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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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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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