Private Providence Which Way is West?

[Juniper Lockton]

"That's really sweet of you to say, but don't worry about being inept or anything like that. This has been a wonderful interaction, really!" She tried to pep her up and realize that they were both just being a little hard on themselves, "We'll learn how to overcome our issues together, I'm sure of it. I have a good feeling about you and a good feeling is important to listen to."

"I'd really appreciate that, truly. You have no idea how much that means to me." She was getting a little emotional, but keeping it together through a soft smile that betrayed her desire to not cry. She felt warm and her eyes began to glisten, so she fanned at them like she'd seen in movies when makeup would run and ruin otherwise, exhaling sharply with a small laugh as she did so, "I just can't believe this is happening, this game has really been a lifesaver for me in ways I couldn't have imagined."

To her final question, she nodded, "Yea, of course! In fact, here." She took to scribbling her phone number on a little notepad she tore out of a notebook she had in her bag before handing it over to the magia.

"There, just text me when we log out and we'll have each other's numbers. I look forward to meeting you in the real world." Another big smile that threatened to blind, and suddenly she had the desire to hug her new companion. Unable to hold herself back, she acted on the instinct, lunging into a hug that landed her head at the other's chest.

 

[Alice]

"If you insist," Alice answered with a slight nod and making a mental note for herself to not concern herself with how apt she was when it came to interacting with Juniper. No need to employ her public persona, as her father had instructed her to do. Perhaps this should have been a pleasant moment, to have someone other than her mother and their housekeepers with whom she could exist in her default state. But, in truth, Alice had no notion of this possibility.

What did have an emotional affect on the Magia though was the phrase 'good feeling'. A good feeling about someone. What exactly did that entail? What was the process, the logic. How did one develop a 'good feeling' about someone with limited interaction with the person in question? Alice had been on the verge of asking this very very question before Juniper spoke again.

"...this game has really been a lifesaver for me in ways I couldn't have imagined." To this Alice did not react. She did not know how Terrasphere could have possibly saved Juniper's life, but the girl had long since learned it was sometimes better to let people say such odd things, let them believe what they would.

Juniper quickly scribbled something onto a piece of paper from the notebook she had pulled from her bag, before tearing the paper off and handing it to Alice. The girl took it, glancing at the paper and noting the US country code before she felt arms encircle her body, squeezing her tightly, Juniper's face pressed against her chest. Was this a...'hug?' Alice froze, unsure of how she was supposed to react. She had never been hugged before. Except by her mother, she required no reaction from Alice. The Magia thought quickly, attempting to decide a proper course of action. With one hand, Alice gently (and stiffly) patted Juniper's back. "There, there," she said in as consoling a tone as she could muster. Which was not at all.

@Juniper Lockton

 

[Juniper Lockton]

And insist she did, smiling lightly at the agreement that the magia offered. People didn't need to try too hard or pretend around her. She was happy to be friends with all types, including those that maybe seemed off-putting to the average person. After all, even lemons could be featured in great desserts, right?

As she went in for a hug, she felt a stiff hand on her back, which made her smirk a little. She really wasn't good at this, huh? That was okay. Pulling back, she cleared her throat with her fist in front of her mouth and then put her hands together in front of her, swaying back and forth from her tip-toes. A little anxious about this idea that they would soon be meeting in the real world, if she could make it happen, and Alice would see her real appearance. It put a stone in her gut, but she resolved easily that it was for the best.

If it was going to happen, anyway. This could have all been hollow. It could have been a fake phone number. Maybe she would never see Alice again and it was all an attempt to just be nice for her sake in the moment. How many friends had bailed on her after making plans and promises to do things before? Still, she wore a tight smile and offered her goodbye,

"Well, it's been nice meeting you! I hafta get goin', but just message me and we can talk about stuff soon. Have a good day!" And with that, she was off, heading to a safe spot to log out and deal with her anxiety in a more effective way than just trying to shake it off. She'd forgotten about traveling with the woman for the moment, not trying to be rude but just...not able to handle the situation anymore right now. She needed to be alone, out of the game, to sort through things mentally, "Thanks again!"

@Alice

 

[Alice]

Juniper released Alice from her embrace after a few moments, the beaming smile that the beastfolk wore letting Alice know that she had, in fact, been successful in comforting her first friend. The Magia's lips softly curled upwards, almost imperceptibly as she felt the smallest spark of pride well in her breast.

"Well, it's been nice meeting you! I hafta get goin', but just message me and we can talk about stuff soon. Have a good day!" Juniper quickly bade Alice farewell before turning and hurrying off. Alice stood raising one hand and stiffly waving back to the woman, watching as she scurried away.

"You too..." she said softly before opening her palm UI and pressing the log out button.

​

Alice pulled the headset off her head, long blue lock of hair cascading down as they freed themselves from the inside of her headset. Sitting up, she set the device neatly on her nightstand, where it always went before grabbing her phone and standing up, leaving her room.

The housekeeper spotted the girl almost immediately from where she was wiping down the kitchen counter. "Ah, Ms. Alice," the kindly middle-aged woman greeted her, "may I get you anything?"

"No need, thank you." The woman was undisturbed by the girl's stiff mannerisms. She'd served the household for years, and had quickly gotten used to the girl's ways. In fact, though she'd never admit it to the girl or her mother, she'd seemed more expressive since her father's death. A good thing, no doubt. The man had always expected too much of her, placed too heavy a burden on the girl.

"Please ready the guest room."

The woman blinked in surprise at the sudden request. "O-of course. May I ask, are you having a friend over?" That would be a pleasant development. This would be the first time the woman had ever even heard Alice make mention of any friends.

"Yes. She will be living with us."

"Oh, that's wonderful- NANI!?"

@Juniper Lockton