For reference and easier reading
'Example', ' ' = thinking. -Example-, - - = Sign language. ...Example..., ... ... = Written down. (Example action), ( ) = An action being preformed. "", " " = Currently unknown speaker. [Example feeling] = A feeling picked up by the Dragons pulse.
I will not apply these retroactively.
The Northern wall is indeed a fortress, most definitely the clearest strongest border of Amestriss, massive even beyond what can be seen, below, at the sides and in sheer thickness.
Alice: 'And apparently, a city to a thousand people, or more'
The rotation of when who for how long is on duty is far beyond what Alice could've imagined, both because she hasn't been allowed to see a soldiers schedule and cause those she did meet were tight lipped about their schedule. Really the only saving grace for Alice's mind, sanity, arms and legs were that the chefs only made the warm food. Premade or reheated dishes was handled by rotation amongst the soldiers who didn't screw it up, which did mean a more spread out amount of work, for those soldiers. As Alice would learn everything except bread and some other similar items were made by the chefs at some point. Reheated? a chef froze what remained from a shift. Premade? The chef desperately needed a break and made extra for whoever was next to rotate into dinner.
Most of her first month was spent with the day chefs, wake up at eight am, sign lessons with Odin to start the day, take over the kitchen at ten, work for ten hours, sleep by midnight. You're the chef make you're own food when your hungry and you have a total of seventy five minutes of break to spread out. For Alice it wasn't as bad, because she would often be directed this way and that for different reasons, learn this, observe that, take point, really anything the General felt they could get away with having her do.
Alice: 'Such a nice person that general, at least Odin is nice and patient with the signing apparently Olivier found the notebook annoying and too readable'
Tonje: No time for daydreaming Alice, that needs to be grilled before you can leave that station. [Slippery]
Alice: 'And there's you, and Simon but he's not as obviously a slave driver, the stress i feel from both of you though makes me almost dread how stressed the night chefs are'
Indeed she had only seen those two when they were well rested as Tonje and Simon always took over the shift before Alice was allowed in after sign class. Not that she was any good yet, good dexterity and steady hands doesn't automatically translate into what is essentially a different language after all. some of the nonsense of Briggs was to be expected though, tough hours and great stress being chief amongst them.
Alice: 'Seriously how did Buccaneer ever expect that i would be able to reach 5 meter up even with that pickax on a stick'
The traditional rookie experience for soldiers had long since bled over to all workers of Briggs, Technicians, Mail service folk even the chefs. Who seriously had better things to do for everyone else's benefits, but no one is immune, survival of the whatever.
(Slam, the kitchen door is thrown open) Buccaneer: Look alive Simon, The general got complaints about your work ethic!
Simon: Who was it this time? (doesn't look away from his station, Alice and Tonje do)
Olivier: It is indeed lacking if you fail to address superiors.
Miraculously, at least to Alice, Simon abandoned his task and hurriedly turn around and salute without spilling either of the things he was holding.
Simon: Sir, Apologies Sir. I am simply accustomed to the bucket coming alone.
Buccaneer: I hope you have actually observed Alice, and not zoned out your instructions.
Tonje: No, he has. But we haven't tasted any yet, i suspected you wanted our reactions as well?
Olivier: Excellent. Serve out three portions, Buccaneer you are to judge as you expect most of the troops will.
Buccaneer/Tonje: Yes Sir.
As Tonje brings Alice's dish over to the general, Simon gets three plates and almost to quickly All three have started tasting.
Alice: 'This is a lot more initiative then at the restaurant, they must have worked together for a while. Hey whats with that face!' (Scowl)
Simon: Well, the consistency is all over the place some are way to fine, some to rough and some are just not finished. [Rough]
Tonje: She has definitely worked in a busy kitchen before, while neither me or Simon were particularly stressed, i get the feel that if we were she could've handled it. Meh? [Avoidant]
Buccaneer: Obviously different. I would assume that most wouldn't care so long as it doesn't get worse than this.
Alice: 'Well you were Tonje, and you're more stressed then you let on, so go and suck on'
Olivier: Do you think she will succeed here?
Simon: Sure, might just need some time to get acclimated. [hopeful]
Tonje: I agree, But may i know why she hasn't spoken? [Intrigue]
Olivier: Then, Alice you have until Saturday to acclimate to Briggs. (turns back to Tonje) Alice is Mute, you shouldn't have need to change attitude in consideration.
Even "Until Saturday" as graciously granted by the General, would be a tall order for soldiers who at least spent time with many people. Though how true a time limit it was Alice would never know as she worked through Saturday without ever seeing Olivier or hearing a whiff from Buccaneer. Only on Sunday was she given a proper schedule for the following week, mostly consisting of kitchen hours, and early every day two hours with Odin.
Odin: And you sign "always" like this, -always- now you try.
Alice: -always-
Odin: Good, will you be ready for more tomorrow?
Alice: (Rolls eyes) -always-
Odin: Hey, no rolling. Here we walk and -move- Move, -with- With, -intention- Intention.
Alice can't help smiling as she repeats the gestures back to him.
Odin: Little more wrist, it needs to be very clear precisely what you mean.
And the most surprising part of her schedule, every day the last hour before bed, combat exercises.
Alice: 'You really expect me to fire this?'
Buccaneer: Yes, i do. Hold the pose i showed you and i will say fire when it is good enough. Never fire oo mess with the safety latch without direct orders to do so. [Firm]
Alice: 'It's to late for this bullshit'
Reluctantly she does copy his pose. Buccaneer proceeds to spends nine minutes adjusting her and having her put the gun down only to retake the position.
Alice: 'Hes gonna say down and I'm gonna have to do this again fifty more times'
Buccaneer: Fire!
Alice takes a second to keep her pose and then flip the safety, before.
BANG
Alice feels like something splashes on her head and almost loses consciousness from being jarred back by the pulse.
Smith: Turn the safety back on, then down. [Satisfied]
The circular target has familiar shapes and symbols lining it glowing blue after being hit, Two bodies falls down from behind it.
Buccaneer rips the training rifle from her hands slams the safety and turns her roughly towards himself.
Buccaneer: Never! disobey weapon orders Bour!
Alice looks through him not totally present. Buccaneer recognizes what's happened as soon as he's turned her towards himself, with deliberately slow movement he kneels and Kicks aside the rifle.
Buccaneer: Are you here Alice? [Worry]
Vanessa: 'Whose that? and why does the pulse indicate you're worried?'
Shivering quite badly and wanting desperately to turn back to the Circle, Buccaneer grabs her firmly with both hands and when she moves her head he moves them both so her back is to the target. With only Buccaneer to focus on her mind finally recognizes him.
Alice: 'Buccaneer, Briggs, this isn't ... !'
Wrangling back control with the pulse Alice loses all control over her tear ducts, still breathing unevenly and shivering all she can do is focus on Buccaneer even as he stays conspicuously silent. He lets her wrestle back control for at least ten minutes, at some point he brings her closer though not quite a hug.
Buccaneer: Are you back Alice?
Nods.
Buccaneer: Can you make it to your room?
Alice: 'I'll try'
Attempting to shuffle forward without losing balance the only reason why she doesn't fall is Buccaneer's firm grip on her shoulders.
Alice shakes her head still shivering in the warm training range, without saying more Buccaneer picks Alice up and holds her securely with his left hand. Looking around he decides to have someone return the rifle to storage as he leaves the room unattended. Alice isn't quite able to focus enough to tell when they arrive, only when he carefully sets her down in front of her bunk does she return to full awareness.
Buccaneer: I'll leave you to rest, and we won't return to the range?
Again Alice nods and gives all her focus to Buccaneer.
Buccaneer: We will do fight training instead.
Alice: -Why-?
Buccaneer: Can you handle that? [Compassion]
Alice: 'Schedule, combat, Olivier wouldn't have dropped it even after this?' (hesitation) -always-
Buccaneer: Then be ready for tomorrow and sleep well.
As she sits down on the bunk Buccaneer leaves with no further words and closing the door quietly, being left alone almost has her start panicking again but this time Alice focuses the pulse to hold herself together, unconsciously clapping her hands. When she again has control over herself, Alice is almost unbalanced again when she doesn't immediately feel the evil beneath her.
Alice: 'I clapped? ... But, why can't i. Isn't that feeling linked to the clapping?'
With something new to focus on Alice tries to expand her senses through the pulse and it takes a while before she "hits" the evil feeling.
Alice: 'Is it because I'm high up? No, that wouldn't make sense, maybe with a grounded circle but not with the pulse. Has it become weaker? No, it's still as foul as i remember. Maybe less concentrated? That could be it, but that would mean that it's more concentrated around Risnan and Berqe. Witch sounds unlikely there isn't any direct link between them, i must not have the sample size to determine where the concentration is highest. But it does mean, that the evil feeling isn't why i can clap, though it might still have been what started it. After all i couldn't clap until after i started feeling it, and i didn't feel it until after the Gate, uh, sent me back. The Gate is probably the best starting point cause i didn't feel the evil when i returned to Risnan, though the stress might have hid it'
Tonje: You gonna sleep Alice?
Alice's mental search halted at that, hurriedly looking to a pajamas clad Tonje holding her toothbrush and toiletries.
Tonje: I'm going to go brush em, have you done so?
Alice: 'You changed without me noticing?' -no-
Tonje: Well come on then, can't stay up all night.
To her surprise Alice was able to stand up without her knees losing balance, as she did so Tonje began leaving the room forcing Alice to quickly locate her own brush and toothpaste.
The next morning Alice would send her first letter down to David and Dorothy, detailing how the work environment was and the few people she had gotten somewhat familiar with. She left out the experience at the firing range. Something Olivier would be remembering for her next intercepted mail.
Despite the large number of people that Briggs housed and worked there were only a few times per day at most that someone on break would visit the kitchen, mostly for Simon or Tonje though they tended to have an undisguised interest in the new chef. Most kept it at that, maybe thanking her for her work but the language barrier was quite daunting for the soldiers even those who knew sign, cause Alice was only beginning to learn it. With one exception.
"I'm telling you Simon, i should've been her sign teacher. Odin is just not efficient enough to teach others."
Simon: She's not a soldier with full focus and Odin's a better fit for that. Pass the flour.
"That you'd recommend him over me? She has plenty of time to learn with, yes, so the way isn't as important so long as she learns" (gives the flour and wheat)
Simon: The General made the decision, you have a problem Stian take it up there. I'm just rationalizing, also get me that bowl will you?
Stian: -Well there is no problem just a disagreement- (Passes a bowl)
Simon: Have i disagreed with you?
Alice: 'That's a lot of sign i don't know.'
Stian: Don't listen in kid. [Course]
Tonje: You're kind of loud though, quiet down or walk empty handed.
Stian: (grumble) She'll be behind.
As Alice would find out from Stian's propensity to not be silent when venting, Stian was the main sign teacher/translator at Briggs and was very used to that being respected. Apparently the only reason Odin was chosen by Olivier for Alice was that Odin already had experience, with his two children in North city.
Alice: 'it's just a petty thing to be annoyed over, and boy does he stink of self esteem issues even without the pulse'
Odin: -Am- am -i- i -boring- boring -you?- you?
Alice: -No- -I am- 'uh' ...Distracted...
Odin: -What's- -distracted- distracted -you?- [Honest]
Alice: 'You're real honest, hmm' -I'm- -thinking- -about- -boring- 'what's it' ...secrets...
Odin: -Is it- -important- important?
Alice: 'please bite' ...Personal...
Odin: 'That's not suspicious, or inviting, or subtle' (sigh) -Here north, we can have- -secrets- secrets.
Alice: -How many?-
Odin: If you keep a dislike as a secret that will probably be found out, some kind of history secret? the General will find out about it at some point but wont force it, otherwise go nuts?
Alice: 'Prejudice and history will be discovered but else it's free' -I've- -got- -none-
Odin: Sure -sure-, seriously if it's either of the first ones you should just say so to the General, it would build some trust.
Alice: 'Maybe when she trusts me some, but she wouldn't trust me anyway, she is a General. she might be good but she's still a soldier, and so are you' (a slight scowl forms)
Odin: Its just a -suggestion- suggestion. 'Hopefully that glare is not actually directed at me, you're just looking forward, right? Not subtle, about what though?'
Alice wasn't any less distracted afterwards.
Tonje: That is why you look at what you're doing. (Hurriedly organizes Alice's table)
Simon: How distracted can you be? That's you're food, you're life, do that again and you'll answer the General about whatever is on your mind.
Still unbalanced Alice holds herself up along the table, barely listening she's focused on not spewing more chunks. Thankfully she reacted fast enough to turn away from her aisle but there was still quite the mess on the floor.
Tonje: I'll get Stian to come clean up, he should be free right now.
Alice: (Receding pain) 'This sucks, i took from the wrong bowl. There's no way they'll ever forget this, if every bowl wasn't white this wouldn't happen'
Simon: Don't keep your portions amongst your in progress dishes, or any that you can't get down. [Stern, Worry] 'That's quite the violent reaction to normal pieces. That injury is weird, something is abnormal about it. I'm most curious about the source, what does that kind of damage?'
During her first two months Alice got four letters from David and thirteen from Dorothy, while she only sent down 6 to both of them.
Alice: 'I can't know what they check though so I'm assuming it's everything.'
While there was information being shared, at least to Alice the letters were less personal, except for Dorothy's who made little to no attempt to censor her letters for whomever reviews the mail.
...Dorothy: They had already agreed for David to go back to work while you're up north, He probably couldn't convince Garry otherwise. I'm just glad its only on the weekends, he just isn't as young as he used to be and spends so much energy arguing you wouldn't believe he manages any amount of work...
...David: Garry drove a hard bargain. I'll work some days a week likely until you come back and take over full time, don't know how long that will last though. Don't indulge Dorothy any more she wont shut up about all this and that, just focus on getting more experience...
Alice: 'Hmm, if I'm ever asked were my subtleties come from i can chose between them depending on the situation'
Buccaneer: Look alive, Alice.
Alice: 'More fighting, yay'
Buccaneer: Get back up and repeat. [Solid] If you can't attack properly then anyone will overpower you as you are.
Alice: -Yes- 'It's hard to tell if you have read my letters, you're genuinely hard to interpret even when the pulse is clear on your feelings'
Buccaneer had indeed not returned Alice to the firing range and made a point to avoid active areas when he took her places, mostly to training room 4 but also rarely to the medical staff. During her first months at Briggs he was almost always her chaperone, if he had anything against it he never spoke of it to her and if he had more important tasks he never said so.
Buccaneer: Don't throw that far, keep centered. (adjusts her) 'You're not easy to read Alice, most of the time. Small grains will grow as they tumble down the covered mountains and at the bottom, its easy to see the result'
"Sir, the report is ready!"
Buccaneer: Well done Miles.
Miles: I've forwarded it to the General and left the original with Intel. (hmm?)
As Miles finished talking Alice again lost her balance, as she was getting back up she tried to subtlety lose Miles attention.
Miles: 'She's the young chef, it's this girl that has given opportunities, granted as informants but not against their own brothers and sister's' Don't throw your foot that far, you'll only lose your balance.
Buccaneer: She'd be past it if she wasn't so distracted.
Miles: Oh? What is it that has a young girl like you so captivated? I'm sure it's not the captain at least. [Mirth]
Buccaneer: (Sneer) Your input is close to irrelevance Miles. [Direct]
Alice: 'Sure, less aggressive at least. Too many things really.' -you're- -report-
Miles: Do you have an interest? Might help to get those thoughts out of your head.
Buccaneer: If you can make her better than do so.
In his own fashion, Buccaneer abruptly turned around and left them alone. Although surprised at his exit Alice quickly capitalized on his leave to take a 'short' break.
Alice: -maybe- -what's- -report- -about?-
Miles: There's movement among the Ishvalans who live here in the north, there is great worry that rations will be squeezed soon. Primarily because of the Eastern troops that will come for exercises this spring. Many are reasonably worried. [Cold and sandy]
Alice: 'sandy? there's Ishvalans this far north?'
Miles: Some are still moving eastwards potentially heading to Xing and some have been stopped on trains to the west. Most have decided to stay and keep a low profile during spring, the cost of moving again has many worried.
Alice: -They didn't leave- 'Why wouldn't they leave?'
Miles: 'Inexperienced' Leaving North means passing Briggs, the border South is still closed and heavily patrolled, there are few safe crossings West on a good day and trying to reach Xing unprepared isn't wise.
Alice: 'He's underestimating me' -Why not- (Focusing pulse on him)
Miles: Have you ever been in a dessert? The extreme heat and cold nights are effective deterrents. [Cold and burning over sand]
Alice: 'Cold and burning over sand? what?' -No-
Miles: Neither have i, i am relying on what i have heard from others. [Deceptive]
Alice: -good for you- 'You liar, you didn't hear that from anyone' 'David: Everyone up there does the same, so don't expect to be told that kind of stuff' 'Not my problem then, where ever you've been and done' (scowl)
Miles: Get back to up, and this time keep your eyes on the dummy when you strike with your foot. [Course] 'She is actually interested in them, makes sense given that she lived in Risnan. But there is something more to it, she was about to call me out, maybe i should advise the general'
Alice: 'My metaphorical tongue despises you're sandy texture' (Kicks out)
Despite taking over that session and managing to have her decently focused, Miles would not reappear on the training ground to assist Buccaneer again. Alice wouldn't see him for a few weeks.
Simon: Too much salt Alice, way too much this is almost inedible! [Ready]
Tonje: Really? let me try. (Frown) [Exited]
Alice: 'I can feel you're both full of it, you're trying to test me on something'
Tonje: Bl-eh, start over you're twenty minutes behind now, we'll go deliver the finished ones.
Simon starts pushing one of two carts loaded with pots followed out by Tonje fairly quickly. Not aware that their smugness was practically radiating of them despite their tough demeanor.
Alice: 'I really gotta start over? So long as its too salty i gotta.'
She looks back to the doors, focusing the pulse to make sure that they had left into the cafeteria and that no one else is gonna come in before considering her options.
Alice: 'It really will take 20 minutes huh, unless i cheat. NaCl, separate the solution, direct to the surface, have it be a clump, fish it out with a spoon'
(Clap)
Buccaneer: Major Armstrong has requested to be part of the Eastern forces for the spring exercises according to Grumman.
Olivier: How diplomatic was his correspondence?
Buccaneer: Quite, he concedes to your wishes on the subject.
Olivier: We don't need another alchemist for the exercises, especially not a walking distraction like him.
Buccaneer: Alice wouldn't get to see him if shes stuck in the kitchen.
Olivier: Indeed, she wouldn't. But that was the idea for having Bour up here, at least the excuse we would have used. No, Alice gives us a different opportunity, the Flame alchemist is probably bringing his little apprentice, and Alice could get more information on her while he's stuck in the exercise with us.
Buccaneer: Maybe Alice is subtle enough for such, but i don't think she trusts us enough to do so.
Olivier: (Stern eyes) Really.
Buccaneer: I have been with her for almost all her interactions outside her kitchen and domicile. And while she has definitively calmed down and acclimated to me, there are still moments were she remembers i exist and shows a hostility that is otherwise buried.
Olivier: Valid. Odin Has mentioned something similar, And Miles did to actually. Ask Simon and Tonje for their call on it, if it's something we can change we will do so and assign her to play with the apprentice. If we can't we'll stick to the original and have her on kitchen duty, then we'll have to figure out why.
Buccaneer: My guess, Risnan. That is likely were she was injured and Central is still patiently waiting to question her about it, even though they left a week before the attack.
Olivier: Indeed, ms Bour's testimony is probably more accurate than anything Alice could remember anyway. (Considerate scowl) Don't count on it though, Alice has shown that she can hold up and that wouldn't just show up now here at Briggs, even injured she could know something.
Buccaneer: What she could know is one week early, Central should focus on those who left on the 12th, not eighth.
Olivier: Central will pursue everything damaging. you are right though. (closes eyes) 'they will check everyone, but why are they patient with Alice? They should have sent some low ranked lieutenant already.' (opens) Whatever the reason, use it to you're advantage. We might start the process ourselves, if it allows us to take her side.
Buccaneer: Build trust, by betrayal? might build more if she thinks were holding em up.
Olivier: What reason would we have. From our perspective she is still largely an unknown, and being questioned for what you might know about others isn't severe enough to warrant protectiveness, that she hasn't earned anyway.
Buccaneer: She's an investment, granted a lucky one, a steal of the next Chef Bour. We don't want to give tolerant talent more reasons to leave.
Olivier: (considers) Keep building trust, I'll decide later, it wont hurt us to wait anyways. Stay on top of Miles's reports, the letters aren't much so look for discrepancies. She is keeping something hidden, so Bour did talk about Brigg's reputation. The question is, did he do so to shield her, or himself
Buccaneer: Understood general. 'It could be about Bologna too, more reason to keep the pressure low on Alice.'
Leaving his temporary dwelling he waves to his fellow Ishvalans. They have something of a schedule for who will go interact with the community for each day of the week, and today its his turn.
''Hey, there's that guy again!''
''You're right, i told you the one yesterday was someone else.''
''Yes, but they do look similar, And came from the same area''
''When i asked mom she said he probably came from the slums, she was gonna ask someone about it''
Ishvalan: 'Damn, we need to change up, it'd be bad if they tell the military'
Moving away from the kids at a sedate pace, they consider their actual target,
Ishvalan: 'Is she like that to? Even though they lived in Risnan, it could have been purely business, many did just followed Thomas and trusted his business acumen. He held it together for so long though, She only left a week before the incident, before.'
They stop walking in front of a bench, considering for a moment before sitting to controlling their breath and tears. there they stay for no more than a minuet before someone takes the spot next to them.
Dorothy: Beautiful day today.
Ishvalan: Huh?
Dorothy: Sorry, may i stay?
Ishvalan: 'It's a lucky day' ''Sure''
Rather then continue conversing, Dorothy looks across the park to the kids still playing and occasionally glancing at him.
In the kitchen Alice is just finishing two large pots, before she signs for Simon to -Add to cart- She picks some carrot strips from a green bowl on her table.
Tonje: There's some murmuring about a few dishes lacking spice.
Simon: Indeed, after that little salt incident you seem to have made too drastic a change in preparation. (Carry's the two pots on the cart)
Tonje: Remember that you are the chef. You choose those things, and if they want more they can do so on their own. [Slimy]
Alice: 'I'm not stupid, even without the pulse I'd know you're manipulating me. But why do that, to 'teach' me lessons?' -Yes-
Tonje: Also, Alice. Remember when your training starts. [Glee]
Alice: 'You're taunting means nothing.' (Stink, eye)
Alice walked the cart out with only a cursory look at the clock to confirm Tonje's words.
Tonje: 'Still predictable, but what is this?'
This, turns out to be the green bowl, confirming the content to be more similar strips Tonje checks it for any abnormality, but it is indeed a completely average green bowl.
Tonje: 'Were did you get this, was it sent in the mail? All our bowl's are white, at least she shouldn't pick from a wrong bowl again but this doesn't belong here (Frown) I'll just ask if it came packaged.' [Suspicious]
Alice had just left the kitchen when she overheard someone inside the cafeteria.
"I mean, it could be serious or just some prank"
"Doubt Ken could elicit a serious consequence with his whining"
''At least we know how good the chefs from Eastern command are, might bring some of the local chefs along as well''
"Yeah, there is apparently some good butchers over in east' might just be rumor though"
As Alice makes her way inside and toward the serving area.
"Good work, girl" [Neutral, Encouraging]
Not able to sign as she rolls the cart, Alice makes a simple nod instead and continues with slight more pep to her step, dreading the oncoming training a little less.
In training room 4 Alice can be seen breathing heavily shakily signing to the Mohawk.
Alice: -Defend maybe?- (puts arms in classic boxer stance)
Buccaneer: You'll learn to defend when you can attack, everyone will go for your head regardless so knock, em', Out! You won't like to wear a brace that's for sure! [Poignant]
Alice: -Go for head- 'Wait, brace? Am i that fragile to you? or is that a clue.' (suspicious glance)
Buccaneer: Keep it up, you'd be laid out twice against a bear! You liked the ice picking right? Get good and you'll maybe be lucky enough to survive that too. (Wide Smile) [Rigid]
Alice: (starts punching again) 'A bear? the next level of madness is a bear? Also, you changed subject. I'm certain there hasn't been mention of a brace in any letter I've received, so either it's been withheld, or you heard it somewhere else'
Buccaneer: 'not subtle, but observant, perfect recipient to drop more, see how much i can confirm from you'
...To David (Bologna) Bour
I'm still well, haven't gotten fired so keep Garry from complaining about slob.
I like using colored bowls maybe suggest it to Garry? I wasn't allowed to eat there on my own like i am here but he might still appreciate some color.
I'm likely gonna come down some time during spring, there are military exercises and Eastern command are bringing their own chefs, or, probably gonna.
If grandma needs something to do get her to carve a cutting board for when i come down or something similar, but don't say i requested it just something basic.
I could maybe use the time down with you both to get more colored cookware.
For when we see's again?
From Alice Bour...
Olivier: It's longer then usual.
Buccaneer: More spaced actually, and weirdly worded.
Olivier: Code.
Buccaneer: Not that our crackers could see, so it's either real complex or stupidly simple.
Olivier: ''When we see's again'' is definitively some key or code, perhaps personal or prearranged. Go over the other letters see if similar is present.
Buccaneer: Don't think so. (Olivier glances at him) this is about the last training, i think.
Olivier: It is off her schedule, but that was weak, barely formed. (Close's eyes) The colored bowls are interesting, Tonje asked about them and no one is quite sure were they came from. She also must have overheard talk of the exercise to conclude she'd have a vacation. (Opens) ''Keep Garry from complaining about slob'' more code. And Dorothy, something about her, maybe from Miles's report.
Buccaneer: I think so. Last report mentioned brief contact with Dorothy, and apparently they got from her directly that Alice came to Berqe with a brace. That is why i think she wrote this letter, i talked about brace's not being fun and she responded to that, not intentionally either.
Olivier: (scowl) She left because she was injured? Couldn't get down anything in Risnan and Dorothy made the choice to make for her brother who could make something she could eat?
Buccaneer: Likely, it also explains why Bour taught her it's not the familial tie but the injury or however she got it,that's important.
Olivier: Hence why he had her work the restaurant for him, and here at Briggs when that came forward. But why go back to the restaurant when hes still retired, some deal with this Garry?
Buccaneer: That has been implied in one of Bour's letters, some hard bargain if i recall, Garry might've been Bour's intended recipient.
Olivier: (Looks at letter) We are still making assumptions about Bour, try to have Miles's group get information about Garry and the restaurant. This will go out as planned (points down) Inform Odin about these suspicions, get his read on them.
Buccaneer: Should i clear up the situation regarding the exercise as well, if you decide to assign her Mustang's girl that might be to much if she'd prefer being in Berqe.
Olivier: Don't clear it up. inform Odin that she'll have her sign lessons here for the next two weeks, officially that will be to see just how good Odin is. During that time I'll conveniently clear up anything i feel necessary. Might actually build some trust too to let her in here to listen.
Buccaneer: Alright. I'm still not sure what Bour's role is here most of this isn't in his character according to the chef registry.
Olivier: All the better that we got Alice instead.
Buccaneer: He should be driving Dorothy away again is what i mean, that funeral note was quite explicit and i cant imagine him tolerating her without Alice there.
Olivier: That's his leverage, i think. Alice doesn't have a reason to return to him without her.
AN.
I am not satisfied with this.
but i could probably delay it two more years without being happy with it.