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

[littlebratziska]

[This is the first time she's not been dragged here that she's been to the audience chamber, and she glances around as she steps inside, boots clicking on the stone floors.]

Did you....

[She hesitates, unable to think of how to word the question.]

Were you able to... to heal? Be repaired?

[twinverses]

[She shifts to a more upright position on her throne, glancing at her arm. Even at this distance, there's no wound.]

I... huh? I guess my Alice helped me while I was sleeping.

[littlebratziska]

[She... she didn't know? That's something to remember, and very odd.]

You left your book. I brought it back for you.

[She takes a few steps closer, eventually coming as close as she can.]

[twinverses]

[Time for her to... jump off the balcony to land in front of Franziska. Just. This doll is weird, okay.

She's happy to have her book back.]

Thank you! I... well, I just wanted to bring it back to the library. I'll have someone else take it back for me.

[She's going to reach for the book.]

[littlebratziska]

[She holds it out, but seems slightly hesitant in doing so.]

I can, if you don't want it anymore, I just... didn't know why you had it, or what you wanted it for.

[She's close enough to touch, but Franziska doesn't try and hurt her. The more she sees of this strange doll-girl, the less she understands her.]

[twinverses]

I just never read it before. I like stories and even if it was sad at the end, I liked reading someone like Bilbo become a hero.

[It's a book. She likes reading.]

I just wanted to bring it back to the library. You don't have to. I'll ask--I'll ask someone, it's okay.

[littlebratziska]

[She hesitates, but only a moment.]

How can you read books about heroes and still be in charge of a game like this?

[She's wondering about it, remembering her arm breaking like glass or porcelain, remembering the words about the glass game. Is killing everyone here supposed to bring her to life?]

[twinverses]

[That makes her pause. Step back.]

I've been thinking about that. I don't know. I know it's important somehow but... I don't like it.

[littlebratziska]

Can't you stop it, if you don't like it? I don't like what this so called game is. It's not very fun for me.

[twinverses]

It's important. I can't tell you why but it is.

[littlebratziska]

Do you know why?

[Franziska has a theory.]

[twinverses]

I... think I'm getting an idea, yeah.

[So does she.]

I think I'm going to talk it over with someone else first.

[littlebratziska]

All right. But does that mean you're not very sure about why you're running this, after all?

[twinverses]

I'm getting an idea of why this is happening. I wasn't sure before but I think it's clear to me now.

[She'd just say it here but.]

I'd like to talk about it with maybe some of the others before I say anything, though.

[littlebratziska]

[Well in that case she'll come right out and say it.]

Us playing this game is what's bringing you back to life, isn't it? Will we have to do that too, later, if we're to come back?

[twinverses]

No. The Glass Game just would turn back the hands of the clock for you.

[She's not saying anything on the first part.]

[littlebratziska]

[She's all but sure on that point, and 'turning back the hands of the clock' sounds vague enough, especially here, that she's not entirely convinced on the second - people have already turned back the clock, and it gave some of the details of how some of the children who were here before met their ends, but hadn't brought any of them back to life.]

Mmm. All right. Are you sure I shouldn't take the book back?

[twinverses]

No... no, I think I can handle it.

[You yelled at her. No get book.]

[littlebratziska]

[wow she was TRYING to be NICE fine then fine.]

All right. But keep thinking about what I've been saying, and what you want to be done in your name. Maybe there's something else we could do, after all.

[And turning and walking out the door again. There's no point in lingering.]

[twinverses]

[She's making a better impression now! She also is nine. And recently attacked.]

Yeah. I will. Thanks, Franziska.

[She really is, actually, thankful.]