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]

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

[quote_gentle_unquote]

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

[higginbottom]

"Yes! I wish people would just speak in plain English."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"That would be ever so convenient, wouldn't it?"

[higginbottom]

"Oh, would it be!"

She grins.

"You're funny. I like that."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

It's safe to say this is one of the first time in Susan Pevensie's life when anyone has called her 'funny.' "Why, thank you," she says, taken aback.

[higginbottom]

Well, Susan, Esther finds you to be quite witty, so there.

"You shouldn't be surprised - you're smart and fun to talk to," she says. "And I always appreciate funny people."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Smart and fun to talk toare much easier for her to wrap her mind around. "Again, I thank you," she says, with a flash of a smile. "So, tell me about yourself, Esther. How's America in 1953? I visited once, you know. New York, in 1942."

[higginbottom]

"It's boring and annoying, honestly," she says. "I was in New York for a time, too. I just wish there were more opportunities for women. I found it frustrating to try to be a writer there."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh! Are you a writer, then?"

[higginbottom]

"I am," she says, a touch proud of herself. "I'm working on a novel."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"A novel! How perfectly exciting."

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"Oh, it's great, except for the part where I have to write it," Esther jokes, smiling sheepishly.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

To her own surprise, this startles a laugh out of Susan. "How far along have you got?"

[higginbottom]

Esther sighs, and her face darkens slightly.

"Not very far at all," she admits. "I wish I could say differently, ugh."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Well, chipping away at it every day ought to move you along expeditiously."

[higginbottom]

"Oh God, one would hope."

Esther doesn't have much faith in herself in this arena.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I believe that's the nature of any project."

[higginbottom]

But it's hard, Susan!

"Yes. I suppose it is?" She shrugs, as if helpless. "I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I suppose that might make it difficult to keep a steady pace."

[higginbottom]

No kidding, oof.

"I'm trying my best - that's what I keep telling myself."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Very good. Routine is, I imagine, important for such pursuits."

[higginbottom]

"Oh God, I am absolutely appalling at routine," she admits. "But I'm trying, like I said."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan, who has never once in her life struggled with routine, says, "I find this place is tremendously conducive to establishing one."

[higginbottom]

"Well, I sure hope so."