[route_29 IC Inbox/Voicemail]

[defyingfrigidity]

["I'm terribly sorry, but Elsa isn't here right now! Feel free to leave a message, and I'll do my best to respond in a timely manner."]

Comments

[defyingfrigidity]

[It's clear that Korra's message woke Elsa up - when the feed clicks on, the room around her is dim, and her hair is tousled from sleep as she squints against the light of her gear. But even so, she reaches over to the bedside table, flicking the light on, and pulls her hair back into a loose ponytail so she's at least somewhat presentable.]

No, no, it's quite all right, you don't have to apologize.

[There's a pause as Elsa focuses, and her brows furrow a little as she realizes that something must be wrong here.]

What's wrong, Korra?

[bent_the_world]

[Of course she's waking Elsa up, it's who knows what o'clock. Normal people who aren't playing survivalist on the Routes are asleep right now.]

[But Korra's still glad, if a little guilty, that Elsa does answer.]

Nothing that should really be any big surprise. Uh...no it's just, the friend I was traveling with went home.

And that happens, I know it happens. It just...seems to happen a lot. Like as soon as I start getting close to someone...

[defyingfrigidity]

... Oh.

[It's... a little awkward, because every time people talk about others they were close to disappearing, she can't help but think of Asami. And thinking of her while talking to Korra is... probably not good. So she shoves those feelings back, and refuses to touch that for now.]

I'm so sorry to hear that. I know that, with how often people come and go, it seems like those of us who have been here for years now should be able to get used to this happening. But...

It still hurts, doesn't it?

[bent_the_world]

Thanks. It does hurt. He was a really good guy. I mean, is, it's not like he's dead. But...

[Korra sighs. She's stoked the fire back up and is sitting propped against a tree.]

I've been here a long time. And I've met so many people and made so many close friends and... you're the only one left.

I'm...really glad you're still around.

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa can feel a lump curling in the back of her throat at that. She has some good friends here, people she's shared a lot with. But that... it really hits deep down. Even after two years, old feelings are hard to break, and that disconnect with others that consumed her for most of her life was still there. Korra's words... hearing her admit that Elsa has an impact like that on her makes that rift feel a lot smaller.]

I could say the same to you as well, Korra. I wish I could say I won't leave, but...

[But it would be cruel to lie about something like that.]

I will promise that, for however long I remain in this land, I'll be here for you.

[bent_the_world]

It's not like it's up to us.

[Who knows what it's up to.]

Thanks, Elsa. You're...you're a really good friend.

[defyingfrigidity]

I'm just being the same sort of friend that you've been to me.

[A little cheesy, maybe, but it's true. Especially because Korra was probably the first person who isn't her sister that Elsa could really connect to, both in this world and back in Arendelle. Korra, with her feelings of isolation, trying to figure out powers that nobody else has, all while trying to juggle a vastly important duty placed on her shoulders... how could she not repay her friendship like this?]