[@Mister Thirteen]

[quote]And I apologize if I've slipped, or belly-flopped, into a dictating position. A thousand pardons I beg.[/quote]

It happens and we'll all guilty of it at some point or another, so no worries! I hope I didn't sound too harsh.

As for the drab apartment scene. Alice needs to get out of it and most likely embroiled in bigger things especially if Liam is being so persistent. As for things I have a few things to point out. Liam knows Alice greatly desires her shop back, so does Aleera. Aleera knows Alice would do almost anything for that, include lure Liam. So perhaps you could do something with that. While Liza may not be aware. Alice knows politics to a degree as her family while not embroiled in them was embroiled in social acrobatics with business parties and such. Aka: Really high end family that tried to make Alice follow that same life. Something she never wanted to be a part of. Perhaps we could do something with that.

As for getting her out of the apartment. She needs it. For her own health she needs it. Perhaps Liza could drag her out to the bar in an attempt?