[ It was fortunate that, as far as both Carol and Elfnein are aware, nothing drastic had changed about either of them. Well, something might have changed for Carol, but everything important seemed to be the same... so if something changed, it must have been something that hadn't affected the end result, and Carol has lived far too long to take a guess at what that might've been.
Still, the point is that thanks to this, they were able to keep things running mostly as they normally do. Not that it wasn't stressful—hell, Carol grumbled the whole time—but it was done... and chances are they'd have to repeat it the next day, and again until this is all fixed. ]
Elfnein. You alright in there?
[ Carol has been personally making sure Elfnein gets proper sleep for quite a while now... but even though they sleep in the same bed and are frequently found in a tangled mess of limbs and fur, the state of their relationship has been... nebulous.
In any case, Carol is sitting on their bed while waiting for Elfnein to come out of the bathroom, briefly considering bringing up the topic of their relationship when she gets out, but decides that the topic should be about the events of the day instead. ]
[ Elfnein was trying to wash her face and wake up, the last few days have been a bit rough. She's been taking notes on everyone that is presenting some form of a change in personality or appearance trying to see if there's a pattern. The notebook next to the bed is full of sticky notes to mark pages and just an overall mess. ]
Hm?
[ The water was still running but the small alchemist was just lost in thought again staring at the mirror. ]
[ Carol raises an eyebrow before sighing. Seriously, you don't realize what's so wrong about being a workaholic until you see someone close to you as one. ]
Don't waste water. Hurry up and come to bed already, you can sort out your thoughts with me.
[ She can't tell her to simply put it out of her mind, after all. Carol understands more than anyone that such a thing simply won't happen. ]
[ As soon as Carol said that she finished washing her face and started making her way to bed. But before sitting down on the bed she grabbed her notebook and started opening to the tab related to Saint-Germain's current changes. ]
I don't really know what to make of what is happening to Saint-Germain....
[ Carol remains laid down on her side, propping her head up with her hand as Elfnein pulls out her notebook. ]
Hm... it's a headache, but this place does tend to subject us to events that make little sense. Still, if I had to guess... I'd assume that something in her "past" has changed. Specifically, something from before she became an Alchemist.
[ It's mostly a hypothesis, but at the very least it allows the result to make sense... even if the "how" is still up in the air. ]
When I saw some of her memories before it was about her mother and the suffering that came with losing a family member.
[ It was horrible, the situation was something completely avoidable in modern times. It was something she had been thinking about more and more as it related to Saint-Germain's own personal ideals. ]
Can't we just indulge in acting like a family for a little bit for her?
[ Carol frowns, remaining quiet. The suffering that came with losing a family member, huh? It was a feeling that Carol was painfully aware of, though her response to it was different from Saint-Germain's. Carol had lashed out against the world that hurt her, while Saint-Germain aimed to lash back at what she believed to be the ultimate cause. ]
Hmph... we can't fill the void left by what was lost, you know.
[ Nothing can... and nothing ever will.
...but even so, right? ]
Still, if that's what you want... then fine. I can't imagine it going on for too long, after all.
[ You know, Carol used to hate how incredibly fluffy it was. She needs to be intimidating, dang it! But since it clearly has the upside of being able to subdue Elfnein, she's found herself appreciating it a lot more. Simply drown in the fluff that Carol is holding you close to, Elfnein.
That said, acting like a family, huh... ]
Hey, Elfnein...
[ She's still holding Elfnein close, but she loosens her grip somewhat, so Elfnein can pull back enough to look at her if she wants. ]
[ Wasn't that something Carol already knew? Elfnein had always said how much she meant to her and that her whole purpose was trying to find her again after everything that happened. ]
[ She brings her hands up to cup Elfnein's cheeks. ]
My other self... I do not mind acting as family to Saint-Germain if that is what you want, but... is that what we are? Family?
[ She gently caresses Elfnein's cheek. ]
You... you are the most important person to me as well, Elfnein. Once I believed you to be a simple pawn. Now, I would burn up all that I am for your sake... which is why I will not dance around this question any longer. Elfnein... is our bond familial? Or is it something more?
[ It's a loaded question, even if they share some of the same memories and look alike Elfnein has never considered Carol to be her "family" in the normal sense. ]
I don't know for sure but
[ She puts her hand over Carol's. ]
I was never a replacement for your own family, and I've become my own person!
[ ...but suddenly pulls her in, moving to be on top of Elfnein instead of holding her on her side. Both of her hands grasp one of Elfnein's, pinning her down. That said, it isn't forceful, and Elfnein could probably slip out of it if she tried. ]
If you don't want this, then stop me.
[ ...and Carol will start to bring her face closer. ]
[ She's not resisting Carol's advances, but her eyes are closed as soon as her other half starts to bring their face closer. It's a bit embarrassing to look her right in the eyes. ]
[ If Elfnein doesn't resist, then Carol continues... and of course, it's not a bluff, so the result is obvious. Just like that night at the hospital, when they were both falling apart either physically or mentally... Carol presses her lips against her other self's, locking both her fingers and lips with Elfnein's.
But this time, it's not for the sake of living... not with the purpose of transferring memories. All it is... is a kiss. Gentle and soft, yet deep and forceful. Carol adamantly takes the lead, kissing Elfnein as passionately as she can. ]
Nn...
[ If the human language is incapable of communicating the full scope of one's feelings, then this is how Carol will communicate her own. Whatever anyone else might think about this relationship doesn't matter. "Fuck em'", Carol will say... because nothing will change the reality of his love. ]
[ It's different from the last time they kissed, it's not a goodbye and the warmth from Carol is real and comforting in it's own way. Elfnein's eyes are still closed but her fingers are locked in with Carol's and there's no resisting. ]
C-carol
[ Elfnein tries to take a breath in between kisses, but is somewhat failing. ]
[ Carol keeps going, taking solace in the feeling of her other self in this simple act of affection. Memories aren't being transferred, neither of them are falling apart... it's just love, pure and simple. An emotion that Carol had once considered lost to her.
Eventually, she does separate, the need for air eventually winning out as Carol brings her head back. It was a kiss not unlike their first goodbye, but... ]
Hah... do you understand now?
[ Her hand, still gripping Elfnein's, tightens. ]
I know not how long we have here together, so... I wish to indulge in this feeling to the fullest.
Season's greetings! Kris Kringle's assistant here, reporting to you in his stead, as he is a very busy man this time of year. Your Secret Santa recipient is Tsukikage. (I don't have a network username for them, I'm sorry.)
Get Tsukikage a present by December 26, and if you can't figure out how to deliver it, you can drop it off (clearly labelled, please!) at Crowe Clinic up until the 24th.
If you need more information, I'm afraid I cannot be of assistance. Maybe attempt something generic, or do some detective work? Should be a good challenge.
[A basket decorated with festive ribbons is dropped off for Elfnein shortly before Nattensfest. Inside is an assortment of brightly colored hard candies, some fresh fruit, and a deck of hand-painted hanafuda cards. A small folded piece of paper is included with the rules for several card games written out by hand in careful, somewhat overly large handwriting. There's also a Nattensfest card with a message in the same handwriting, though smaller and a bit messier.
Happy Nattensfest!
I think I went a little overboard with the presents, but I hope at least one of them is something you'll really like!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action | during the au event
Still, the point is that thanks to this, they were able to keep things running mostly as they normally do. Not that it wasn't stressful—hell, Carol grumbled the whole time—but it was done... and chances are they'd have to repeat it the next day, and again until this is all fixed. ]
Elfnein. You alright in there?
[ Carol has been personally making sure Elfnein gets proper sleep for quite a while now... but even though they sleep in the same bed and are frequently found in a tangled mess of limbs and fur, the state of their relationship has been... nebulous.
In any case, Carol is sitting on their bed while waiting for Elfnein to come out of the bathroom, briefly considering bringing up the topic of their relationship when she gets out, but decides that the topic should be about the events of the day instead. ]
no subject
Hm?
[ The water was still running but the small alchemist was just lost in thought again staring at the mirror. ]
Ah.. I'll be done soon!
no subject
Don't waste water. Hurry up and come to bed already, you can sort out your thoughts with me.
[ She can't tell her to simply put it out of her mind, after all. Carol understands more than anyone that such a thing simply won't happen. ]
no subject
I don't really know what to make of what is happening to Saint-Germain....
sobs in late
Hm... it's a headache, but this place does tend to subject us to events that make little sense. Still, if I had to guess... I'd assume that something in her "past" has changed. Specifically, something from before she became an Alchemist.
[ It's mostly a hypothesis, but at the very least it allows the result to make sense... even if the "how" is still up in the air. ]
no subject
[ It was horrible, the situation was something completely avoidable in modern times. It was something she had been thinking about more and more as it related to Saint-Germain's own personal ideals. ]
Can't we just indulge in acting like a family for a little bit for her?
no subject
Hmph... we can't fill the void left by what was lost, you know.
[ Nothing can... and nothing ever will.
...but even so, right? ]
Still, if that's what you want... then fine. I can't imagine it going on for too long, after all.
no subject
[ It's confusing, all of Elfnein's memories of family aren't even her own. ]
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You'll figure it out... and if you don't, I'll still be here to help you.
[ Gah, it feels weird saying sappy things like that... but it's all Carol can think of whenever she's around Elfnein. ]
Now come on, it's no good thinking on it without sleep. You'll only worry Saint-Germain if you show up sleep-deprived.
no subject
[ Maybe it was all the coffee today but she's really not sleepy at all and could easily stay up for a few more hours. ]
no subject
[ Carol's grip tightens a little and suddenly, without any warning aside from what she just said, she pulls Elfnein down into the bed with her.
On top of that, was there a little grin on Carol's face as she does so? ]
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[ So fluffy, she can't resist and accepts the fate of having to be in bed. ]
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That said, acting like a family, huh... ]
Hey, Elfnein...
[ She's still holding Elfnein close, but she loosens her grip somewhat, so Elfnein can pull back enough to look at her if she wants. ]
...what are we to each other?
no subject
You're the most important person to me.
[ Wasn't that something Carol already knew? Elfnein had always said how much she meant to her and that her whole purpose was trying to find her again after everything that happened. ]
no subject
[ She brings her hands up to cup Elfnein's cheeks. ]
My other self... I do not mind acting as family to Saint-Germain if that is what you want, but... is that what we are? Family?
[ She gently caresses Elfnein's cheek. ]
You... you are the most important person to me as well, Elfnein. Once I believed you to be a simple pawn. Now, I would burn up all that I am for your sake... which is why I will not dance around this question any longer. Elfnein... is our bond familial? Or is it something more?
no subject
I don't know for sure but
[ She puts her hand over Carol's. ]
I was never a replacement for your own family, and I've become my own person!
no subject
I know. That’s why I want you to decide, not me. It can’t be me.
[ Carol is but a ghost from a long-forgotten age. Elfnein is the opposite, as well as her own person. ]
…what do you want us to be, Elfnein? We are together now, but we know not how long that will last…
[ Cagliostro, for all her annoyances, flashes through Carol’s mind. Not lying to oneself, huh…? ]
I don’t care what others may think. What’s important is remaining truthful to ourselves for however long we have. Do you understand?
no subject
[ Elfnein just wants to be with Carol no matter what. They've been given another chance and they can't waste any of it. ]
no subject
[ Carol's hand squeezes hers... ]
...fine, I'll put it this way.
[ ...but suddenly pulls her in, moving to be on top of Elfnein instead of holding her on her side. Both of her hands grasp one of Elfnein's, pinning her down. That said, it isn't forceful, and Elfnein could probably slip out of it if she tried. ]
If you don't want this, then stop me.
[ ...and Carol will start to bring her face closer. ]
no subject
no subject
But this time, it's not for the sake of living... not with the purpose of transferring memories. All it is... is a kiss. Gentle and soft, yet deep and forceful. Carol adamantly takes the lead, kissing Elfnein as passionately as she can. ]
Nn...
[ If the human language is incapable of communicating the full scope of one's feelings, then this is how Carol will communicate her own. Whatever anyone else might think about this relationship doesn't matter. "Fuck em'", Carol will say... because nothing will change the reality of his love. ]
no subject
C-carol
[ Elfnein tries to take a breath in between kisses, but is somewhat failing. ]
no subject
Eventually, she does separate, the need for air eventually winning out as Carol brings her head back. It was a kiss not unlike their first goodbye, but... ]
Hah... do you understand now?
[ Her hand, still gripping Elfnein's, tightens. ]
I know not how long we have here together, so... I wish to indulge in this feeling to the fullest.
no subject
I want to do the same, even if it's a little selfish.
no subject
[ Carol smiles, wiping away the tears on Elfnein's face. ]
My beloved other self...
[ Then, she brings her other self into another kiss. ]
< LittleHelper >
Get Tsukikage a present by December 26, and if you can't figure out how to deliver it, you can drop it off (clearly labelled, please!) at Crowe Clinic up until the 24th.
If you need more information, I'm afraid I cannot be of assistance. Maybe attempt something generic, or do some detective work? Should be a good challenge.
Happy Nattensfest holidays.
Happy Nattensfest~
Happy Nattensfest!
I think I went a little overboard with the presents, but I hope at least one of them is something you'll really like!
- Your Secret Santa]