Disclaimer: Frozen is property of Disney.
Through Windows: Prologue
"Cold." It was definitely cold.
On most days, it was the blaring of her alarm that woke her, but on a morning like the one at present, it was the chill in the air that really pulled her from the depths of sleep. The woman in question, nestled comfortably on her bed beneath her covers, drew in a long, deep breath, allowing the brisk air to rouse her further. Sapphire eyes fluttered open for a brief second before gradually slipping closed again. Rolling onto her back, lithe legs stretching until her toes pointed out below her, she began to pull herself taut, back arched, groaning pleasantly at her first morning stretch.
She relaxed for a second, melting back into the mattress before repeating the motion, folding her arms to draw her fists up by her ears, eyes screwed tightly shut. This time her groan melted into a yawn, and as she felt the cool air begin to prickle at her freshly exposed skin, she allowed one alabaster leg to slip over the edge of the bed, hanging lazily. The tips of her toes just barely brushed the hardwood floor of her tiny studio apartment.
Elsa pressed her slender fingers into her hair, eyes open once again. The woman mussed with the platinum tresses at the side of her head as she pushed herself up with her free hand. Blinking the remains of her ever-restless sleep from oceanic pools, she glanced about the room. Her gaze came to rest on the single window set in the wall opposite of herself. It was still dark, but against the pale light of the streetlamps outside, she saw the white slivers of gentle snowfall. Looking to her alarm, the blonde swung her resting leg to join the other, the cold ground sending a shiver racing up her spine.
"Five-thirty.
Perfect."
Days like this, where she woke up early to the icy air that invaded her run down little home, were commonly taken as a good omen. By her. "Others, not so much." Not only did she prefer the cool, crisp air of winter ("and it's freakin' snowing!" her mind added), but on days where she beat her alarm by a wide enough margin, she could hop off her bike halfway to work, and take a walk down Arendelle street. The smallest hint of a smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she let herself enjoy one more good stretch before slipping out of bed.
Arendelle street was, by far, her favorite place in the world. It was no New York, or Paris, but to her, there was something quaint and homey about it that she liked. Really liked. The aforementioned street was really only a little blip on the map of the city (town would be more accurate; it had a meager populace, about half of which was quite rural), lasting about five (small) blocks. But along those five blocks? Utter enchantment. Many of the buildings were historic, made out of red brick and timber. Though most of the stores and businesses had been refurbished, few had been truly changed from their ol' timey floor-plans. The best part- the display windows. Nearly every store had display windows. Big ones, wide and open.
As Elsa brushed her teeth and hair, working the long platinum locks into a braid, she pondered what might be new in the displays. It had been a few weeks since she had woken up early enough to enjoy a leisurely stroll through her personal shangri-la.
The woman threw on jeans and a tee, then pulled her work jumpsuit on over them. Checking the time again, it was six. She daydreamed through her breakfast of plain toast and coffee, and at six-thirty, stashed her cellphone into a messenger bag by the door, slinging it over her shoulder as she picked up the bright red toolbox next to it. She nearly forgot her coat as she grabbed her keys and, slipping it on, left for work, telling herself, "today is gonna be a good one."
Though her salary was enough to get by, and stash a little away for a rainy-day fund, there was no way she could afford to fritter away her hard earned money on fun. But it sure was nice to dream.