onebadapple | Deer Country IC Inbox

"Oh, it is," Rose says with assurance. "It would give women the right to be able to help choose our leaders instead of letting men be the only ones who can." And Rose grinned broadly, though I plan on staying here, it has its quirks and foibles, but I prefer it here. For one thing--here, I have you." And Rose's mother was very unkind. She didn't care at all about what her daughter wanted, only that which would save them from the debt collectors. "It is. I can hardly believe it most of the time."

Well, Snow was all of those things and more. Rose would be happy to help settle the compliments Snow deserved.

"I can't begin to tell you how happy I am that you're you and you're here with me. And that I'm here and I'm me, we fit so well together."

"Well... I don't... my kingdom was beautiful, but I never got to see it, I don't know much of anything that was going on around me. The woods were beautiful once I wasn't terrified and there was just so much beauty. There is beauty here, after all, I'm with you, but... the world is so ill. It's so unfortunate to see, so sad that it was harmed so badly."

The way this world was so bleak sometimes... it could be as dark as nightmares.

"But I rather be here, not just because I am alive here and not only for you, everything... has been endlessly new opportunities I would never have had back home even if I were alive."

"That's because your stepmother was a wretched woman who was only happy making others--especially you--miserable. Anything she said or did should be taken with an entire mountain of salt. You're stronger and more capable than she could ever hope to be, to go through what you did and not emerge bitter." It was an inspiration, honestly. And it is, but there's still some beauty, even if it's only in little pockets here and there. Once spring comes, those pockets will be more plentiful."

But she wasn't counting what the Pthumerians put them through. She'd never count that unless it was as a aberration.

"I know exactly how you feel. There are sciences which had just been born in my times, but they've grown and thrived and there's so very much to learn. And I must say that I enjoy every moment of it."

"To be quite honest... I don't think even making me miserable made her happy. She was only ever content when she was called beautiful and fair. While she was very deceitful, that is true, I don't think she ever knew happiness. Not in marriage, not in her victory over my death, not a once. And I do pity her for that," Snow could only think it was a wretched existence her stepmother lived, never content, never happy, and never able to find joy in anything besides her appearance. She was a pitiful being.

But Snow also desperately wished she knew happiness, if only, then, she might find a way to love Snow in return.

At the mention of being bitter, she looked back to Rose.

"You are not the first surprised that I am not bitter. I think... it never occurred to me that I should be bitter. I learned very young no one cared if you complained of the cold or aches, nothing changed if you voiced bitter thoughts. What people were even allowed around me couldn't even speak to me, and I didn't want to scare them away with bitterness. Besides, being bitter chased away the animals, and sitting and stewing in any anger I felt, didn't make the day's chores go away. So I just... I realized I needed to keep going. So, I did. And that seems quite surprising to many. Besides, being bitter doesn't make me happy. Being happy makes me happy!"

It was, in some ways, repressing her trauma, but it was also just a realistic view of her world, and Snow was sunshine by nature.

"When those pockets come, let's have a picnic, Rose, just you and I. I want to idle away a day. I've never idled a day away without being ill or injured. You are the best person I can think of to spend a whole day with just enjoying some food, some ale or mead, and a beautiful spring day."

"That sounds like an impossible to win scenario, as what others find beautiful can be so subjective. And ugliness of the spirit always shines through in the end and it sounds as though your stepmother had that in spades. And you are so very kind. Kinder than I am. Were your stepmother to arrive, I don't think I wouldn't be able to avoid smacking her," Rose confessed, looking a little shame-faced. She knew her temper would take the better of her when others were threatening those she loved and she loved Snow very dearly.

And smacking would be kind compared to the various skills she could bring to bear now.

Rose wrapped her arms around snow and leaned her head against Snow's shoulder, breathing her in.. Her breath should tickle the other young lady's throat. "So very strong. So very brave. You are...you're an inspiration. You are. You live it every day and you prove it at every turn. I am...I consider myself so very blessed that you return my feelings. It feels like I've been looking for you forever, if that makes any sense? Because I love you, truly love you for everything you are and everything you do."

Perhaps it was repression. Perhaps it was indomitableness of spirit. Rose would bet on the latter.

"I would love that. So much. The idea of spending a day with you, having a picnic, it sounds positively idyllic. Spring will be here soon. Perhaps now when the crocuses bloom, but when the tulips and daffodils. My cottage has both in the back garden. But where shall we go, is there a park nearby?"

"If stepmother were to arrive, I think she'd be deeply unhappy, unhappier here than she ever was back home. For her sake, I hope she doesn't come. And I hope you are never tasked with hurting someone for my sake." She leaned into Rose's arms and just gently caressed her hair and stroked her spine, grateful to be in such a loving and caring embrace. She smiled as she was tickled along her neck, letting Rose have more space to do it by tilting her head.

At being told she loved her. She felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. They had said it, but to hear it, so easily and freely given.

"I love you, too," she smiled, pressing a kiss to Rose's temple. "Your arms feel like home. If you've been looking for me forever, then I've been waiting to feel settled and rooted."

At the question, she hummed softly. "I know we'd be safe in the forest with my friends. But a park does sound very nice. Perhaps OH! Oh... what if the picnic was in a boat in Willful Machine!"

Yes, because the fellow citizens of Trench would--what was the phrase used?--fall on her like a ton of bricks? But that was likely best not said aloud. "There are some who seem to hate it here, but for every one of them, there's someone else saying that this is freeing. That they're able to be their true, authentic selves here when they can't back home. And I don't want to do it, but I will if I must." Rose reaches her arm up and around Snow so that she's clasping the other girl's shoulder while wrapping her other arm around Snow's waist.

And she sees the tears and says in a worried voice. "Happy tears, I hope?"

"I count myself so blessed that you love me," smiling gently as she leaned gently into the kiss. "And I'm even more so that that's how you feel. I want to be able to be this way, be yours as long as possible. Trench is always brighter when you're around."

And Rose grinned broadly. "I like that idea. It seems very much like a courtship from home, but in a good way. The best way possible."

It was just as well that Snow lived in that ignorant bliss. She would not abide by her stepmother being hurt, even for all that she did. She still loved her stepmother, still wanted to be loved BY her. She could not help wanting the only parental figure she's ever known to love her, and no one has exactly volunteered to fill that void in Snow's life.

But thankfully, while that hole is still there, it becomes smaller as more and more people have entered her life, as she is loved by them and loves them in return.

"The happiest of tears," she smiled as she curled her hands in Rose's hair and breathed her in. The kiss made her heart fill up and it was like the hole from her stepmother wasn't even there. "You will always be my beloved, no matter what happens, you have a place in my heart and I know I have one in yours."

As Rose pulled away she pressed another kiss to Rose's mouth. "Then let's do courtship. I want to experience everything, every part of courtship. I adore you and want to have all these memories to smile at with you."

Deer Country IC Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

CW: Underage drinking

CW: Underage drinking

no subject

no subject

no subject