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

[temnota]

"No, it is all right," Aleksander said gently, trying to reassure her. "It is an undeniable part of my past. I can't change that anymore than I can change the seasons or turn back time. I have lied about who I was and what I have done but I will not do that here."

[higginbottom]

"...I think I know what you mean," Esther says slowly. "I, um, have a past of my own. And it's difficult to reckon with."

[temnota]

Aleksander stopped in the middle of chopping some onions and turned to face her. He took a step forward then stopped, not certain whether Esther would welcome any attempt at comfort. "I am sorry that you know this experience too," he said.

[higginbottom]

"Thanks," she says, nodding. "I feel a lot better here, though. This place has been good for me."

[temnota]

"For me as well," Aleksander agreed quietly. "It was the spark that started me on the path to realizing that I had to change."

[higginbottom]

"Oh, absolutely," Esther says. "I'm a better person here."