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

[shatterings]

Hard... and a bit scary.

[ Naminé pauses for a moment. ]

But it's not so scary anymore--is it?

[loveisanopendoor]

Look, it may be an anniversary, but it'd be bad if you didn't get first dibs! You have to be the tester, you know! I'm trusting you to see whether it's good or not!

video;

[freshprints]

I know of someone who, due to circumstances beyond their control, was made to forget ever meeting their closest friend, and the experiences they'd shared together.

Later, when they were reunited as two members in a much larger group, they still singled each other out and returned to being close, despite never remembering their previous time together.

For whatever reason...it's as though those two people were drawn to each other by the weight of their past experiences, even though consciously they'd forgotten them.

[video]

[exeggutorhead]

[Perfectly fine to joke about in Envy's book! Just about the only awful thing he won't make jokes about is the disappearances.]

That's how I see it, I'd wind up bored if there wasn't the occasional shark hurricane. My life was a lot busier before than it is here.

[He has a job, he has plenty of things he enjoys to occupy himself with...but he needs some chaos now and then!]

But you sound like you've enjoyed your year. If you're lucky, you'll get to stay a few more.

(Video)

[stonebird]

Congratulations, Elsa! Do you have a celebration planned?

[milliondollarpipes]

That hectic?

[It's been pretty calm since he showed up. He's felt every day of it.]

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa raises an eyebrow, grin still in place.]

Demanding a queen be a food tester... you know, once upon a time, royals had their servants do such a thing for them. [... for a much more morbid reason, but she's not going to bring that up without a little prodding...] Are you really implying that I should do the work of a servant, Anna?

(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)

[defyingfrigidity]

[The tension in her shoulders eases ever so slightly; it's not totally gone, but she's a bit more relaxed at the change of subject. Thank goodness, she took the bait...]

What do you mean?

[loveisanopendoor]

Hey, if you want to let me try it first and be jealous of me and my awesome first slice of cake, be my guest! But I'm gonna make sure to be as tantalizing with it as I can, and do you really want that?

[defyingfrigidity]

[RUDE???? Elsa huffs.]

Wow, Anna. Wow. I try to be nice and give you the first slice, and you turn around and rub it in my face like that? So cruel...!

[loveisanopendoor]

I was giving you the first slice, you're the one being stubborn!

[defyingfrigidity]

Just because I wanted to help you! [Elsa nudges Anna with her elbow.] Is that so bad, really?

[defyingfrigidity]

Sort of. Things are relatively calm, but my sister and I travel a lot. And some strange things do happen sometimes...

It's not quite hectic, but there's enough here to keep your mind occupied on other things.

[video]

[defyingfrigidity]

... I still have a hard time picturing that one.

[It was the one thing people ALWAYS brought up when they talked about the weird happenings here, but she's just... still having a hard time wrapping her head around it.]

I never thought I'd say this, but... I wouldn't mind spending another year or so here. Knowing that no time passes back home certainly helps.

[defyingfrigidity]

... Sometimes. With certain people, and how close they get...

[It's still terrifying, how fast her heart beats and how the rest of her reacts when she talks to a certain person...]

But it's not... a bad sort of scary. If that makes any sense?

[defyingfrigidity]

I certainly understand that. Back home, everything was so.... busy. Adjusting to this place, where you can relax more often than not, was one of the hardest things I had to deal with at the beginning of my stay, I think.

[milliondollarpipes]

Yeah. I've just been hangin' out and trainin' near town when I ain't workin', but even that's enough to wipe me out by the end of the day.

Better to keep busy, I think. [Much better than thinking about all of this.]

[loveisanopendoor]

It's not, but it's your anniversary, so you should eat it first!

[defyingfrigidity]

... We're just going to keep going in circles with this, aren't we?

[loveisanopendoor]

...We'll split the first slice!

[defyingfrigidity]

... An excellent compromise!

[loveisanopendoor]

And just like that, I'm some kind of genius!

[She cuts the first slice in half, and...]

Okay, we take the first bite on three, okay? One, two, three!

[defyingfrigidity]

I never doubted that you were very smart, Anna.

[Thought still lighthearted, it's said without any kind of joking tone as she scoops up a forkful of cake, biting into it at the same time as Anna does.]

... Mmm!

(Video)

[baremyfangs]

The reason I was shifted from Gran Pulse to Cocoon initially was because of a war. (And slumbering for so long after cracking the world as Ragnarok.)