fiddlestick | IC Inbox (Kaisou)

[Varian doesn't turn to Elliot as much as he used to, when he first got here. If he took the time to think about it, he'd realise it's a sign of growing up- that he doesn't need to desperately cling to the first authority figure who gave him the time of day.

But just because he doesn't rely on him as much doesn't mean he doesn't value Elliot's advice a lot. ]

Hi, Elliot. Can I talk to you about something? I'd really appreciate your insight.

[It has in fact been awhile since Varian contacted him directly. Which wasn't a bad thing, Varian was getting his own life in this world. But he is still quick to respond to his student, as always]

Of course Varian! What's up?

Thanks. It's Fern. He's forgotten about everything on the app- you know, like what happens to you guys who were born here? He didn't leave...which kind of answers my question if the peach thing affected him, too, but he doesn't remember anything either. Or. I mean, I guess he remembers ME, but he doesn't remember half the stuff we've done together. Not properly anyway.

[And it's SO strange. To have Fern here but also...not.]

I always value your advice. I just- I don't really know how to handle this.

Oh... I thought he seemed a little off at school today.

[Sure, Fern was never really the best or most engaged student by a long shot, but even by those standards it had seemed off. Elliot will take a moment to check on the usernames on the app list- and sure enough, Fern's no longer there.

Right. He should approach this carefully. ]

Alright, I think I understand the situation. The first thing we're going to do is going to hurt, but it's important, okay?

Fern's no longer on the app. That's why his memories of the app are gone. I don't know why it happened now, but... it happened. And there's nothing we can do to change that, okay?

It's hurts, but we need to acknowledge that pain before anything else.

[He knows Varian will tear down heaven itself to try to change things. So he has to try to make that abundantly clear - some things just can't be fixed. They can only be. ]

Edited 2023-09-19 01:26 (UTC)

[Varian lets out a breath when Elliot says he understands. He could figure out some of the whys- he's understood he's been trapped in this world for a while, after all, he just assumed it was only him the peach had affected. Naturally. Fern didn't breathe, he didn't consider there were other ways the peach could get in his system.

What he's struggling with now is how to actually DEAL with it. Luckily, Elliot has a response to that, as he knew he would, and though it's not exactly what he wants, he knows it's solid advice. ]

I thought it might be that. I think it's to do with the peach. I can't leave the boundaries of the city since...well, that. I'm pretty sure I'm bound to the spirit realm, from what I've figured from testing things out. I guess some peach got into his system somehow too.

...But yeah. I know. I wish I could change it, I REALLY do. But I know it's...what it is.

[He doesn't like it, he itches to do something about it...but at least he's learning enough to know however much he wants to change it...he can't.]

Yeah. It sucks. I hate it.

Edited 2023-09-19 19:29 (UTC)

[The fact about Varian being unable to leave the city is new to Elliot. So that was part of the peach's effects huh. It's certainly not a curse Elliot would want to have, being as inclined to travel as he is.

Still, he knows now is not the time to focus on that]

Yeah... I'd imagine the peach is why he's still here too. Whatever power that fruit has, it must supersede whatever it is that ties us to the app.

[In other words don't mess with divine fruit unless you want to be permanently effected. Good to know!]

I know, I hate it too. It's an unfair situation, and I'm sorry you have to go through it.

[He means that sincerely. This isn't something Varian should be dealing with at his age.]

As for what you should do moving forward... honestly, that's up to you. I stayed with Rean after he left the app for awhile, but I know others who have broken up after one left the app - and I don't think they were wrong to do that. There's no one easy right answer, unfortunately.

[Varian's never been much of a traveller. He's only ever really lived in two placed his whole life: Corona and now Kaisou. But having the option to travel taken away from him is a little ranking. Still, he can accept that as penance for the mess he made. It could have been so much worse.]

That's the conclusion I've come to. It's probably for the best. His home world was pretty bad.

[He doesn't know how bad it can get, but oh boy does he know it gets bad. This sucks a whole lot, and it makes his chest hurt thinking about it. But this has got to be better for Fern in the long run.]

Thanks, Elliot. That makes sense, I guess it's different for everyone? I might play it by ear. See what happens, y'know? Was it hard with Rean? Like, did you have to avoid talking about a lot what was going on? I've only ever really dealt with this with Moana and Snow and both of them moved. It's easier when it's just by letter.

That was the impression I got too. Small blessings, I guess.

[At least Fern has a chance for a happier life here. Elliot will take that.]

Play it by ear is a completely valid option, I think. You don't need to decide right away what to do. Some decisions are better left giving long and careful thought.

It wasn't, actually. I'd even still tell him things, I don't think he believed me half the time, but he was still always happy to listen. [Elliot couldn't keep a secret from Rean if his life depended on it anyway] But our situation is a little different. Rean and I knew each other for years before the app came into our lives. Maybe it brought us back together after we had drifted apart for a few years, but it's not what defined our relationship.

Yeah, I definitely don't wanna rush into anything. I want to be careful with it.

Oh. That's good to know, I guess? I was a little worried if I talked too much about it, it might freak him or or...something. I don't know. But...yeah. Me and Fern are from completely different worlds. Only being in this place united us, so it's definitely different than you and Rean.

Guess I'll just have to see where it goes. But seriously, thanks, Elliot, it really helps to speak to someone who's been through it too.

Yeah, being careful is the best course of action.

Well, Fern and Rean aren't the same person, but... I think it's worth at least trying to talk to him about it. It's not much of a relationship if you have to hide things from your partner all the time, you know?

Haha, well I'm not sure I did much... but I hope it helps anyway.

And listen, if you decide to continue dating Fern and you two work it out, that's great! But it's also alright if it doesn't work out. Both you and Fern are young and figuring yourselves out. In this day and age, it's pretty normal for couples your age to break up. I mean, Rean wasn't my first boyfriend and I bet Rean's had dates with other people. Sometimes it just works out that way.

[Whether Rean ever REALIZED they were dates is a whole other matter...but still!! Kinda sorta counts???]

[He considers this. Elliot makes great points. He got it right, Varian wants to find a solution to this that'll get resolved quickly but he knows, he knows that's not possible. No matter how much he wants it. Hell, it might not ever be resolved at all, and he has to accept that as a possibility.]

Yeah. Of course. Talking is- it's a good idea.

Honestly, just having someone to talk to about this helps SO much. This is so far out of my usual remit.

[And that's...not exactly what he wanted to hear but it's definitely what he needed to hear. He's felt pressure he should keep this up. That you just stick with the one person and that's that. Being told it's okay if it doesn't work does ease some of that pressure.]

That makes a lot of sense. I still care about him so much and I really want try and make this work. But... I guess it helps to know I can step away if I need to, as well? Like it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if I did. Even if I'm pretty sure it'd suck a lot.

Haha, unfortunately for everyone who feels anxiety, talking to one another is usually the best way to handle situations like this.

[Yeah he's sure it's not exactly what Varian wanted to hear, but Elliot at the end of the day tended to be a realistic person. And it's pretty realistic for teen couples to not last... and that was okay]

Yeah, exactly. Go ahead and try to give it your best, but there's also nothing wrong with stepping away if that's the best option. This isn't the 1800's, it's pretty normal for people to break up in this day and age.

Still, whatever you do? You'll have my support Varian.

Hah, yeah, I guess you're right. I'm trying to get better at that. The talking.

[Instead of letting stuff fester until he explodes and tries to take out a monarchy! ]

That's true, I'll bear that in mind. The- normal for this time period kinda thing. It's comforting to have the reminder sometimes.

I really appreciate that, thanks Elliot.

Well on that end, I'd say you've made a lot of progress.

[The kid's grown up a lot in the year he's known him, even if there's been the occasional growing pain]

Ehe, I get it. You did come from a time period where divorce was pretty much illegal and all, but things have changed a lot since then. You have plenty of time to figure all this stuff out and what will make you happy.

Anytime Varian. Just take it easy okay? Eat some of your dad's comforting food I'm sure he's cooking up, and do something soothing tonight.

Hah, thanks. That's good to hear.

[He's been trying his level best!]

Yeah! It definitely wasn't something you could just DO, y'know? But it's good to know I've got time to work it out.

You better believe he is. I'm gonna eat that and then curl up with a good book.

[Just Not Think ABout It for a couple of hours.]

That sounds like the perfect plan.

Take care, Varian! I'll see you in school, okay?

Yeah absolutely! See you there.

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