[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)

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[restinglichface]

Ninety! [The naga pushes her shoulders back and grins, brushing the long braid of her hair over her shoulder. Even if there's no missing the tension dropped down onto their shoulders, Lup hopes that Elsa will be able to find some peace even with this between them. Lup's not quite as loving as her husband is, not quite as big-hearted and adoring as he is, but she's long since learned that loving someone isn't a bad thing. Even if they don't quite return the feelings, just being capable of that feeling is uplifting and incredible.

Elsa's little crush on her may feel like a death sentence right now, but maybe it will pave the way for other loves to blossom, for Elsa to find a younger woman to fall in with. Admitting feelings is one thing, but admitting your feelings for another girl are something else. It's a good step to finding out what she's into.]

Keep flattering me like that and I'll never leave. [Not offensive at all, apparently.] You're gonna be alright, Elsa. I promise.

[defyingfrigidity]

... I hope not.

[With a chance to get ahold of herself, to once more reign in and shove down her emotions into something more manageable, Elsa no longer sounds on the verge of tears or a breakdown. But her words there are... careful. Because she means it, but at the same time, she doesn't want her words to come off as crossing a line.

Even if Lup was casual about flirting, Elsa... can't really be like that. So she has to figure out how to say things that she means that can't be misread.]

I know it's selfish of me to wish that someone would never leave this place, and I would never want to try and make you stay, but... e-even after all of this... you're still the best friend I've ever had, Lup. I don't want to let that go easily.

[Which is why she was tearing herself apart these recent weeks. She knew her feelings would never be reciprocated, that was fine - even though it still made her heart sink like a stone every time. It was just... the thought of losing Lup, of putting some sort of wedge between them and not having her close anymore that was making her sick.]

[restinglichface]

[Elsa's lucky that there are so few lines to cross with Lup and that when conversations take a turn for the truly serious, she can put her teasing aside to be there for the people she cares most for. It's not always her strongest trait, but no one is quite as determined as Lup Taaco.]

Hey, I get it. I also don't think it's selfish of you. When Taako left, you know exactly what I went through. Of course we both think our siblings are happier back home as opposed to being stuck here in monster town, but that doesn't make it hurt any less. We just want 'em around. That doesn't make either of us assholes. I want my friends around too, 'specially in a place like this.

[There's a lot to unpack, of course, worries about the end of the year quickly approaching and just what is going to happen to this plane when they leave, but Elsa doesn't need to hear all of that. She doesn't need that worry on her too.]

I'm right here, babe. Not going anywhere. And for what it's worth, you're one of my best friends too. Never had a lot of girls to talk to before, it's kinda dope. I think you'd get along with my other lady bee-eff-eff, if she ever drops back in here, I'll be sure to introduce you.

[defyingfrigidity]

[I'm right here. Those words are supposed to be comforting, and it does help a bit of the tension ease out of Elsa's shoulders... but it also hurts a little. Not because of Lup, god no, but it thinks of all the times she's had to push people away because of how she was feeling, how that made her dangerous... and she knows she has to stop doing that. So maybe... maybe all of this was a good thing. It hurt as bad as any of the physical aches that came with her changes into a monster, but maybe it can also help her grow. Help her learn to move past those kinds of hurts instead of always holding on to them and letting them eventually tear her apart.

That's kind of scary, but. She'll try.]

Now that has to be a lie. You've really never had many female friends to talk with? With the way you act, I can't imagine you were one of the most absurdly popular people from your world.

[restinglichface]

[Lup has a feeling that Elsa is gonna crush it. May take awhile, but she's already seen the start of some growth there, she knows the young woman will come out victorious in the end.]

You aren't wrong, but lemme just say, there's a big difference in bein' popular and havin' friends.

A hundred-some years without anyone but her brother, wonder how much Elsa can relate to that, hm?]

I'll tell you about it sometime, how's that sound? We can get coffee an' chat, hang out proper.