open post.

[higginbottom]

Esther has, well, only sort of gotten used to the Mansion and its ways. She's still frustrated by being stuck there - after all, she survived almost dying. Doesn't she deserve something better than a small room with a small window?

Still, she's thankful to be alive. One morning, when she opens her window and looks out over the Mansion grounds, the air comes in, shockingly cold, and Esther remembers - she's here, alive and awake and ready for anything. She breathes in and out, and sighs with a sort of strange contentment that probably won't last long, but hey. She'll take it.

She gets dressed, wearing slacks for once (she decided to try it out, as she is in fact, a very modern woman, thank you very much) and a pretty floral blouse. She makes her way downstairs, her saddle shoes tap-tap-tapping against the stairs.

"I feel very much in a good mood today," Esther announces, to no one in particular. "Is that strange? Should I be worried?"

Comments

[higginbottom]

"I'm from Massachusetts - 1953 Massachusetts," Esther replies. "What about you? When are you from?"

[higginbottom]

"I'm finding myself...I'm finding I'm mostly happy here," Esther replies. "It's a strange feeling, honestly. For so long I was sad."

She shrugs.

"I guess it doesn't matter now, how I felt then."

[higginbottom]

"Plans? No, not at all," she replies, shrugging a little. "I might try to write, but who knows? I've been more interested, lately, in living life, not writing about it."

Though, she thinks, she really should work on her novel. Hm.

[higginbottom]

"I'm usually gloomy, or at least, I have been in the past," she admits, smiling slightly, as if she's almost amused by her past depressive episodes. "Why are you covered in ink?"

[higginbottom]

"It could indeed," she agrees. "I'm happier here than I was at home, though. I felt so...constrained there, as if I only had one path for my life. Here, the future feels wide open."

[sagramore]

"It does matter," gently. "What shapes thee matters."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Finally, someone from a reasonable decade! I arrived from 1950."

[untamedantinous]

"I was working with the printing press," he explains, trying ineffectually to rub some ink off his hands.

[vineleaves]

"Oh, that's wonderful!" he says, and actually gives her a genuine smile at that. "Life ought to be lived to its fullest, you never --" he cuts himself off, because he doesn't feel up to getting all weepy in front of her, she doesn't deserve to have to deal with that. Besides, he made up his mind today to go out and actually try to do something other than mourn Ariadne again. "Well -- anyway. What have you been occupying your time with here, my dear?"

[temnota]

"There are many possibilities here," Aleksander agreed. "For myself, coming here opened my eyes about what kind of person I'd... become and gave me the opportunity to change. For that alone, I am grateful that I was brought here."

[higginbottom]

"You think so?" she asks, genuinely and softly. "I sort of wish it didn't."

[higginbottom]

"Oh, thank God!" Esther exclaims, sighing with relief. "I'm really glad you're here. I thought I was going crazy with everyone from everywhere - and every time, too. Ugh."

[higginbottom]

"There's a printing press here?" she asks, suddenly extremely curious. "What's it like? How fast can it print? How often do you use it?"

Hey, maybe she can print her novel with it - when she finally finishes writing it, that is.

[higginbottom]

"I've been working on my novel," she explains, smiling softly and sounding a touch proud of herself. "It's hard work, but I like it. I do love to write, after all."

[higginbottom]

"Yes! Isn't it incredible what a simple change of scenery can do?" She grins. "I thought I'd be stuck marrying some stodgy old fellow, but here? I can do as I like."

[sagramore]

"I can understand that. I'm still trying to make a new shape that suits me."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"It is all rather head-spinning, isn't it? And everyone has such queer ways of speaking."

[vineleaves]

"Will you let me read it when you're finished with it?" When was the last time he read a novel??? Great question!

[higginbottom]

"Isn't it hard, trying to be...something different? I mean, I know myself, but then again, here there are so many possibilities. What do you do with that?"

For so long, Esther's life felt so constrained. Now that it's not, it's both liberating and terrifying.

[higginbottom]

"Oh, absolutely! And half the time, I have no idea what they're talking about."

[higginbottom]

"Sure! It may take a while, though."

Because Esther's a perfectionist, of course.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I think it's worst when it's a familiar word but the meaning has changed."

[sagramore]

"It's extraordinarily hard," Sagramore says. After all, he's struggling with it too -- who he was, who he is, whether there are parts worth keeping. "What are you thinking about?"

[vineleaves]

"You're in luck, my dear," he says, cheerful, "I have all the time in the world to wait for it!"

[temnota]

Aleksander raised an eyebrow. "An arranged married was your fate in your world? There was no other option? It is good indeed that you came here, then."