November 9th 1909. Train station, Berqe.
Dorothy: Are you sure that's all you need?
Alice: (whisper) yes.
David: She can't have thirteen layers on.
Dorothy: It's already cold here, imagine how cold it is north.
David: The four layers she has will be enough.
Alice has a decently well packed backpack, most of the space is for clothes/ fabrics and some other basics. While her notes and writing tools are in her carry bag, slung over her shoulder.
David: Alice don't speak after you get to Northern command, it'll serve you well if they allow you to be silent, to leverage all your advantages.
Dorothy: What was the point then? Haven't they been told of her injury?
David: They're expecting me to arrive, my letter specified that i had "filled" the position after all. Alice have a card ready when you get to Northern command, saying you are their Bour.
Alice: 'Write card with details, be prepared for questions.'
Dorothy: I can't believe you. They'll send her back down tomorrow or next week at the latest.
David: They won't dear sister, Briggs has a reputation for taking what their given. I'm not arrogant enough to believe a ten year old can change that.
Dorothy: Still, what was the point of Alice being comfortable speaking at the restaurant, did you just want her to have more to doo?
David: (Smiles) Alice, leveraging up north means keeping secrets. Everyone up there does the same, so don't expect to be told that kind of stuff. Be a good chef and no one will complain, probably.
Alice: 'Only talk with those who deserve it, gotcha.'
Dorothy: You'll leave me stuck with this, idiot, Alice?
She looked to be thinking about Dorothy's question, observing the slowly filling train.
Alice: (tempered) Yes.
David: (Snirk) Then board your train, and make sure to write down to us, otherwise Dorothy will actually worry my head of.
Dorothy: I'd sooner talk your head of, or let the wives group do so.
David: That's your grandma Alice, not above torturing her own lovely brother.
Barely able to keep her mirth from showing, Alice waves and walks towards the train. Quickly finding her seat by two others, she takes a window seat and waves David and Dorothy off. They leave before the train does, from the window Alice can see that Dorothy makes a bit of a scene as David pushes her to go.
In front of her there are two seated, a man and woman, they look curiously at her. Wondering if some guardian will take the seat next to her, no one does. Luckily they spare her their curiosity and keep their conversation to themselves all the way north, Alice does listen to it though, it's always nice to hear how normal people are. It also takes her mind off of the mess that is her emotions.
Alice: 'David cares, the pulse is clear on that. But he wants me away anyway, i could have stayed in Berqe for the rest of my life, does he not want that? If so what's wrong with that? Isn't that just what he did?'
From the west through Berqe there goes a connection north, it handles mostly that travel that avoids Central linking up to the main North-Central line after 12 stops. Of the overall railway usage, that particular connection is amongst the most rarely used. Travellers who do use it consequently has to plan around the slots that are available, in contrast to the North-Central train who can chose any day at three different times.
Most traffic split at North city, from there traffic went in all directions but only rarely was that towards Northern command.
"Is this a joke?"
..I'm Alice Bour, I'm the new chef at Briggs, please inform them of my arrival..
"That can't be right, right?"
Alice indicates with her pencil.
..Any questions are to be sent to Bologna Bour..
Alice had been stopped at the reception of Northern command, waiting to actually get going for what's running on twenty minutes.
"We can't send her up there Chris, the General would have our heads."
Chris: Confirmation will take time to get through, both down to Berqe and down from the General.
Alice keeps pointing to parts of the full page, where many different responses are already written.
..Any delay will be on you..
"Playing hardball won't help you here, we gotta do things right."
Chris: (sighs) Organize a car to get her up to Briggs Philip.
Philip: What! She's what, ten? And you'll send her to the General?
Chris: That is the relevant procedure when it comes to new hires, i can't think of an exemption for minors to avoid getting the Generals approval, or rejection.
Philip: And we can't bend the rules a little to get her back home?
..I'm here to work..
Chris: Might want to make sure of what the girl wants.
He indicates with his hand, when Philip sees which line she pointed to he got more exasperated.
Philip: Fine, your funeral kid.
He promptly left to do his assigned task. Chris sends the agreed upon signal up the chain from his desk, Alice can hear the code taps of morse being sent, though she doesn't actually know it.
Chris: Well, uhm Alice? How are you holding up?
Alice looks to her page, decides none are good enough and writes a new line.
..I'm doing well.., ..I'm here to work..
Chris: Ready, really? Dressed ready, maybe. Work ready, I'd say to young even if you're a prodigy.
..I start today, or tomorrow..
Chris: Sure, but like. You're not being forced to do this are you?
An image of Smith comes forward, the genuine worry flowing from the soldier only having Smith to associate to in her mind.
..No.., ..I'm here to work..
Chris: Ok, good luck up there, the general isn't gonna codle you. The wall of Briggs isn't a nice place to be.
..Yes.., i know..
Philip: Hey, Alice was it? Come on your ride is ready.
Alice: 'That was fast'
Walking back out of Northern command behind Philip, they see the car by the curb.
Philip: Bill over there is the one who will drive, Jess will be in the backseat with you.
Jess: Hope you can behave yourself?
Bill: I won't tolerate any questions about when we arrive.
..Yes, i know..
Jess: Why do you ... can't you speak?
Alice shakes her head.
Bill: Well, we'll have blessed silence then.
Philip: Jess is the one that's gonna talk your head off then.
Jess: Well yes, but i know how far it is. (smile)
Bill: (sigh) Hey kid, jump in.
Jess: (smile) Yes, sir.
Philip: (smirk) Drive the kids safely Bill.
Bill: Sure, sure. You won't hear of any accident when i drive.
Philip returns inside as Bill starts the car,
While not as annoying as she might have suggested, Jess did fill the air with questions and conversation, with both Bill and Alice.
Jess: Have you worked before?
..Yes.., ..I'm a chef..
Jess: Like, at a restaurant, or for someone privately?
..Restaurant..
Jess: Really, was that enjoyable? I've heard of some nightmarish owners and bosses from some of our Central associates.
Bill: That what Gary was on about?
Jess: Gary is a soldier from Eastern command though, might just be overlap, crappy bosses can be anywhere.
..As in.., ..Here at Briggs..
Jess: No, no, no, like the same problem can appear across industries in the same way.
Bill: That didn't clarify anything.
Jess: (sigh) What i meant was that restaurants have a reputation for being fast and chewing up their employees, you didn't experience that?
Alice: 'Exasperated and annoyed, unclear if genuine.'
..No.., ..I'm good..
Jess: That's good, cause it may feel like that's what Briggs does.
Bill: The general is unlikely to push you beyond what you're capable of, but that line is far and you'll be right on it. That's just what the general will expect of you.
Jess: That might be to short for what a position at Briggs itself expects of you, unless you're some prodigy in the kitchen?
Alice: 'Not very genuine, might just be trying to push me though.'
Before Alice can respond Bill interjected.
Bill: Thats Briggs, you can barely see the top from here.
Alice: 'Still far out then, but it's gotta be massive to be visible from here.'
Jess: That's Briggs alright, we'll be there in about ten minutes give or take. If the weather holds like this, we might even get back down today.
Alice: 'Thanks for the confidence.'
Bill: Play nice, Jess. You want to drive back down? Get back to the admin paperwork?
Jess: It'll only stack up the longer were away, you know. Managing time slots is the most important thing we admins do.
Bill: That's why they sent you back up with me, cause your time is better spent here.
Jess: My report is that important, using convenience is very important when managing time. Alice, how much time do you have?
Alice: 'Still not genuine? she's just trying to make a point.'
..Enough.., ..More than you soldiers..
Jess: uhm, ok. That's my point, she's got time to do this whole excursion to Briggs, while i just use that to forward something that would've been done later anyway.
Bill: Right, tell yourself that long enough kid and you might convince yourself of that.
Alice: 'They aren't as hostile as Grandma and David are, maybe some professional thing? The pulse feels much calmer and playful than what I'd expect by what they're saying.'
They would've kept up they're banter for much longer, had they not arrived at Briggs. The sheer size of Briggs became quite obvious when so close to it, the northern wall indeed.
Bill: Hop on out, kids. Those soldiers will escort you while i park.
Jess: Yes officer, will do. Find us when we come back down.
Alice: 'No faith either, this is just a joke to her. I'll make sure she walk out alone.'
They leave the car and walk towards the white dressed soldiers by the entrance, Bill drives through ahead of them and takes a right turn.
"Well met. General Armstrong is awaiting you."
Jess: And to you, please escort us to her.
Alice simply made a thumbs up indication towards Jess.
(smiling)"Will do, if you'll follow us then."
The soldiers began moving inwards with Jess and Alice right behind them, taking first a left then up a flight of stairs. Alice quickly lost her sense of direction amidst the seemingly endless bland halways, only having the white clad soldiers to focus on in the silence that ensued as they walked. Alice wasn't surprised when they arrived, only after walking for a few minutes.
"This is the Generals office, you may knock at your convenience."
Alice felt from the pulse that Jess was somewhat nervous, so wanting to not let her collect herself.
Knock, knock.
Jess: Hmm!?!?
"Enter"
The left soldier opened the door, looking somewhat impressed at Alice as she walks in with little hesitation. Jess has to hurry after her, not getting the same looks.
"Jessica, your report."
Jessica: Yes sir, right here, sir.
"Leave it here and return to Northern command."
Jessica: uhm, sir?
(Dangerous) "Yes?"
Jessica: Shouldn't me and Bill stay untill a judgement has been reached about Alice?
"Is that your name? Alice, Bour i presume."
Alice nods.
"When i ask anything you respond, have i made myself clear."
Alice takes back out the prepared paper and presents it, pointing to certain lines.
..I am mute.., ..I've heard you.., ..Yes..
"Will that inhibit your communication with others in a kitchen?"
..No.., ..I'm good..
Jessica: See, might be better to make a call quickly.
"Jessica, you are dismissed. Return to Northern command."
Jessica: Yes, General.
As Jessica leaves, Alice feels from the pulse that both soldiers escort her back the way they came.
"My name is Olivier Mira Armstrong, for the duration of your time at Briggs you will be working with the four chefs already working here. In a moment you'll be shown around, ending by the kitchen were you will demonstrate your talent. Should you be unacceptably slow or inefficient you will lose this opportunity, am i clear.
Alice nods, holding Olivier's gaze as firmly as she's able to. Olivia pauses slightly to fix Alice were she stands.
Olivier: Did Bologna Bour have a plan for if he's also called up.
..He's retired..
Olivier: And you're what, ten? Exceptions can always be made if the will and reasoning is there.
..I'm 10.., ..No..
Olivier: Do you have any questions?
Alice: 'You've seen what I've written down' ..No..
Knock, knock
Olivier: Enter.
Alice: 'Thats a big man'
In walks a towering figure with quite the menacing saw arm automail and mohawk, he walks with purpose and salutes Olivier.
"Sir, the kitchen is ready for the recruit."
Olivier: Good, Alice follow Buccaneer. I will be there in thirty minutes to see the result.
Alice nods to her and turns away, having to speed up to keep up with "Buccaneer's" long strides.
Less then thirty seconds later he points to an indent in the wall ignoring the door on the opposite side.
Buccaneer: This is the service elevator for unarmed workers like yourself, don't rely on it, it's quite slow.
Alice: 'So slow it's faster to walk up from the ground floor?'
Not even awaiting to be acknowledged he points to the door.
Buccaneer: That is the mail room, not always posted, restocked every 12 hours at 9. Incoming mail is on the shelf marked as such and any mail you wish to send goes to the shelf marked as "outgoing", i assume you know how to mark your mail?
Alice nods, and is better prepared for when Buccaneer again begins his long strides forward.
Buccaneer: Most rooms on this floor are administrative. if for whatever reason you're sent to one of 'em you'll be told witch door from the elevator youll be looking for.
Alice: 'The elevator is the start for directions here? I guess it is the least like every other door here'
Buccaneer: We're going up these stairs, two floors to your lodgings.
Alice: 'And i didn't count how many doors from the elevator to the stairs'
For Buccaneer the two flights of stairs are easy, Alice has to almost sprint to keep pace with him. When they reach the floor Buccaneer points to the left.
Buccaneer: All rooms left of the elevator are designated for all females, to the right and the next floor is for males. you'll drop of your backpack in the fourth room right side.
Rather than show her, Buccaneer took point and waited for her to do as instructed. With hurry in her step and making sure to count the doors Alice quickly opens the door and places her backpack inside keeping the carry bag around her neck. Though she could only spare a quick peek inside Alice couldn't immediately see any problems so she hurried back to the stairs.
Buccaneer: Showers are the second door down the hall to the left and communal barthroom first and second doors right. The Kitchen and cafeteria are four floors above us.
Alice: 'You don't need to tell me, just guide me'
Buccaneer was about to say more when Alice starts up the stairs ahead of him, though he doesn't hesitate to follow and overtake her. Alice does begin to struggle, all the walking and stairs after both a train and car ride had tired her quite significantly, the sweet flavour and fragrance of a kitchen being her main driver up the last stairs.
Buccaneer: Any double door on this floor leads to the cafeteria. The kitchen is to the left the only doors with windows on each side.
Alice not bothering to wait for him to say more starts down the left hallway, looking for those windows. Buccaneer follows her, this time quietly and without any intention of overtaking her.
Worried about how much time was taken up by the tour, Alice moves as fast as she can without making her breathing harder. When she comes across the windows she waits half a second to breathe before knocking on the door.
Buccaneer: "huff".
With little seeming effort Buccaneer almost slams open the door with his palm and when Alice doesn't immediately move pushes her into the room.
"Be gentle with the doors. You'll crack the glass."
Buccaneer: Over your broken plate!
"Stop obsessing over that captain, whose the girl?"
Buccaneer: Alice, this man is in charge of the kitchen, chef Simon, the woman back there is chef Tonje. Simon you are to observe Alice's ability and attest to the general when she arrives.
Simon: When is she coming?
Buccaneer: (smile) About twenty minutes.
In the background Tonje moves to lower an unused table as Simon looks incredulously at the captain.
Buccaneer: Well Alice, get started.
As Simon is about to protest Buccaneer casually turns around and leaves the kitchen.
Simon: "Sigh" Alice was it?
Simon looks down to where she stood, and cant see her. Turning around in panic he sees that Alice has placed her Carry bag on the lowered table and has begun to prepare knives.
Simon: Ok, "sigh" Alice. Are you good with knives?
Alice: 'He really sighs a lot' (nods)
Simon: Uhm, okay. I'll get you some washed vegetables to cut?
Alice nods again.
As Simon walks over to the larger work island Tonje claps to get her attention.
Tonje: Cutting boards are in these large drawers lowest down here, (opens one) Don't use your own knife there are plenty on this counter, (takes one out of the knife rack) Tasks will come quickly so be quick to get things done.
Holding the blade Tonje presents the handle to Alice who carefully takes it.
Tonje: Every cabinet has a list inside of what should be in it, we will be doing other parts so when you get done just shout.
Turning back to her work Tonje let Alice stew, for about two seconds before Simon brought the washed veggies in a plastic bowl to her table before returning to his island. That brought her back to reality very abruptly.
Alice: 'Cut the veggies, knife, cutting board, I'll reuse the bowl to hold the finished ones'
Taking out a board from the lowest cabinet Alice quickly closed it and returned to her table, setting it down and taking out the first vegetable Alice starts cutting. As she finishes the third Tonje speaks to her.
Tonje: When you're done dump them in a casserole and start cooking them.
Alice Knocks the knife handle on the table twise to acknowledge her and returns to cutting. Tonje doesn't say more to Alice.
Tonje: Hows the roast going?
Simon: They'll be on the ready plate in a minute.
Tonje: How many servings?
Alice: 'Wouldn't you know that?'
Simon: Should hold for thirty, the next group is larger about forty so we'll bring out more.
Alice: 'Thirty? then Forty. How many people are up here?'
Somewhat frazzled and now realizing how little time there was to get the food done even without the test looming, Alice abandoned the admittedly finer cutting she had been doing for a rougher approach. Less than two minutes later Alice hunts down a casserole in the cabinets and when finding one thats large enough was going to fill it with cold water.
Alice: 'Shit i should've done this first'
As she goes to place the casserole Alice notices a stepping stol in front of the cooking area, not stopping to wonder witch of them placed it there she ascends as fast as she can without jostling the water. Setting the temperature to max Alice goes to collect the bowl with the veggies. Simon stands there with more veggies.
Simon: These are served raw, you just cut them. you'll get more as you get done and make sure to not overcook anything.
Alice: 'This, is only going to become more hectic isn't it'
It must have shown on her face cause Simon winked at her before he returned to his island.
Olivier: 'Mute huh, must be good, for the kind of higher class restaurant Bour cooks for. If she doesn't get a dose of reality from Simon or Tonje about speed and quantity I'll send her down next saturday'
Not nearly as focused on her previous tasks Olivier considers both Alice and the report that Jessica had given, the amount of Ishvalans moving northward was still high and the likely "measures" Northern command might want to implement has her irritated. It is to this Irritation that Buccaneer returns to.
Buccaneer: Tour finished and child delivered!
With extra zeal and a salute for good measure he closes the door behind himself and addresses the report.
Buccaneer: How bad?
Olivier: Central is in a tizzy over it, Gruman is indicating that he will follow the Furher's orders should he decide to follow every refugee.
Buccaneer: Right. They let more through after Risnan, i don't imagine that complying with the extermination order.
Olivier: No. It doesn't, likely was just easier for the Eastern forces to excuse after Risnan. give them less reasons for burning down the country.
Buccaneer: Not that there is much country down south there still standing, Risnan was realistically the most symbolic target they had, though with the caveat that it's they're only supply line left.
Olivier: Indeed, all hope must have been lost for them to attack Risnan. It is strange though that none of the refugees that has come north has been forward with any identity during interrogation. One would think such a move of desperation would be paraded as a sign of the end for all to see?
Buccaneer: Stranger still that they didn't attack Eastern troops when escaping, they deliberately tried to keep a frontline against the army, as if there was still some hope the supplier would come through.
Olivier: You will listen to what they say next time you are out by them! Ask if you can, but this report and conversation stays here.
Buccaneer: Of course General. To each their own problems.
Olivier: Speaking of problems. What's your read on Alice?
Buccaneer: Uncertain, for one she has yet to speak at all, secondly she isn't immediately with what's happening around her until it's been demonstrated and thirdly she is too quiet even without speaking. I would hazard to guess that she is used to avoid being seen, or, avoid the ire of authority.
Olivier: She's mute, Bologna?
Buccaneer: I couldn't prove it, but it is suspicious that he sent his only young family willing to stay with him away. Perhaps he was unsettled by her silence? his tactic of driving others away failed so he had to escalate?
Olivier: Unlikely, Christopher got a hold of the conductor that was with her train, apparently Alice left both Bologna and his sister when she departed.
Buccaneer: The tour wasn't that long! When did he do that?
Olivier: As soon as he sent her up to us, either the situation was to bizarre for him or he knows something more about Bologna than we do.
Buccaneer: Those Northern command folks are in more frequent contact with Central after all. He didn't specify?
Olivier: No, he supposedly only checked because he knew i would want any and everything about Alice. (she leans forwards) He missed considerably, i want everything about all the Bour's.
Buccaneer: That'll be harder without inviting Northern command, Berqe is considerably farther away from our area than any previous inconvenience. All for a unknown quantity like that girl?
Olivier: Yes, she may be decent at communicating but relying on a notebook where everyone can see all your responses isn't smart. Have Odin teach her some sign, until i decide to send her packing i make her schedule and there will be time for it. See to it that it, wait. Actually. Set Miles to it, have him use a refugee if necessary. Might as well give them something to do.
Buccaneer: For Berqe? And if his blood is stronger?
Olivier: There are no empty threats here, he knows what the consequence would be.
Hiding amongst the refugees is a hooded figure, at this point still a shell of their circumstances. Really only here to protect something they doesn't just not believe in, but actively abhors. But they promised to do so and in time, they will bury this promise and swear to a new one.
"All state alchemists must Die for their crimes!"
I feel the need to put this down here, my interpretation of Olivier as a character is as a savage brutality efficient one. I feel this is supported by the cannon where she says his perspective is valuable and that she wants him to be her eyes, i also wanted to test Miles as he will play an important role at Briggs. But still this is not against refugees, more a natural step in this fictional world by this fictional character, not to mention the villains in this story would have done much more and worse.