOR!" but not anything Alice cannot handle. Weeding her way through various little heads, Alice greets him with a soft voice. ]

Hello.