defyingfrigidity | Tenth Flake [video]

[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.

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[Elsa shakes her head, but the way she's not looking directly into the camera is kind of a big tell otherwise.]

No, I'm fine! Really...

I know we just met an' all, but shouldering burdens on your own is a good way to be miserable. You seem too nice for that.

[OH FANG IF YOU ONLY KNEW]

I know, but... [She reaches up to rub awkwardly at the back of her neck.] I don't know if Lightning would want me to talk about... certain things....

Something happen between you? (She frowns a little. Clearly it's time to do a little fishing with Lightning.) It's private, I understand. Just try to smile now and then.

I don't know... I've tried that, and it just seems to be making things worse. Or it just doesn't help at all.

[She avoids the question for the moment. Sure, she knows that if this woman can call herself Lightning's friend, that means Lightning must trust her enough that it wouldn't be bad to tell her what happened, but...

She's just. Not sure how it'll all go if she did tell her...]

Give yourself time. Deciding the best course doesn't always come immediately. (She's old as dirt. Broken hearts are not new to her and it's clear Elsa isn't a bad person.) We can only wait for clarity.

I have. Believe me, I'm good at waiting. But it's just...

It's been so long already. I think I spent too much time waiting to be able to fix anything now.

So take action. Approach the problem head on and see if you can repair anything. If not, you may be forced to leave it in the dust.

But I can barely talk to her now. I've tried, but she's just so... closed off.

[And she has every right to be. Elsa doesn't blame her one bit.]

The one time we did try talking about the problem, I just wound up making her angry. Serah had to intervene.

She does that. Don't give up hope. (Hard heads hide soft hearts.) Ever thought about a letter?

[Good advice, but a bit too late. Elsa's more or less resigned herself to never being considered Lightning's friend again.]

No, but I don't think there's anything I could say that I haven't said before.

(She likes to fix things; seeing friends split up hurts, but if they've reached that point...

She sighs.)

Then you need a good party.

[... Aha...]

A party is the root of all of this, somewhat. I think that might be a bad idea.

[She doesn't know if Lightning would've confessed to her, if all those weird dream shenanigans didn't take place, but... that still is where it all happened.]

Did I say you had to invite her? I think space would do you both good. Emotions are too high and there's pride involved. (So it's better if they're both distracted in her mind.) Throw a party to celebrate your time here - keep it small if you're more comfortable. Just don't sit around and worry.

[Okay. Okay... if she's not trying to push her into talking to Lightning, that's... that's good. Elsa has a feeling this is far from over, but for now... it's good.]

Believe me, it's almost impossible to do that now. [She lets out a soft laugh.] My sister has an uncanny ability to sense when I start sulking, and puts her foot down quite firmly when she wants to.

[You'd never guess that ELSA was the queen out of the two...]

Good sister, then. (She flashes a smile; she knows how that goes.) Enjoy your time with her and I'll try to cheer up Sunshine. I bet its been awhile since she's had a good spar.

Too good to me, I think.

[No matter how far Elsa's come, she... still believes that, at least.]

... W-Wait, hold on. You're saying... trying to beat her up will cheer her up?

Why d'ya say that? (Well that's no good!) For us? Yeah, pretty much.

Tenth Flake [video]

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