"AND WHAT'S THE word you might be looking for?" came Elise Lavender's reply.
The older woman didn't even fully turn back to look at Alice but the latter could already see the sly smile that curved Doctor Lavender's lips.
"Come sit, child."
Obediently, Alice did as she was told. She smoothened her skirts under her before sitting down on the chair adjacent to Doctor Lavender's. Patiently, she waited. When she watched how calm the doctor was, sipping on her tea like she had all the time in the world, Alice finally cracked.
"Doctor Lavender, I am sure you know that I have many questions―"
"More than I can answer, I'm afraid," replied the doctor. She calmly placed the teacup back onto the saucer, the porcelain clinking a little upon contact.
"cut off one head, two more shall take its place". that seems to be the case for alice's list of questions and problems!