[Center][h1]Alice[/h1][/center]

The recovery from the fight with the Advisor had been the hardest thing for Alice. When the Advisor had attacked her it had been quick and brutal-she was rather surprised when she came back to consciousness alive. A lingering question in the back of her head asking how she had not died; it, of course, was quickly wiped from her mind as she had felt her shoulder still fully out of it’s socket and several of her ribs broken or fractured. It didn’t help she had also woken up to a very passed out Stark who was bleeding from the face. 

That all had been about two months ago. 

Now she, along with many others, was back in the castle back in Barcea preparing for Silvae’s Celebration. When she was still living in the West the winter time was her least favorite time of year, as she did not like cold, but also her favorite time of year as it was the time of year to give aid and love to those around you. So Alice did what she did best-she cooked. 

While there were quite a few of the others in the traveling party who had become full on Sentinel’s she was one of the few who remained as an ally to the then Prince and now crowned King. Once she had a few more things figured out there was a chance she would either leave Barcea or make this place her home-time would yet tell. However, she would indulge in the festivities as much as she could-the red flower tucked just under the pink carnation in her hair as the red ribbon tied around her neck being the clearest indicators.

Ding! -Just like the cookies that just finished in the oven.

The woman turned and pulled the pan from it’s baking position, with the help of one of the very king kitchen workers who was assisting Alice amongst the midst of the constant celebration going on. In their little corner of the kitchen they left the last batch to cool while preparing the final touches to the bags she had ready-the ribbons needing to be tied off before placed into one of the waiting baskets for her to take to those around the castle or outside in the city. 

Speaking of inside of the castle, she plotted carefully whose room would receive the next ribbon treatment. Shadar had been being much more vigilant as of late so decorating his and Drosil’s room was proving difficult. It also did not help that there were some in the castle whose room she was afraid to enter. Alice truly did know that little to no harm would come to her if she were to be caught but the thought of the Direwolf or Vesta is what made her fear the most. She’d already gotten to some people’s rooms like Christopher- enjoying his cursing fits- as well as Cyril’s room. She had wanted to surprise Ayano but it seemed the Princess had beaten her to the punch because when she had entered the Princess’ room it had already been a red explosion on the inside. 

If she were honest she went over board with a few rooms but others she added small touches, much like with Dalious’, Diane’s, Sampson’s, Mister Dubois’ and Cyril’s rooms. Adding touches of red here and there and leaving anonymous foods with a kind note before scurrying out. Others got the full treatment.of red ribbons, bows, ties, flowers, and decor all over their rooms- Christopher being the one who got the worst of it followed by Alasa, Gortul, and Stark. All of which she also left cookies and sweets for them to return to; in hopes of defusing potential anger. They too received notes.

Alice had yet to get to everyone but she was working her way through the list and she would be damned if she didn’t get to everyone. These festivities were just what everyone needed, even if it was more of a distraction for many then an actual benefit. She tied off the last of the bags as she mindlessly filled the baskets carefully before picking it up and beginning to make her rounds to anyone she passed in the hallways-still in rather deep thought as to how to subtly 

[Center][h1]Stark[/h1][/center]

“It's done!” 

The exclamation was loud as can be in Stark’s minimal room as she held up the fruit of her labors. It was hand made and , to the unknowing, looked wrong. One side longer than the other and the other being oddly short if there at all. 

 However, she was proud of her work as she carefully folded the fabric into a neat pile before placing it gingerly into a simple red bag with a painstakingly detailed name tag with the name of ‘Christopher Nocte’.

The silver haired mage tucked a bit of hair behind her ear as she flexed her aching fingers. As much as she liked crafting things- sewing was the most painful so far. “Lady Diane should still be in…” she quietly said to herself as she grabbed the bag before slipping out of her own room and began her way towards where Diane should be.

She didn’t go very far before she ended up running into Christopher, with the proximity between the living rooms of the Sentinels and allied members with the training areas for the group. He nearly missed her to begin with, only looking up when he happened to hear footsteps coming from the other way. Eyebrows furrowing briefly, he brought up his hand and gave a slight wave.

[b]”Yo, Stark. Everything okay?”[/b]

Stark damn near jumped out of her skin when she realized Chris was addressing her. She gave a small squeak before panicking. She had wanted to leave his present anonymously but yet here he was. Oh to the Divines with it.


“Uh. UM! FUCK! HERE!” Smooth Stark.

She shoved the package into his chest as her face turned redder and redder by the second.

Taking it full to the chest, he grunted as he briefly staggered back, his arm wrapping around it to keep it from falling. Eyebrows going up briefly, he looked down, before looking back up to her and holding it towards her again.

[b]”Hold it for me.”[/b]

Stark felt a knot in her throat as her ears turned a brilliant red. She looked down as she held the bag open for him to pull the contents out. 

“I- Icanresizeitifitdoesntfit.” She sputtered out in a quick string of words.

He didn’t respond, not to begin with. Instead, he was just focused on slowly pulling the sweater out, looking over it. Of course, he noticed the difference of the length of sleeves, and he looked up to her once more, from the clothing. He grinned ever slightly.

[b]”You cheeky bitch.”[/b]

Everything was red now as she forced herself to look up at him with her nose scrunched and a twist of her lips. 

“I just wanted you safe. The enemy could grab the sleeve and hurt you again so I made it shorter and I know I made the inside red so it wouldn't stain because we both know you're reckless and going to get hurt but I don’t like seeing you hurt and I don't want you to be cold so...I thought it would be a good idea…” her words slowed to a neat trickle as she more or less was deflated.

[b]”I love it.”[/b]

Her mouth fell in a perfect ‘O' shape before grinning widely. “Really? You mean it? You promise you do? Don't lie to me jerk face.” She stated as she was practically bouncing on her toes with barely contained excitment.

He shook his head slightly. [b]”No, I’m not lying to you at all. It’s really thoughtful, and I greatly appreciate it.”[/b] Still, he smiled. [b]”So, thank you.”[/b]

The excitement seemed to be too much as she dropped the bag in a little flail as she closed the gap and have him a hug grinning broadly. “I'm glad you enjoy it. If any seams mess up just tell me and I'll fix it okay? Don’t go messing it up either okay?” She broadly asked as she took a step back still smiling and bouncing on her toes.

He clearly didn’t mind the hug, bringing his arm up and around to return the embrace, and dropping it afterwards, keeping a tight hold on the sweater all the while. [b]”Of course. I’ll do my very best to, at least.”[/b]

“I'm going to hold you to that, Sparky.” she mused as she picked the bag back up- removed the name tag and stuck it to his chest with another from before going around him literally skipping off towards Diane’s.