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

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Are you not usually?" asks Susan, who is pleased to finally have an excuse to introduce herself to one of the newer arrivals.

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Esther pauses, seemingly surprised that someone was actually there to respond to her.

"Not always," she admits, feeling a touch sheepish. "But no matter. I'm happy now, and that's what counts, right?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"One ought always to embrace joy whenever they happen across it," Susan agrees, nodding. "I'm pleased to hear your day is a good one. I'm Susan, by the way. Susan Pevensie."

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"Thanks," Esther replies, smiling. "I'm Esther Greenwood. How are you liking this place? I'm sort of new here, and still getting used to things."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I've been here for a little over fourteen months," says Susan. "So roughly a local year, I suppose. I find this place... hm." She presses her lips together. "Occasionally frustrating, but I shouldn't want to be anywhere else."

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"It can certainly be frustrating, especially at first, when all you want to do is go home," Esther agrees. "When I came here, I actually was heading home, so I was really quite confused."

She was heading home from a psych ward, but no need to mention that! Nope, Esther is extremely normal.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Yes, I was rather sore when I first got here, as I had a full life back in London. I found it tremendously helpful to find a new routine to occupy my days."

[higginbottom]

"Oh, I've always wanted to visit London," Esther replies excitedly. "I hope to...one day, if I ever get out of this place."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

So she's likely at least familiar with the regular world. "Where are you from?" Susan asks, politely. "And when, I suppose."

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

[quote_gentle_unquote]

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

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"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."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

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

[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."

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

[quote_gentle_unquote]

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

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"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?"

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

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"A novel! How perfectly exciting."