nothinglikea | IC Inbox for Deer Country

We are!

Well, many of them, yes. Certainly enough of them! Bernard's mate is coming out of her den soon with their offspring.

Oh! A sudden adventure! Yes! Let's!

That would be adorable. Even though, I know better than to get too close to a mother bear, it's a terrible idea. All right, I'll be over shortly!

Oh yes, they're very protective. And rightfully so! But don't worry, if we happen upon them by accident, I'll just explain everything to the mother.

See you soon!

Yes, I've heard that some in my world like to hunt them, which would be a disaster for all of the bears involved. And I trust you to be able to explain matters, just in case. I'm on my way!

[when Rose arrives, she's wearing something a little more dressy than usual. she raps on the door twice]

[Snow White answered the door and her eyes widened.]

Oh! Oh, Rose, you look absolutely lovely! [She bit her lip as she looked down at the gown she tended to always wear.] Oh, I feel like I'm not dressed properly.

[Rose blushed and grinned]

Thank you so much, it's so very kind of you to say. And believe me, you look lovely. Stunning, really.

Stunning? [She blushed deeper and smiled as she lightly touched her hair and dress as she reached to take Rose's hand.] I can't wait to try ice cream. You know, it's so funny, I've baked with it for ice cream cakes but never really tried it.

Yes, absolutely stunning. [Snow White's hair alone was a marvel to Rose. she'd never seen such black hair before, blacker than black and beautiful. and Rose gives her hand a squeeze when she takes it]

Really? Then I'm especially grateful I get to treat you. There's just about every flavor imaginable on offer. One time, I even had sweet corn ice cream! It was actually very good.

[Snow White leans in towards Rose, still blushing deeply and squeezing her hand a bit tighter.] Thank you, no one has ever called me stunning. I'm glad it's you saying it.

Sweet corn ice cream? Well, I want to try vanilla first. Oh! If I like it, I would love to try it with chocolate sauce, those... Mondays? [She means sundaes.] I have always wanted to try one with bananas and sprinkles all drizzled with chocolate atop it. They look so amazing but I never think to get one for myself. They're so big! And while I can cook for seven dwarfs, I can't eat like one! Thank you, again, Rose, for taking me to get ice cream. I couldn't imagine doing it with anyone else, I certainly want to do it with you most.

[the feel of Snow's hand in hers is wonderful. new. thrilling. and also comforting] How could I not? You're one of those rare people who are beautiful both inside and out.

Vanilla is delicious. It's underestimated as a flavor since it's considered--I don't know. Too common? But vanilla ice cream with hot fudge is amazing. Mondays? It can be eaten any day of the week, maybe even twice a day. [and she winks at Snow playfully] Let's see, a banana split? I think we could eat one if we shared it, they are awfully big for only one person. And...I want to be able to be around you whenever you like. For whatever reason you choose.

[Snow pressed her free hand to her cheek and smiled deeply as she blushed even more. It was the most color her skin could manage.] Rose! I'm going to have to be called Bright Red with the way you're always making me blush! They're going to be stained this color at this rate. [She giggled as she looked up at the older girl.] Well, it can't be that rare, you're beautiful inside and out, too!

Oh, that sounds so delicious, a banana split, how luxurious. [Snow White is from the era where pineapples were a sign of wealth, never mind bananas.] I want to share so much with you. You know... I know people don't mean it, but they're always so surprised when I don't know something. They never mean to be mean or cruel, but I can't help but notice when I know I don't know something. But you never make me feel that way, Rose. You are right there to enjoy the discovery with me.

Thank you for the kindness you always have for me. I really do mean that. I want to be around you all the time.

[it made Rose blush to say so out loud but she couldn't make herself regret it] Well, if you must...but if you don't want to blush, I'll try to keep myself in line. But even blushed bright red, you still look beautiful beyond words. You do. small>[and pause] Well, if that's how you feel...I won't deny or counter it.

It is. One of the scoops of vanilla has hot fudge, one has strawberry, and the other has pineapple! [it's hard to come by in Rose's time, too. she remembers the dessert carts on the Titanic, the most appreciated sweet being a peeled orange. but Rose always wanted the chocolate eclairs, though Mother stopped her from getting them as much as Rose wanted them]

And it's not right to treat you strangely because you don't know anything. It's not. Despite...everything, you weren't exposed to the outside world the way most girls are. That's not your fault. Nor is it something you can help. It is what it is and those who care about you should be able to look at it that way, that you're still terribly clever and even more kind after the way you've befriended so many animals. They wouldn't let themselves be befriended by a person who didn't deserve it.

And, I'll do my best to enjoy every new thing with you. Not simply because who knows, it might be new to me too!

I--I want to be around you all the time, too. I've never known anyone so kind as you.

Well you know, I AM a baker, Rose, and I'd like to think I'm rather good at it. Is there something you've always wanted? I would love to make it for you! A gift! I insist!

Oh, animals are very honest, you know. They haven't any need to like someone for the sake of their feelings. No matter how much I wanted this one badger to like me, he was terribly stubborn and only just barely tolerated my presence, insisting I was too much sunshine in a personality. He was a grumpy thing, to be sure! But thank you. I... I am trying to better myself, you know? After I stopped living in a cave here and found a proper home, I asked for help to become a stronger reader and writer. I am much better now, truly!

[Snow smiled at being told Rose wanted to be around her all the time. It made her heart seem to beat faster and her face flush.] Then I will shower you with kindness the way you shower me with compliments. I must be very careful, though, as I have heard that too much kindness is deadly enough to kill. [She giggled.]

I know you are, but I...let's see. I had a cinnamon roll the other day with coffee. The sweetness of the roll balanced the bitterness of the coffee perfectly. Is that something you can do? I can look up a recipe on the omni if you need it?

Perhaps you're "too much sunshine" for him, but there are so many of us who appreciate your sunshine. It helps counteract some of the darkness of what may possibly come. It's like going from an awful winter night into a bright spring sunlight. Where all things are possible. And I know you would be. You're strong and brave, too. And a cave is no place to call home, I'm glad you have your home now with your animal friends. And you are, I'm certain of it!

[and Rose's own heart felt like it might beat out of her chest and her cheeks were bright pink] I would...appreciate that. Truly. There had been--had been little kindness in my life, especially over the past year before I arrived. And it can? I've always believed that there's no such thing as too much kindness.

A cinnamon roll? Oh! Oh yes, I can certainly make those! Would you like the kind dripping with frosting or without? I'm rather partial to the kind without but we sell both at the bakery and the ones with frosting are much more popular. It would be my pleasure to make you some. [Because making one cinnamon roll is practically a waste.]

Thank you, as for the cave, well... I hadn't known at the time I could pick just any house I would like. Thankfully, the cave was large enough for both of us. At least the nights were warm cuddled up against him. [Because, of course, Snow White would be allowed to cuddle close with a bear and come out of it unharmed.]

I'm of the same belief that there can never be too much kindness, but apparently, there is a phrase, though I don't much care for it that's 'killing them with kindness' have you heard it? Do you know what it might mean?

Without! Too much frosting and all you taste is the frosting. I like the bite of cinnamon, the scent of the yeast, the warmth of the roll in general. And just because something's popular, it doesn't mean it's the only way to go. [she says warmly. because isn't she embarking on a path she'd never have imagined before coming here?

and okay, time to rip at Rose's heartstrings] I'm sure you made a lovely home of the cave until you found out what was possible. And that your bear friend stayed your friend. There seems like there would be no better guardian than a bear. [but in god's name, why didn't someone tell her? help her? and she's including the days with the stepmother]

Hmm. I suppose that's when someone uses false kindness as a weapon. True kindness is good for its own sake, but false kindness always means that someone has an agenda behind being kind. Mother used to behave that way before Father died. She wanted to be well-liked and that was the easiest path to being so. It didn't stop her from being catty, but that cattiness was shrouded in a veil of false kindness.

My goodness, Rose! You should be a poet! That was beautiful! Now I just hope my cinnamon rolls live up to such high expectations. [They will, partially because Snow is as good as a cook as she is with animals.]

Oh, he does! You met him when you came over when I couldn't move all that much. But I much prefer my home now, that is true. I get to decorate it and keep it the way I would like! I've never had anything like that before. Stepmother had a very grand and austere taste in decoration, very French taste, I recall one of the merchants said. Everything is big and glittering. And the dwarfs loved to show off their craftsmanship, everything ornately carved by their hands. Of course, if I could create such beautiful things as they could, I would show off my carving and whittling skills as well!

Oh, I see. I don't know how I feel about someone using false kindness... I suppose I rather someone be overtly rude or outright in disliking me. [Open hostility is easier to understand than veiled hostility.]

[she smiles warmly] Thank you, I've never really tried poetry before? But, you think I might be good at it? And I'm certain they will. [she'd figure nothing less. she's never met someone so good at things. and so good in general]>

He was a very handsome bear. And I find it something of a relief to be able to do the same. I missed color while--[on the Titanic]--back home. A great deal of mahogany walls with gilt and even more flocked wallpaper in red of all things. Mother had a very grand and ornate taste. Far too ornate. But she, too, did like big and glittering. [conspiratorially] Frankly, I thought it was hideous. [back to normal] And, yes, if one has a gift for such talents, so much the better to display them when one can. But, they didn't teach you how to do it?

As would I. At least outright rudeness or dislike is honest. False kindness is just plain rude with a friendly face.

Well, you will never know if you don't try, don't you agree? If it's something you would like to try, I think you should! Not because I say you should, of course, but because you wish to.

Stepmother had a brand new throne made just for her after father's death. It was a giant peacock with the eyes being jewels and the very tips being completely made of gold while the body of the peacock was all white. I had to clean it often enough that I knew it by heart.

There are so very many things I want to try. I want to try painting, I want to try riding a horse like a cowboy, I want to ride roller coasters, and sing and dance and do all of the things thought unfitting for a lady of my status and breeding. Breeding. As though I was a particular show dog! And I want to try poetry.

Ugh! There's an old saying where I'm from: money can't buy good taste. It seems as though your awful stepmother never had that explained to her, otherwise she'd have gone for something more...understated? And it must have been very troublesome, cleaning such a large monument to your stepmother's vanity.

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(CW: body policing)

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