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[There was some adjusting before the young and very pale girl sat back, looking past as if something was holding whatever was recording-]

Just keep it steady, Dinah!

[-letting out a breath then, sitting on a spread blanket and a basket just in view beside her covered with a cloth.

That was definitely a few gravestones in the background. All the same, Alice kept her tone surprisingly bright, even calm.]

Hello, I'm Alice. I know some of you are still popping in and out of the catacombs- or perhaps you're waiting for someone else to come up? Well, I live nearby and figured some of you might like some food after what bits of horror can be going on down there.

Food can be very comforting after all, right?

[A tap of a finger against the basket's side.]

I've a few hand pies of various flavors, along with more savory empanadas that someone kindly taught me about, and how to make. Hopefully I am very easy to spot if you are already out here! If not, I can try to come to you.

[She might look familiar to those who have met her darker haired twin also named Alice.]

Ah- I've also some tea on hand, if any desire a cup.

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Yeah? You live nearby?

[she's found a little house which suits her in Gaze. she knows most people would consider it hideous which was kind of a bonus.

she smiles back, nervousness lurking in her eyes]

Oh, uh. Okay? Is Dinah your Omen?

I do! My uncle found it after my sister gave him the order of finding all of us a suitable place to live. I think he's done a wonderful job, and the house is so full of life.

[To put it one way, at least. A house filled with ghosts and those who have all died from the same world- with a few taken in exceptions, of course. The house felt happier since they moved in.

It was better than she could have ever dreamed of, and playing niece with Xerxes was still rather funny to her.]

She is, yes. Dinah has been a terribly wonderful companion since my arrival here.

[Lexi smiles a little wistfully] That must be nice. Having a house full of life with people you love.

[she misses her mom. and Cassie, although her sister had been acting really weird, even by Cassie standards.

she wonders how she'll ever be close to others. her friends, with the exception of Rue, were her sister's friends. Cassie could walk into a room and have ten people gather around her like bees on a flower. she could walk into a room and...walk into a room]

The--the Omens. They're really nice to have. And Dinah is a pretty name. [a pause] I have a hedgehog named Orville.

It's so wonderful- I've never gotten to have it before, part of a wish being fulfilled.

[Even in a place like this could carry, and her tone was as warm and genuine as that smile, a hand moving as Dinah no doubt came a lite closer, a better focus.

Xerxes Break was still continuing to grant her wish, in so many ways that she had never been able to imagine. To be free, to be her and nothing keeping her trapped. No need to protect precious memories as they'd been returned.

Alice could not be happier, even here.

A nod, hand moving out of sight as fingers petted over her Omen's head, Dinah keeping good hold of the device.]

They are, so very much. A way to never be alone- and the name Dinah seems so terribly fitting for her. [A soft laugh, that smile brightening.] Orville sounds like a wonderful name and fitting of a hedgehog.

Then I'm really, really glad for you. To have even a part of a wish fulfilled--that's something to hang onto.

[that smile had to be answered with one of her own. as much as she missed people from home, she worried about what would happen if one of them did show up.

the idea of someone messing with memories wouldn't go over well with Lexi. she guarded the few happy memories she had closely.

happiness was clear. it was amazing that people could find happiness here.

Dinah is a good girl]

Yeah. I don't know about you, but I'm not used to being alone. [even with mom being mom and Cassie acting weird] Thank you! I saw him and it just popped into my mind. So I kinda figure it was meant to be.

My biggest one was finally having my freedom- and it, too, counts in a place like this. Where I was, it was far emptier, filled with things most may consider monsters.

[She could catch memories- but only to save them from being completely lost. The last little pieces of a person, or something so very powerful attempting to wipe them out.

She was glad to have finally given them back to her sister- to know what had happened to them all that terrible day.

Still, her tone kept bright and warm- she knew this place was terrible, but could adjust better than some given the horror of where she was. At least it was now repaired.]

I only had the dolls, and my dearest friend Cheshire. [.. There was a theme there, huh.] There was also the Presence who didn't want to let me go for its own loneliness. That's better now, I hope, so they can have more friends while I'm free.

[That was definitely A Situation Alice had been in.] some of the best names are like that! As if they're telling you their name, an introduction of sorts.

Really? But even if most people do, it doesn't mean all of them do. Are they...not so bad? Though, freedom...it's almost like a little too much all at once.

[she misses her mom. she even misses Cassie. and there was always that weird dad-shaped hole in her life.

but it was always better to not think about dad. it was like poking at a tooth you knew had to be pulled for her own good, but couldn't stop poking at anyway.

Lexi hopes that none of her friends or family joins her here. there were so many things about Trench she knew they couldn't cope with. she was unsure of her own ability to cope with them]

Cheshire? Like the Cheshire cat? [she can't help sounding as curious as she feels. the Alice books had been favorites while growing up. but she hastens to add] But if that's too personal, you don't have to answer. [back to normal] Not Moon Presence? Another Presence? And, friends...can be the difference between a good life and a hard one.

Yes, that's it exactly! I mean, I already had the name, but when I had the whole Omen thing explained to me, it seemed even more perfect.

The Dolls weren't terrible to me- but they are monstrous, the lies and promises they tell people for a bit of freedom. Most who meet them end up going mad, dragging those people down for them to be twisted in to Dolls as well- most knew them as Chains. [Even in the tales told, meant to keep children in at night.] It has been overwhelming, when the fact this isn't being taken away from me hit.

I'm still enjoying my freedom from that place, all the same.

[This was not the place to wait for 100 years, but perhaps it wasn't a terrible stop over. Her sister and Oz, and even Xerxes had people waiting for them, right? Right.]

Yes! Cheshire is a cat, a very darling and dear friend who was with me for so long. There are stories the have names I'm familiar with, and I do not doubt those worlds existed just as the one I'm from has, they're all connected in some way- I am Alice, after all. [As was her sister. Shaking her head then.] Not the Moon Presence, but the Presence within the Abyss, the one I was meant to keep company and- hm. [It was only a brief pause, a bat cat tumbling in to her lap, taking a paw to lightly tease.] I think that was one intention meant well, to keep that Presence company, but it needed to let me go despite a fear of loneliness after so long.

Names that are fitting and you know as if from your own heart, they are good I think.

Probably...from their own points of view, they were justified. But it's understandable that no one would want to meet them, being twisted into a Doll sounds really, really scary. Chains. [softly] Yeah. I can't say that I understand how that felt, but...it seems like Trench has its good points.

I hope you get to keep it.

[nowhere was a place to spend that long. not even a "normal" world]

I'm glad you had a friend like that. But is it...weird to know that there are other versions of you out there? Even if they're all across the worlds? Other Alices? [she's never seen the sister. but she knows what it's like to be a sister and it's complicated] And it sounds like an Abyss is no place to be. I don't know--I don't know the whole story, of course, it's not my right to say. [and awww, a batcat. they're ridiculously cute] Oh. Yeah? That was really good of it, to let you live your own life, even at its own expense.

Yeah. I mean, they say that our Omens are part of us. He's shy around people and sometimes likes to stay in the shadows, but--that's not wrong.

They are what parents tell their children stories of to keep them in at night, and most believe them mere fairy-tales. They prey on humanity, and only want to feed their hunger of flesh- becoming one is a terrible fate, as it traps their soul from ever leaving. It is one of the worst fates of my world. [Even if her connection was that of another dimension. The Chains feared her, and worshipped her. All because of what she was to them- shaking her head, as if to clear it from some thought.] I hope others can find the good, this place at least doesn't disguise its horrors.

Thank you. [It was sincere, given the smile that came with the thanks.]

It is a truth of the world I am from, as I was in the place that connected them all- memories of times gone past and yet to be. It is an almost comforting thought, that in some way we continue on, even if in different forms. Perhaps they can be happy in ways I and my sister never got to be. [If she had lived a different way perhaps Alice wouldn't be so easily accepting, or think of it like that. A reason she could still say she enjoyed her own life, no matter the harsh realities and cruelty of it.] From what you have taken from what I've said- you are right, it was broken. Even if not, no one should never have been alone like that- but it should be fixed now, a place of beautiful golden lights once more rather than the broken reality I lived in. [Such cuties, and she had a pack of them because she did adore all forms of cats- and other animals, of course.] It had to be convinced, because the way to free me was- well, it didn't want to see anyone else hurt me.

But I couldn't live like that any longer. [Could be an obvious implication, but at least it wasn't one she dwelled on. She'd been happy for it, after all, but others seemed distraught at the thought.]

A little more difficult to hide how you feel- but that just means he can grow alongside you in being braver, right? I think it's nice to have that sort of companion.

...I guess I was lucky. My parents weren't the kinds of parents who'd read me and my sister to sleep at night. They were, on the other hand, the types who'd let my best friend rent "Cannibal Holocaust" for sleepover night. [a small (very small) attempt at humor] Aaaand, that sounds absolutely horrifying. How did, um. Well, are they expecting them to join us?

Sure. [and Lexi's smile is equally sincere]

...do you think you and your sister can be happy here? [guess who has sister issues in addition to your standard mom and dad issues] I mean, this has got to be almost a vacation away from all of the heavy stuff back home? [because she's trying to picture herself and Cassie in those places. if they were, the entire universe would unravel because Cassie would drop the ball and Lexi would try and overcompensate] I'm glad that it's better. Though, I'm sorry you had to go through all of that. The rough stuff--it sounds really rough. And like too big of a burden to bear all by yourself. [cats were awesome. actually, so were dogs, but Cassie was allergic] ...there are always way too many people who want to hurt us. We--you--shouldn't be on that list.

So, um. You escaped? [yes, tell her you escaped because the other possibilities were way too sad]

[Lexi smiles warmly, appreciating the other girl's kindness] Yeah. He's exactly that kind of companion. We'll back each other up along the way.

People are very different when it comes to children, aren't they? Those who told the stories didn't know such creatures were real- The family I was attached to did, and was in charge of safeguarding it all to protect people. [What a job- of course things never did go well, and she was meant to be a tool rather than a person. She only knew who her own 'parents' were due to memories, since neither really got to act like parents.] It's hard to tell, really.

[The attempt at humor hadn't been missed of course, there'd been a soft chuckle from Alice.

All the same-]

So far we have been happy- she's very outgoing and adventurous. We get to actually be out together for the first time in our lives, rather than switching places within a locked tower, and the dimension I was otherwise trapped. [With the ups and downs, of course- being trapped within a giant fish for a month was one hell of an introduction, really.] I know there were some who wanted to use me- it was why I exist, an experiment of sorts. My sister did her best to protect me once she realized that, and I did my best to protect her- even if I forgot for a while because so much broke.

We are better now, safer. Things were fixed- and I did escape. My sister and those she found, that became important to her, came to save me. [It was true, after all. She did escape-] This place is where we ended up just after.

[Death wasn't the end in their world, after all- 100 years would ass as they waited elsewhere, and they'd be reborn. The 100 Year Cycle remained.

The bat cat, at least, soon started to doze there in her lap, petting over little wings and fur idly.] Dinah has been there for me like that, too. Even more so the first few months, and a great comfort for the moments all of this feels overwhelming.

There are so many people, and there's noise- so much life. It's good, but it's easy for it to be too much, too, isn't it?

So even though your family was supposed to defend people from monsters, they still told you stories about them? Jeez. Sounds like a great way to cause nightmares. [if she knew about any of that, she'd be more than a little horrified. and she thought her parents were messed up.

and, good. she was worried that it wouldn't be taken the right way]

A locked tower? I guess I shouldn't be surprised, given the...everything, but that just seems like overkill. Especially when other dimensions are involved.
But...it's good that you and your sister are happy. And together, even in a place like this. But, protecting each other...that's a good starter for protecting each other here. Though, broke? Are you both okay?

[she would think that would be exhausting. who wants to be part of a cycle like that, even if it was over a hundred years?

that's one of the cutest things she's ever seen] I'm glad. I hope she keeps being a comfort. Especially when this feels overwhelming.

Yeah, it is. I've never exactly been outgoing? And I was never cool so it's a little nerve-wracking. School was much easier to disappear in.

They never told me these stories, or my sister- we knew they were real because they were all tied to one and I was trapped within the dimension they dwelled. The Abyss was a part of us all, and it protected in ways. It was a more beautiful place then, filled with golden light, before things were broken. [A thoughtful hum-] The stories were told by other people, when the truth was lost and twisted. The Chains took advantage of that, as without the truth there was nothing to protect people. They could whisper lies of granting deep desires, as if they were more than lost twisted souls with an unending hunger. No one knew they really existed, until it was too late. [A natural part of life turning because- well. Someone lied, lied and twisted and manipulated- then was punished a far worse fate than becoming a Chain.]

Mm, someone was afraid we wouldn't be understood with how she and I worked. That was their decision, a misguided effort to protect us. [She still didn't like him, even now knowing it was their uncle.]

We are, broken memories were repaired along with everything else. Things are still a little fuzzy for me, but that doesn't bother me. I had little memory that stuck well before, so this I can be happy with. It holds firmly in my mind. [To have it stay, rather that float away was better- even if some things would always be fuzzy and clouded at the edges of her mind.]

I do as well- and I have Uncle Xerxes as well now, too. [She'd always be amused by that little game.]

It's funny almost- my sister has no fear, will stomp right up to someone and pull them along. I like a slower pace, but if someone's already there I'd rather allow them to come along than feel left out.

[she wants to say that a gilded cage is still a cage, but she decides to not say anything because that would be rude] It must have been beautiful...before? But the Chains sound really scary, most people can't turn down what they've wanted the most, even if it would be bad for them or hurt someone else in the process. But I guess that's human nature, even without the boost?

Lots of people do that. Protect people seemingly for their own good, but really 'cause they didn't want to tell the truth or deal with whatever bad might happen to them if they did tell the truth.

[and Lexi's expression softens] I'm glad that you have your memories back, even if they are fuzzy. Do you...do you think they'll get less fuzzy over time? [again, she tries to imagine herself and Cassie in that situation. it would never work. neither of them were confident enough to make it work]

You have even more family here? That's great!

[and her smile grows rueful] I know how that feels. But more of the following than the leading.

[She'd hated it so- longed to leave that tower in her own body, and even she fell to promises for those simples desires to become reality. A gilded cage, and an even more gilded liar wishing to use her up for his on twisted desires of destruction.] It was- Glowing and warm, and safe despite what the power of the place could do to people not protected by those golden lights. A treasure. [Her 'mother' had loved it so, along with the world connected. Would she have loved her too...?] I think you're right, because some fight so hard to believe their actions are the right thing, be it out of hurt and wanting to fix things- or a desire for power.

That was... one of the reasons I hate him so. [She still did, even if it was dulled at her actual uncle's absence.] It did not protect my sister or me, a snake got through and- that man nearly destroyed everything because of it. [Jack, Jack, Jack—]

They might! I have the memories I shared with my sister, what I could get back after my own were destroyed. Everything else I simply re-discover, or learn more in their absence- like how to sew! [That smile brightened right back up.] I can make round plush animals now; very round birds, cats, and the like. Perhaps I'll try making rabbits soon.

Mhm! [A soft but warm laugh, eyes brightening with the amusement.] He and his Omen Baltus are very good uncles, and he was who found our house here under my sister's orders.

[Softening again, even while a one-eyed black cat pushed his way in to her lap, white tipped tail swaying about as he moved under her free hand. A red ribbon tied in a bow around his neck; that one eye a rather pretty shade of red.]

Leading or following, so long as you enjoy yourself and have some moment of content- it's all still worth it, I think.

[maybe Lexi was lucky in that regard. she had her mom, she had her sister, Cassie. but Cassie tended to eat up all of the oxygen in a room with how beautiful and outgoing she was, leaving Lexi behind as the awkward mouse of a little sister. of course she loved Cassie, but loving Cassie and liking her were two different things] That sounds bad. Like, a lot of bad. The without protection part. [mothers were impossible to figure out. that much, she knew] Yeah. Usually it's the last one. People do love power, after all.

I'm sorry. It's--rough to hate family. Especially family which should love you and don't. When they go out of their way to ruin what you did have.

I hope that you're able to get the rest of your memories. It's got to be weird, to know you should know something, but you don't. [and Lexi smiled back] I may have to take you up on one of those plush animals. Or more than one?

A very good uncle and his Omen, they're really good to have. Do you all live together, you, him, and your sister?

[the cat is positively adorable, even with only one (red) eye, so his appearance made Lexi coo at it]

I think I'd like to try leading. While I'm here. Might as well give it a shot, right?

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(CW: Cannibal Holocaust)

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