And beneath the pale moon's face; they shall again arise.

[digophelia]

Who: Alice, Maglor, and Kevin
What: Alice kicking not!dad going into high gear and collecting Kevin. Awkward introductions included
When: Day 451
Where: Hel's district and onward
Warnings: It will be tame for now unless otherwise noted and if there's anything triggering, it will also be noted, but I also doubt it.
OOC Notes: I know some of us tag with our phones, so if there's a sudden change of action prose, there's the reason why!


[Memory loss, thankfully, wasn't an issue for Alice in Agard, which she was feeling was a way to rub salt into a healing wound that was left by the Dollmaker. The children in Houndsditch weren't as fortunate as Alice.

The Dollmaker will deprive them of what remains of their deranged souls. They need care!

Try as she might, those words and the situation she's left behind have yet to stop haunting her. If at the very least Alice couldn't stop the Dollmaker here, could she at least lend a hand at preserving memories? The essence of one's self?

. You're like them, of them in a way, but not them. I should say 'not us', for I'm them, but you are on your way. The way is clearly marked.

Thankfully, the way hadn't been marked for Alice, however, she knew madness when she saw it. He may be centuries, if not thousands of years ahead of Alice, but she's done what she can to remind him he had to go to Hel's district for Kevin. Besides, it may be better for all of them. "At least someone is sane right now" Alice thinks to herself.]

If you don't remember the way to Hel, I do. I wouldn't be caught dead there alone. I don't feel like engaging in a fight.

Comments

[bythewaves]

For the moment, at least, I remember. [ Maglor paces her easily, silent as any shadow. He even manages a quiet, if somewhat tired smile ]

Where will we go after, little butterfly?

[digophelia]

Did you not want to bring him back with you?

[She hates to admit that coming back here has been a great inner debate thanks to Pitch Black. If anything, Alice tries very hard to avoid fights altogether, no matter how violent she can be. For now, she knows she needs extra patience with Maglor and everyone else in Asgard that's suffering memory loss. And she is the one who had remind him enough times to do this.]

I'm assuming that would be better, lest the both of you start to wander out in the streets like everyone else.

[bythewaves]

I do, are you sure you don't mind returning here? I know you dislike the place, and you have yet to meet him.

[ He manages a tired smile for her - still here, still himself, for now at any rate ]

I do not think Kevin will wander - he prefers to hide.

[ unlike me he doesn't need to add ]

[digophelia]

[She doesn't say she would rather not come here alone. It isn't an issue of being attacked -- it's about avoiding attacking all together. At first, Alice gives a silent shake of her head.]

No.

[And to that, Alice can relate.]

It is your judgment call, Mr. Maglor. I'd rather see that you have someone with you other than come here alone. I think you can stand to be on the receiving end this time.

[She's teasing, albeit, rather dryly, with deadpan humor, but it's there.]

[bythewaves]

[ He manages a laugh for her, the barest breath of sound ]

Well, I have learnt not to argue with you by now, little butterfly. Not on things such as this, at any rate. We will go then - he should still be in the welcome hall, if he is not still in the park.

[ where he found him (or was found, perhaps) only a few days ago ]

[digophelia]

[If he does hide, Alice can sympathize. It wasn't that long ago in Asgard she would have done the same around people she barely knew. She hates crowds.]

Of course. Though I suppose if you want to give it a go, then by all means. I think he'd prefer a familiar face versus me.

[Alice isn't too thrilled about stepping into Hel's welcoming hall entrance. Instinctively, her hand is right on the vorpal blade.

She so does not want trouble and if asked, Alice will say she's feeling lazy about a fight. No, thank you..]

[bythewaves]

[ He smiles at her and then nods ]

I will be as swift as I might. [ before stepping inside and checking his bracelet for any signs that Kevin is in ]

[digophelia]

[Maybe it would be better if Alice held back on following him a little bit further in Hel's house. Then again, the reminder why she left makes Alice promptly trod up behind him.]

All right.

[fire_punk]

[Maglor is right about Kevin. He's been mostly hiding since he finally found his way back to the Welcome House. His memory's a little better right now. At least he remembers most of what happened since he arrived in Asgard. He's on his way from the kitchen to his room when he notices them.]

Maglor. [He almost smiles. Almost. It's hard when losing his dad is still so new.]

[bythewaves]

Well met, Kevin. [ Maglor smiles in relief to find Kevin easily - he had not looked forward to being out of Alice's sight for too long - the braids help to keep him grounded in the here and now, and without them he worries he will slip again. ]

How do you fare? [ He does not hesitate to cross the distance between them ]

My own memories are not the best, but I have been worried.

[digophelia]

...

[Am awkward silence falls with Alice for a moment after she gets a look at him. So this is the boy -- he's not that much younger than her, which makes her a little less likely to keep a wary distance and yet she can't really help it. She'll just.

Side step to the left, not completely behind Maglor, but enough to make herself feel comfortable, glancing behind herself. Yes. She'll just attempt to look casual as possible.]

[fire_punk]

I... Okay, I guess.

[He leans comfortably against Maglor, not noticing Alice yet.]

I got hungry.

[bythewaves]

That is good [ he murmurs, reaching up to tidy Kevin's hair again and beckoning Alice forwards ]

I do not think you have met yet, but as things stand, even if you have you may not remember her - This is Alice Liddell, who has been a good friend to me. Alice, this is Kevin Prentiss.

[digophelia]

[they haven't met, not as far as she recalls. The furthest Alice approaches is a few steps to the side; she had been behind him, in a way. For the sake of being polite on the account of Maglor, Alice will at least greet him.]

Hello.

[fire_punk]

Hi.

[No, he definitely doesn't remember her. But he smiles shyly at her from his spot next to the elf. She looks... well, almost grown up but not enough that he's scared of her.]

[bythewaves]

[ He pets Kevin's hair then nudges him ]

If you are hungry yonya, why don't we go and get a proper meal? Alice has said, and I agree, it is probably better if we don't stay here.

[digophelia]

[After a silent assessment, Alice turns towards the door and back to the pair. He seems more skittish than she and he's not that much younger than her. A plus.]

It's better that we leave now; there's no point in staying here much longer. I'm sure you've seen the rest of our housemates.

[Which is a subtle way of saying how crazy they are.]

[fire_punk]

[He can't really say anything about their housemates. He's been avoiding them. But he kind of remembers a couple who seemed nice.]

We're going out to eat?

[That sounds like fun. And it's better than leftovers.]

[bythewaves]

To eat, aye. Perhaps to find that house we talked of renting, eh?

[ He ruffles Kevin's hair, and for a brief moment he slips ]

Always so hungry Elros.

[digophelia]

[God, not again. She isn' sure how much more she can take of this.]

Mister Maglor, let's take Kevin out of here. It'd be best if we stick together until this is over.

[She's usually not one to take the lead, but she'll make an exception in this case by leading them out.]

[fire_punk]

[He blinks up at Maglor. The elf said that name before. To him.]

Who's Elros?

[But he nods. Going out to eat and finding a house sounds nice. Somewhere away from all these people.]

[bythewaves]

"What..." He blinks and the light is drowned by shadows. "Kevin?"

A shake of the head and he tries for a smile. "Elros was... Elros was Elrond's twin, if you remember Lord Elrond."

[digophelia]

And I'm Alice, Mr. Maglor.

[She has to correct him before he refers to Irrisse again. A few minutes later, Alice is already shooing the both of them out of Hel's doorway.]

He's been doing that to me, too. But it shouldn't last long; nothing lasts long here.

[fire_punk]

Kevin frowns for a moment. He remembers everything since he first got here right now. But it takes him a moment to remember who Elrond is. "The other guy with ears like yours."

He nods slowly when Alice speaks next. "Yeah. Even dying."

[bythewaves]

"Yes." Pain chases across his face briefly before he smooths it away with practiced ease. "He had a twin, Elros - you... reminded me of him."

"Nothing is forever." He says softly. "E'en the very earth itself will end one day."

[digophelia]

Alice is starting to usher them out of Hel's district, a little anxious for her own good. Suddenly, she's taking out the vorpal blade after being on edge enough as it is.

So help Pitch if he crosses them.

"If the both of you are hungry, then I suppose I'll just have to prepare supper." She states it so matter of factly, so casually. By now Alice is relatively used to cooking for others. At least it's not more mouths to feed, especially children.

[fire_punk]

The kid stares at her, wide eyed. "You cook?"

Sure, his real mom did but he doesn't remember that well. And she looks like she's still pretty much a kid, just an older kid. He's never known any kids who cook.

[bythewaves]

A low chuckle from Maglor.

"She does - and is a fair hand at it too, from what I have seen."

"Very well, little mistress, we come at once!"