[Mari]

Coolshaymin

The humble magical girl society lodge was open to Viridi. Most of the girls were out socializing or doing work to better the community, but one young lady in particular had set aside her day to speak to an old flame of Arle's. Oddly enough she hadn't taken any issue with inviting her rover, even given the violent terms of the breakout. Perhaps she was simply too romantic acknowlege the threat. In reality though, Arle had simply never told Peach the explicit details. Regardless, Viridi was invited to come down and spend the day with her, to talk about love and perhaps learn a thing or two. She wondered what the exact terms of this meeting were. Love advice? Love magic training? ...Arle specific advice? She was open minded to whichever one, as love was such an important.

Waiting for Viridi was a fresh brew of koop tea, made from koopa leaves of course! ...From Koopa Village! What's with you and speculating its made out koopas? Totally vegetarian and very wholesome, just like the mushroom cookies they were paired with. The cute robot child Roll would greet Viridi at the door and let her in, guiding her inside before telling her to make herself giving her some privacy. Nearby, Peach was sitting at a cushy chair with a pair of identical chairs nearby, her arms folded in her lap and an inviting smile upon her face. "Good afternoon--...Lady Viridi? I apologize, I've never spoken to a deity before. Is that the proper title..?" Peach greeted in a pleasantly humble tone.

[Coolshaymin]

Viridi materialized in a gust of wind, earth and flower petals in front of the Magical Girl's Society's lodge. Fortunately she was able to arrange a meeting with Peach and hardly anyone was using the lodge at the moment so the girl found it a good time to talk with Peach. Arle being around would cause complications anyway until she got some things sorted out. Upon knocking with her staff, a robot girl answered and lead her to Peach. Viridi mostly could tell she was a robot due to the lack of organic life she sensed from the robot.

"It's alright. Humans don't generally speak with us in my world anyway. The servants of a Goddess usually calls us Lady though so it would be the right term I suppose," Viridi replied as she took a seat and looked to the tea and cookies. Well, she was certainly informed of the Goddess's taste om food. Natural and plant based and the tea certainly smelled soothing. "Anyway, good afternoon to you as well, Peach. We can skip the formalities. I am considering this a casual conversation, not a business trip," Viridi added, not being too rude but still keeping to her ways.

Viridi took a sip of the tea before looking to Peach. "Speaking of that, I want to ask first. How has Arle been while under your roof?" Viridi asked after a moment of consideration. She did not seem too concerned, but maybe that was because she had confidence Peach would be taking good care of that. The question did have genuine interest to it as well.

[Mari]

"Alright~" Peach would respond to Viridi's request to drop the formalities. As a princess, she had a hard time understanding what that meant. Being polite and speaking clearly was simply the way she lived by default. "Oh... She is the hardest working heroine we have in the sisterhood. She's such a sweet girl too. She still gets very flustered when we fuss over her, and she gets all worked up whenever she is the subject of our affection. I do worry, though. Sometimes I feel that she enjoys her space a bit... too much. Like she can't fully trust us, even though she clearly wants to. And while I understand she has a past of being abused and may not have learned how to be dependent because of the early loss of her parents, I can't help but feel she's not dealing with some of those emotions in ways that are healthy for her. That is to say, her comfort and her happiness are at odds at times." Peach began to explain, quickly conveying her concerns over Arle's mental health. It seemed like she had a finger to Arle's pulse, that's for sure. She'd even picked up on some trauma. "...But we do love her, and we all do our best to show her that every day. I think it helps, but I'm still looking for the best way to show her that love. Progress is being made, but it's slow." Peach went on to finish, politely maintaining eye contact and a pleasant smile.

[Coolshaymin]

Her comfort and happiness were at odds sometimes? Yep, Viridi was definitely becoming well associated with that after the turn of events as of late. "I already knew all that and it's not quite what I meant. You did answer what I wanted to ask of that though. You have certainly been taking care of her and she is  doing well... Alright, I'll get into the real reason I'm here," Viridi replied before taking a lengthy sip of tea after listening to Peach's analysis. She was definitely an expert when it came to caring for others, that much was clear.

"It's about me and Arle. After she left I have been at a lost and can't even contribute to my own meetings. As you may know, I took her in a while back. We met before it happened but we really got to know each other when she came to me while I was eating curry. I had the last bowl and she was clearly wanting some and I decided to just give it to her. I noticed she seemed to have a crush on me and I teased her over it but she was not aware of it at first I think. Later we bonded more and I found myself getting attached to her. I never told her but she meant a lot to me. I had bad experiences with humans that grew into a long distaste but everything I associated with them was turned around by her. She was a human I did not know existed and I grew to admire her interests, her bravery, her closeness to nature, and she gave me hope I may of not had otherwise. Hope that I was wrong all these years. I thought I was in love... But I'm not sure anymore. After she left, I felt betrayed and I have not known what to do about it. I don't really have enough experience with the subject to feel confident in turning her back. She may just think I'm like those others now. And... I am at a loss now. I... need advice from someone pure hearted enough to tell me right," Viridi explained the situation to the Princess. It seemed to take some effort for her to put this out her not being familiar with the Princess. Still, she appeared honest and at a bit of a conflict, though she may be keeping some details to herself.

[Mari]

Peach listened intently and politely, as was proper, but found herself wanting. There was just one detail Viridi had left out, seemingly on purpose. After an extended moment's consideration, Peach responded. "...Arle never did tell me why she was so upset." Peach replied, which told her something important. Whatever Arle and Viridi had fought over, it had been bad enough that neither of them were capable of addressing it. That put her in a tough spot, because she couldn't possibly mediate a conflict she knew nothing about. Yet, she also couldn't ask Viridi to disclose those details. She'd clearly kept them hidden for a reason, and she wasn't intent on forcing the other to reveal it unnecessarily. That just left the other problem Viridi had raised. Was she in love? Boy, there was an ugly topic. Far too often the answer was simply some variation of not really, but she could never find the heart to say such a thing because just as often the answer wasn't as simple as people wanted it to be. Love was simple, but loving someone was complicated. She took a deep breath before continuing.

"I am sorry to hear of your struggles, Lady Viridi. If it's any consolation, I believe from what I've observed... that Arle loves you." Peach began in a very hesitant tone that seemed to suggest there were some serious reservations about that statement, one of which she did not wait long to continue on and voice. "She has never spoken ill of you during her time here. But as for where your heart lays, there are many feelings which can be confused for love." the princess went on to lament, a profound sadness in her tone. It was clear that she wished the best, and found the idea of false love horribly tragic. "...But if your love is true I can help you learn to recognize it, and even teach you how to empower yourself and others with it." Peach went on to offer, demonstrating by manifesting magical pink heart in her palms before Viridi. It sparkled slightly in the light of the room, a chaotic vortex of raw passion whirling beneath its pastel colored surface. It almost looked like a miniature galaxy, with the sparkles representing the many stars and what might first be slight discolorations vaguely resembling more defined celestial bodies and cosmic clouds of space dust on closer inspection. It hinted at who was on Peach's mind as she channeled the heart in the form of subtle patterns. If one paid even closer attention, it would begin to take on other motifs as she continued talking, but some of them were very hard to make sense of due to their abstract nature.

"There are many desires that are often called love, but only one that I would consider 'pure'. That is not to say that any are wrong, just that you may have needs rivaling love love." Peach would begin, offering a pre-emptive apology and a warning for what she was about to say. Most people weren't pure of heart. It didn't mean that they were bad people, just that they embodied a different ideal. ...Some of those ideals were more noble than others, of course. Bowser. But she chose to believe that true love was but one of them, the one she happened to embody most. "There is the desire to be all someone ever needs, to claim possession of them and make them your own, never to be anyone else's. It is a very romantic idea, but it is not love. For love is something you share with your family." Peach began to explain. The image of a happy family manifested itself in the heart in place of the galaxy using different shades of pink. If one paid attention, they might recognize that it was depicting several people from the magical girl's society standing around Peach. "Exclusivity can be a noble gesture of trust, but it is far too often tainted by greed and denial..." Peach went on to lament. The heart shifted to depict a smaller heart being tugged in two different directions, only to get torn in half. "Some are happiest sharing their love freely." the princess finished explaining in a thoughtful tone. The heart how showed the same smaller heart being tugged in two different directions, only instead of breaking two new hearts appeared on each side of it and moved to hug its sides in unison, ceasing the tugging.

"...There is also the desire to enjoy one another, to appreciate everything they have to offer as much as you can. But this is also not love, because love is eternal. It remains strong even in the darkest of times." Peach explained. A depiction of Arle and Viridi sharing a very intimate looking hug manifested in the heart, cuddling and comforting eachother. "Arle struggles with this, as many of the men in her life have taught her to be afraid of such things. Yet, it is not her true nature." Peach off-handedly remarked. "Once again, a noble goal--but it can sometimes be tainted by lust and selfishness. Some are happiest without the romance and commitment in love" Peach finished, the heart shifting to show two saller hearts briefly brushing past each other before going their seperate ways.

"...There is also the desire to share, to find another piece of yourself and become more whole with them. Yet, this is not love either. Kinship is closely related to love, but love is slightly stronger. With love, even opposites can attract." Peach explained. This time, the heart showed Arle between Rulue and Raffina. Arle was fussing with her messy hair as Rulue and Raffina modeled for no one in particular, pristine and perfect in their presentation. Neither seemed to hold any regard for Arle. Yet, after a moment they both shifted to stand at Arle's side, helping her pretty herself up.

"...But true love is the desire to give selflessly. To share without the expectation of receiving anything back. To take joy in the joy of others, to find contentment in their pleasure." Peach began, finally moving on to true love. This time, the heart showed Viridi with a big smile on her face. If one paid attention, Peach began to smile with her. "To care uncoditionally is love in its purest, most unrestrained form. People who truly love eachother may fight and even grow distant, but when they get back together they will find that they never stopped caring."

The heart would show Arle rushing to hug the smiling Viridi. It then faded out, replaced by the faint reflection of Viridi's face much like a mirror. Peach then moved to hand the magical heart to Viridi. It would not burn her to touch, as love magic could not harm those the wielder loved. "...Now it's up to you. Look into your heart and ask yourself how you really feel about Arle." Peach instructed in an encouraging tone. This time, the heart would depict Viridi's feelings instead of Peach's. Hopefully they weren't too lewd, but knowing Arle Peach wasn't... super concerned about that.

[Coolshaymin]

Viridi listened to Peach as the princess gave her various meanings of love. Well, no one said love was a simple subject when you think about it. She politely watched as if this was just a meeting, still being casual but holding some formalities still as she watched Peach... Make a heart that reflected her thoughts... Huh, the nature Goddess was completely unaware you could even do that with love... Clearly there was more to this kind of power than she realized.

Already at the first subject of love though, Viridi was a bit concerned. She teased Arle and kept her around a lot. Did that make her greedy?... The Nature Goddess briefly considered this for a moment but decided to pass it off for now. She can't get hung up at what isn't actually love. Then there was the enjoying of each other's time... Part of her felt like Peach was using these kind of examples on purpose but she declined the urge to call it out. The next claim spoke more on that but there was apparently still one more step. The images she could pick out being related to Arle, one to both of them did not help. The final one, being the purest form had her thinking for a moment... Well, before she noticed it was displaying her face and she just raised an eyebrow... Love master really isn't an exaggeration. They just met and Peach hints she loves her in the purest form. Though, that was her ideal so made sense.

"W-wait, you want me to hold it? I am not..." Viridi whined a bit, not really sure about letting her own feelings out that easily... Though after a short moment she changed face. "... Well, I guess if it helps. Alright, I will try," Viridi relented as she reached for the magical orb before Peach could consider her initial reluctance. She gave a sigh as the heart was... admittedly very cloudy at first as Viridi was having a brief problem focusing. "Going off what you said, Viridi did give me something that made me feel a bit more right..." Viridi began as she tried to dive into her own heart, the heart displaying Arle and a bunch of humans. "However, I am not sure that's right. And even though I appreciate what she offers, that is not the whole when I think about it..." Viridi continued until Arle became the focus. "Honestly, I've given Arle as much as I could and though she made me feel better, I wasn't really concerned about my benefit. She helps me, sure, but she wanted to support my cause and admittedly, if she chose not to help, I wouldn't hold it against her," the small goddess continued as it adjusted to her and Arle sitting next to each other. "I just wanted to see her happy, you know? And though we had a bit of a rough time..." Viridi contined with the imagery of Arle leaving her side in the heart. "... I can't say I hate her for it. I've felt down but it was out of concern. It's not like I'd force her back or anything. If she came back, I'd want her to of her own choice," Viridi continued with the imagery of Viridi looking at a picture of Arle instead of the meeting.

"... Besides that, I've grown attached to Cirno. We somehow became the Ice Fairy's parents after a job we did together. Admittedly, I'm not sure I would normally get along with her. Arle willing to look after the Ice Fairy though has kind of kicked in my motherly instinct though. I just had to help her when I heard, despite being reluctant to leave the Sanctum," Viridi added with a group hug between her, Arle and Cirno taking form. "Though we were pulled apart, I guess I did not really lose her to myself, and I wouldn't speak ill of her either. And as you said, even close relationships have fights that can split them up. Sometimes though those can just make it stronger if you truly love each other. Arle once told me she had felt feelings for Rulue, and though I initially took it a bit hard, I quickly realized something. If she felt happy with her, I shouldn't get in the way of that. I should just accept it," Viridi added on as the image became one of her, Rulue and Arle.

"I suppose, maybe my love was even stronger than I thought. Though, maybe I am coming off as a bit self-absorbed, what do you think, Ms. Love Doctor?" Viridi asked, as the heart showed Arle once more.

[Mari]

Peach seemed to consider this for a long moment, pondering what Viridi had told her and what she'd seen. "...People are very complicated individuals with many needs, among which love is only one~ I could not blame you for having an interest in yourself, Lady Viridi." Peach replied rather goodnaturedly. ...You'd almost be able to mistake her last words there for flirting if the way she said them wasn't so innocent sounding. It really wasn't clear that she meant anything by it other than finding Viridi to be a bit charming in her own right. Although the things Viridi described were not themselves forms of love, one could have both if it was what made them happy. She herself strongly desired kinship in her life. It was why she'd chosen to call Rosalina her special one--instead of, say, Mario. As great of a hero as Mario was, they were... pretty strong opposites in a lot of ways.

That and she'd often considered herself too young to be dating, but her feelings on that matter had changed after a few dozen rescues, several world takeover attempts, several birthdays--hey hold on a moment what even is a year in gaming time? Was she created by some troll with an enormous contempt for the idea of a persistent world? ...Heck if Peach knew.

"It is my belief, then, that you are correct. I think you do love Arle, and I choose to believe that she loves you too. Perhaps all that is needed is a heart to heart and a talk about these feelings..." Peach went on to admit rather thoughtfully. After a moment though, something seemed to subtly amuse her. "--Honestly, I knew it the moment you took the heart. It would not have shown anything if you did not hold love in your heart." Peach went on to admit somewhat light-heartedly. The whole heart illusion trick turned out to be a lot harder than Peach had admitted it was. The heart could have only been controlled with love magic, something she hadn't disclosed. She'd simply done most of the work herself so that even someone with a 'weak heart' could have influenced it. The rest was just confirming that it was actually Arle that Viridi loved.

"...You know, the magical girl's society is always accepting new members. The lodge is a bit small, but we're all close to each other here, so it doesn't feel that way." Peach would add after a long moment's hesitation, just sort of putting that on the table. It wouldn't be the first time a goddess had joined, and with Arle's sudden departure after Sonic's announcement she didn't see any immediate issues with the offer.