Fifteenth Flake [video]

[defyingfrigidity]

[Once more, it's been a few months took to the network. This isn't unusual, no, but her birthday has come and gone, and she hasn't done her usual introspective rambling on that day. But when the feed clicks on today, revealing a paler-than-usual Elsa, looking quite deflated... it doesn't take a genius to see that Something's Up.

The fact that she's got a Charizard - definitely not a part of Elsa's roster - whining and nudging her cheek in a comforting manner is another clue.]

For those who knew her, my sister, Princess Anna, has returned home.

[She usually tries to look on the bright side of things like this but this... this was different.]

We were... separated, for a very long time. Upon arriving here, were were able to start making up for all those lost years. So to be separated from her like this, again... It's a terrible thing.

I suppose I should be a bit thankful, that our world is relatively peaceful. We have friends and good people with us in the castle, so she won't be in any danger. But... [She just sighs, her free hand reaching up to stroke the Charizard's snout.] I suppose I'm just selfish, wishing she was here instead of where she belongs.

Comments

[callbacks]

Els...

[Oh, no. On New Year's Day, too. Dave's been here just long enough to start to hate posts like these, the sinking feeling in his chest that comes with them.]

Do you want to talk. It can be over text.

[defyingfrigidity]

I don't know.

[Elsa's come a long way when it comes to her emotions and dealing with them, but she still has a way to go with talking about them. She trusts Dave, of course, that isn't the problem... but she still can't quite untangle everything bottled up inside of her.]

I don't know if there's anything to talk about, aside from what I've already expressed.

[callbacks]

I dunno, it doesn't, like. Have to be about anything. Just talking, so, you know. You're not alone.

[He's not sure what else he'd be able to offer, either way.]

[defyingfrigidity]

... I think I'd like that.

[She has both hers and Anna's pokemon, so she's not totally alone right now, but. It's nice to have some human companionship right now.]

I... will admit though, small talk has never been a strong point of mine.

[Which might seem silly, with her being royalty and all and expected to mingle at fancy parties and stuff, but hey. Anxiety will mess with that a lot.]

Video

[dreamsofahero]

Whether it's selfish or not, it isn't wrong to feel that way.

Video

[defyingfrigidity]

But she belongs in Arendelle. I know that, as happy as she was in Johto, she'll always be happier at home. How is it not wrong to want her to be somewhere so far away from the home she loves?

[She's pretty sure she had the same argument with Anna when Asami disappeared. She hadn't understood then how it couldn't be selfish, and she still can't exactly wrap her head around it now.]

Re: Video

[dreamsofahero]

You want to be with her because you care about her, right? If you feel that way out of love, it isn't wrong just to feel. It's only when people take such feelings and do harmful things with them that those actions become wrong.

*he had to have a similar discussion with himself over his feelings about wanting to stay in Johto with Ryner and their pokemon, versus his duties to his own world and people, after all...*

video

[chainbroke]

[ Admittedly, she didn't know Anna all that well, but... she knows she'd be brokenhearted if Xion left. ]

Elsa... I'm so sorry.

video

[defyingfrigidity]

[The sympathy is certainly appreciated, but even so, Elsa only shakes her head.]

It's... it's okay. I should be happy for her. And a part of me is, truly. She loved Johto, but she loves our home even more.

[Another whine from Nova, and Elsa presses her cheek against his snout.]

I just... miss her even more. And I know I shouldn't feel like that.

video

[chainbroke]

But... you love her. I don't think anyone would get angry at you for missing her... or feeling lonely.

[ ... Naminé knows what it's like to be lonely, after all. ]

[a_sin_for_him]

I am sorry to hear that.

[defyingfrigidity]

Thank you.

[It might be irritating to some, just hearing "sorry" over and over again. But it's... a little comforting to Elsa, to see all these people reaching out to her like this.]

I knew there was always a chance this could happen, but... I tried not to think about it. I suppose I should've.

[a_sin_for_him]

Even knowing... it doesn't make it any easier. Even if you'd thought about it often and clung to each for it, it wouldn't make any difference.

But the hurt fades, in time.

[styxiedust]

...Elsa, where are you right now?

[There's no real point in saying platitudes like she usually would, it's a bit more pressing to actually be in physical contact with someone you're trying to comfort...when it's your best friend, anyway.]

[defyingfrigidity]

[For a moment, Elsa considers not telling her. It isn't that she doesn't want to see Botan, it's just that she doesn't want Botan to go out of her way just to check up on her. But she also knows that her friend can be a bit stubborn when she's worrying, so it would probably be best to tell her.]

The Ecruteak inn, as usual.

Video

[meowbel]

[Oh.

Well, this is something Mabel can definitely relate to]

What are you talking about? It's totally not selfish at all! I mean, I would definitely feel the same way if Dipper were ever to disappear on me too!

Video

[defyingfrigidity]

Dipper?

[What an... interesting name.]

Is that your sibling, then?

Video

[meowbel]

More like nickname but that's what we call him, all right! But anyway! I know it just wouldn't be the same if he weren't around so you're not selfish at all!

[Pause]

I think it's pretty reasonable that you want your sister around really.

[arcanaeum]

It's not that selfish. Sorry, Elsa.

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa... can't help but laugh a little. Everyone else is trying to assure her that it's not selfish at all, and he goes and says "it's not that selfish". She's not upset or anything, though, so that's good.

The laugh, though... rings more than a bit hollow.]

You know, you're the first person to tell me that it might be even a little selfish.

[arcanaeum]

[ There's a long history for the kid of saying what people needed to hear - or, in some cases, what they wanted to hear. Throwing platitudes at her at a time like this, he figures, is doing more harm than good. And he does like her besides, so she gets what he thinks she might want: the truth, however raw it might be. ]

That's because it is. But it's all right to have selfish thoughts at a time like this.

[video]

[paladinlost]

Wanting more time with your sister is the least selfish feeling in the world, especially when you've no idea when you'll be reunited.

[His voice sounds completely convinced of that. Sibling separation is a pain he understands all too well, after all.]

I'm sorry it happened during a period of cheer and celebration. Have you managed to track down all of her Pokémon?

[video]

[defyingfrigidity]

All forty-one of them.

[Elsa's laugh is tired, and very half-hearted, but there's some genuine amusement buried there.]

That's how I found out. I didn't think anything of it at first, since Anna would sometimes leave early to train or play with some of them... but that isn't exactly a number I could ignore.

[Even the charizard still nuzzling close to Elsa lets out a huff that could pass for a laugh.]

That, at least, I'm grateful for. I'd hate for any of Anna's precious friends to be lost to the wild.

[video]

[paladinlost]

[For a moment Cecil looks surprised, but his mouth soon curls up in a soft smile.]

Gratefulness is indeed warranted. I've seen many teams completely disappear before, just as I've seen Pokémon mourn their missing teammates... but this is the first time I hear of a full team finding their way to another trainer. Especially such a large one. You'll not be too overwhelmed by their numbers, I hope?

[Video]

[charcoalfeather]

[Oh. Oh no. On a holiday, too?]

I'm so sorry. Losing someone like that isn't easy.