A Song Named Alice

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I finish the second stack of paperwork for today when I hear footsteps sound in the hallway; Pleasance must be back from errands. Before she comes in, I set the stack down by the first and Pleasance's share in a corner of the room and grab another stack from the opposite corner. 

Pleasance enters the room quietly, stealthily putting down the paper bag onto her desk, which is filled with a variety of contents for working, nothing beyond what she needs. I greet her as she sits down. "Welcome back home, Pleasance. Did you get everything?" 

Once she empties the contacts of the bag, putting it in its proper place, Pleasance grabs her pen and her first document to work on. She replies as she begins to work, "Thank you, All Father. Oh, and yes, I did grab everything, even the extra paperwork you'll be doing later on." 

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Pleasance's concentration change. She's not going to listen to me anymore. However, there's still something I want to tell her. 

As quietly as I can, I tip-toe behind Pleasance's chair. Then I wait for her to notice me. If I say anything, she will ignore me or force me to go back to work. 

Pleasance realizes where I am and she jumps out of her chair. Her blood drops to her feet, appearing paler as she faces me while her lips freeze in panic. However, the hastened look Pleasance has doesn't take long to disappear, and once she calms down her expression turn sour. 

"Sir," She growls. "Don't stand idly around behind me, you know I scare easily." She sits back down again, and focuses on her work. 

I mumble an apology, but my intent stays true. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." I skid back and forth behind her chair, pacing for a chance to get her to come along with me. She shouldn't stay cooped up, even I know this. A breath of fresh air by only the means of errands is not a habit she should have. I raise my voice, "Come on, Pleasance. Don't be like that. I can't concentrate on work, I'm bored. I've finished all the original work you gave me, even the second stack, and now you've given me a new stack to do. I'm due a one hour break. I did all that you told me to, and then some, so you can't back out on it." 

"Fine. Go have your one hour break, but I have to work." 

"I want you to come along as well." I pause for her to speak. She makes no attempt. So I slide to the side of her, gazing directly into her sapphire eyes. She doesn't flinch at my threats; she gives me nothing in acknowledgement. I start to beg, "Oh, come on Pleasance. It's just one hour. Then we can both go back to work." 

"All the backed up paperwork doesn't even fit on our desks anymore, it's scattered in the room next door in endless piles, so you just have to do whatever you want to do without me." Pleasance won't want to budge, but I'm not going to give in. I'm not the leader of Asgard for nothing. I have ways to convince people. 

Changing strategies, I slide my hand down the chair. Since asking won't work, I'll bribe her into coming with me. It's worked before, why not now? "Aw, that's not any fun. You need to get out and walk around, see the land. If you don't, you'll get sick. It's just one hour, it won't hurt." 

"Sir, I was just out on errands. I've walked around like you said, and 'seen the land' or whatever you meant. Besides, I won't get sick because of working, that's ridiculous to even think of. What makes you think I could possibly get sick from working?" 

What? Did I not tell her this before? "No, no. You're wrong. You can get sick from working. In fact, it's happened many times on Midgard." 

"Yes, but I'm not from Midgard." 

"It's happened to other Asgardians before, like me." I say.