Tenth Flake [video]

[defyingfrigidity]

[When the video flocks on, it shows Elsa, looking... a bit thoughtful. Not in a moody way like she was in her last post, judging by the lack of any trouble on her face, but.... it takes a moment for her to realize the recording started before she speaks.]

I checked the date today, and I only just realized something. Today is the one year anniversary of my arrival in Johto. [There's a pause, and she laughs, looking a bit embarrassed.] I promise this won't be as messy as the last time I talked about an "anniversary". That... got a little bit out of hand.

[A shake of the head, and with a sigh, her embarrassment fades.]

I've just... been thinking a lot today. The things I've done here, the people I've met.... they changed me. In ways I don't think I would've been able to change back home. I've learned a lot about the world and other people, and even discovered some things about myself I didn't know before. All thanks to the people here.

I suppose I should thank all of the people I've talked to here. Even if we've only spoken once, you've done much to help me, and for that, I'm forever grateful.

She smiles, then, a bright and brilliant thing.]

From the bottom of my heart, thank you all.

Comments

video

[shatterings]

[ It warms her heart to see Elsa so happy, and Naminé's answering smile is nearly as bright as Elsa's. Nearly. ]

Happy anniversary, Elsa. I'm happy you found such incredible friends here.

[defyingfrigidity]

I am as well. If I didn't have them with me... well. I don't want to know where I'd be now.

[Probably still stuck in New Bark Town without any idea of what to do or how to fend for herself....]

action;

[loveisanopendoor]

[ Elsa, you're way too cute for your own good, you need to cease this madness what the hell ]

There you are!

[ Anna's arms wrap tightly around her sister from behind, holding her nice and close; she's happy she's feeling better after that pesky cold, mostly because it means today they can move on to important matters.

Namely, the cake waiting for her that Noel has been stuck holding (such a horrible cross to bear, truly) , nearly decorated with the words "Happy Johtoversary". Looks like even though Elsa might have only just remembered, Anna's known for a bit of a while. ]

I told you we had to celebrate it!

action;

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa's gotten better at anticipating her sister's sneak attacks, but even so, she makes a noise of surprise when she finds herself suddenly hugged. And she's even more surprised when she seeks the cake!]

H-Hey, I told you we didn't need to celebrate like that...!

[cawsforalarm]

Hey... congrats!

[Henry grins at the Pokégear -- quite genuinely.]

You crow I'm not a fan of goo and sap, but what the hey. A whole year! That's a big deal!

Gonna have a party?

[defyingfrigidity]

It is, isn't it? Frankly, I'm surprised that time went by so fast. It doesn't really seem like all that long ago that I first woke up here....

[Elsa's smile widens, if that's even possible; it's nice, truly, to see Henry smile like that.]

Hm, I don't know... it doesn't really seem like the sort of thing to celebrate, but knowing my sister, we might wind up doing something in honor of the day.

[anexcitableboy]

Well how about that? That's great, Elsa! You're one in a million, you know that?

[defyingfrigidity]

Just because I've been here for a year? [She laughs, looking a bit flustered as she does.] I hardly think that makes me unique...

[irenicly]

[He's not sure if they've spoken before, but congratulations are in order either way.]

Congratulations on your anniversary. I hope you're having a good one.

[defyingfrigidity]

Honestly, I don't think it's really sunk in all that much. It just doesn't feel like a year, despite all I've done....

But yes, it has been good. [She laughs.] My sister insisted on getting a cake.

[nvcr]

Well, congratulations!

...god, has it really been that long? I mean, not to overshadow your own moment of realizing you've survived a year here, but time is...weird.

[defyingfrigidity]

I was surprised as well! It certainly felt like a bit of time had passed, but a year...

I suppose this land just. Kept me so occupied that I didn't really put much thought into it until now.

(Video)

[baremyfangs]

Anniversaries, huh? Congrats.

(Video)

[defyingfrigidity]

[Oh! A new face.]

It would be a good idea to keep an eye on them. They'll sneak up on you before you know it.

video;

[freshprints]

This place...it does have a way of doing that, doesn't it.

As disorienting as it can be to be snatched up from home and dropped here with no warning...in some ways, being here is often a "second chance", for people who arrive.

video;

[defyingfrigidity]

... It is, yes. During my year here, I've heard of all sorts of stories of what the lives of the residents were like before they arrived. Good things, bad things, things about how they struggled to live, or how they died...

[She still has a hard time wrapping her head around that.]

As I've said elsewhere, I can never truly consider this place my home, but... I'm very grateful for it. Both for how it's helped me, and how it's helped many of the others here.

[video]

[milliondollarpipes]

Geez, that long? Congratulations. [He guesses. She sounds happy about it, at least, and that's what matters.]

[video]

[defyingfrigidity]

Believe me, it doesn't feel nearly that long. Though considering all the things that have happened since I arrived here, I really shouldn't be all that surprised....

[video]

[exeggutorhead]

This place does that. Changes people.

[Is there a word for reverse-nostalgia? Where looking back on how shitty everything used to be just makes you happy about how everything is now? Maybe it's because Envy's coming up on his own anniversary, but he's feeling that pretty strongly lately.]

[He laughs.]

It's a good place. Weird shit and apocalypses and all.

[video]

[defyingfrigidity]

[If there isn't, there should be! Elsa can completely understand that feeling.]

They just help make things interesting! Not that it isn't an interesting place already, but it helps keep us on our toes.

[Normally Elsa wouldn't joke about such things. She was there for the big brawl between Team Aqua and Team Magma, after all... but everything was okay in the end, and nobody was seriously hurt. So it's okay, right...?]

(Video)

[stonebird]

Congratulations, Elsa! Do you have a celebration planned?

(Video)

[defyingfrigidity]

Not quite, no. But Anna brought me a cake, so I think that's as good as any celebration.

[Because no matter your world or your walk of life, how can you not enjoy cake, right?]

video;

[pipers_son]

That's the good thing about this place. It can feel a bit slow, a little repetitive, but...

Bein' so peaceful lets ya have a chance ta figure yerself out, ta change yerself. It's nice.

video;

[defyingfrigidity]

Exactly. That it's repetitive in such a calm way can do wonders for people. There were always things back home distracting me from my family, from myself....

Being separated from those things, as hard as it was and as much as I truly enjoyed them, was definitely a good thing. [She laughs.] Not that I immediately thought it was, at first.

[islandshore]

Wow, a whole year? Crazy how fast time flies...

[Heh. In a way, it makes him feel guilty. Sure, he's spoken from Elsa from time to time, but not as much as he should have. He's just been so busy. Still, it's always good to see friendly faces sticking around, selfish as it is.]

I know I probably haven't done much personally, but I can't say I regret meeting you. You're a good person. Makes me wish I'd spent more time talking to you and your sis.

[defyingfrigidity]

I know, I'm still shocked. A few months would've been easy to believe, but an entire year...

[Elsa laughs, and her cheeks turn a little pink at his words.]

T-Thank you. That... truly means a lot to me.