the nightingale takes wing

[Arien Laurora]

January 27th, 2062

The nightingale takes wing,
Her secret song to sing

Darn it! I yelled in exasperation, the air of peacefulness momentarily interrupted by my expression of anger. I looked down at my sketchpad with remorse. I had been sitting in my room, sketching out ideas for a new client's logo design, suffering the worst bout of artist's block I'd had in a while. It wasn't like me to completely blank when the time to hit the drawing board came; but this logo really had me stuck. The only solution, then, would be to abandon my work until the proper inspiration hit. When it did, it'd probably be a punch-in-the-face sort of inspiration - that was the norm for me. But for now, I would have to find a better use of my time...

Relenting to my lack of thoughts on my work, I placed my pencil and sketchbook gently on my desk. A sigh escaped my lungs, a sense of dread gripping my mind. I looked at the sky through the glass doors leading to my balcony. The sky was a perfect myriad of hues, a complicated assortment of pale rose, lavender, gold and light blue-grey. It seemed as though God had taken his watercolors and, mixing them in water, spilled them across the great canvas of atmosphere above us. It was gladdening to see that He at least had not had difficulty in creating such a marvelous masterpiece, even though my living depended on it and I could not...

After a moment of watching rays of light pierce the colorful clouds as the sun set in the west, I realized with a sense of surprise that I was famished. I had spent all day being busy - training the horses in the morning, and then setting to the duties for my clientele later - and had entirely forgotten about having any food. Arien, you are seriously going to keel over one of these days from lack of sustenance. Do you really need an alarm to tell you when to eat? Get a grip! Eating is only required to be alive, you know! I chuckled at myself - I really was a weirdo, sometimes. Turning from the lovely sunset view, I began to descend the stairs to my little studio kitchen, intending to grab some ramen noodles or some other quick dinner.

When I opened my pantry, however, I noticed the sort of dilapidated look it had. All I could see was one mostly-eaten box of cereal, a can of soup, and a few slices of bread - and only a jar of peanut butter to accompany them. A feeling of guilt squeezed my spine. Even now, I had yet to become accustomed to the financial state I had been living in for the past few months - I was able to bring in enough money for the rent of my apartment, yes, but beyond that, things were very tight. What with three horses to care for, and the constant upkeep of my art supplies, I had very little extra room to provide for myself. Some might call it sad, or pathetic, or a sorry existence - but I was grateful for it. I would give up eating any day in order to care for my horses; they were my only friends here, the ones I could talk to about anything and trust not to hurt or abandon me. I was not ashamed to care for them, and so I refused to let guilt convince me otherwise. With a confident push, I shut the door to the pantry and grabbed my wallet. Before I knew it, I had left my apartment and was walking towards the wealthier part of town, where I knew I would be able to locate a restaurant suitable for a small meal.

Normally, of course, I would set out for the nearby grocery store, or one of the closer fast food places; there, food was cheap, though not the highest quality, and it was all I could really afford to buy on a daily basis. But I had not been out and about in a long time, I had made some exceptionally good money from doing some designs for a recent client's advertisement campaign, and I was already having artist's block - I could certainly use a little relaxation. I didn't really care that I would be going to a part of town I didn't frequently visit, nor that I would be eating alone; I needed some time to let my worries and anxieties drift away, allowing me some peace and tranquility from matters that were overly-meddlesome in my life.

After a brief period of time, I found myself in the more profitable district of Avalon. Although it wasn't too tremendously different from my own area, one could notice the little details of grandeur the buildings sported on their faces. The contours of gold, smooth marble walkways, arched entrances, and plethora of beautiful flowers in well-groomed gardens were clear signs of the wealth of those who made their dwelling here. It was lovely to look at, for sure; but I wondered at times whether these buildings' inhabitants were half as attractive as they were, both in appearance and personality. I would find out soon enough - a pleasant restaurant would not likely be very far now, and I would be able to observe the wealthier citizens there once I reached it.

The sun had nearly disappeared by the time I found it, settled comfortably between what looked like a local boutique and a pillared library. The burnished gold lettering of the restaurant's name glinted in the last rays of light, a mysterious and entrancing word that captured my attention immediately - Vivaldi's. A smile made its way to my lips, lighting up my face with an expression of pleasant surprise. Vivaldi, my favorite composer; what a perfect place. For I, like God, do not play with dice, and I firmly believed that my finding of the restaurant was not coincidence. With new-found confidence, I strode gently to the front door and pulled on the curved golden handles that looked so much like f holes on a violin. I wondered what I was getting myself into - but my worries had already fled my mind, and only curiosity and anticipation remained as I entered. Because, as I thought to myself,

what could possibly happen?

[/blockquote]

[Alice Locke]

What a day! Not only had Alice overslept, meaning she had to skip both breakfast and makeup, but she had only just managed to get to her shift in time – only to be informed that she had to fill in for Liza. Poor girl had not shown up to work today either, and though both Alice and her supervisor had a bad feeling about it, none of them mentioned it as the girl begrudgingly accepted the extra work hours. Money was money, and with the next scheduled performance weeks away, she had to make do somehow. Sure, the manager for her singing career had said it was only a matter of time before she was discovered, but the fiery young girl was unable to sit around doing nothing. So she worked… and worked. Dull hour upon dull hour passed; the work earned her the money she needed, but it was hardly fulfilling. And this day had been slow, to say the least. It was easier to keep on your feet and have your wits about you when you actually had someone to wait on, but today had been like a long daze, where each customer seemed like hours apart. With the bad start of the day, Alice was already drowsy to begin with, and without stimulus she soon felt more dead than alive.

Having covered almost twelve hours at the restaurant, the blonde female was more than tired of it. She’d seen the same old dining hall all day, greeted her customers, heard newcomers gawk at the pristine look of the music-inspired interior design… after a while, all of it just got old. And as the sun set outside, she was more than a little tired of waiting on guests. Still, as the bell above the door cheerfully chimed and announced the newest arrival, Alice was quick to approach her.

“Good evening, ma’am. I’m Alice, your hostess for the night. How can I be of service?” the blonde girl politely addressed the other female. There was no doubt she was a waitress; with her work uniform on, Alice was similarly dressed to the other girls currently attending other guests. The outfit itself was black and white in its colour scheme; she wore a simple white shirt with a bowtie, a semi-long black skirt, knee-length stockings, high black heels, and an apron. The long, blonde curls were carefully brushed back and held in a ponytail by a black bow. In her arms she held the traditional tray and waitress’ notepad; there were a lot more efficient ways nowadays to take up orders, but the boss man insisted on keeping with his ole’ time theme in the restaurant.

[Arien Laurora]

The moment I stepped into the diner, I felt instantly surrounded by a pristine sort of atmosphere. The restaurant was intricately designed, down to the smallest detail; and everywhere, one could see the musical influence that only took a knowledgeable mind to recognize. This I did almost instantaneously, but I had little time to take in the musical furnishings and decorations. A blonde girl around my age quickly approached me, donned in the classic garb of a waitress and a bright smile. I marveled at how incredibly fashionable her work uniform was, in contrast to many I'd seen at other restaurants in my side of town - I could tell this was much closer to fine dining than what I'd been used to. Lifting my eyes to face her again, I returned a grin of my own before venturing to speak.

I'd just like a table for one, if you please. I guessed that she'd give me a strange look after I said that - it's rare that you see anyone dine alone. Usually it's an elderly person whose spouse has passed away, not some young adult. But I was prepared for the gawks and inquisitive looks I'd be likely to get as I sat by myself, and so I did not let the thought bother me.

Oh, and if you don't mind, if there's a table where I can have a good view of everything, it would be much appreciated. Vivaldi is my favorite composer, you see, so I'd like to see all the décor. I gave her my sweetest smile, hoping the extra request wouldn't be too much of a bother - I had once served as a waitress, and I knew what it was like to be bombarded with extra tasks and complications. Obviously it was nowhere near this place, but the experience was still quite similar, I was sure. All I had to do now was experience this new place, Vivaldi's, and I would see just how different it really was...

OOC: Sorry, the muse sucks right here. Can't do much but say "Yeah I need a table" and wait for you to reply, haha xD

[/blockquote]

[Alice Locke]

It was a new customer; one that had obviously not been here before. Alice, having worked on Vivaldi for a long time, knew the look on strangers’ faces when they first entered. The owner had really outdone himself when he had someone design the place; it was lofty, with lots of space and air, and the musical inspiration was everywhere. The decorations, in light beige, white or golden tones, all held some sort of connection to music; be it that they were striped like piano tangents, or – like the chandeliers on the walls – shaped like golden g-claves. The blonde girl wasn’t condescending, though; she knew how she herself had felt when she first entered, and despite being tired, she repaid the sweet, sweet smile with one of her own.

“Naturally. If you would follow me…” And with that, she turned and begun showing the new guest to her seat. The dining hall was almost empty, so there were lots of places to be chosen from. Alice guessed the girl would like some privacy, seeing how she came alone, so she aimed for a table near the back of the room, with free view of the rest of the interior. As she walked, she turned back to the girl with a friendly look on her face. “First time to Vivaldi’s then?” she gently asked, curious.

((It's okay! I'm working up my muse myself ^_^ So far, the characters don't have that much to speak of, but it'll come, give it time.))

[Arien Laurora]

The waitress repaid my smile in kind, and began to show me the way to a seat. I followed along quietly, careful not to trail her steps too closely. There was much to observe as we went; since we were headed towards a table in the back of the room, I had some time to glance around. The restaurant was busy, but a pleasant sort of busy - as if it was unnatural to have only a few tables filled at once. We strode by couples enjoying a romantic dinner, a family with three children enjoying some time together, and what appeared to be a business group that was engaged in thoughtful conversation, clad in what was probably the remnants of their work outfits. One thing in common, however, was the evident wealth they all possessed - shiny Rolex watches and pearl necklaces and massive diamond rings gleamed mischievously out of the corner of my eye, while the attire was uniformly well-pressed and of a sophisticated fashion. Their hair was all well-kept and pristine perfect, and there was a hardly a face to be seen that had a single wrinkle to flaw their complexion. All these people must have either used makeup to disguise their age, had cosmetic surgery, or could simply afford to live healthier; for I had never seen such youthful, genuine facades on so great a multitude of people.

The inquiry from the blonde girl - Alice, that was her name - quickly brought me back to the present. I felt a warmth creep into my cheeks, hoping she hadn't caught me in my curious observations. Yes - and to this part of town also, to be truthful. I live in lower Avalon. I felt no need to avoid the subject, since my area was still respectable enough. I was actually quite grateful to live here - where I had come from had been a much worse area. And so, no shame was evident in my tone as I spoke. I knew I was no different than the people seated here, living in their spacious mansions and living the high life; we were all of the same blood and flesh, human beings, one and the same. It is only the mind that separates us.

Have you lived here long? I ventured to ask, risking a light conversation-starter with the host.

[Alice Locke]

She had never been in this part of town before? That one was new to Alice. Usually it was natives to the middle and upper parts of Avalon that frequented the restaurant, and this was actually the first time she’d heard of anyone what came from the lower parts. It was a pleasant surprise: up until now, she had simply supposed the interior scared people with less money in their pockets off. Vivaldi, with its soft, themed music suiting the environment and its lush, warm and light colours, spoke of its own accord: ‘have class, or don’t come.’ This lady, though, seemed to have just the class that was expected… and yet still, she was from the lower parts. Alice carefully reminded herself to re-evaluate her previous statements about the focus group of her work place.

“Yes, I’ve lived here all my life”, she confessed cheerfully as she strode on, dodging tables and gingerly showing the way to the table she’d had in mind. “I’m a native of the middle sections. I hope to move upwards quite soon.”

It was true. If only her career within the entertainment business would start to bloom, she’d be making enough to move to a bigger apartment in a nicer neighbourhood. Not that the blonde disliked her current one; oh no, she enjoyed it very much. It was just… that she longed for something more. In secret, she hoped to become good enough at what she did – good enough at singing – to actually afford a house in Eden. It was a foolish dream, yes indeed, but it was hers. For as long as she had breath in her lungs and a throat capable of producing the tunes she so much loved, she would continue to strive towards that golden goal. A house, all of her own, and a place among the big stars.

Hesitating, the waitress turned to her guest. It wasn’t appropriate to ask the visitors personal questions, but the brunette’s words called for some sort of countering. So… well, they were about the same age, and how much harm could it do?

“How about you?”

[Arien Laurora]

I noted the ever-so-subtle spark of surprise in the host's eyes spawned by my response. It was hardly a surprise to me - I was sure there weren't many 'lesser' folk traversing these parts, especially on a frequent basis. From the talk of my neighbors and other passer-by I met in my part of Avalon, it seemed that it was almost a taboo to come to these parts. Talk of pompous citizens and discrimination against outsiders were often the subject my conversations with them concerning this part of town; and so I only assumed they were none too excited to visit here often. I, however, cared little for the prejudices of others, and was always eager for an unexpected bout of inspiration from a previously unvisited place - and that was why I was here.

When she admitted she was an inhabitant of the middle district, I nodded my head. She seemed well-off enough; her hair was well-kempt and gleaming, and she had quite a pretty facade. It was only logical that she would live at least a decent lifestyle; pretty girls aren't usually found in the poorer areas. In fact, while I lived in Hesperia, I had hardly seen any young girls. At that time, I was new to Shangrila, and did not understand much; but I came to learn that many of the Hesperians were constantly working to support their families, and were too shy or afraid to spend a lot of time greeting newcomers. I myself had been there, but it took a great deal of time to find reliable work. The memory of my first arrival here sent a chill up my spine as I considered where I might be right now if I hadn't found work, and I thought a quick "thank you" to God in my head. The things that happen to desperate girls when they need money were atrocious, and I could not imagine myself being one of them...

Enough of that, I thought, shaking my head to eradicate such unpleasant thoughts from my mind. As I did so, I could hear and feel the whispers of my long, wavy tresses as they flung back and forth across my back. My concentration returned to the present just in time to hear Alice ask about my residence. Her voice sounded slightly tentative, but I rewarded her with a confident reply.

Well, I've lived her for a couple years. Started out in Hesperia, moved my way up. I have a sort of graphic design business; nothing too big, but enough to cover the bills - and some expensive hobbies. I chuckled quietly to myself, thinking of my beloved horses, and my violin; it was funny to think how I just had to have chosen some of the most pocket-heavy things to be passionate about. But, as I had always told myself before, if your heart is in it, that's all that matters. Before I knew it, I found myself continuing the conversation. I have horses too, and play violin. They're pretty much the reason I've made it to where I am now. My gaze lifted to her eyes, searching for a hint of recognition, a connection of some sort.

How about yourself, do you have any hobbies? Surely, serving finicky customers can't be the only thing you're interested in. The words escaped me so instinctively, I hadn't had time to consider the fact that she was probably in a hurry, and the last thing she needed was a lengthy conversation with a person who asked far too many questions. But it was too late now - my inquisitive nature had taken the reins, revealing my more talkative side when I would have preferred to appear less conspicuous. But there was no use crying over spilled milk; I'd just have to continue, and apologize for taking too much time out of her busy day once she had resisted my words and made for her escape.

[/blockquote]

[Alice Locke]

The stranger had seemed deep in thought at this, and Alice stepped back to allow her some time. Had she said something wrong? She hoped not. If she had, she’d upset a guest, and that was on the top of the list of Don’ts here at Vivaldi’s. Perhaps it would have been better if she had not asked that personal question… Her work place didn’t exactly encourage hostess-guest relations, and speaking so freely to a potential dinner goer… was not befitting. She should’ve know better; she’d worked here for a very long time. It was just that… this girl was a lot more friendly than the usual clientele. And they were about the same age, too. Resist temptation, Alice Locke! the blonde reminded herself. Don’t let her cheery exterior fool you! This might be a test of some–

… had she just said Hesperia? Alice blinked and stared, wide-eyed. She’d even come to a quick halt before she could manage to get her head wrapped around it – something, luckily, the young woman had not noticed as she suddenly started to spurt out random details about her life. All of a sudden, Alice knew way more than she’d ever wanted to know about her guest, and it went by very fast – no way of stopping the brunette once she’d started, it seemed! Playing the violin, and having horses! She was definitely better of than all the Hesperians’ Alice had ever heard of bunched together! Horses were an expensive hobby, and one that was rare in this city. And graphic’s design… Whoa, if this girl was skilled enough to make her living off of that, there was no wonder she’d managed to make her way up from Hesperia to Avalon; such tales were rare, but they were out there. Apparently, this dinner guest was one of the few lucky exceptions! The blonde waitress kept a smile on her lips like she’d been trained to, and nodded politely to show that she’d been listening. Fact was, she was glad to listen. This girl seemed to be one in her tastes; heck, if things had been different, maybe they could have even chatted for a while and see if there was a way to develop a friendship of sorts. But Alice was still on her shift… Though she found herself inclined to continue the talk, she wasn’t in a position to do so. Her shift wasn’t over yet… It would be soon, though, right?

Reaching the table she’d had in mind, she gently pulled out a chair for the brunette to sit down on. She had yet to answer the question as she professionally commented:
“I hope this seat will be to your liking.”

Then, before to brunette got a chance to as much as open her mouth, she added:
“Look… I’m still working right now, so speaking further wouldn’t be befitting but… I’ll be done with my shift soon, so if you wouldn’t mind, perhaps I could join you later? I just need to get out of this uniform. Then we could talk.”

It was really taking a chance, but she liked this person enough to take the risk. After all, how else would you make friends if you didn’t take an opportunity dangling in front of you? And Alice wasn’t one to lie; she found the prospect of speaking to a violinist, horse-keeper and former Hesperian intriguing!

[Arien Laurora]

I stood a moment in awkward hesitancy, knowing my mouth had once again run off without heeding the appropriateness of the situation. This girl probably didn't have a care for my passions - she was merely doing her job, as need required. To listen and become involved was entirely above her duties. But the moment passed almost too quickly, and she showed me a seat with a sort of eagerness I hadn't noticed before. Perhaps I was wrong, and those of the higher class - including Alice here - were not as impudent and careless as they were said to be. I was about to apologize, seeking forgiveness for my rash behavior, when all of a sudden -

Alice quickly offered to speak with me at a more convenient time, once she had been released from her shift. My jaw hung loosely in an expression of utter shock, a face I was sure would not be considered appropriate by the other inhabitants of the restaurant. I could care less about what they thought; but I realized I'd look like an idiot on top of wasting the host's time if I continued to gawk at her reaction. With a compulsive act of will, I snapped my mouth shut, and turned my eyes to look into hers.

Yes, ma'am. That is most suitable. I pray I haven't kept you too long - please, return to your post. I will wait until your shift ends. Thank you again.

In an attempt to regain composure after what to some might have seemed an obviously queer series of occurrences, I took my seat gently, and made myself comfortable. The last thing I wanted to do now was be seen as inconspicuously different from the rest of the diners; the fact that Alice had invited me to speak with her could possibly risk her public image, and it would be more than grievous to deal with the blame of that if it should occur. My posture was straightened, and I folded my hands neatly in my lap. I was glad I had decided to wear a pair of skinny jeans, flats, a patterned top, and dark jacket to the place - my normal outfit while I was home included sweats and t-shirts, which would not be nearly appropriate enough for the classy restaurant I was currently sitting in. It was funny - if it weren't for Alice, and the possible friendship with her we might soon discover, I could care less about others' perceptions. To suddenly realize how I might be perceived by others was a feeling I had never really had experience with before...besides appearing professional in my business, anyway. Was this what it was like to have friends? To constantly angst over the opinions of others, hoping and praying that they would be positive in regards to me? And if that was true, what then? Would I be willing to relieve my worry-free self for the sake of others? Could I even try?

[/blockquote]

[Alice Locke]

Alice giggled softly at the woman’s reply, and nodded shortly. The apologetic behaviour of the guest was weird to see; even though this woman was a Hesperian through blood or birth, she was still of a higher position than Alice in this restaurant. It was funny to see how such a small gesture of kindness – the will to speak to her – could render her so dumbstruck she stood with her mouth wide-opened and stared. Surely, they would have a great conversation once the blonde girl was released from her duties. Getting to know new people was great; friendly faces were scarce around here…

“Don’t fret”, she begged. “I’ll just get you a menu, and then you can give me a sign when you’ve decided what you’ll have.”

And with that, the waitress left to go over to one of the discreet shelves where they kept their menu folders.

((Sorry for it being so short! If you want to, you could jump ahead to when Arien has finished her dinner and paid the bill, so we could have the girls strike up a proper conversation :3 ))

[Arien Laurora]

[OOC: You know, that would probably be a good idea! I'll do just that ^^]

I couldn't possibly eat another bite. Though the portions of the tilapia entree I had ordered were dainty, as I assumed was the fashion for all fine dining restaurants, it had certainly made up for its size with substance. The flavors of the cheese and tender fish exploded in my taste buds, a myriad of colorful tastes overwhelming my senses with each bite. It was all I could do to resist waddling out of the restaurant like a pregnant woman; it had been a long time since I'd ate so much in one sitting. When I thought about it, however, I realized how scanty my own rations were at home on a daily basis; it took little more than a sandwich and a bowl of soup to get me through the day. This was not the result of some extreme diet (ramen, though exquisitely addicting, was not exactly the healthiest choice of food) or a preference to eat only enough to keep my body going. My eating habits were consequences of a very thrifty lifestyle, where I could not afford more than what need demanded. The majority of my leftover expenses were used towards my horses; I could not stand to see them starve, even if it meant I had to go hungry in the process. And so there I stood, my stomach swelled to bursting over my jeans, as I placed my last few bills on my table as a tip to my waitress.

Walking with a nonchalant stride that boasted of ultimate satisfaction, I neared the entrance of Vivaldi's. I took one last glimpse of the interior of the restaurant - knowing it might be a long while before I could see it again - before pressing my hand to the intricately-carved front doors and swinging my way outside. The night air was refreshingly cool, carrying the smell of a recent rain with it as it blew gently down the street. I marveled at the lights of the houses and buildings along the road, the luminescence of the streetlamps on the rain puddles gathered intermittently in gutters and dips of the lane. It was so peaceful, in a sort of hushed-up, strained way; it was as if the noise of the city during the day had been clamped up in some giant palm, keeping the placidity of the night intact until the sun's first rays the following day. My part of town was less bustling, even in the daytime, and so it lacked the personality I found this area ripe with. On the other hand, Hesperia was just a dilapidated wreck of confusing sounds and voices at all hours of the day...I certainly did not miss living there.

I considered how lucky Alice was to get to live in an area such as this...where everyone was constantly out and about, and every inch of the city looked pristine and aesthetically designed to the highest degree of perfection. Yes, only the wealthy could live here, but I knew that the true audience for the city was for the artists. Only we could truly appreciate the beauty of the buildings, plants, and landscapes to their full potential; all the inhabitants here appreciated, most likely, was the price tag accompanying such things. If only they knew just how wonderful their homes were, in comparison to other areas...

But of course they didn't know. They had never had to live in the desperate Hesperian district, they had never been made to trek across Britain amidst the rubble and chaos and destruction of war. How could they fully appreciate it? The thought saddened me, and I recalled the earliest memories of my life - filled with bombs and collapsed buildings, unceasingly smog-filled skies, and the presence of fear ever gripping my heart. If I was ever to live here, I would not abandon the tragic roots I had emerged from. I would always be grateful for being given my life, when so many others had lost theirs.

My musings broke as a gust of wind kicked up my hair and sent a deep chill down my neck. Reality snapped back into focus, and I was once again standing on the porch of Vivaldi's. How long I had been transfixed there, I was not sure; but I felt that any moment now, Alice should be out to join me - if things went according to our plan, that is. With work, there was never any way of knowing when exactly you would be freed. I knew this all too well from the years of experience under my belt. And so I patiently stood, looking out into the inky darkness of the night. Waiting.

[/blockquote]

[Alice Locke]

Another day’s work behind her, Alice took her time to catch her breath in the locker room. The day had been full of duties; clearing tables, greeting customers, carrying meals into the dining hall, and dirty dishes back into the kitchen for cleaning. It paid the rent, and was fun work, but the young blonde longed for something more. As she stripped out of her uniform to change into her usual garments, she dreamed of the stage. The feeling that filled her when she held on to a note so high, so high, and heard the crowd beneath her go wild with euphoria as she spread light and merriment with her voice… those where the evenings she dreamed of. There, in the spotlight, with a microphone in her hand and an audience entranced with the song she performed all on her own. It was a special feeling, its equal undiscovered in her dull day-to-day life. Serving meals at Vivaldi’s was a decent enough job, but the girl dreamt of finally being able to do what she lived for – singing, and making a living off of it.

Sighing, Alice hung her waitress’ uniform inside the locker marked with her own name, and carefully smoothed out a wrinkle in the soft fabric. One day… one day she’d be able to give herself to the career of her choice, but until then, she’d have to make do with what she had. She considered herself lucky in either case; she had a nice apartment, and she didn’t starve. Why should she? She was an Avalonian, and none of her likes went to bed hungry at night. Alice had never known hunger or starvation, never feared for war or family. She’d grown up in a safe and sound environment, with all she could possibly want. The only terror she’d ever known was that of her nyctophobia; when she was small the fear of the dark had been severe, but nowadays it was more under control. She could handle nightfall, but still slept with at least one lamp lit. Still, it was not as bad as in other parts of the city. Unlike certain Hesperians, she didn’t have to worry about income or food on the table.

As she started dressing, her thoughts drifted from the lowest districts to the acquaintance she’d made today. A former Hesperian made Avalonian through hard work, with horses and the violin as her most prominent interests. Alice looked forward to having the talk with her that she’d promised before serving her dinner. A new friend was always a welcome sight, and this young woman had seemed intriguing. Certainly, she would have a lot of interesting stories to share, and their mutual love for music would give them something to speak of. She’d left a nice enough tip too. Hopefully, she hadn’t forgotten, and was waiting outside. The thought made Alice hurry up a bit and she quickened her movements as if anxious that she’d be too late and get out long after the company’s departure.

After having told the boss she was leaving for the night, the blonde girl finally escaped the pristine interior of the restaurant and escaped into the cool night air. Dressed in a white, knee-length dress and a turquoise knitted sweater, she shuddered at the sudden change of temperature. Then she quickly turned her head, sending the golden locks flying in her face, and as she caught sight of Arien she shone up in a bright smile.

“Sorry to keep you waiting!” she called out as she approached the brunette. “I had to get changed.”

[Arien Laurora]

After what seemed to be only a moment, the sound of a swinging door alerted my hearing. I swiveled my head towards Vivaldi's entrance doors to see Alice swinging jovially along, her blonde tresses tumbling in gorgeous ripples down her shoulders. I took a moment to admire her outfit - a sophisticated-casual white dress complete with a very snug-looking knitted sweater - before I chose to reply to her apology.

You took very little time, I assure you. I was just admiring the lights. My gaze wandered once more to the golden light washing over the stones of the street and faces of buildings. It was a lovely contrast to the silvery glimmers from the sparse array of stars that managed to peek through the dark, precipitation-laden clouds. Silver and gold - that's what Avalon was all about. The valuable and glamorous, and all that was appealing or desirable. Again, I forced myself to relent from my visual analysis of the area in order to bring my attention back to the girl before me. They're beautiful. You're so lucky to have all this luminescence to brighten up the streets at night.

The brisk winter air swept swiftly by, raising goosebumps on my arms and reminding me of our plight. We needed somewhere to go, to talk, to converse about our histories and futures in the polite mode of starting a friendship...but where an ideal spot for this could be found, I hadn't the slightest idea. Though I was Avalonian, I was all but familiar with the upper-city localities and the navigation of the city streets.

Where would you like to go? I wondered if Alice would be entirely deterred if I offered my own home as a possibility. It wasn't the best option, and neither was it in the wealthier portion of Avalon, but it wasn't at all unclean or otherwise unfit for habitation. It was just a simple living space, designed for function instead of infatuation. Maybe she would suggest we retire to her home; though I didn't know what it would be like, I was confident that it would be several times better than my own abode. Then again, Alice might not have had the chance to eat before or after her shift; in that case, perhaps some sort of bistro or coffee shop would be sufficient. The choice is up to you. If nothing else, we can go to my place. It's not that bad - clean and simple, just nothing too over-the-top about it. My horses would love to meet you. I looked into her eyes in order to observe what I could of a reaction to my offer. I prayed I wasn't being too forthcoming; if she felt at all reclusive or offended by the suggestion, I would have to beg her forgiveness. I wasn't very timid when social interactions came into play, so it didn't seem too forward to put the option up for decision. But others didn't always think the way I did; in fact, they rarely did.

Perhaps that was why I was so interested in Alice. There was more to her than met the eye; though her outward disguise hinted at a pompous daughter of a wealthy family who had had everything handed to her her whole life, there was grace, determination, and a willingness to work for her goals in her manners. I could sense there was something that drove this hard-working girl - some passion or desire that, until full bloom, she would keep hidden to all but those who ask. It was only a matter of time before I might have the opportunity to ask her about it. And when I did, if I did, I surmised that Alice was anything but your typical affluent city girl. A rare gem is a beautiful find, and this waitress had all the characteristics of being one.

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[Alice Locke]

The offer was a surprise, although not an unpleasant one. Alice would most certainly love to meet Arien’s horses too – animals bigger than your average dog was a rare site in the city, and it was a very distinct characteristic to actually be able to have _one_ equine – more so a stable with them! The blonde girl shone up at the prospect of seeing such uncommon beasts, while at the same time talking some more with the intriguing woman before her. This was a chance-meeting, indeed, but it seemed to be a lucky one.

“I wouldn’t mind heading over to your place”, she assured her new acquaintance, her light voice cheery from the prospect. Then she realized she might’ve sounded too straight-forward, and she blushed. “I mean… if it’s not too much of a bother? Or inappropriate…”

It would be inappropriate! The two of them had only just met, and Alice didn’t know anything about this woman – Arien – asides from what she’d been told while waiting her table at the restaurant. For all she knew, this could be a wanted felon of some kind. Though… that was highly unlikely. Criminal activity was ever at its lowest, and robbery was almost unheard of – kidnapping even less so. The secret police kept the city streets clean, and the risk of being approached by someone bearing ill will was slim to none. Fact was, the highest number of incidents leading to assignments in Anubis’ work – as far as Alice had understood from rumours – was looking for missing persons… a number which seemed to increase slowly but steadily.

Then again… They had just met, but Arien seemed honest enough, and it was she who had invited to it to begin with. If she saw any problem in asking a woman she’d just met over to her place, then surely she would not have proposed that they could head over there now, would she? No… Surely, it would be alright. But she felt she had to ask anyways. Insulting this new person now would be disastrous. The Hesperian-turned-Avalonian was way too interesting for Alice to want to drive her away this early. She wanted to know more, and longed for companionship.

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