As Alice, Jenny, and Vastra settled in front of the warm fireplace for tea, Alice began her story.
"It was a bitterly cold winter's night, and I was twelve years old. My parents and sister had died in a house fire, and I was alone in the world. I had lost the only family I ever had, and had no shelter, no food, and no way to get food. "
She paused then, seeing the sad look on Vastra's face. She reaches out her hand to her. "Vastra found me, shivering and frostbitten, lying over a sewage vent to keep warm. Without asking for anything in return, she took me in, fed me, clothed me cared for me when i was sick. She Taught me to hunt, to defend myself , to survive on my own if I had to. She trained me in combt, taught me to run fast, to fight with a sword and with my fists. I learned to shoot a gun, and a bow, even to throw a Chakram, and stars. She made sure I was safe.
She taught me all about her people, about her world, even her language. I learned the names of all the stars, and trees, and animals. It was lmost as if I WAS one of her people-" Alice gave a short laugh.
I stayed with her for five years, until I turned seventeen. Then, I took up work on a sewing shop, until Vastra got me the cabin for the orphanage. I live there, along with fifteen other girls. We do people's sewing and laundry, to get by."
She smiled as Vastra squeezed her hand. "Thankyou. For all you've done for me. For helping me to start the orphanage, for saving my life-"
"You're welcome. Little Hatchling-". Vastra smiled, oblivious to Jenny's angry look. "Jenny dear. Would you be so kind as to get Alice another blanket?"
"Yes ma'am" Jenny said through gritted teeth as she left the room.