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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Dec 24, 2016 6:03:27 GMT
The Christmas season had arrived in Bellerouge. And, as often was the case, so had the rain.
Ralph looked across the street corner on which he stood, a cold rain slowly falling from the sky and hitting him where the human-sized umbrella he held didn't cover him. The neighborhood corner on which he stood was one of the wealthier areas of the city, not the richest but definitely higher up the ladder then he was used to. All the houses had started their history out as sugar plantations and still held the grandeur and elegance that went with it, even if those days were long gone. Most of them were tastefully lit with strings of white lights and candles in their many windows that seemed to blur in the rain. However, he wasn't out in this weather to admire the decorations.
No, his brown eyes were fixed on a single house that was directly across from him. He remained on the corner for nearly half an hour, glancing down at a single package in his massive hand but not moving from his spot. Finally, he gave a large sigh, shrugged deeper into his worn trench coat and strolled across the street to the house.
He got all the way to the front porch before pausing again, a frown on his face and uncertainty in his eyes. His finger hovered over the doorbell, teetering for a moment. At last, he pressed his large finger against the bell and straightened, listening as the chime echoed through the house and the sound of feet approached. |
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Post by Zuyuri on Dec 24, 2016 6:10:47 GMT
Out in the Crispin Esate, rain was the least of the only person in the domain's worries. When the drops came within an inch near the windows, the rain would slow, and become a very light falling of snow. It was the only house getting snow, actually. The lights in the neighboring homes were pleasant and twinkled, but Louisiana needed just a touch of a chill to create the sensation of sparkling mountain-based snow. It may have been cold on the outside, but in the inside, it was the exact opposite.
Elsa was reclining in her office, filled to the brim with books, ranging from musty law rules to the physicality of weres. She was enjoying a Nevermore croissant and a peppermint mocha, one of her favorite things to have on a near Christmas morning. As she was licking her fingers, the old bell rang merrily in the hall.
Normally, Elsa would have called for Ella to get the door. But, no, she had given her the Christmas weeks off. It was only fair to do that. Ella had been adamant, surprisingly, about staying with her as she said life in the Crispin house was not as stressful, if anything, the work got out the tension.
She unlatched the lock, opened the door, and blinked in surprise. Here she had been expecting Weiss or Adrien. Instead, her visitor was sopping wet in a large trenchcoat and carrying a package.
"Ralph. This is...quite the surprise. Oh, what am I doing? Come inside. Can I...get you anything?'
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Dec 24, 2016 6:31:07 GMT
"Hey......evening, Elsa."
It was clear from the moment that Elsa opened the door, she was surprised to see him. He couldn't really blame her, what with the weather and all being the way it was. Her house might have a white Christmas thanks to her powers, but everywhere else it was simply a cold rain that had driven most people indoors.
He opened his mouth, about to say something but quickly shut it when Elsa motioned for him to come inside. He was starting to regret this decision and was hoping simply to make a quick getaway after delivering his package. Things between Elsa and him had been....well, they were uncertain. Ever since the incident down in Garcon Perdu, he hadn't been certain where he stood with her, nor her with him to be honest. Were they simply acquaintances? Coworkers of the same field? Friends? Or something else? He didn't know.
"Actually, I only came here to drop something off."
He remained on the threshold of her door, water dripping down off of his coat and his normally spiky hair dotted with drops of moisture. The hand holding the package was behind his back now, his uncertainty increasing the longer he stood before Elsa.
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Post by Zuyuri on Dec 24, 2016 6:43:18 GMT
The whole empty mansion seemed to echo with every footstep. This wasn't from Ralph's size or even the hollowness of the foyer. The drips from the rain slash snow clinked against the marble floors. Elsa swept some drops with her toe, the water turning to easy to thaw frost she scooted to one side.
A knot of emotions had wound inside of her. She was happy to see him again, albeit unexpected. Then again, it was unexpected when they crossed paths in Garçon Perdu and he saved her life. She was also anxious and nervous. He had said himself being angry was easier than loving someone above his social ranks. But he didn't seem as angry and tense as last time. All past experiences were gone
But she couldn't get too excited, as he said he was only here to drop something off. Her face fell, betraying all the real loneliness she had every Christmas right on her face.
"...Oh..."
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Dec 24, 2016 6:49:33 GMT
Was that....disappointment on Elsa's face?
Ralph couldn't say for certain and instead dropped his gaze down to his arm. He had come all this way to deliver his gift, so he might as well do it and leave before he ruined Elsa's night.
"Here. Something for the holidays."
With that, he brought his arm from behind his back and held the package out to her. It was poorly wrapped, with the pattern set at an angle, several tears, and the ribbon somewhat squashed. There was no doubting it was a Christmas gift he had tried to wrap himself and failed horribly at. Well, he had tried.
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Post by Zuyuri on Dec 24, 2016 6:54:39 GMT
"...Oh...Ralph..."
She didn't care that the package looked like it had been sat on. She didn't care if the paper was ripped because he had held it from some nut case wanting to steal it. All she cared about was it being a genuine present. Not some silly warrant for files, but an actual present.
She took it, feeling a bit sad that she had nothing for him in return. At least, not something that didn't come across as indifferent or lazy. Ralph had trekked this present all the way through the storm.
Her hands shook, and she took one corner of a hole in the paper and tugged.
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Dec 24, 2016 7:28:08 GMT
"It's not much but....."
He didn't finish the sentence and instead watched in utter silence, his breathe held as she took the gift and began to slowly unwrap the paper. There was no sound other then the gentle fall of rain as her pale and delicate hands removed the covering to reveal the object beneath.
At first glance, it looked like a simple wooden box with silver fastenings and nothing more. True, there were carvings along the sides and top that looked like the mountains in wintertime and the wood had been polished until it gleamed warmly, but otherwise it was just a box.
"Here."
Ralph reached out a massive hand towards the box and gently flipped open the lid. While he was doing this, the light shown on his knuckles and revealed them to be deeply bruised along their complete length. However, he didn't seem to notice or care as the lid came open. It had a red fabric interior and a collection of silver cogs and gears that connected together over the fabric. It would have been impossible to tell what they did if they didn't suddenly start to turn.
And music filled the air.
It was a music box, playing out a tune that began to weave itself as soon as the lid was lifted. Ralph held the box lightly, so much so that it was difficult to believe he could ever handle something so gently.
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Post by Zuyuri on Dec 24, 2016 7:48:33 GMT
The box was simple. But in its simplicity, Elsa saw the beauty of how carefully the mountains were stained. The wood was the same but at the same time not. If she had bought this for herself, she would have been scoffed at...not that she cared.
Ralph took it from her, opening the box to reveal blood red satin encasing a series of cogs. He turned it and the cogs turned..
...and the box started playing one of her favorite songs, snowflake waltz, in its tiny metallic teeth.
Elsa's eyes watered with tears. But these weren't sad tears, or angry tears, or scared. These were the kind of tears so many people took for granted, the kind that sprung when someone went so far to please them, that they remembered one little thing of goodness amid all the bad.
They were tears of joy.
She wiped them briskly, the tears turning to unique fractalozed snowflakes. But then a purple smudge on Ralph's already battered hand caught her eye. There was way more than one to be normal.
"What happened to your hands?"
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Dec 24, 2016 8:12:41 GMT
Ralph watched the music box for a time, watched the tiny metal teeth play over the cylinder as it revolved beneath, producing the notes to one of Elsa's favorite pieces of music. Despite all the time that had passed, he remembered on that fateful night when they had gone out together how she had mentioned her love for the snowflake waltz. It seemed strange he should remember such a small detail from that night, and yet he had.
He looked up from the music box to Elsa's face then and saw her eyes. They were sparkling brightly as she smiled at the music box. In that instant, he felt something tugging at him deep within his chest, something that seemed to be desperate to get out.
However, before he could make any sense of it Elsa's voice cut across his mind, asking about his hands. He looked down and realized that the large knuckles were still bruised a deep purple from his confrontation with Vanitas.
"Nothing."
The tugging sensation disappeared and Ralph immediately put the music box back in Elsa's own hands before putting his own behind his back, hiding the swollen and discolored skin from her.
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Post by Zuyuri on Dec 24, 2016 18:02:15 GMT
Elsa frowned. She had thought all of this distancing was done. Clearly, she was wrong. At the same time, though, if things were going to patch themselves up, he needed to tell her the truth when he was getting himself hurt.
"Ralph...please."
The music box cut itself off with her begging. Her blue eyes were reflective of her earnest concern
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Dec 31, 2016 4:48:11 GMT
Ralph didn't want to meet Elsa's gaze when she spoke, pleading with him, but he forced himself to meet her icy blue eyes. Her expression was a mixture of concern, annoyance and....was that hurt?
He knew that they had agreed to be open to each other after their talk down in Garcon Perdu, and yet the Giant's first reaction was still to keep her at a distance. It wasn't right but he also knew it would take time before he was able to completely lower his guard around Elsa again and let her see past the walls he had build up.
He paused for a moment before brining his hands to his sides once more, allowing her to see the bruises clearly. He forced himself to answer her question by answering with a single name.
"Vanitas."
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Post by Zuyuri on Dec 31, 2016 5:39:18 GMT
"You managed to punch his pretty little face?"
The word 'pretty' was dripping with sarcasm when Elsa said it. Sure, Vanitas was a kid, but the way he looked at people and carried himself made him appear much older. But despite being disgusted by the boy, she was also very impressed that Ralph had managed to give him, judging by the bruises, a very good smack down.
The hesitation in Ralph's voice made it easier for her to ease up. Her face curved into a bit of a wicked smile which was on only for a minute. The purple bruises still stuck out. If Vanitas was coming back with a vengeance, Ralph needed his hands protected. If he hit harder, they'd open or become even more raw. Finally letting her instincts kick in, Elsa grabbed one of his hand, gently applying a chill to one of the bruises.
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Dec 31, 2016 6:00:48 GMT
"I..."
However, Ralph wasn't given time to respond to Elsa's comment before she had taking his gigantic hand in her own and applied her ice powers to reduce the swelling. He didn't resist and instead stared at her in silence, momentarily forgetting what he was going to say. All he could do in that moment was look at the young lawyer and marvel at her very nature. It wasn't until he felt the dull pain in his knuckles lessen that he finally continued speaking.
"I heard about the warrant placed for his arrest and tried to bring him in myself. Also....I couldn't resist the chance to give that little maggot a taste of his own medicine."
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Post by Zuyuri on Dec 31, 2016 7:09:45 GMT
The truth came out, albeit hesitantly, but at least it made sense why Ralph was going after Vanitas in the first place. Even when he was on the force, he was a headlong charger into situations. She stared at him, her hands still dulling the bruised pain in his hand. When they had their date, he hadn't offered to hold it because of, well, the large grip he naturally had. But as Elsa changed grips, something about holding them made her think something.
Something that momentarily made her blush but subside.
"It's one thing trying to get back at him for all the pain he's caused people...not just the Other Units or your client, just people in general...but to turn him in yourself?" Elsa's scolding came out gently. Before she could angry and accidentally freeze him, she pulled back her hands for a brief moment.
"You may not realize it, but there are people here who care if you got hurt."
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Dec 31, 2016 7:40:54 GMT
Ralph continued to watch Elsa as she spoke and cooled his bruised knuckles, remaining silent for the moment but never once letting his gaze move away from her face. At one point color had crept up into her cheeks as if she had thought of something embarrassing, but he didn't say anything about it. Sometimes Elsa could be the hardest person in the world to read when it came to her feelings while at other moments she was like an open book.
Once she had finished icing his hands, he lifted one up to his face and curled it into a fist, flexing the muscles and finding the pain had been greatly reduced.
"That's the thing about pain though. Seeing others you care about being harmed is worse than any physical pain you can experience."
As he said this, he turned his gaze away from his hand and back onto Elsa where she stood on the threshold of her home.
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