Hello! My newfound obsessions gave me an idea. To all of my regular readers, I have been super busy and will post the next chapter for Anduin Rush ASAP! OK, so after watching Sweeney Todd I had this funny little idea! Enjoy… (Also, for all of you who like to be exact for possible dates of events, this might be off, but it'll be worth when you read the story.)
Summary: After leaving Rutledge Asylum, Alice travels to London to find a place to write her stories about Wonderland. But will Fleet Street be the best place to look for an apartment?
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She looked out into broad world, with more intuition and knowledge than ever before. With her suitcase in hand, and her thin cat, Dina. Before leaving the Asylum, she had been told to make her way to Fleet Street, a few successful entrepreneurs had started there, and they often rented out apartments. She made her way out unto the busy cobble streets of London. She walked along casually, looking for any signs of the street.
Although very outspoken in argument, she was very shy to be out in the world she hadn't seen for almost a decade. While walking in a district with large estates, most likely for political figures, she felt hand on her shoulder. She spun around, and met a face. But not the whole face, the eyes were hidden with straggled blonde hair covered by a hat of some sort.
"Alms! Alms for a desperate woman!" the beggar cried. Her dirty face slightly brightened toward Alice.
"I have no money at, all I'm afraid. Could you tell me the way to Fleet Street? If you could, you may have something of value to give to a pawnshop." Alice put the cat down to stretch. Alice pondered for a moment of why it was called a pawnshop. The last one she had been to was run by a real pawn.
"A few blocks farther, then turn left near the pie shop. Now, let's see what you have, dearie." The hag squeaked. The beggar rubbed her hands together coarsely in curiosity.
Alice reached into her small suitcase, and pulled out 3 pieces of a walking stick, and screwed them together. It looked almost like a croquet mallet. "Here, a walking stick. I see you might need one, you walk crouched like a weight is pulling you, maybe now you may have more luck getting your 'alms'." Alice handed the previous weapon to beggar woman.
The woman stared at the stick, then grabbed it with greed, and ran off in the other direction, calling "Alms!" all the way down the street.
Alice made her way farther down the street, using the directions. Then made a turn at the corner, and there 'twas, Ms. Lovett's Pie Shop. "Well," she whispered to herself. She had become quite used to that while in the Asylum. "Let's try here. Come along Dina," She looked around, no sign of her beloved cat. "Dina!" She yelled out. This area was slightly barren in terms of crowds, so she wasn't afraid to scream out. "Diiiiiiiinnaaaaaaaaaa!" She yelled once more. Nothing.
She was about to cry, her closest friend in this world, gone. "It's just part of growing up." She sighed. She stood up tall and whiped tears off her cheek. She continued on her business. She walked into the pie shop. A small room with a few tables and chairs, an oven, and a small counter with materials for baking.
"Hello?" she said, quite timidly. Just then, a middle-aged woman popped out from a door on the side of the room, Alice guessed it was a living quarters. "Are you, Ms. Lovett?" she asked.
"Why yes, one and only, come 'ere for a meat pie?" The lady said. She traveled over to her counter to start making the pie. "Sorry, I'll 'ave to make from scratch, I 'ardly get a customer at all!" Ms. Lovett had a noticeably strong English accent, and a large, dark dress. Her hair seemed a little frizzy, but matched the rest of her outfit.
Alice took a small stool near the counter. "Actually, I was wondering if you might have a room?" Alice said politely, as she had been raised.
Ms. Lovett glanced over toward Alice. "'Ow old is ya'? You're pre'y young to be getti'n a room, ain't 'tcha?" She whacked a piece of dough for the pie. "Actually, I don't have much room. But the barber upstairs might. You should go see him," Ms. Lovett paused for a second. "When he is finished for the day. 'e doesn't like to be disturb'd while 'e's workin'." She said quickly and protectively.
"When will that be, I have no where to go at all… I guess I will have a pie, please. But I'm afraid I have no money, I just got out of Rutledge Asylum, but could a trade between us be all right?" Alice inquired.
"Possibly, not sure. Ah! 'ere's Mr. Todd now!" Ms. Lovett exclaimed.