defyingfrigidity | [ryslig IC Inbox]

[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?

[Picking up the pieces, Cassandra had been dong that a lot this past month. Not just with the storm Ryslig usually brought them, but the mess of her own making. She'd still helped to dote on her, and Anna. Even Eugene and Rapunzel hadn't escaped her concerned eye- albeit a bit begrudgingly.

But like many times before now, she was standing outside her girlfriend's door. Why was she nervous?]

Yup! No problems here. But, there's two things I've been meaning to do...

[Just breathe. Breathe.]

First, I know that I missed Valentine's day because of... everything that happened. So, I wanted to try and make it up to you with a little gift.

[And she finally pulls her hands out from behind her back. Held in a safe, but gentle, grip was a potted plant; a Venus flytrap, to be exact!]

[Most people, when given a plant as a surprise, might think it's kind of tacky. But Elsa isn't most people; for the nymph, giving her a real, living plant is like the equivalent of giving someone a cute furry pet. There's a glint in her two-toned green eyes, and she gently takes the pot from Cass's hands, a smile crossing her face.]

She's so cute...

[Elsa can tell the plant is a she??? Don't ask her how. She just... gets a feeling.

When she looks up from the flytrap to Cass, the smile doesn't fade one bit; instead, it just shifts into something softer. Warmer. Looks like you did good, Cass.]

You didn't have to do this, you know. Just having you back is a good enough gift for me.

[She passes it over carefully, knowing by now just how much the lives of plants meant to the nymph sisters.]

She, uh... sure is.

[And judging by that smile, a smile so warm and loving it makes her heart melt, she did a pretty good job with her gift again. Thank the gods she had second thoughts about a bouquet of roses.]

I know, but I think you deserve more than that.

[She rubs her wrist. She's not uncomfortable, just.... thinking.]

There's... something I want to tell you.

[Cass could give Elsa single, wilted flower and she'd probably adore it. Elsa's not a materialistic person at all; most of her childhood mementos were just the gloves that she had to wear and eventually grew out of. But gift-giving for her was special. Anna's presents to her every Christmas were the things that really kept Elsa going. Her gfts were a reminder that someone still cared about her, when she was at her lowest and deepest in her pit of self-loathing, so... she's always reminded of that, when someone precious to her gives her something like this.

As if responding to the nymph's natural magic, the venus flytrap opens and closes, but Elsa's attention isn't on the plant. It's on Cass, her words...]

Oh? What is it?

[True. Though a single, wilted flower wouldn't be enough for her. As her memory became clearer, Cassandra had time to think about everything she's attempted in her life. All the respect and validation and love she's ever wanted, but was denied from... yet, here was Elsa, who was giving her all just to try and understand. She'd earned this much, hasn't she?]

I just thought we've been dating for a while, and I know you've forgiven me for running away. [to a certain degree of forgiveness] But I want you to know, just no matter what happens from here on out, if I have anymore dreams, or the others do...

[It's all on her, what she says now. Words so delicate, but powerful.]

I love you, Elsa.

I...

[Only three little words, and yet the force of them hit Elsa with the force of a speeding truck.

It should be obvious, shouldn't it? They're together. They've been together, for some time now. They've kissed, hugged... they do all the little things couples do. It shouldn't come as a shock to hear Cass say I love you. And yet...

Elsa had been forced to keep her distance from others for so long. From her people, the staff, her family. Love was never something she'd been able to express so freely. Even in the years after her coronation, the three years of memories of home and her two years here in Ryslig, she was still reserved around other people. Affectionate enough with Anna, yes, but it was always a little harder with others. So to hear Cass say that, to have the affirmation that her relationship with the other woman wasn't just some kind of fling... it's enough to bring damp, sticky tears to her eyes.]

I love you too, Cass.

[She has just enough sense to set the pot containing her new plant friend on the ground beside her door before she throws her arms around Cass, burying her face in the crook of the woman's shoulder.]

No matter what happens here, no matter what hardships you're forced through... nothing will be able to change that.

[The first word coming to mind should not be "Are you sure?"

How long had she waited to hear those words from someone? She couldn't even be certain. People had said similar things before; different words, with different intentions. Her friends, her dad, Rapunzel, her own mother... they all wanted to say that they cared, and maybe they did. Or they wanted to say what would keep Cassandra satisfied, but never more than that.

Cassandra had worked tirelessly for years, hoping to hear those simple words and know they were true. When it came, it came with strings, and she would be left waiting for the next opportunity to prove herself. Every day a new chance, every denial a twist of that knife.

Then Elsa entered her life. And here she was, putting feelings on the line that she so often forced down, fearing those delicate emotions being stomped on once again. But with Elsa's arms wrapping around her, her face pressed into the crook of Cass's shoulder, it all suddenly feels okay. She could hold the other woman in her arms, let those simple words echoed back to her sink in for real.]

I love you.

[Like a spring uncoiling, taut muscles in Cassandra's arms relaxed. Two decades of worry evaporating in a single instant. Words flow out on her breath, like a laugh, overjoyed.]

I love you.

[At the sound of Cass's breathy laugh, Elsa can't help but let out her own giddy little laugh as well. This is just.... so much. Overwhelming, but in a good way. She's seen the love between her parents, the utter devotion between Lup and Barry, the way Anna and Lorna (and Anna and Kristoff) fit so well together, like perfectly aligned puzzle pieces. She's seen true love countless times, but never once felt it; only ever an observer. For a long time, she was fine with this.

But then she met Cassandra. Then she fell for Cassandra. The feeling of comfort, of safety with the other woman was like nothing Elsa had ever felt before. It makes her feel like she's floating, yet grounded at the same time. She never wants this feeling to stop.]

I love you.

[Her arms pull back from around Cass, but only so she can cup Cass's chin with her hands, pulling her in close - not to press their lips together, but just to give her a quick kiss on the tip of her nose.]

I don't think I'm ever going to get tired of saying that. [Or hearing it.] However many times you want to or need to hear it... I'll tell you every time.

[It's not just Elsa being a sap, though that's certainly part of it. It's more Elsa offering her unwavering support; Cass has been through so much, and revealed some rather upsetting things about her new memories. If Elsa reminding her that she'll always be there for Cass can help even a little... she'll be more than happy to say it all day long.]

[At first, Cass had assumed being brought to this world was a bizarre trick of the gods. Stuck in a new land, forced to become a monster that did horrible things to survive. But she'd met friends here, found a home that she wanted to protect. She'd fallen in love for the second time in her life, but never acted on those feelings before

Maybe... this was the destiny she'd been searching for; what she'd spent so many years trying to find in Corona, why she followed Raps beyond those walls. The fear, worry, and doubt that led to her taking the Moonstone didn't have that hold on her here. Not like it did in her memories. Being with Elsa eased the weight of those thoughts.

She had no Moonstone, but there were things far more important here than that.]

Every time? [She lets herself lean into Elsa's touch, dreamily sighing as she basked in this loving glow.] I can work with that... I don't think I'll ever be tired of it either.

[It would be something she'd need- though, not in a selfish way. Cass would never abuse Elsa's support. But in dark times, on the road ahead... knowing she had that support may help more than anything else.]

The way I feel for you will never change. I promise.

Edited 2020-02-29 10:22 (UTC)

[Elsa still thinks it's some horrible trick of the gods. She's been in Ryslig long enough to see the bad as well as the good, and she'll never quite be able to call this place home. But she makes due, she tries to focus on the good, and... that focus has led here here. To this moment, in the embrace of a strong, gentle woman who Elsa is honored to have the love of.

It makes her happy. It helps put her at ease. For as much as she hates Ryslig... she's glad she's found something that will give her good lasting memories.]

It's okay if it changes... you know. For the better. [There's a glow to her cheeks now, not the happy kind, but. A greenish-red that's now the telltale sign of the nymph's blush.] This can still be... m-more, right?

[Cassandra's time in Ryslig wouldn't have been nearly as good without Elsa or Anna to aid her and become fixtures in her life. She's grateful for that, and all the friends she'd met after... Not that she doesn't still hate this world. But there were good things in it.]

More? [The meaning of that word sinks in quickly. Gods help her, Cass had seen Elsa blush enough times to know that this wasn't an entirely... innocent blush, was it?] O-oh. Yeah. Of course it can change... For the better, I mean.

[It was Cassandra's turn to lean into Elsa, not for a kiss but to rest her forehead against the nymph's.]

Only for the better.

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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)