For two characters meme: Subhadra and Darupadi (I'm curioussss)
their first impression of each other
The Empress of Indraprastha is not so terrifying as Subhadra has been led to believe: her eyes are radiant, her hair a dark aureole about her, but no flames spontaneously burst into being, no matter how angry Draupadi might be. Even without her brother’s recommendation, Subhadra would have thought well of her: now she must only win her over, and why not?
the next universe over: an alternative universe where their roles are reversed somehow
Draupadi expects Arjuna’s first wife to be aggrieved by her replacement–surely Draupadi might be; to be only wife, and now replaced by another? Dreadful thought– but Subhadra takes her hands, and says: “One wife? To be shared between five? You poor thing.”
Draupadi straightens. “It is not so dreadful a fate,” she says stiffly: she will not be pitied, no less for something she chose herself.
“No, of course not,” Subhadra says blithely. “But it must require quite a bit of explaining, mustn’t it? Come,” she pats the seat beside her, “sit. Tell me who’s to blame? Was it my lord? Or my brother? Either would not surprise me.”
“Mother Kunti,” Draupadi replies without thinking; and receives Subhadra’s knowing laughter in return.
the best gift one gave the other
At the end of a day spent supervising the servants, Draupadi’s head always pounds almost as much as her feet ache. Subhadra draws her a warm bath, urges everyone about to silence, and presses sweet soaps and lotions into her hands: milk-made, pride of the Yadavas, and the only thing that can ease her pain.
the worst memory one has of the other
Draupadi’s hair is long and loose, her face haggard; and as long as she lives, Subhadra will never forget the way her voice cracks when she describes what happened in Hastinapur’s hall.
their last fight/argument/disagreement
They quarrel–a rare occurrence, but not unknown–shortly before Draupadi is to proceed to Hastinapur, when Subhadra discovers Draupadi is in her courses.
“You must rest!” she protests. “Let them go alone–or I, I can go with them. No need to exert yourself so.”
But Draupadi insists: there will be little need for her to do anything but stay within the women’s quarters, and besides, what would Queen Gandhari think?
“Be it on your own head, then!” Subhadra snaps at last. “Don’t come bearing complaints to me.”
Her farewell to Draupadi the next morning is only perfunctory; her misery when she hears what happens later unimaginable.
