[ She glance at Fen again, to show she's not put off by how she comes closer. It's actually nice, talking to someone who gets it. Nice in a distant, mostly numb sort of way, but still nice.

Alice sniffles and sighs sharply, almost like a short huff of unamused laughter. ]

I could blame that Librarian, Everett.

[ He had to be stopped, and Quentin was the only one brave enough to do the sure thing, the guaranteed victory. Or— ]

Or... [ She pauses and dabs at her eyes again. ] I could blame myself. Because I destroyed the Keys and gave the Library what they wanted. I didn't free the Monster, but... I sure as hell didn't help.

[ And maybe that's the worst thing of all. She already hates so much of herself. One more thing makes existing feel even more unbearable. ]

Sorry, I'm just... rambling. I thought it'd help to come here, because he loved it so much.