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[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

[video]

[styxiedust]

Didn't have to what? Give a dear friend a nice gift? [She shakes her head, insistent.] Nonsense, you know I'll always take the opportunity to spoil people I care about.

[A pause, she adds with sincerity:] Really, Elsa, you deserve it. Things here have been rough on you lately.

[video]

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa can understand that at least, because she's absolutely the same way. She would never dare miss a chance to spoil Anna or her friends, to the point where she would start ignoring herself for their sakes. But it's just... weird, being on the other side of that. Weird, but not bad weird.]

It's nothing nobody else has dealt with before. [Ah Elsa, always trying to downplay her own problems...] But... things have been better now, I suppose.

[video]

[styxiedust]

[...That doesn't mean it's all right that it happened.

She smiles, or tries to, it looks smaller than it should be. Elsa has suffered so much and it wrenches at her heart how she still tries to downplay it. Who did that to her--made her feel like her problems had to be minimized or else? It certainly wouldn't be Anna, perhaps someone...]

[Never mind.]

Regardless, I've already done it. There's little shops where they sell charms, so you can add whatever you want to your bracelet.

[video]

[defyingfrigidity]

[Ohhhh Botan, if you only knew...]

Oh! Um, speaking of the charms... [Again Elsa's gaze drops a little, running her fingers along the peony charm.] You, ah, forgot to mention the meaning of one of the flowers.

[video] 1/2

[styxiedust]

Did I--?

[video]

[styxiedust]

...[Oh. She remembers which one now.]

Ah. So I did.

[video]

[defyingfrigidity]

[... Oh dear. Did she make something awkward...?]

Is... is there a meaning behind it?

[video]

[styxiedust]

Um...yes? It's a very prominent symbol of courage and strength in Hanakotoba, but err...mostly...

[It's only awkward in Botan's mind, her face is heating up, ears burning, eyes trying to look anywhere besides at her friend.]

...It's...my name. In Japanese, "botan" means "peony." I thought...perhaps, too boldly, that I was...part of your life too.

[video]

[defyingfrigidity]

[... Oh.

Oh.

Hearing Botan say that makes something inside of her clench again, not unpleasantly. And maybe it's because she's not overwhelmed by all the gifts anymore or maybe it's because of her words, but Elsa finally realizes when she felt this before.

It was that same sort of feeling in her gut when she talked to Asami. And having finally realized what that meant...

Oh boy.]

N-No, that... [Oh no. Her face is turning red now, isn't it?] You weren't too bold in thinking that.

[video]

[styxiedust]

[!!

On the other hand, the feeling of warm nervousness in Botan's chest isn't incredibly familiar to her. She should know what it is, intellectually she knows about how humans experience infatuation, she's witnessed it happening.

Botan has never felt that kind of affection for someone, however. No time for it, wrong place, wrong self. She doesn't belong with humans naturally.

It never felt like she didn't belong with Elsa, though. Actually, she usually feels welcomed if a little nervous with Elsa.]

Well...it's nothing too unique on my end, anyway. Having a flower name. All of the ferry women do--like my good friend Ayame, "iris."

[video]

[defyingfrigidity]

I still think it's nice, to be named after something so beautiful.

[She almost adds "it's fitting", but her mouth just. Completely clams up before she can. Oh god, that would've been too awkward...!]

I... I'm very grateful you did this. Perhaps if this were to be brought back to Arendelle with me if I'm ever returned... it might help me remember.

[She doubts it, but... it's a hope she wants to cling to.]