cruelwonder | IC Contact

[She blinks briefly into the light at the other end, blinded for a moment. But then her eyes are widening with wonder, absolutely entranced by what she sees.]

My God... It's amazing, Jack.

Have you ever seen a beach before?

[It's not a mocking question, but a genuine one. He tangled their fingers together tightly and leads her up to the ridge.]

And the best part is, we're alone. Nobody can find us here.

I haven't, actually. There weren't any where I lived in London.

[She smiles, holding his hand tightly as she follows him.]

...We're still in Siren's Port, aren't we?

Aye. Just on the coastline.

[He falls silent until they reach the top. Taking the picnic basket from her, he unpacks a blanket, spreading it out on the sand, and gestures.]

We can even watch the sun set, if you don't mind riskin' a few monsters.

[She nods, sitting and smoothing down her dress. She helps him take out the contents of the basket with a smile.]

I'm not afraid, trust me.

[And she trusts him; she knows she'll be all right.]

It's really beautiful, though.

[He beams over at her.]

I'm glad you like it.

I do. It's lovely, Jack, really. I'm almost sad that I've never seen a view like this before.

[Wonderland really doesn't count. She sets her hand on his.]

[Happily he tangles their fingers together, snuggling against her.]

Well, you seen it now! And you can see it whenever you want.

[She laughs quietly, settling against him.]

Yes, I'll just swing over to your place whenever. I'll be certain to wake Sirius up as well, when I can.

[He kisses the top of her head.]

Just not for the sunrise, love, he's awful at that. He'll grumble and yell and sulk and then wander back to bed til two.

[She smiles at the kiss, leaning up to kiss the bottom of his jaw.]

How can he sleep so late? Does he stay up all night?

[He pauses-- not because the question is difficult or odd, but because he's too busy smiling.]

Ye-ees, yes, pretty much. Til about-- oh, I think three or four nowadays. I don't know, I'm always out by midnight.

What? But... But what does he do all night?

Play with Yorick. Draw. Watch movies-- you'd be amazed what I can sleep through nowadays, it's wild.

You're that tired?

[She looks concerned.]

Nah, I'm just used to him bangin' round, love, that's all. Don't worry.

[She almost grins at that.]

Nights in the manor are much the same. Someone's always up doing something...usually Gilbert's cooking until early morning.

[He snorts.]

And Alois is playin' dress up, I bet.

[She looks surprised.]

You know about that?

Oh yes.

[He rolls his eyes, albeit fondly.]

He and I were at a party once. He was in a dress.

[She sets a hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles.]

Oh. I see. I didn't realize it was a regular occurrence.

Jesus, yes. He's a good dancer, though, I'll give him that.

[He leans back, resting his elbows on the sand.]

[She smiles warmly, glancing out at the sun and the way it hits the water.]

...It's quite possibly the nicest view I've ever seen.

[A real view, that is.]

[He glances up, smiling as he takes in the sight.]

Yeah. We never-- back in New York, y'know, you had to climb up real high to see the sunsets, and usually I was workin' anyway. Anyway, so it still would set on the ocean, but . . . I don't know. It's better here. Cleaner. Do that make sense?

[He smiles once more at her back scooting back, tugging a piece of paper and a pencil.]

Hold still.

[She nods.]

Perfect sense. The east end of London always had smog. It wasn't clean. Sunsets looked like the entire city was on fire.

[Alice looks back at him.]

What are you doing?

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

Re: action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;