voice;

[rosettawall]

[When Alice's voice comes, it is very... quiet. Distant. She doesn't actually sound like she's speaking to anyone in particular, at least at first.]

They're not safe here...

This world is going to make them suffer more and more...

...I need to protect them...

But how do I do that, when I can't stop those things that would hurt them...

[It sounds like just idle musing at this point, as if she's trying to contemplate a real answer to this.]

One way or another, I cannot allow that... No matter what anyone says, I know it will come again...

They won't suffer again. I... there are ways I can make sure of that, I am certain... I know I can stop it, some way...

Comments

voice;

[rosettawall]

[Pause.]

My quarters...

Why do you ask, Henry-san...?

voice;

[havesomedeath]

...is it okay if I come visit you?

[He's going there either way, though. He'll just wait for her answer before knocking on her door.]

voice;

[rosettawall]

[A part of her is wary, and she does not respond for a moment. When she does, her tone is even and with little emotion evident.]

If you so wish, Henry-san.

voice;

[havesomedeath]

[He knocks on her door and opens it. His smile is back and the cheerful tone back in his voice.]

Hey-o, Alice! How's it hanging?

[Like they didn't just talk about that already or anything, but that's Henry for you.]

action;

[rosettawall]

[Alice... appears a bit more together than she had over the weekend. She appears to have actually gotten some minimal amount of sleep, and looks less unkempt. But she just sort of sits there, staring at him evenly as he enters.]

Good day, Henry-san. Is there something I could help you with...?

action;

[havesomedeath]

Yeah, actually! 'Cause, y'know, I was thinking that you're right about how dangerous this place is. So I think it'd be a good idea to stick together!

[He grinned at her, looking as innocent as someone like Henry could look.]

Don't you agree?

action;

[rosettawall]

[After the conversation they'd just had and how much it flopped back and forth, she eyes him a bit suspiciously, but nods slightly. Still ever polite, even now.]

Yes, as long as you intend to stick to that which you say...

action;

[havesomedeath]

Well, sure, why wouldn't I? I know I'm a bit weird and all, but I'm a trustworthy guy!

action;

[rosettawall]

[In normal circumstances, with her right mind, Alice might indeed think so. Now, she just continues to give him a suspecting glance.]

...what did you wish to see me about in person, Henry-san?

action;

[havesomedeath]

I just thought some company might be nice for a while, if that's okay. We are on the same crew, after all.

You don't mind, right?

[Wow look at how subtle he is being, so amazing. Clearly this is perfectly normal and not at all suspect.]

action;

[rosettawall]

[She still eyes him curiously, but looks away for a moment then.]

Hopefully it shall remain that way, but... I suppose I do not, for now...

action;

[havesomedeath]

Alright, good!

[Henry's just gonna take a seat on any available surface. Hell, he'll take the floor if he has to. Point is, he's clearly not leaving soon.]

You know I meant what I said earlier, about how I won't let anyone on this ship get hurt. So don't worry about a thing, I'll take care of it!

[rosettawall]

Yes, of course...

[She tries not to make eye contact, wringing her hands together.]

It is my responsibility to them, all the same.

[havesomedeath]

It doesn't have to be just yours, you know. They can take care of themselves too, right? You don't have to do it alone!

[...it is a strange day when Henry is the one giving out the friendship speeches.]

[rosettawall]

That is why I have the power I do, though... Mine is to protect. I am supposed to defend them. It's the... reason I became a Precure...

...if they could take care of themselves, they never would have been hurt in the first place... They wouldn't need me...

[Saying that brings her to a bit of a pause, and she looks at him with a wild look in her eyes.]

They do need me, though... they need me to keep them safe, Henry-san...

[havesomedeath]

Well, it's not like I'm saying you can't protect them at all or anything! But... I think you don't really understand what you're even saying, with how far you wanna go. Not everyone has the stomach for that, you know.

Your friend, Rikka... Do you think she wants you to protect her like this?

[rosettawall]

I have to have the stomach for it. There is no other choice, Henry-san!

[She rises up. A little too quickly, a little too aggressively. She doesn't advance on him, but the look in her eyes is decidedly dangerous.]

Rikka-chan... I do not think she understands... [She draws in a long breath.] I will make her understand if I need to. It is for her own good... Mana-chan understands me, at least... Mana-chan might be the only one who does...

[havesomedeath]

No, see, that's where you're wrong. You do have other choices. You're lucky like that!

[This is definitely not a good situation, he can tell that much. He wishes that he had more experience talking with people so he knew what could calm her down.]

I don't think you and Mana should throw away that luck like this.

[rosettawall]

No, this place does not give us any other choices.

The only luck there is here is that I am with Mana-chan and Rikka-chan... If anything were to interfere with that, or hurt them...

[She tenses.]

...that will be unacceptable... So, I must do everything I can to prevent it.

It's the only way, Henry-san.

[havesomedeath]

...and if I said that I won't let you, what would you do then?

[rosettawall]

[Alice gazed at him for a very long moment, her expression... blank, unreadable. Finally, she speaks, softly.]

I do not believe you wish to do that, Henry-san...

[havesomedeath]

Oh, you'd be surprised at the things I wish to do! Most of them are really terrible ideas. Doesn't stop me from doing them, though!

[rosettawall]

You will not stop me from doing as I need to, Henry-san.

Mana-chan is counting on me. Rikka-chan needs me.

[havesomedeath]

Ah, actually, I promised Rikka earlier that I'd look after you. And that I wouldn't let you do anything you'll regret later. I'm pretty sure this qualifies!

I'm many things, but I'm not the type of guy who goes around breaking promises, y'know.

[rosettawall]

[Alice's eyes widen. Was... was Rikka trying to do things behind her back? No, no... she had to trust Rikka... Rikka was just scared, but she would make her understand...

Him, on the other hand...]

I do not need you to look after me, Henry-san...

The only thing I would regret is letting something awful happen to Rikka-chan or Mana-chan again...