[ryslig IC Inbox]

[defyingfrigidity]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, QUEENOFICEOLATION. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 013.11.221.20 *** QUEENOFICEOLATION has joined 013.11.221.20 <QUEENOFICEOLATION> I think I've finally gotten the hang of these devices. <QUEENOFICEOLATION> So! <QUEENOFICEOLATION> There's no harm in setting up one of these, yes? <QUEENOFICEOLATION> (Thanks to those of you who helped me do so and I'm sorry if I frustrated anyone)

Comments

<hadron> they're buddies i assume they have exchanged channel numbers

[terribibble]

Elsa? I think we ought to talk.

<QueenofIceolation>

[defyingfrigidity]

Of course. Whatever you need to get off your chest.

[Though she knows what this is about, there's no way it can be anything else...]

<teslacoils>

[terribibble]

[He debated with himself whether he wanted to even do this, but he feels as though it's probably the most painless way of going about it. Just get everything out on the table right away, right? That's best. He even types on his actual keyboard; he needs this to look respectable, and it won't if half the punctuation's missing and it's got his accent written in. That's the only downside to typing with his mind.

He starts about three different times, deletes them all, and finally settles on:]

Hello. My name is Dr. Fiddleford McGucket, and you don't know me, but I used to know you a long time ago. I figured I ought to contact you now, like this, before running into you out in public and potentially causing a scene. You were a good friend to me back then so I'd like to be a good friend to you now. If you have any questions or need anything to help you handle settling in here, please don't hesitate to let me know.

<queenoficeolation>

[defyingfrigidity]

[... It's a good thing Elsa's not from a world where technology is a thing, or else this would've sent up kiiiind of a red flag. Like geez it reads like some kind of nigerian scam mail! Even as it is, Elsa does think it's a little odd, but... well. A lot of people here are very different from how people are in Arendelle.

It takes a while for her to respond because... well. Anna only just showed her how to work this thing the other day, but at least the response is legible...!]

Hello Fiddleford! I'm sorry to say that I, indeed, do not remember you, and I'm very sorry. This isn't the first time this has happened, though, so this isn't... as weird as it could be.

If we were friends before, then I'm sure we could be friends again! I um. Hope it isn't too awkward for you.

10/3

[rediscover]

elsa

elsa elsa elsa elsa

guess what!!!!

[defyingfrigidity]

I've never seen text like this look so excited! What is it, Anna?

10 / 12

[manuscripture]

Miss Elsa,

I am getting off of work in the next hour or so. When I got home, I was going to go to Dyster. Would you be interested in joining me?

-- Rohan

[defyingfrigidity]

Of course! I'll inform Anna and Lorna as well, so they're not left wondering where the two of us disappeared to.

10/25 <summerbloom>

[rediscover]

\o/
 O
 O

<queenoficeolation>

[defyingfrigidity]

Anna, what??
If you were trying to write something just now, I think your device might have stopped working...

<summerbloom> 11/21

[rediscover]

Elsa!
ive been thinking a lot because of this whole weird thing with the plants everywhere
well actually
ive been thinking about it for awhile
but i helped a girl the other day in the cafe by making a salve for her burns and it got me thinking
maybe you and i could work together and help even more people!
we could even....i don't know
start some kind of apothecary???
what do you think?

<summerbloom>

[defyingfrigidity]

That sound like a fantastic idea, Anna!
There was a man on the network not long before this strange plant incident took place asking for an apothecary, but it didn't seem like anyone knew of any.
I know the doctors here do quite a good job taking care of people when they can, but it seems like an apothecary might still be quite useful.

Ah, I'm glad you were able to help that girl.
I ran into someone I'm familiar with, but I wasn't able to do much other than calm down the plants growing on her arm...

<~sHoOtInG~sTaR~>

[ilovepuppies]

There once was a boy who was a Halloween fanatic. He loved dressing up for Halloween, he loved pulling pranks and watching horror movies, and above everything else... he loved candy. One fateful year, while he went trick-or-treating, he visited a house. This house was creepy as hell! It was big, it was old, it smelled like a grandmother and it was owned by a happy, old rich couple. The boy came here thinking that he would be handed out big chocolate bars, because it was a rich person's house but when he knocked on their door... he was handed a bag of that shitty candy that nobody likes! Tootsie rolls, shitty flavoured dum-dums, those weird... peanut things... needless to say, the boy was heartbroken. He was so heartbroken that he died, right there on their porch and now, every Halloween he goes out and finds people to curse. He wants everyone to suffer the same way he did!

Everybody is already suffering from his curse!! Send this to ten people to break the curse, or to avoid getting cursed, or you'll be stuck looking freakier than usual for the rest of your life!!!!!!!!!!

<~sHoOtInG~sTaR~>

[ilovepuppies]

pls dont be mad at me i just rly dont wanna get cursed!!!!! (ﾉ´ｰ`)ﾉ

<juno>

[junosteel]

[Juno's been lurking in his apartment after that forest fiasco, but as the days pass, the loneliness gnawing at his chest has just been growing and growing. It's not quite as bad as earlier this year, when he was still on Mars, but...hell, he can't just stay like this, lying listlessly on the couch for hours at a time and drowning his feelings in alcohol until he passes out. He wants to get better, he really does, but Ryslig isn't offering much in terms of respite.

You're supposed to feel better by talking to other people, right? At least, that's what people have told him in the past. But who is he supposed to talk to? Half of the people he's acquainted with are teenagers. Turn to Rita? Maybe, but he hasn't really talked to her since she arrived. Nureyev? Forget it--he might find it to be an act of desperation.

That leaves one relatively put-together adult that Juno considers a fr--that is, someone that Juno doesn't mind talking to. Besides, she offered him an invitation, didn't she?]

this is juno. mind if i drop by later today?

[He feels stupid as soon as the message is sent, but there's little he can do about it now.]

<queenoficeolation>

[defyingfrigidity]

[Curious. Elsa and Juno always chatted on the network or in person, but this is the first time he's contacted her privately. So being the person she is, Elsa can't help but worry over this sort of vague requeat.]

Of course.
Is everything all right?

<HotterTwin>

[restinglichface]

now i know you wouldnt be trying to avoid me or anything
so just chagirl lup here checking in on you babe

<queenoficeolation>

[defyingfrigidity]

[How ironic is it that for someone who tries so hard to not let anyone read her true emotions, Elsa's failed more and more at it since showing up here.]

Avoiding you?
I haven't been avoiding you.

Everything's been fine, really.

<jeanius> [backdated to late nov!]

[barold]

Hello, Ms. Elsa.

This is Barry Bluejeans. It has been a while since our previous communication. I apologize for this oversight.
I hope you are doing well, and that this message finds you well.


I would just like to thank you for your honesty.
Lup really appreciated it too.

<queenoficeolation>

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa is the direct opposite of okay recently, and ohhhhhh shit does this make her feel even worse. Not because of him!! But just... it feels like she's being punched in the gut right now.]

... Thank me?
Why would you thank me for that?

<marco>

[peccatore]

Hello, Elsa.
I have good news. :)

I can't send you home permanently... yet.
But with the Fourth God's help - if you agree, of course - you can visit your kingdom for 72 hours.

How does that sound?

<queenoficeolation>

[defyingfrigidity]

[When Elsa first reads this, she hesitates. It's not because of Marco; god, there's been a lot going on from the Fourth's camp lately, but she still trusts Marco. He's her friend. It's just... she never put much faith in the gods of this land, and if the Fourth is involved with this... Elsa worries.

But at the same time, the chance to see home again - not a hallucination, not some model in the museum - is too much of an irresistible siren song to ignore.]

That sounds amazing. Of course I agree.
Do I come to your home? Or the lab?

3/28 random late night text

[restinglichface]

elsa

we rly tried to save this place
u know that right

[defyingfrigidity]

[Ah, that's... a somewhat worrying text to wake up to.]

What are you talking about?
Save it from what?
Is there something else going on right now?

text > action; 7\6

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[It's been a few days since the... talk she had with Elsa. And Cassandra was starting to feel much better about herself, which meant things were slowly returning to their usual business.

And Cassandra knows what that means, it's been overdue for a while.]

Hey.
Don't you think it's time I finally taught you a little about fighting?

[text]

[defyingfrigidity]

[Honestly, Elsa kind of... put the whole idea of training out of her mind for a while. It would be a useful skill to have, of course! But the main reason she agreed to Cassandra training her was so that Cassandra would train Anna. And Anna seemed to really be enjoying it, so she was happy to let their new friend from Corona focus on her sister for a while.

But of course, she won't exactly say no to this offer. With the squabbling between the god followers getting more and more noticeable lately, it feels like something big might be coming soon. Something she should be prepared for.]

I have some free time today, so I'd be happy to take you up on your offer.
Should I bring anything out into the yard with me?

Early september after Cassandra's had enough time to stew

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[It's about mid day, when, suddenly, a text!]

Hey.
I'm just guessing you don't have time to talk right now, but if you do just let me know, I guess?

[defyingfrigidity]

[Huh.... well this is odd. Not a bad odd, but usually when she receives messages at work, Elsa tends to worry a little. Like something might've happened.]

I'll be taking my lunch break soon, so that would be a perfect time to talk.
Would you like to come to the cafe so we can speak in person, or...?

11/09

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[The days since Rapunzel's return to Ryslig have been busy... to say the least. Cassandra's mind had switched to focusing mainly on making sure her princess was safe, at least settling into Solsikke had been easy enough. Now, there was just the matter of dealing with everything else as it came... feelings included.

Feelings like... things she'd forgotten. Duties that had gotten sidetracked. Messages she had to send. Today, she had time for that, finally.]

Hey. I was wondering if you had time today for some sword training.
You know, if you're up for that.

[Ever since Rapunzel showed up, her daily interactions with Elsa had been... Not bad, exactly. But "awkward" had been a good descriptor. She wondered why.]

[defyingfrigidity]

[Awkward... that was certainly a word for it. For as much as Elsa wanted to make sure that their interactions were the same as they always were, there was a sort of... tension to her words and actions that she hadn't felt in some time. The careful reminders to keep her distance, to watch her words and think carefully before she spoke were familiar paces she put herself through, with an added weight in her chest.

It was familiar, but... she hated feeling like this. She didn't want to feel like this. But she had to; with Rapunzel here, Elsa needed to step back, to let things between her and Cassandra play out how they wanted. All while she acted as if nothing was wrong and her chest wasn't feeling like it was going to collapse in on itself.]

I have some spare time today.
Whenever you'd like, I'll meet you out in the yard.

[Acting as if nothing wrong meant going about her day as she would normally, so... she can't really say no to the offer, can she?]

12/21

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[After several long, long days of "partying", the bugs in their hive finally allowed their guests to leave. Without their missing shoes but with their memories intact, this time. By the time they were let out, Cassandra was delighted to go, and she assumed everyone else felt the same way. She just couldn't stay in a hive for much longer. There were important things that needed tending to.

Like one, specific thing she'd worried about missing. Thank goodness she hadn't forgotten.

So, on the evening of December twenty-first, there's a knock at Elsa's door. It's quick and unexpected, no fuss had been made earlier about a birthday. So it may be surprising to find Cassandra standing there, a plate with a cupcake in one hand, and something long bundled in wrapping paper under her arm.]

Hey.

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa likes the bugs. Honest! They remind her of Olaf in some weird way, so spending some time at one of their parties wasn't really the worst thing that Elsa could've gone through. But for several days? That was pushing it a bit. By the end of the second day, Elsa was a bit tapped out on all that social interaction, so she'd followed Cassandra's lead and left as soon as they were able to.

The days passed, things calmed down, and Elsa made a note of today's date with barely a fuss. After all, her birthday wasn't really important; not to her at least. It was just... another day. Not something worth celebrating. She went through the day like normal, and she'd almost forgotten that it was still her birthday when she heard a knock. Moving across her room, she opened the door, poking her head out.]

Yes? Oh.

[Her visible eye widens, noticing first the cupcake and then the package.]

Cassandra! You... knew about today?

[12/21, action]

[rediscover]

[When Elsa wakes up on her birthday, there's no fanfare, no Anna jumping on her bed to rouse her. Normally, that would be Anna's M.O., but today for Elsa's birthday she's opted for something a little more restrained.

A little. See, when Elsa opens her door, she'll find a package wrapped in silver and blue right outside. It's wrapped so that the lid comes right off the top, bow and all; inside, nestled atop a layer of crocus petals, is something knit in a vivid, familiar plum color. When Elsa unravels it, she'll find that it's a replica of their mother's scarf, but rendered in soft lambswool to make it a winter shawl instead, with soft silk fringe to boot.

Of course, there's more. Because it's Anna and there's always more. Downstairs, she's hard at work making a big breakfast of chocolate-chip-cookie-dough pancakes with fresh whipped cream; fluffy scrambled eggs with cheese and chives on top; and yogurt with an oatmeal crumble topping and lingonberry jam. And look, there's a place set at the head of the table for Elsa to tuck in, a steaming mug of hot chocolate ready to be sipped.

Anna sets three plates down in front of her sister with the aid of her vines, and drops a kiss atop Elsa's crop of cherry-blossom hair.]

Ta-daa! Happy birthday, Elsa!

[defyingfrigidity]

[Even before the smell of a delicious breakfast hits her, Elsa is already a bit overwhelmed. The sight of their mother's scarf - a replica, but still the scarf - is enough to get tears stinging at the corner of her eye. The scarf, the lullaby... it had always been special to her, to them, and in the recent weeks after the poacher incident, they'd found comfort in Iduna's song once more. So to have this too, this reminder of home to cling to... it's a lot. In a good way.

When Elsa makes it down to the dining room, shawl draped across her shoulders, she bypasses the breakfast spread to immediately pull Anna into a tight hug, enough that Anna might be lifted off the ground an inch or two.]

You're the best sister ever. You know that, right?

[Action; 02/21]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[There was a feeling in Cassandra's chest, one emotion that had been plaguing her for months, a need to let it out. She'd denied it for so long, but whatever it was about the recent weeks had made it grow to fill her chest and plug her throat at the mere thought of it. Now, today, she could think about barely anything else. There was no denying it any longer.

She had to do something about it. Not one second more of waiting.

So, she prepares until late into the evening. It's become a bit of a routine thing for her; Cassandra makes sure to stop by Elsa's room to wish her a goodnight. Tonight would be the same, but different.]

Elsa?

[A knock, quick and sharp, as usual. Hopefully not too much tremor in her voice. Every nerve in her body is leaping in anxiety, even though she really shouldn't be. But... how can she not when she sees Elsa's face? Just relax. Put on a smile. Keep your hands steady behind your back.]

Hey.

[defyingfrigidity]

[Strange things happen, and there's always that calm after the storm where they're left to pick up the pieces. Elsa has been helping to dote on Eugene after what happened to him after the party, and she's been doting a bit on Cass and Rapunzel as well after what they saw at the auction. It's a lot to process, even as an outsider this time, so when Elsa opens her door a moment after Cass knocks, a look of confusion flashes across her face.]

Cass?

[She says goodnight every night, of course. Elsa's gotten used to sending her girlfriend off to bed with a quick kiss at the doorway of one of their rooms, but the way Cass is holding herself, the arms behind her back... what's going on?]

Hey... is everything okay?

6/13; text, late night

[feudalladyshandmaid]

Hey. Are you busy?

[defyingfrigidity]

No, why?

[Hard to be busy in the middle of the night when a lot of other people are asleep.]

[Action] 8/12

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[Night time rolling around in Solsikke is a quiet affair. Now more than ever, since they'd lost two residents of the castle last month. But life moved forward. Everyone busied themselves in their own spaces and passing interactions in the halls. Varian was hard at work in his new lab, Anna was off somewhere, probably with Nisser, and Elsa...

Cass couldn't find Elsa. Ordinarily, she'd come around for a kiss and to say goodnight, unless they were staying together for the night. But there was no sign of her in the bedroom, or the halls, so Cassandra ventured upward.

To the roof. Where the most fascinating meteor shower was tearing through the night sky. And that's where she found Elsa.]

I was wondering where you were. [Not that she was worried. Her? Worried? Nah.]

[defyingfrigidity]

[It's like a sense of calm has finally fallen over the castle. Not at the expense of Eugene and Rapunzel, of course not; she misses them terribly. But after the last final clash with the poachers, that sense of nervousness and fear that seemed to follow Elsa everywhere she went, even in her own home, had finally lifted. She feels... calm. It's why she's up here now, just taking in the soothing late summer breeze and watching the meteors.]

Oh, Cass! [A smile crosses Elsa's face, and she shuffles to one side, freeing up some space on the blanket she'd spread out under her.] Sorry, I came outside for some fresh air, and saw what was going on... I had to take a moment to watch.

< xiao.xingchen > 25th, early early morning.

[daozhangs]

( writing this under the assumption that they manage to get him into the shop for coffee/tea/etc prior to this, whoops. )

Miss Elsa,

Hello, I hope this note finds you well. I wished to thank you again for your hospitality, but also to inquire:

Does your shop sell incense for burning? I'm looking for yellow incense, specifically.

Thank you,
Xiao Xingchen

<queenoficeolation>

[defyingfrigidity]

[hell yeah hell yeah]

You're quite welcome! I was happy to see you.
Please, feel free to stop by anytime.

I'm afraid we don't have any of that sort of incense yet.
We sell bags of dried flowers and leaves and herbs and such to leave out for their good scents, but that's about it.
I'd be happy to do a little research and see what I could make, though! Anna and I are always looking for new things to offer, if they can help others in any way.

backdated to whenever elsa and cass fucked

[rediscover]

[Strictly speaking, there's definitely work Anna should be doing around the café. But currently she's ignoring that fact in favor of sending her sister a very important message, her laptop propped up behind the counter.]

Sooooooooooooo....

You finally did it, huh?

[defyingfrigidity]

[Strange. Usually when one or both of them are at work, Anna will just... start up some banter to help pass the time while they work, instead of turning to the laptops.]

Did what?

hello at solsikke

[justbeingknife]

[ Later: there was a large white wolf with a backpack at Solsikke's door, as well as the sound of someone with a canine snout and padded paws trying to find the door knocker. Castles had those, right? ]

Hello? Anyone in?

[defyingfrigidity]

[Between the surrounding forest and the daily comings and goings of the castle's own furry resident, the sight of a large animal loping around the front of the castle isn't one to catch Elsa's eyes. What does catch her attention, though, is the scratching at the door, which she can hear even out in the garden. Quickly brushing herself off, the nymph heads to the front door; there's only a moment of hesitation as she pulls it open a crack, clearly trying to see if her visitor is a welcome one or not. But a smile quickly spreads across her face, and she steps back as the heavy wood swings all the way open.]

Majima, hello!

[Aside from a slight hint of bags under her eyes - she won't stop worrying until Varian's alive again, of course - Elsa looks leagues better than how she sounded in her responses to Javert on the network.]

That pack... I hope it wasn't a hassle to bring all of that with you.

[Just how much did he gather???]

ACTION oct 4th

[inseine]

[The Fog rolls in midnight October the 4th. With the Fog comes rebirth for Monsters: resurrection, life, healing. Javert knows this, too, when he peers out the windows of La Forteresse to see the gloom settle over Bavan City. He knows, also, that the goblin Varian's sentence is through and he he is due to return shortly. That means there are a number of loose ends for him to tie before he can consider the record closed.

Like the question of confiscated goods and the catalog of evidence associated with Varian's case. The vampire grimaces and pulls his curtains closed against the mist. He has a box ready to go atop his desk, along with an assembled factory line of bagged and labeled items to work through.

Javert may be severe, callous, and fanatical in his grim and misguided beliefs, but there are two things he shall never allow himself to be: one is a liar. The other is a thief. He has no reason to keep Varian's things when the case is closed, documented, and stored safely on his shelves in Dyster where he squirrels away his most sensitive files. For the remainder of the night, he digs through each stray item to determine its worth for the public good, and after a brief period of contemplation, each item is neatly pulled from its sterile casings and arranged inside the box.

****

On the dawn of the 4th, a lone human woman cuts the engine of her pastel-shaded convertible. She leaves her car at the curb and approaches Solsikke castle on foot with a plain brown parcel tucked under her arm. The woman is a belle of the ball of very fine taste, well-powdered, bright-lipped, frocked in jewels and furs, her hair neatly curled and coiffed. The bottom of her dress glitters and glistens like a night-dancer, and her stockings bare a trail of rhinestones up the back of her calves. At her four-inch-heels saunters a puffball of a white cat. She daintily makes her way up the front stoop with a tappa-tap-tap and places the parcel at the doorstep. Dimples burst on her cheeks, and she bends down to give the cat a sweet little scratch on the cheek before she makes her way back to her car.

The cat, however, lingers near, and finds a cushy spot of grass to sprawl upon. He, called SPARROW, according to his collar, will stay.

On the package is a note:]

To Mlles. Elsa and Cassandra:

Inside you will find all of the goblin Varian's confiscated effects, in the same shape as they were collected. See to it that they are returned to him.

Regards,
JAVERT
Warden of La Forteresse

[True to his word, the package contains everything Javert and his men took from Varian's garage, and laid out on top of the stacked items is the mechanical arm the teenage alchemist left behind.]

forwarded to the 31st

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[Hard to believe it's been an entire year since they started dating.

Last year was a year of highs and lows, much like this one; in a way, that's just how Ryslig was, all those bad moments stuck in-between the good. Constantly picking yourself off the ground and continuing on. In quiet moments like this, Cass could admit that for all the woes brought on being trapped in this world... she had plenty to be thankful for.

Case in point, the woman snuggling in her arms, wearing the new sweater Cass had made for her, of course. Sure, it was a little big, but Cassandra didn't anticipate on Elsa turning into a Manticore, which now made it the perfect size. All of this was perfect. Retiring to Elsa room for the evening, watching the fireplace crackle, drinking hot chocolate (and a bottle of wine Cass had purchased for the occasion).

She offered a contented chuckle to break the silence.]

Did you think this would be where you were, a year ago?

[defyingfrigidity]

[Ryslig is a place of extremes. Rarely are those highs or lows ever mild; the most noticeable things in the past year were her budding relationship with Cass, and being kidnapped and mutilated several times by the poachers. It's a lot to deal with, so moments like these... the little things are what Elsa really treasures the most. She doesn't need a big celebration or fancy gifts... she just needs this sense of togetherness. She needs to feel Cass beside her, her presence warming her even when her vampiric body can't quite do the same.

Solsikke is far enough from the city that not even the distant sights or sounds of fireworks can be seen or heard. It's just them, Anna, and Angel, and the other girls have mercifully left them alone for the night.]

Not at all. I had no idea where I'd be a year ago.... or even just a few months ago.

[Her laugh matches Cass's as she snuggles in closer to the other woman, tail wrapping loosely around cass's ankle.]

Honestly... never in my life have I ever imagined I would be here. Not here here, in the peninsula, but... this. [Her head turns slightly, just enough so that her bright, feline eyes can glance up at Cass.] Us.