She felt gratitude swell in her chest as he moved the conversation to and through other topics.  It allowed her to let go of her sorrows and enjoy the tremendous meal he had the chef prepare for them.  The food was unlike anything she had really experienced, rich and full, with a magic all its own.  As he beguiled her with stories of his own life and the past of the region, she found herself realizing he was not only able to be tender, like in the moment where he had held her just moments ago, but scrupulous and sharp.  At first, she had thought she had just stumbled into the life of some rich businessman, but it now appeared he was so much more than that.  It also sounded as if this world had found a balance that hers so sorely lacked.  War was a constant, even if there were fewer lives lost in her time.  Lifespans had lengthened, but they were expected to shorten once again, as if humanity in her world had reached its peak and they must downfall.<br/><br/>She perhaps should have slowed her consumption of the food and drink, but each part of the meal seemed more delectable and impressive than the last.  The cupcake was her favorite, she had never eaten a dessert that was presented in such a way that it looked like a lovely piece of small, moving art.  It tasted as beautiful as it appeared, delighting her senses in a way she did not realize was fully possible.  Again, gratitude filled her chest as he offered to keep her company after dinner and at first she expected him to escort her to the living room, but instead, they ascended the stairs and he guided her to his bedroom.  It was even more stunning than the space she inhabited and after his stories at dinner, she wondered if the feeling that she had wandered into some kind of fairytale was not so far off.  The space of his room was so perfectly decorated, it felt as if she had walked on to the set of a movie.<br/><br/>"Hmm..." She thought about what kind of alcohol might suit her and opted for something simple.  "I think a gin and tonic would be lovely, if you have it."  When he returned to the couch and offered her the drink, she immediately took a good sip of it.  Which was quickly followed by another drink of the glass, in which she nearly emptied it of its contents.  The alcohol burned against her throat, but it almost felt good to feel the soft sensation of pain, when she felt so disjointed from her reality and from this new reality she faced.  "I am so incredibly conflicted, right now," she began.  Her eyes had a haunted look at she stared at the ground in front of her, as if the floor beneath their feet might have the answers to send her back home.  "Everything I've encountered in my time with you is lovely and amazing, and this world is one I think I would desperately like to explore....but the sheer thought of never seeing my family, my friends again...It threatens to consume me completely."<br/><br/>Her gaze lifted upward and met his, her eyes tear-filled, and Alice suddenly felt like the air had gone completely out of her lungs.  The weight of what she faced threatened to crush her beneath it.  It was the oddest thing, but she wanted to seek him out for comfort, this man she barely knew.  She not sure she felt safe yet, with him, but he was perhaps all she had now.  "Have you ever suffered this kind of loss, Mr. Cyncad?  Do you have some wisdom or advice for what I could do in the face of all this?  I feel like I'm lost at sea, being tossed by these waves that I have no way of stopping..."