bythewaves | iC: Inbox [Asgard]

...

[Honest to god, she looks a little surprised, even a little sheepish to be given something. Gifts? Gifts are the last thing that Alice expects, even after this much time in Asgard. She does repeat the same steps -- reluctant, slow steps near Maglor, before she pulls it out to look at it. It is lighter than the vorpal blade, just as she gets to look at it in her hands. Of course Alice does step back to use it.

The same stance he's been teaching her before, the same way she's been told to arch it. It cuts the air fairly nicely, but Alice will still prefer the vorpal blade. She'll keep it, anyway, even with her knife unless someone convinces her otherwise.

She almost stammers when she ducks her head, finding it awkward to glance at him when she manages to work up the nerve to say it.]

Oh, thank you, Mr. Maglor...!

[She's still a little sheepish about, she's still not at all used to such generosity to begin with.]

[ he smiles at her fondly and approvingly as he watches her test it ]

I am glad it suits gwilwileth. We can look at some of the techniques for fighting with both of them, the next time. I only wish Lord Kili was still here to see his gift well used.

Come, this one will last a good long while - there are few who can match the dwarven smiths for such work, but unlike your Vorpal blade, this one will need caring for.

[She shifts in her disposition.

A little bit darker, holding it in her hand. Duly noted and it's a shame, but she's sure she can do plenty of damage now with it, especially with a blade that was never meant to dull. She shifts a little, still running with the idea of absolutely b-lining to Hel.]

I will remember.

[She says she will, but her voice is absolutely noncommittal, Alice isn't really paying attention for a moment. Yes, let's see how Pitch Black fairs against her now.]

[ he notes that shift and the eyes her contemplatively ]

You will need to learn how to keep it sharp - that we can do now, if you like. But what dark memory troubles you, gwilwileth?

[He's pretty preceptive, far more than she gives him credit for and it's a little frightening. With wild images and thoughts running through her head, she bites her lip. Alice's hands start to shake.]

At the very least, I wanted to learn how to fight better so that I wouldn't be pushed out of where I settle next.

[ he helped raise 5 brothers and 2 elflings, he hopes he's got in down by now ]

And you will, for I gave you my word. [ but the next kindles a slow fire in his eyes ]

Who has pushed you out, hinya?

[She wouldn't be that angered by it if it weren't for how he talked to Bunny. Or subtly threatened her friends by her actions.]

It's fine. I should go back and collect the remainder of my things. I don't want you being hurt.

No, hinya. [ Gentle but unyeilding ] This is more than that. What has happened?

[ a small crooked smile ] You will find that I am harder to hurt than most give credit.

[The vorpal blade comes out, although not in a threatening matter.

That's how it began, the vorpal blade and it should be simple enough. It's not.

Alice will try to explain, try her best to keep him at bay if she does sprint back to Hel for the rest of her belongings and to make a point to Pitch Black not to trifle any of her friends. He's like the primordial ooze that seeped in through Wonderland and like her darkest hallucinations and nightmares. She doesn't like being toyed with.]

This blade shouldn't exist.

[She says it firmly, hoping that she doesn't sound insane as she explains.]

It is... nothing more than a fragment of something that came from my mind. My imagination. I imagined a blade that would never dull, it always be keen and ready for service. It's important to me, because it came from my mind. I used it to slay many things bfore.

He took it from me.

[She doesn't really care if she's holding two knives, that's how angry she is.]

I suppose I let my curiosity get the best of me, so I followed him. He cornered me and I fought him off. Twice. The first time he took the blade from me and slid it underneath my door. Saying that he returned for me. The second time, I woke up with a wound on my shoulder and that time, he had a sword.

He said that he would harm my friends! I didn't want to come back to Hel after all of that. Even if Mr. North and Bunny say that he is nothing but a goad or a bully, I don't want that to happen! How can I? I've had nothing until I cam here. I'd never forgive myself if my friends were hurt.

[Alice doesn't mean to sound this urgent.]

Of course Pitch Black started to ridicule Bunny, even if Bunny's accusations were unfounded. He could have killed me, but he let me lived. I won't be bullied out of Hel for his personal amusement. If he crosses me again...

[Well, it won't be pretty, but it's obvious Alice is thinking about returning. Especially since Maglor is the first person outside of little Alice and Hatter to know about the true origins and significance of the vorpal blade.]

I am simply tired. There are others out there who could have been burned alive and it's nothing but a joke to others.

Oh Alice. [ He wants to weep or rage and he witholds it only because Alice does not need that from him now, but the fire is kindled in him now and his eyes blaze despite the gentleness of his voice and movements ]

A weapon of your own. [ he murmurs ] One that is a part of you in truth - such a marvel you are gwilwileth. To take such a thing... oh hinya. I am glad that I train you now, if such folk are to walk among us. [ Pitch Black, hm? Perhaps Maglor should have a pointed word with him - but no, he reminds himself. She has her protectors as well. ]

Death is never a joking matter. [ he agrees quietly, who has dealt it to so many and seen it come for all that he loves ] If you return to the Lady Hel's district, I think me that I will come with you. You are learning, still - I do not doubt you will be his equal, one day. But it would ease me to walk beside you - I do not doubt your courage! Only mine.

Me? I'm nothing special.

[She will argue she isn't anything outside of... well. She isn't sure anymore. Not some lowly maid and caretaker of children, Houndsditch is gone and the fate of the children there is ambiguous. Alice still doesn't do well with compliments. She still uses her apron as a make-shift way of sliding any weapon in the back for easy access.

Never in her mind - the real world - would she expect to be carrying around to deal with more than just Jabberwocks and queens. Her? Courageous? Alice has been hiding the insecurity she had to leave Hel district and nearly losing her composure in Alfheim. Alice waves her hands in reassurance approaching Maglor in a subtle plea. Not outright, but if angels, demons, and all sorts of immortal creatures can be reduced to a level of a human, how is anyone safe?]

Oh, no, no, Mr. Maglor, I... It will be alright, I don't want to do anything, I just want my friends to be left alone.

[He is right, death isn't a joking matter and Alice would say neither are mind games.]

You don't have to do anything on the account of me.

[Now she backtracks, regretting that she ever blew up in the first place.]

Oh, hinya, you are special if only for being yourself. But it is your courage that draws, I think, your courage and your care - the way you care for those around you, e'en at your own expense.

I understand, but I will feel easier if you let me come with you.

[Oh, no, not that. Alice frowns, feeling as if she's going to be a little ill for having another come back with her to her former district. Alice takes a few steps forward, again, making a small gesture as if she wants to clasp his hands to reassure him.

Alas, she can't do it, not yet, anyway.]

I... I think I'll wait on it.

[It wouldn't be fair to make herself that much of a burden on it.]

All I cared about was a picture of my family; I didn't have much to begin with, I'll be fine.

It is precious to you, is it not? [ he marks gently ]

I would rather you have it with you, and safe in your keeping, than where others might find it, although I think me that our rooms in the Halls are mostly safe.

[ by now he has ceased any pretence of caring for his blades and he makes an aborted gesture to reach out to her in turn

I don't like being touched whispers memory, so he does not ]

You need not fear for me, gwilwileth.

Mister North helped me get it back.

[Which was unfortunately a bit of a blur. Then again, it's the principal. Alice says she doesn't have a lot, but she has a few belongings there.

Things she never had in London, even a few of her own supplies. Alice still likes to draw, even after Rutledge. It's sad, Alice will insist the contrary.]

I'm not afraid of you, Mr. Maglor, I never was.

I am glad - he is a good man, is Master North.

Ah gwilwileth, you warm me. I am glad you do not see me that way, however. [ although perhaps she should whispers experience ]

Then let me come with you, hinya?

[He's given her a brief introduction to his history; perhaps years ago, Alice would have been frightened or enraged by it. But Alice knows the importance of family. The world is still in different shades, it isn't as binary as others think it is. There are monsters out there and Maglor isn't one of them.

Alice won't be fighting anyone today, at least not for real. She's dropping her usual guard, just a bit.]

Of course.

[She gives quiet response. Alice steals herself up, because this usually takes a lot of nerve for he to do. Which is a simple gesture of just. Plopping herself beside of him, but not too close! She's already fallen asleep too close.

Too close for Alice, anyway. She settles her skirts around her, tensely squaring her shoulders up beside him. She confuses quietly-]

But I should stop rushing myself. I shouldn't be so proud and I am very sorry for that.

[ Maglor stills with that preternatural lack of movement that sometimes creeps people out when she settles next to him, and his eyes warm with pleasure that she will trust him this much ]

Tis no good to rush [ he agrees quietly ] - you do that in your fighting too, you remember. But I do not think you proud gwilwileth, only hasty. You feel too deeply, I think - and it can be hard to reason when emotions may blind. You need not apologise to me.

[It is a little creepy, just a bit. And that's exactly why Alice steals herself up as she does, a little too rigid. It makes her nervous, because she really hasn't gotten a chance to even sit by him, not like this.

Hasty is a good word for it. He is right. Alice's fingers intertwine in her hands. While she's sought his advice and training, he's still fairly intimidating as warm as he can be.

He's like the white king, in a sense.]

I know.

[Well, that sounded absolutely hollow. She tries to assert herself again.]

No, you're right, I am, that is why I wanted to apologize. You've done me a great service by teaching me to wield my knife better and I am very grateful.

[As much as a taskmaster he can be.]

I should be a bit more grateful for that. I still want to learn more!

[ he reaches for the harp, now, and begins to play, idle and quiet ]

You are young yet, gwilwileth - you have time to learn. But if it helps, I accept your apology. [ he smiles at her fondly ]

You learn swiftly and well, and it is a joy to teach you.

[She just feels the need to assert her age, here. Even if it is a moot point compared to how potentially old he is.]

I am not that young, Mr. Maglor, I am only nineteen years old. But I am grateful for that.

[Likely the most awkward request ever.]

... May I stay with you, again?

For Men, I suppose you are not, hinya, but you are only as a butterfly to me. [ a teasing crinkle to his eyes. Guess how old he is, go on ]

I would be honored if you wish it.

Of course I do. I suppose I have the tendency to wander about.

[only because he has bated her ever present curiosity. She asks all the weird questions without even thinking about it. It is pretty rude, after all.]

Then how old are you, Mr. Maglor?

[ Maglor doesn't mind, somewhere in his head he keeps a book with a list of all the ways people react to his age. ~~it's the little things that make him happy~~ ]

Ah, well, I am not entirely certain, as I was born in a time before moon and sun, but I believe I have seen some nine thousand years of the sun or more.

[The guardians aren't that far off in age -- although he could be older than North, she wagers. It doesn't make it any less intriguing for Alice, who actually does look at him. He barely looks twenty years her senior, she figured. Although anyone could have gotten that inkling feeling from him that he was older than he appeared.

True to Alice, it doesn't really sate her curiosity. It makes her want to ask more questions as she gets a good look at him.]

Really?

[Yes, really, Alice. But he pails in comparison to Sandy.]

Why is that? Why do you not age?

[No, Alice, stop, you never learn.]

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