restinglichface

Aw, but I'm sure the chickens love it when you spend time with them, even if you're mucking out their coop. I wouldn't want to steal you away from them.

[And yet here they are! The walk between Bavan and the Farmblaster, and now the walk to the lake is enough to calm most of Elsa's frayed nerves, so while she still fidgets a little with the box as she finds a nice enough spot near the lake to sit, it's not to the point where she's afraid she's going to drop it. Nope, she just sets it down before sitting on the ground besides the box, flipping the lid open and letting the smell of pie and donuts drift up.]

There. Is this a suitable enough offering?

The old ladies can be on their lonesome for a good hour or two.

[It's easier than ever before to just bump the whole side of her long snake body against Elsa's, the hip bump that never ends.]

'Sides, I've got time with my best girl to spend.

[When they finally arrive to the prime lake viewing spot, Elsa settles and Lup settles around her, creating a perfect ring of scaly defense. And there's no missing the delight in the naga's sharp features when the other woman shows off her stash of baked goods, a low awed whistle at her lips.]

Someone's tryin' to get on my good side. This must be a hell of a favor you're askin'.

[The hip bump that never ends needs to be done carefully, lest poor Elsa get flung into the lake with all that force. Luckily, none of that happens (this time), and as Elsa's settling in for their little impromptu picnic, she sort of... freezes. Because right, there was a purpose to all of this.]

It's... less a favor, and just something I need to ask someone. Advice that I don't feel comfortable asking the network as a whole.

[It must be serious, because despite her fidgeting, Elsa looks up and stares Lup dead in the eye when she speaks next.]

You have to swear not to tell a soul about any of this. Not even Taako or Barry.

[Ah, that kind of advice.

Some of Lup's usual sharpness softens when she sees Elsa's fidgeting, the naga reaching forward to take both of Elsa's hands into hers. She isn't alone, no matter where this conversation is going, Elsa doesn't have to face it on her own.]

Not a peep, chickadee. The boys won't know a thing, promise.

[Okay.... okay. Where once the feeling of someone holding her hands was horrifying and fueled a panic in Elsa, this... actually helps. The point of warm contact steadies her, and she squeezes Lup's hands, taking a steadying breath.]

I... I think I have feelings for someone. Someone we, um... we both know.

[That squeeze, after knowing Elsa for so long and knowing how difficult touch can sometimes be, means everything. Lup squeezes back, gently, and only grins at the other woman's confession.]

Pretty sure we've already been over this before, goober, I'm taken - [But then she's snorting out a laugh, that smile never fading.]

Just kidding. Natch.

[For a moment, Elsa goes a pale, sickly green color - she'd be lying if she said she was completely over Lup, but she'd been proud of herself for how far she's come in working past those feelings! - before her cheeks flush, and she huffs.]

I-I was trying to be serious... I should really know better.

[She's pouting, but there's a note of fondness in her voice. As much as Lup's teasing throws her for a loop most times, over a year into this precious friendship, it... it's nice. And it helps break the tension a bit, which Elsa is very much thankful for.]

I just... I don't know what to do. When everything with, um... [with you] when everything happened previously, it all just sort of... fell out. It's not like that now.

You love me.

[Elsa pouts and it's pretty much the cutest thing the other woman could ever do. Lup laughs - not at her, just with her, no hint of maliciousness in her tone - and immediately dips in close with a gentle elbow to Elsa's side. See? No matter how awful things had felt in the beginning when that big confrontation had happened, they are closer than ever, all of it soothed over with the strength of their bond.

But after that little joke, Lup knows Elsa enough to not push her luck, so she gives her the space she needs to finish saying what's on her mind, getting it all out before the naga finally smiles and responds.]

Cuz she's totally into you too, right?

[That's right. She. Lup knows all.]

... I don't know.

[That's the big crux of Elsa's problem right there. Not that the one she's attracted to is a woman, as Lup correctly guesses, but the uncertainty of it all.]

That's one reason I need advice. The last thing I want is to make a fool of myself again. Or to make what there already is between us awkward... again.

[For the first time in her life, Elsa made friends while in Ryslig. She was able to open herself up to others in ways she never dreamed of, and those people became precious to her for that reason. To lose one because of a rift forming... it would hurt worse than any rejection ever could.]

I just... don't know how to handle these sorts of situations.

Well, good thing you're talking to the expert, huh?

[Lup is, no surprise, absolutely not the expert. But her confidence is shining and infectious, like it could almost rub off on the younger woman. She may not be an expert on growing affections and starting relationships, but she's crafty and can weasel information out of anyone.]

We can work this out together, make a whole battle plan and everything.

[Her hands find Elsa's, twining their fingers, squeezing the other's palms reassuringly.]

This is one thing you deffo don't have to do alone, sweetie.

[Lup may not be The Expert, but she's an expert compared to Elsa, at the very least. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen, but Elsa knows that Lup is in a happy, loving marriage, so she has to be doing something right. And Elsa just... wants to know what those right things are.]

... Thank you. Lup. I can't tell you how much that means to me. Having more people to talk to here. I love Anna dearly and I know I can tell her anything, but I feel terrible for putting all of my problems on her.

[It says a lot about how far Elsa's come, about how comfortable she is with the naga, that there isn't so much as a twitch as Lup takes her hands; she just squeezes back, careful not to dig her claws too hard into the back of Lup's hand.]

You know... I'm surprised you've gone this long without asking me who it is I have feelings for.

[She loves you, Lup, but... she knows you're incredibly nosy.

[She'll take that Expert Gold Star anytime.

It's cute that Elsa thinks she's at all sneaky, that her feelings aren't totally obvious, especially to one of her dearest friends. The corner of Lup's mouth twitches upwards, a hint of a smile she's trying so hard to hold back, if only for Elsa's sake.

She squeezes the other woman's hand again, amusing shining so brightly in her already bright eyes, long ears perked straight up over her head.]

Aw dip, guess you better spill the beans, my babe. I'd never have a single clue if you don't tell me yourself right here and now. N-ope~! Don't have any idea at all!

[Elsa, you hang out with like three people. This isn't rocket science.]

[Just let her have this, okay!! This is all so... new to her. Talking about her feelings openly, and talking about crushes openly. It makes her feel normal, so she wants to enjoy it, as much as it makes her nervous.]

... W-Wait. [She knows Lup by now! She knows that sort of teasing! Oh dear...] You... you know, don't you?

[Okay... okay. Don't panic. Just because Lup knows doesn't mean Cassandra knows... right?]

Was it really that obvious...?

Just had a lil' hunch at first. It was the swoonin' an' stammerin' def gave it away.

[Lup reaches over to affectionately punch the other woman in the shoulder, so much more gently than she does with most people. But Elsa has always required a softer touch.]

Kiddin'. But I figured. Cass is a total babe, I'd hit that.

She's... attractive, yes. I won't deny that.

[Look she knows by now what Lup means when she says she'd "ht that" but! That's something Elsa doesn't even want to think about for a good long time!]

But more than that. She's... confident, and brave, and unafraid to speak her mind. So many things I admire or wish I can be... it's difficult to not to be attracted to that sort of person.

[oh, she's got it BAD...]

[oh no. elsa has it bad and this is so fucking cute]

Sooo - [can you guess what comes next?????] When are you asking her out? Need help picking out an outfit?

I'm not!

[Ahhhhh no don't do this to her. Much of that light, airy smile when she was talking about Cassandra disappears as she cringes, more over her own words than Lup's suggestion.]

I mean... I want to. I... I'd really like to. But she has feelings for someone else. [Elsa's hands curl together, fingers twisting in little knots.] I don't want to get between that...

Cute that you think you can.

[Elsa, you sweetheart. Feelings don't work like that.]

Let me put it this way. Back home, Anna's got a boyfriend, right? Some hunk of a mountain man or somethin'?

Well... yes. But that's...

[It's different. Elsa hadn't been in Ryslig when Anna and Lorna began their relationship, but she's sure it was her sister who made the first move. So she'd sorted her feelings out! Cassandra, though... it's impossible to tell what the other woman is thinking or feeling sometimes.]

I can't tell her if she's still holding onto those feelings. [I don't want to be hurt again.] And that person was in Ryslig once before... if they show up again, I don't want to ruin that.

Elsa, honey.

[Lup finds the other woman's hands, makes a point of taking them and pulling them close, of facing Elsa directly. This is important. This is the most important piece.]

Let me spill some real tea. How you feel about Cass? How she feels about you? Hate to break it to you, but this mysterious third person? She isn't at all involved in this. How she feels about Cass an' how Cass feels back at her? You aren't involved in that either. Feelings aren't fucking static. Love isn't something that comes in a limited supply. You don't have to ration it out, giving one person everything and leaving the rest with nadda. It's just not how it works.

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WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, LUP. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 025.90.004.712 * HotterTwin has joined 018.07.154.55 <HotterTwin> hey fam <HotterTwin> its chagirl lup <HotterTwin>** leave me the deets or whatever