Sweet as Sisters

Elsa had been keeping the anxieties at bay as best she could. Which was considerably better since she’d taken some recovery time and was managing Arendelle from Arendelle deliberately, offering aid to what resources she could offer to the Enchanted Suns. It helped to keep busy, rather than let her mind wander. The nights were the hardest and while they often kept her up she looked to tea’s she hopefully wouldn’t freeze over and scented lavender candles and incense. Only recently, if it wasn’t too ungodly of an hour, she might slip into Anna’s room for some comfort where she’d curl up with her darling little sister. She would always gladly accept Elsa’s company, even if it was too late. But Elsa liked to maintain some dignity by not bothering her past a certain hour.

Elsa’s own wounds from the cargo attack were more easily maintained and disguised. Especially once they’d healed over a little better and no longer required any rebandaging, they’d only just stopped scratching and irritating her with the friction against her dresses. In its place were nearly frosted violent lines across her shoulder and down her back, the gentle caress of her curse cradling the wounds and adopting them as adornment on her pale skin. She collected herself a moment, inhaling deeply and swallowing just as there was a small knock and the gentle slide of her tall door being propped open. Elsa glanced over her shoulder, a moment of wariness as she carried a touch of suspicion from the ghost like frost boy who’d visited her before in the ball room. He’d stolen into the castle unheard and unseen and while he seemed harmless and, for some reason, eager to please her who knew who else could melt into walls and enter undetected.

A touch of relief reached her pale crystal like gaze as it rested upon Anna. The one thing in the world that she felt absolutely comfortable and sure of, even if it was that she could be sure she’d do something reckless and surprising. It was Anna, and Anna was as familiar as it got. A gentle smile reached her lips and to anyone else it might have seemed timid or hesitant, but for Anna it was merely calm.

”I’m ready.” she nodded. The frosted queen turned, the touch of frost lingering at her fingers dissipating as if on command when she faced her sister. She adorned a dark dress, cropped at her calves with dainty boots laced delicately. Sleeker than most attire, with velvety purple curls and whine lining around its edges where the sleeves and collar ran along her neckline. Her hair was braided, loose but neat, with her pale hair weaving upwards intricately. She glanced back to the jewelled crown upon the vanity to the far side and she gaped for a moment, before tightly closing her lips and looking back to Anna. She submitted to a resigned, but knowing, smile. Elsa chose to leave the royal duties at home, she didn’t need a crown today. She needed her sister.

”Honestly, I’m surprised you left me this long.” Elsa commented, a cock of her eyebrow as she eyed Anna skeptically, ”Are you sure you didn’t hit your head on that wagon trip? It’s not much like you at all.” she tried to poke fun at their big daring adventure as if it didn’t make her feel sick to her stomach. A surprisingly good actress, she seemed light hearted enough. If it was for Anna she could be, anyways.

Elsa looked appreciative although admittedly quite surprised as well, despite her best efforts. It was rather unlike Anna to be so patient, especially when it came to her and spending quality time together. And then came the additional confession and her features relaxed to recognition of this version of her sister. The endearing if not a little silly in her predictable quirky ways. Still, she got a soft little laugh from the pale snow queen as a touch of warmth reached her cheeks in her joy. There was little that could bring such a glow to Elsa as her sister, Anna. Elsa glanced over her shoulder, a small melody somewhere faint within her head before she was promptly whisked away with a tug at her hand from Anna. Elsa shed the thought, a minor imagination that was already fading away in the face of the day that Anna had planned.

”Well, as fun as the chocolate shop sounds, I think you might be right. Besides, if we go there first we might never leave.” she pointed out, a little girlishly while in the company of her sister. The pair could share in these moments, she needn’t be stoic and concealed like she once was so long ago with Anna. By habit she did so with the people of Arendelle although there was a degree of professionalism she had to conform to as a Queen. But still, a little skating rink in the courtyard never seemed to bring out many complaints among the people. Speaking of, as they approached the massively tall front doors of the castle.

”How do you fancy a skate?” she mused, a sligh mischievous quirk touching her lips with a foxish curve. Before Anna could concur, or object, Elsa flourished her hand with a wide outward wave to the cobblestone bridge that connected their home, the castle, across a bridge to the rest of the city of Arendelle. With vector like patterns and the occasional artistic curl of shimmering glitter her frosted magic sharded across the stone walkway.

”Ah, lets see-” she hummed. In the next moment she gave a gentle thrust, palm down, towards Anna’s feet. Like previous times, often against Anna’s will, a pair of icy blades fabricated upon the soles of her boots. Elsa giggled, a rarely confident and outward presentation of the wild spirit she often concealed within without usually realizing it.

”You're not scared of a little ice, are you?” she teased, taking a step forward onto the glass-like surface. As if never more in her element the frosted queen smoothly glided forward, Anna’s hand still within her own as the momentum gave a gentle tug to pull her sister along with her. Elsa’s expression moved from impish to encouraging.

”I won’t let you fall.” she promised.

Elsa couldn’t help the laugh that pulled at her lips, lifting her hand to cover it as if hiding it for Anna’s sake rather than her own. Though she was, in fact, quite blatantly laughing at her sister. The fondness in her pale gaze softened the nature of it considerably, however, as she couldn’t help but loosen up in the presence of Anna. For someone so cold her heart never felt warmer than when she was in her company. It was especially enjoyable watching her pose herself down the length of the bridge.

”Oh, it should be.” she agreed, almost smugly as she took a step forward and glided gracefully ahead of her sister. Lifting her heel she placed some pressure on the toe of her shoe and used the other to propel a gentle pivot so she was facing Anna. She kept pace with her, skating backwards now so as to face Anna as she slowly skidded her way along the ice.

”Well we won’t be seeing that chocolate shop in the daylight at this pace.” Elsa teased. She was in no real rush, but using her powers in this light and harmless way often brought out the more impish side of her. Which included a fair bit of cheek and sass. Lacing her hands together behind her back she straightened her shoulders, her expression faltering a little bit as her gaze fell and she seemed to consider something. Or perhaps remember.

”How has everyone been, by the way?” she asked. Anna had rare insight to things that Elsa didn’t see. Partly because she was a Queen with duties and schedule and very little time. Mostly because she was terrified to speak to anyone else about what happened on the wagon escort that had fallen into an utter nightmare. Most talks about what had happened had been rather formal, official business and assuring everyone got the proper care. With the exception of Angel, who had seen her in a more vulnerable way than most others had the opportunity to.

”How have you been?” she added, a slight subside that said she was who she was most worried about. As always. Elsa didn’t want to dampen the day, but she couldn’t help that her expressions were more telling to Anna than anyone else, the strain of worry tugging at her brow.