Dependable

"Oh, I'm not so sure about that...it's more like I'm just getting by each day. One step at a time...so it's nothing to talk about--" Another giggle, but a little more nervous sounding. It was just how she felt.

" Well, I’m not sure if the other mothers or fathers are here, but I can say without hesitation that both my mother and father, as well as Lucina have arrived here, Lucina in particular having been here for quite some time. If there are any more that arrive, I will let you know! I should probably let father know of your arrival as well. "

     The young tactician would look at the picnic basket she had with her, laughing a bit nervously as he shook his head, a smile still plastered over his face.

"Being with everyone again will be like we never left home. Well, mostly everybody..." She would be thankful for who was here though. Perhaps give them hugs and flower fortunes as spirit lifters as well?

"Oh?" She giggled at hearing his stomach speak up for him.

"I suppose that settles it then." Gingerly settling upon a comfy looking patch of grass, taking extra care not to crush any flowers.

"I don't like to leave someone hungry...so here."  Inside she found an apple, a pear, two dinner rolls, a small stick of butter, and a shareable block of cheese.

✪ For better or for worse, Alice was beginning to get a hold of this unusual game of fabricated reality that she’d been flung into. She’s played host and passenger by this point, and had promptly returned to her own inner world upon the eventual realization. As a magician, one who pursued knowledge, it was imperative to her that she attempt an experiment or two. If the host could truly shape their own inner world, than what was stopping her from turning herself into a human, or affecting her own age, or designing an entire world from scratch? Nothing, she found, as she could manipulate it freely. 

Still, she could only wonder what effects adding an outsider into the mix would have. Secrets to hide? There were undoubtedly many to be found in the magician’s inner realm, but she didn’t know many people in the city well enough to really care. The individual brought in would be treated to the quaint sight of the inside of the magician’s cottage back in Gensokyo, dolls tending to various chores here and there as Alice herself sat at a small table with a cup of tea. Of course, she hadn’t realized the sight of a cat outside her window had influenced some aspects of her realm.

"Hello. Do you understand where you are? Or rather, what’s going on with Hive City?" It was a simple question to ask considering all that had been going on. She was still new to the city herself, but she could piece together these things based on limited knowledge. A feline ear twitched, the doll maker yet to notice the ears or tail that swished behind her. 

It didn't seem dangerous though or perhaps that was just her finding it less intimidating with the many...adorable little dolls tending to whatever. She would be careful to not trip on any of them or disrupt their work. 

"Huh?" A sudden voice shaking her out of her thoughts.

"Um, no...I can't say I do...is it an elaborate magic spell or something that was able to surround the whole city?" She tapped her chin a couple times, then walked forward to the blonde.  "Or maybe is it--" Oh, there she went. Whether she tripped on her own feet, a doll, something, she found herself on the ground next minute.

(Photo credit: Michael Chau.)

alter·nate uni·verse

An alternative universe (also known as alternate universe or alternate reality), commonly abbreviated as AU, is a type or form of in which canonical facts of setting or characterization in the universe being explored or written about are deliberately changed.

[Read the prelude here. Long reads under the cut.]

(Gif credit: reachingforfame.)

RAM

Random-access memory (RAM /ræm/) is a form of computer data storage. A random-access memory device allows data items to be read and written in roughly the same amount of time regardless of the order in which data items are accessed.

set on fire the line of thought that dictates that altruism is a bad thing and that selfishness/sassiness is an inherently more appealing and ‘~intricate~’ quality than an affectionate nature

smash and bury the concept of the false equivalency between angst and complexity

" You needn’t apologize. I can understand the feeling of finding yourself so heavily fascinated with something where everything else suddenly becomes irrelevant. I would not worry, it’s happened to myself more times than I can even remember! "

     It was a little bit interesting speaking with Cynthia’s mother, considering how much Morgan knew of Cynthia and how little he knew of the woman before himself. Cynthia was eccentric, hyper, always in a smiling and bright mood! Her mother was a lot more reserved and had more of a graceful, less energetic feeling. It was kind of an interesting contrast to look into!

" Well.. from what I know, Cynthia had been here for some time, but was quickly returned home. In both instances.. she seemed alright. I hope she is safe as well back home. Well, my mother has arrived here in this location as well if you ever run into her!

" I'm glad to know Cynthia is safe though. It's too bad I missed her, but it's not like I'd wish her back to this place either. "

" If you're here I guess I shouldn't feel so surprised the other Shepherds are here too? Hopefully I'll run in to them sometime, but...one thing at a time! I'm still trying to adjust to life he--Oh! " Of course! How could she forget her purpose of coming here? Looks like she got caught up in the moment again.

" I know it's not much since I didn't expect to have company today... " She held up her picnic basket between the two of them.