#alicel- y1w1

[skeletorsims]

They find each other in the foyer, he no doubt coming up to meet her as he often did. An apple, some fresh eggs. Once he had a chick in his shirt pocket. He would always bring her these little gifts. She supposed, now, she was bringing him one. At least, she hoped that was how he saw it. "Morning, Ms. Rao. I was just comin' up to meet you." "Yes. I thought I would meet you instead." She replied, something nervous making her usually confident smile twitch in the corners. "Is something wrong? You look like you need to lie down, Latika." Her name was said so sweetly, only shared when they were alone. "I-" And the words don't come out, all her childish fears, those which she thought she mastered coming up to choke her. "I am pregnant, Lloyd." Was it shameful that even now, even after all they had shared the fear that he would regret her, leave her alone with not only the child, but, even more frightening, the possibility there wouldn't be one at all. And that this one, this one might take her with it? But Lloyd Hollowbreast was dropping to one knee, digging for something in his pocket. Her heart hung in her throat. "I was meaning to give this to you one of these mornings." He laughs a little, nerves showing. 'What a pair we make,' She thought, surprised by the fact she was still even able to think, to process what was happening. He digs out a ring, obviously made by hand and the sweeter for it. "My family doesn't usually give rings, but I thought I should do this proper for you; the way you like." The tears began welling in the corners of her eyes, she didn't even have the heart to tell him she wasn't used to the custom herself. He shifts his weight, looking up at her, running his tongue over his bottom lip before he asks: "So Latika, will you marry me?" She manages a smile, wobbly as it is. "I will Lloyd."

[skeletorsims]

What can he say? Ms. Ruiz was captivating. Jeremy hadn't thought about her much until he would come in from working the garden or tending to the animals and see her. She would always greet him, ask him if he wanted something from the kitchens. She was working on her cooking skills, she said. "I was only ever in the kitchen to pinch food from Cook." She said, once, smiling slightly down at the counter. "I want to get better and I'll need to if I want to make a life for myself." Maybe it was that which charmed him, her want to better herself. Even if they came from different worlds, he could relate to that, at least. Maybe, too, it was the fact that he could imagine her, even as reserved as she was, getting into mischief at the sprawling ranch she often spoke about. Pampered and cared for, but still alone. They had shared so much, even in this short amount of time. But while they speak in the parlor, Mr. Lace interrupts, his face a controlled calm which belied the anger in his eyes. "Did I walk into something?" He asks, and Jeremy can't help but look between the two, notice the uncharacteristic snarl on Ms. Ruiz's face. "This was a private conversation Mr. Lace." She replies, unable to keep her anger out of her voice. Suddenly Jeremy felt like he didn't understand her at all.

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Some of the newcomers to Alicel have brought along pets, finally giving Smoke, the old ratter, some company. One of these is Kuai, an orange tabby brought along by Liu Wei. Everyone seems fond of the little creature, although as Ms. Rao once said, "It doesn't seem to have a brain in that little skull of his." Mr. Liu seems to find the comment funny, but only smiles when asked why. Also brought along is Mo, Jeremy Teeth's faithful hound. Dimitry wasn't so sure of letting a dog run around the house (especially one quite so...big) but Mo has been a lovely companion to those who spend their time in the parlor, even if at night he prefers to curl up in the barn!

[skeletorsims]

Using this photo of Lloyd working hard for my (drumroll)

ALICEL YEAR ONE, SPRING RECAP!

Latika Rao and Lloyd Hollowbreast are engaged and expecting! How scandalous. Still, everyone can see how in love they are. The burgeoning community is expecting a summer wedding and a fall baby! They should also be able to move into their own homestead soon with Lloyd working hard on collecting the materials and wares needed and Latika sewing furiously as well as working on her skills. Henriqueta Ruiz has found herself in the middle of a love triangle between her host Dimitry Lace and Jeremy Teeth. She thought that her relationship with Dimitry was casual, and if that was casual, her relationship with Mr. Teeth even more so, yet Dimitry is furious at both her and Jeremy for simply exchanging a few words! She is quite angry herself, to be honest. She doesn't belong to him! It wasn't as though they promised anything to each other, and now she isn't sure she would even accept if they had. Although not pictured much, Liu Wei has been working hard on his skills. He is perhaps one of the only people who likes how quiet the house is. Still, even so, he isn't a hermit. He would like someone to talk to, although anything more would be unrealistic to think about. It was already so difficult to find someone of the same inclination in the city, out here, well... He knew what he was signing up for! He has all the skills he needs to prepare to set out for his own. Now, he just needs to get the materials.

[skeletorsims]

Latika knew it was right with her husband too. There are only a few things she trusts herself with. The minute Lloyd comes up to her room to ask if she would love some of the fresh eggs he just gathered, she looks at him and knows.

Even with him on top of her, she doesn't regret it. Looking up at him, still wearing the old Cowboy hat of his (she supposes in this, they're a pair) she can't help but smile and reach up for another kiss.

[skeletorsims]

Queta was surprised at Dimitry's affections. She has had people show interest in her before (maybe too much, if she was being asked. For some reason, it's like she's irresistible.) Mostly, she doesn't mind reciprocating, but she assumes Mr. Lace's (Dimitry, she supposes) interest is fleeting. They always are, after all. Maybe it is scandalous. Sharing a bed with a man she isn't married to would cause a hum everywhere, but she was left to her own devices as a girl- told to mind herself while her parents attended to more important things. Her governess used to have to chase her around the farm, trying to follow the tracks she left like the old woman was on a hunt.

But she is a woman now, and has no mind for gossip. She has her own means and if Mr. Lace wants to propose she supposes she wouldn't mind. Until he makes up his mind, she doesn't seem the harm in smiling when Jeremy Teeth compliments her, in telling him that the work he is doing suits him well.

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Latika does not like to overstay her welcome. In any case, she didn't choose to make the trip to stay as a guest in Mr. Lace's house, no matter how venerable the building was. Perhaps the truth is that it disquiets her. Even the time she spends reading she finds herself distracted. Not by anything, just due to the silence. With a house this full, it was the type which seemed very nearly wrong. Still, she made excuses. It, was, after all only this week they arrived and many must still be testing the waters. It would not do, after all, to be rude.

Mr. Hollowbreast seems to be the only one who understands, spending most of his time in the barn and preferring, even, to sleep there, despite Lace's insistence that there was another bed in the loft that he could have if he didn't find the second floor comfortable. He was always moving, always doing something, and Latika couldn't help but find that rather charming.

[skeletorsims]

No one mentions the scar across Mr. Lace's face. He almost wishes they would. The silence seems to implicate more, hold all their speculations. "Apologies for the simple meal." He says, with a smile. "I'm afraid I do not do much cooking." Ms. Ruiz replies quickly: "Have you been alone long, Mr. Lace? It must seem strange to have this house to yourself. No neighbors for miles and not a soul to help." Wei wonders if Ms. Ruiz understands why they are all here. What they can expect. As soon as enough is gathered, it will be miles between them and their neighbors. "Ah, a few months since my mother passed. It was just me and her, here. The house is my grandparent's, but I never met them." Henriqueta can't quite shake how he side-stepped her question.

"In any case, I appreciate the company. Although I have to say that I am thankful that Mr. Hollowbreast and Mr. Teeth will help with the garden and the animals. It is quite a large place to manage alone." Latika Rao smiles as she brings the spoon to her mouth. "I am sure." Jeremy hopes the smile he plasters on seems less...amused. "Lloyd and I are glad for the work." And it's true. He doesn't know what he would do if he wasn't expected to keep his hands busy. Although, the money was the best of it, of course. The weight of relying on others, of constantly have to owe a landlord, a friend, family. It would all be worth it.

[skeletorsims]

It is strange having so many people around and yet it doesn't seem to dispel the quiet of the house. In the mornings, he often runs into Ms. Ruiz, an "Early Riser" as she says brightly as they meet in the kitchens.

He has always been so alone. Even in the Company Town, in the mines. He was surrounded by people, and yet, there was no one he could really talk to. He wasn't shy, or, he didn't think he was. He just wasn't too good at frivolities. Ms. Ruiz, on the other hand, looks down, looks at her hands, speaks in a whisper, but she looks back up at him every so often, trying to meet his gaze. He's always wondered what it would be like, thinks about their early mornings, how they seem to be the only living souls in the world then. It seems Ms. Ruiz agrees. When he leans in to whisper, to ask: "Perhaps we could take breakfast upstairs, if that would suit you?" She smiles as though he was waiting for him to ask.