Hold me, this world is falling down on me.

[digophelia]

Who: Alice, anyone else at the cottage, open to anyone ever. This is a free for all for anyone here visiting, you can tag whoever.
When: After the last battle, August 22nd
Where: Caissa's coastal district
What: Housewarming! Domestic shenanigans.
Rating: TBA, guessing it could range between general to PG.





[ Anyone that comes to visit this cottage may be greeted by Alice in her usual attire! Anyone's that received an invitation is welcome to visit. Forgive Alice, she's just a little more on edge than usual. She has no idea how to play hostess and may come off unintentionally aloof and very short. It's nothing personal, really. Visitors will be greeted with a scent of fresh flowers and Alice scrambling about trying to decorate the house. The clear solution to this is flowers! Lots and lots flowers. ]

Comments

[digophelia]

[ Unlike him, Alice won't tease him for blushing. He does seem to have a soft glow when he blushes. She supposes that's cute, she's not sure. It makes him still very human, no matter what he's told her about his world, his struggles, and his kingship. It makes Sion a little more approachable than anyone else; it's a vulnerability she can appreciate. ]

Yes, your well-being.

[ She's fully aware of the fact she sounds like a hypocrite. He, too, scolds her for her own well-being and encourages her to have a sense of accomplishment. She sees parts of herself in him and notably, the both of them give up so much of themselves in the process. She hates it, too, there is another part of Sion she sees in him that worries her.

I have enjoyed myself every day since I've met you, and will for as long as I continue to know you.

She isn't sure how to respond to this and eventually, that fluster fades away, as her eyes drop down to his hands, her own neatly in her lap. Will he try again...? Why is she so curious about it to begin with? But Alice moves past those issues as always, by pretending that they don't exist. It comes off aloof, but it's not her intention to be cold to him. ]

Then I suppose I'll just have to look after you more.

[ She's half-joking as she says it to him, even toned as ever. At least he gets somewhat of a smile from Alice. ]

I'm happy with what I have now and I'm happier when my friends are safe and unharmed. As long as this place exists and I can continue to see them, I'm happy.

[ And she is, despite the exhaustion she always wears on her face and how she rarely cracks a smile. Expressing that and how much it pleases her to hear any of this is difficult for her. There is something else, she's just not sure; after saying how much she cared for him, she's unsure how to say "I'm very fond of you". She goes back to her tea, each time, but with no more tea to drink, Alice just sighs to herself and struggles to do something simple: relax. ]

The simple things are the best things, Sion, I hope you remember that, you don't ever need to do anything extravagant.

[sunderings]

[ Simple, is it?

Simple, like the delicate clink! of his teacup set back atop its saucer, its contents still very much untouched. Commonplace, as the small gesture of care when he slowly nudges saucer, teacup, and peach tea all toward Alice in one fluid motion. Unspoken, like so very much between them, but illustrated through action, because I am very fond of you can be said in so plain an offering as a cup of tea given to someone who has run out and is still very much in need of a spot.

No, Sion's hand does not make to find her own (out of respect for her, Alice who has already shown and told him so very much today), but his fingers do drum lightly, playfully atop the counter as he studies her, admiring of the faint traces of her smile. ]

Nothing so extravagant as filling the entirety of house with flowers, hm? [ —though the words are teasing, his voice is at a soft, reflective quiet, colored with all the sentiment he thought he might never again be able to possesses. In so very many ways, she has helped him to reclaim the lost facets of himself, and though he does not know how he ever might able to repay her, he can certainly begin with: ] Our guests will find it so very breathtaking that they'll be bound to return for both an encore, and...

For you, Alice. [ He'll protect her, her happiness, the home which they share. ] This place will always exist wherever we might go, never doubt that.

You and I, our friends... we will always have a place to return to.

[ After the war, fire, and storms, they've more right than anyone to enjoy all that which they've fought for: flowers, and a peaceable afternoon spent in good company. ]

And I am still more than happy to make dessert for those planning to visit this afternoon. There is still time, yet, especially if you should so care to join me.

[digophelia]

[ She's not even sure why she's entertaining the thought of what if he takes her hand again. She shouldn't find herself curious about it after one simple gesture meant to reassure her. She keeps her eyes right on Sion, doing her best to hide all of that. ]

I'm sure that they will return; it's a beautiful location. It is next to the sea, after all.

[ Outside of the garden and flowers, the coastline was Alice's favorite part about the location. Alice decides that's enough tea for today, attributing the anxious feeling to too much tea. Caffiene had that effect on her. ]

I know. It's not the roof over my head that makes a home for me, it's the people I live with.

[ The Liddell house could be standing right now in Oxford but it wouldn't be home without her family. The fire that destroyed it took away much more than her home. Heaven forbid, if that were to happen again (and how Alice fears it) as long a Sion was safe, that's what mattered. She resumes fiddling with her apron just to have something in her hands other than a tea cup. Swinging her feet as she sits, Alice glances around the kitchen and then abruptly turns back to him- ]

Sion.

[ No, that's-

That's something she can't do. She wants to say something to him, she just can't really find the words or understand why she is held by the urge to say something to him that's not related to the subject. How obnoxious. She rolls her eyes and waves a hand. ]

Never mind.

[ Suddenly playing hostess, after dreading more social interaction, was more interesting than whatever she blanked out on him. Sion was a friend, that's what mattered... she couldn't be thinking of something else beyond that. Why would anyone entertain the idea of being interested in her, a mad woman, in that way. ]

If you insist, I'll help you. I suppose one of us must make sure that everything goes right.