002 ∴ Video

[likedarkmatter]

My goodness, I've seen an awful lot of new faces in the marketplace today. A new caravan in the city, perhaps? How exciting!

Well, dear friends, I am Alice, a lady-in-waiting to our kind and munificent Queen. I am always delighted to accept guests, or bold travellers returning to our fair city after their adventures, and can offer the hospitality of

Comments

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[raisedinabox]

And have you had the pleasure of entertaining many 'guests' lately my dear?

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[likedarkmatter]

Enough for my purposes. And have you, my erstwhile mentor? You must grow ever so lonely.

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[raisedinawitch]

On the contrary, dear Alice, my humble home entices many lost and lonely travelers, I want for nothing.

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[likedarkmatter]

You know, if you were ever to consider a little more subtlety then you might find somewhere better to live than a hovel in the woods.

Because 8|

[darknessb4me]

[The Barge has deposited Arthas somewhere in said marketplace, and something important had clicked into place the instant his boots had hit the cobblestones - this was somewhere he belonged. The sky was clear all the way to the horizon, nobody was walking around in pajamas, and he knew what everything was. Conversations didn't go over his head sixty percent of the time, every object had a purpose, none of the people were strange in the way they looked or sounded. This world was an instrument he could play conciertos on after months of picking up the tune as he went.

And so it is that a tall young man with his face mostly hidden in the shade of his hood navigates though the crowd like a shark through clouded waters towards the white dress that sticks out like a sore thumb.]

c:

[likedarkmatter]

[Alice has stopped at a jewellery stall, fingers darting from piece to piece while the merchant looks on with eager nervousness. She feels Arthas' movement before she hears or sees it, and turns towards him as he approaches.

Immediately she senses something odd about him, a not-quite-rightness. Like this isn't home. She smiles.]

Good day to you, sir.

Re: c:

[darknessb4me]

[He's always been able to affect a completely sincere-looking, warm smile designed to put people at ease, give them confidence, trust him - he had coaching on it as a child. Charisma was at least as important as good judgement in an autocrat.]

My lady. It's hardly safe for you to be out here unguarded. There are quite a few dishonest folk outside of the walls of the castle.

[Gambling on a castle here, but if she could afford a dress like that she probably had a husband with a castle. Everyone had a castle that was anyone nowadays.]

Re: c:

[likedarkmatter]

[She smiles playfully. His smile is sincere, disarming even - but she knows better than most what a sweet smile can conceal.]

So says the complete stranger.

[hourglass_twin]

Is it common for people to invite strangers to their castle in this place?

[likedarkmatter]

Not in the least. But what is life if we cannot entertain a little uncommonness now and then?

[hourglass_twin]

True, but that is not often done merely for the sake of doing it, particularly when you never know what you may be letting in.

[likedarkmatter]

If there must be a reason, then it is done for the sake of learning about the far reaches of this kingdom, and the lands beyond it, for news often comes faster from visitors than it does from the King's messengers.