Would you speak with a queen? Or a cat? (AUDIENCE HALL)

[twinverses]

Need something? Want to complain more directly to your cute hosts or maybe you want to bargain with your memories? Maybe you just have a favor. Regardless, this is the place to do it! Just knock on the Audience Hall's door or just call for the Alices and they'll answer.

Of course, if you want to speak with a particular Alice just note that in your toplevel as long with the date and rough time it's happening. They can be contacted IC-ly throughout the day.

For the final week, in person meetings with the Storyteller (formerly known as the Cat) aren't possible. Alice, obviously, isn't talking to anyone either. However! The Storyteller can be called to talk throughout the castle so just say where you're yelling at her from.

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Comments

[prescience]

[It's cruel, she thinks, to dangle the image of a life the girl can't have in front of her. Video games, stories written after her death - a promise of something else. That future is already gone. She finds herself pitying Alice for the lies she's been told, then reminds herself exactly what the goal is here.]

Maybe she already knows the ending to the story, so she doesn't want to spoil it for you and that's why she can't join you to read. I know I like to be in my room sometimes...If your Cat Alice has a room to retire to, she may care to spend some time in respite there.

[After that, she'll let Alice read for a bit without interrupting with more conversation.]

[twinverses]

[It was a dream in many ways. New books, new places to see, new games to play... It was ever changing, just the right place for a child. At the statement Alice looks up.]

Hm? A room... isn't that here, though? We share it.

[She continues on the story.]

[prescience]

[Alice is still reading, so she knows she hasn't pushed too much. Oriko gives it time to rest, occasionally turning the page for Alice, until it seems like time again.]

This is an audience hall, isn't it? I imagine she might need a place to rest, and she couldn't stay with the rest of us or someone might do something foolish.

There really aren't any other bedrooms in this whole place?

[twinverses]

"They? Who were they exactly?"

"Homily, Pod, and little Arrietty."

"Pod?"

[She stops as the question is asked. Her fingers tap the book. A room?]

I dunno. I don't know why she'd have a room that I wasn't allowed in. That'd be weird.

[prescience]

[She inhales, as if she knows what she's about to say might be a little difficult for Alice to hear.]

I was wondering if she needs a place to go when she feels like looking like herself.

You don't really like it when she does something like that, you do?

[twinverses]

Looking... like herself? She says she really doesn't have a 'body of her own'.

[She looks up at her. Alice's brows knit together. It's a hard question because what would she even look like?]

She never changed shape when we in wonderland. Not even to a cat. I don't think she needs to.

[prescience]

I see... I apologize for misunderstanding. I thought it was something she might do to protect you.

[Just how much does the Cat hide from Alice? her statement seems to be asking.

Or is it? It's just a little bit, to possibly plant that seed.]

I'm sure it won't be long before she returns, but we can read a little longer.

[twinverses]

What?

[Huh?]

Are you mad at me? You haven't been here that long.

[prescience]

Oh? No, I'm not angry with you.

I just don't want you to get tired or for your Alice who is a cat to be displeased with me for keeping you up too late. Are you sure this is fine?

[twinverses]

Without parents, why would we have a bedtime?

[A simple question.]

She's always out doing things to make sure the castle is running right. She tells me when she's coming back--she won't catch us.

[prescience]

Without parents, [and there's something in her that hurts to say that, but Oriko can't put her finger on what, exactly, that something is,] it's up to us to look after ourselves. [She nudges Alice gently.] And each other. Otherwise, there will never be anyone to do the same for us.

[It's not the first time Alice has mentioned that her companion is away more often than not. It's likely true, if she's given the same excuse with no variations.]

Okay, we'll leave her to her work then.

[twinverses]

[She thinks on that. That's right, isn't it? That's what her Alice would say. It gets her to lean back against Oriko.]

Mm... I'll look after you, Miss Oriko. You're really nice.

[prescience]

[Oh, Alice, she isn't nice at all...]

No. [Oriko shakes her head, probably demolishing some of the poor girl's faith in her in the process.]

I've done plenty of things that aren't nice, Alice. But I'll do what I can while you're looking out for me.

[twinverses]

[She frowns. Then shakes her head.]

I don't think that makes you not nice. [She glances at her book.] This game is horrid but some people think I'm not a bad girl, still. Isn't that the same thing?

[prescience]

[Alice is still leaning back against her, so it's difficult for Oriko to get a close look at her face.

She ends up not really trying, instead fixating on some point on the other side of the audience hall.]

I don't know if I'll ever find forgiveness in that way. But, Alice-san...

If you could do a good thing that you knew would make things right, wouldn't you at least try to do it?

[twinverses]

[She's not even looking up. She's looking hard at the words.]

Normally, yeah. 'Course I would.

[She stares harder at the page.]

I don't wanna die, Miss Oriko.

[prescience]

Yeah. [She knows.] We couldn't really ask you to make a decision like that for yourself.

[Oriko thinks about touching Alice's head again, but this one, she thinks, wouldn't be received as well, especially not since she normally avoids it.]

If you were to continue spending time with us, I think those who still blame you for agreeing to start this game might get to understand you a little better.

[twinverses]

I know that it's something I should think about it.

[But she can't. It doesn't feel right.]

Do you really think so, Miss Oriko? I'd like to get know them better.