All in the Golden Afternoon.

That— Is right. You’re right but for the record, looks like more sunny skies until we hit tomorrow so you don’t have to go and cancel whatever fun and stupid youth-like activity you had planned today. Uh, right. Thank you. That is very considerate Miss…?

Oh, good! I was worried it might start raining. The weather changes very frequently back home. I’m Alice. Hello.

Trust me. You’d be able to find out what the weather’s like today just fine if you stuck your head out the window instead of bothering the meteorology guy when he’s tryna eat.

So unless you had another question…

But it might change... I could ask one hundred more questions, but I won’t, sir.

“How long were you gone for?”

I think it was... Perhaps a month or so. I don’t remember exactly.

Umm sure, what does that have to do with anything though?

Well they talk just as much as girls do, if not more so.

Well, it’s not here anymore.

What do you mean it isn’t here anymore? Where did it go?

Mara laughed at the girl’s scatterbrained nature. “Want me to walk with you? Wouldn’t want you to forget again on the way and get lost.”

Well, then…This is awkward. You can sleep on the futon I guess.

The... the futon? Why? Has something happened to my bed?

But you are okay, right? I mean, that should be your top priority.

Yes, I’m perfectly fine. I’m just dreading the list of assignments I’ve mssed.

Girls talk too much! It’s okay blondie, I meant that as a good thing.

Haven’t you ever heard a boy speak? -Nods along, still slightly confused by the situation-

“I do well enough,” Mara said with a smirk.  “Where are you off to?”

I was-- Where was I going..? Oh! I was going to drop by my room to pick up some things, that’s where I was going.

It’s so good not having parents that boss you around.

Why don’t they? -Suddenly aware that this isn’t an appropriate question to ask, Alice takes in a sharp breath- I mean-- Unless you don’t have any, in which case-- Goodness, the longer I speak the worse this might get!