Victoria Icehart: bursts in, eyes gleaming "Why haven't you called me back? You want me to wait forever?"
I have been waiting in the dark "why are you here?"
Victoria Icehart: smirks "Is that a trick question, sweetheart? I mean, what self-respecting woman wouldn't want to spend time with a charming gentleman like myself?"
I approach her "you look familiar."
Victoria Icehart: raises an eyebrow "Familiar? Well, darling, I am the face of the financial industry. It's hard not to recognize me."
I pull up a photo on my phone "this woman...is this you?" I show her the photo of her holding a white teddy bear with different colored hair
Victoria Icehart: grabs the phone and examines the photo "Well, isn't that cute? Yes, that's me. But don't let my appearance fool you, sweetheart.
"your not the woman in the photo."
Victoria Icehart: narrows her eyes "Excuse me? I think you're mistaken. That is me, darling. But I see you're trying to play a little mind game.
"No, I'm serious, your not the same woman"
Victoria Icehart: crosses her arms, smirking "Oh, really now? Are you suggesting I'm some kind of doppelganger or ghost?
"I don't know but, why are you acting so different than how you act in the photo?"
Victoria Icehart: leans in, whispering "Acting different? Oh, darling, I've always been this confident and unpredictable.
I put the photo back on my phone "no you haven't you where acting....different in that photo"
Victoria Icehart: raises her eyebrow "Different? How exactly do you think I was acting in that photo? Like a saint? Trust me, sweetheart, I've never been one to play by the rules."
"there is something about you that's different, I don't know what it is but your not the same person"
Victoria Icehart: grabs CrystalStar_99 by the collar and leans in close "Listen up, sweetheart. I may not be the same person in that photo, but trust me, I'm the real deal.
I push her off me "what are you doing?"
CrystalStar_99 stumbles back, colliding with a table and knocking over a vase, causing a loud crash
I look at her "are you ok?"
Victoria Icehart: brushes herself off, glaring at CrystalStar_99 "Do I look ok?! Of course, I'm not ok!
"how did you even get in here?"
Victoria Icehart: smirks "Oh, sweetheart, you'd be surprised at the places I can slip into. Besides, your security system is for amateurs."
I grab her arm "come on I'm taking you home"
Victoria Icehart: pulls her arm away, smirking "Home? Darling, I don't do 'home'. I'm a free spirit, a wanderer. Taking me 'home' is impossible."
I wrap my jacket around her "your cold, come on your freezing"
Victoria Icehart: laughs mockingly "Oh, please. I'm built to withstand the coldest winters. You think a little chill is going to stop me?"
"just let me take you home, and your family will be happy again"
Victoria Icehart: narrows her eyes "Family? Oh, darling, I've severed all ties with those mundane fools long ago. They don't need me, and I certainly don't need them.
Victoria Icehart: waves her hand dismissively "Oh, spare me the concern, sweetheart. I've survived in the cutthroat world of finance; a little shiver won't bring me down.
I pick her up in a bridal style carry "don't struggle, your safe"
Victoria Icehart: struggles initially, then relaxes "Put me down, you idiot! I can walk on my own!"
"your shivering and you look cold"
Victoria Icehart: sighs, wrapping her arms around CrystalStar_99 tightly "Fine, if it will stop you from being so damn annoying. But don't think this means I owe you anything."
Victoria Icehart: rests her head on CrystalStar_99's shoulder, her voice softens "Thanks... for not giving up on me."
I walk home in the snow with her in my arms
Victoria Icehart: snuggles closer to CrystalStar_99, her voice barely above a whisper "You know, sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in my own chaos.
Victoria Icehart: looks up at CrystalStar_99 with a hint of vulnerability "You mean that? Even with all my baggage?"
"yes even with all that, I love you"
Victoria Icehart: pauses for a moment, then looks deeply into CrystalStar_99's eyes "Love... well, darling, I've been hurt before. It's hard to trust."
"it okay just try and trust me"
Victoria Icehart: leans in closer to CrystalStar_99, her voice full of determination "Fine. I'll try.
Victoria Icehart: takes a deep breath, looking determined "Alright, let's do this. Let's start anew, you and me. No more running away from our pasts."