So... Hi! First of all I have to apologize in advance, English is not my native language, so you may find some (or lots of) grammatical mistakes, sorry once again (Don't hesitate helping me with that, any help for my improvement will be thankfully received). The Freaky Mind Dweller here. I hope you like this story as much as I'm starting too. The flight has begun and if the plane crashes we will all crash together, so... Welcome, and enjoy the ride!
-TFMD
Meet Branne, Branne Makt
It was not the best entrance ever the one she made.
People had gathered around Idlen Lake to see what had caused such a strident noise. The snow had thickened and no one could be too close to the water. The sight was limited because of the fog around but you could clearly see the big unfrozen spot in the middle of the lake. Testimonies said there was a giant shadow that fell from the sky and crashed into the lake, they said the snow stopped falling for a minute and after the accident it started snowing again. Was this poor little town ever going to a normal winter?
People gasped and pointed at the sight of a shadow coming out of the freezing water. C'mon! Let me see! I pushed a lot of people in my way to the front lines, sharing often hundreds of sorry's. A human came out, shaking the water off… her? I guess she is a woman, yes… she is. How is she not dying of hypothermia?
The mysterious girl started running toward us with the ice melting under her with every single step she took, afraid she could fall again into the water. People started running away from the scene so lucky for me, I got a better view of whatever was happening over there.
The girl was wearing a large black cape that swung in the wind as she ran; she was actually dressed all black and tight except for her arms, which were nude. How could someone dressed that way is not dying of hypothermia after falling into a frozen lake? Whatever, she is awesome and I am making a new friend today.
She was almost at the edge when she slipped over the ice and almost fell into the water again. If it weren't for me that extended my hand to her and helped her up finding her surprisingly warm.
"Aren't you going to run away from me like everybody else did?"
God girl, I did just saved your life, the least I deserve is a thank you, but I'm getting used to that. A little giggle came out of my mouth, "Noup, you look nothing to be afraid of."
She in fact didn't at all, I could say she is actually pretty. Thin but strong body, tanned skin, brunette short asymmetrical haircut and smoky hazel "more-like-orange" eyes. Oh, don't forget the voice, feminine but husky in a very attractive way. Intimidating? yes. Scary? No.
"Well, I guess you're the only one who thinks so, Thanks by the way." Oh there it is, I was waiting for that. And… Say something else, just don't stand there wringing your hair. "Sorry, let me introduce myself." She extended her wet hand to me. "The name is Branne, Branne Makt. From…" Extended awkward silence and then she sighted. "Nice to meet you."
"Anna, from… here,I guess! Well, not that I guess, I know. I am from here, so that makes me Anna from Naslean. No, I mean I am Anna Sprigberg, not Anna Naslean, that's just the name of the town, not mine…"
"My pleasure, Anna." She giggled as we stretched hands; once again, she was incredibly warm for someone who had just fallen into the freezing water. Awkward silence again. "Thanks again, darling. The water was cold as fuck!"
"But, you don't seem, well, cold. You aren't at all!"
"Well, that is something strange isn't it?"
"It is weird! Well, not a bad weird, it's a good weird. You are actually hot!" Her face changed dramatically, staring at me with the most concerned of all looks. "Not in THAT way! Not that you are not hot, you really are but in both ways and… sorry forget it."
"No worries, I have heard that a lot." She touched my shoulder, Gaah! I quickly back up at the surprisingly hot temperature of her hand. "Sorry! Oh my god, I am so sorry! God, why does this happen all the time?"
"It… It happens all the time?"
I watched as a little oh shit, formed in her lips as she started to walk straight, bumping into my arm. "I am sorry! Again! I'll better go…"
"No! Where are you going?"
She started to run away from me. "Wherever the wind takes me too!"
"That is why you end falling into frozen lakes!" She stopped running. "You should go back home, where you belong!"
The girl tensed her shoulders and turned to face me. Oh god, no, no, no, did I make something wrong? Oh god no! Branne walks towards me, tears on her eyes, hands in tight fists. She probably was trying to keep them under that tough and broken expression. "I don't have a home, not that I remember." A tear fell to the ground, uncovering the grass beneath the thick snow. This girl is literally really hot.
"Oh…" Really, Anna? Are you going to invite a stranger to your home just because her words stroke you straight in your heart? The redhead was talking to herself on her head, causing a big silence in which Branne just stared at her and contemplated every single expression Anna made. Okay, just for a time. But… What if Elsa discovers and gets mad at you? I mean, Branne is incredibly hot, I would be jealous is I saw her living with Elsa so I suppose it has the same effect the other way. Not that Elsa is not hot because UFF!, my heart beat for a reason you know?! Even though she is pretty cold sometimes. No, I won't risk my relationship because of her. But if I teach her how to survive in this town… yeah, that may work. "Well, Welcome to your new home!" Okay, I was wrong before; THIS is the most concerned look someone has given me ever. "Come to my home, I'll help you, first of all… you should take a bath and put new clothes on. Not that you are dirty or something, but you need other clothes for sure, maybe…" No, she is taller than me almost by an entire head. "Well, you could… and I will, Maybe we… I'll help you."
"Wow, em…" Tentative look in her eyes. "Jeez, thanks girl, nobody had ever done that much for me."
"What are friends for?"
"But we just met"
"Well, I guess this is just the beginning then!"
"Merida! Remember that time I told you that you were the only giant in this world?"
Jeez Anna,I do. Did you just called to make me remember that? Merida was the only friend she knew that was almost the same height as Branne.
"No! You'll see, I found another giant... sorry! This new girl that was homeless and I brought her to my home but if at least you could borrow her some clothes?"
When is that going to stop?
"What?"
You always are trying to help everybody.
"But this one is different!"
You say that every single time!
"Well, are you going to help me with the clothes?"
*Sight* Be right there.
"Great! Oh! Something else, this girl is really hot!"
Anna! You have a girlfriend! Okay, I won't say a thing, I promise. But at least respect Elsa.
"NO! Not in that way! I… Oh, she hung up." Yeah, maybe Scottish people are believed to be violent, but they aren't. Merida has her temper but, they are cool I guess.
I knocked on the bathroom's door to check after Branne. "Hey, I'm sorry if the water is cold, you know the weather freezes the pipes and…" Wait, is that steam that comes from under the door? Oh god.
"No worries Anna, it's okay."
"I've noticed! I'll have clean clothes for you out here! Just call when you get out!"
"Sure! Thanks again!"
"No problem girl!" So, now moving on, where is she going to stay? Hmm, I should call the girls, wait… I know! Anna pulled her out her cellphone again and started clicking numbers on the screen. "Come on! Answer your phone!... Please!... Ariel? Ariel! Good to hear about you! How are thing going with the swimming team?"
Calm down Feisty Pants! Sooo many things to tell you girl! How long has it being?
"Loooong time!"
Indeed it was! So… you go first!
"I was actually going to…"
Alright, I go first. I went solo in the Swimming Tournament, my sister Arista was supposed to compete in that category but she went to some kind of event her band had so I took the opportunity and guess what?
Ariel wasn't too talkative when I first met her, she sang a lot but not that much of talking. Then after she became so sick, she lost her voice so as people say, A woman doesn't know how precious her voice is until she is being silenced. "Ariel I…"
I won first place! Isn't that amazing?
"It is, but I…"
Now I have my golden medal along with my huge collection of "thing you don't get to see everyday"… Isn't that a name a little large for a collection?
"A little… Please…"
Alright, I'll call it the TYDGTSE… Yeah, that sounds cool. Do you have any other ideas?
"I actually called you to ask for a favor…"
Oh, alright dear, whatever you need!
"One question, is that roommate spot you had at your apartment still open?"
Yes! But… weren't you living in…
"Oh no! It's not for me, I…" A knock on the door."Hey Ariel, do you think you could come to my place? I need to go, but I really need to talk to you."
Sure! Em… I hope the snow isn't too thick! I'll be there as soon as I can! I still have so much to tell you!
"Great! See you later then!"
I hurry to open the door to find Merida covered in little white snowflakes. "Curlhead, You could have come on your car you know?"
"Thanks Merida for wasting all your energy by cycling at the speed of light to get in time for the need of a friend. You're welcome Anna." And handled me a suitcase full of her clothes.
She bumped my arm as she entered my house as if it was hers and buried in the sofa, I can get used to that too I guess.
We checked the case together, "Thanks for all Merida, I hope she likes something." sweater by sweater, three pairs of jeans, shoes and even to packages of new underwear. "Wow, for someone that doesn't like I help people a lot, you really thought of everything."
"I really did" she said as showing a wicked smile. What are you hiding this time Curlhead?
"Merida, did you…?" I said while grabbing a bikini out.
"Oh come on you were the one that said the girl is hot, don't blame me."
"Oh god… I didn't mean, Of course she is hot, but not in the way you think I said it, I meaned it was… You know, Hot from warm not hot from sexy, but you have to admit she is not bad looking and arrg… I'm sorry…" Throwing the thing away.
"I bought it just for her!" She extended her hand as if she could catch the underwear in mid-air.
"No, you didn't"
"Yeah right, I didn't." Merida buried back in the sofa. "I was never going to wear that thing ever, so I was hoping someone could give it a use. It was a gift my brothers gave to me on my last birthday."
"Still you just don't go and give away bikinis like that girl." I approached the bathroom door and knocked. "So, Branne! I'm going in to leave some clothes you could use; please hide your nakedness, I still don't know you enough to see so much of your body."
I waited some time and opened the door, just to enter a steam-full room and leaved the case on the floor; took a few steps back and closed the door, leaving a hot hell behind the wall.
"So… now, what's what makes this girl so special that you helped her?"
"Well I… She… I, We… Well, she fell from the sky to a frozen lake, I helped her out of the water and to get back home and she told me she had no home."
"So, you just gave shelter to a strange girl that told you she has no home? What if she is lying? You shouldn't trust this girl right away. You shouldn't trust people in general so fast. Remember what happened with Hans…"
"And you need to learn to forgive people! That happened a long time ago!"
"May I recall that he tried to freaking kill Elsa?!" She was now frustrated and lifted from the couch, heading to the kitchen. "What would you do if he came back?"
"He…I, Elsa… I don't know!" I followed her into the kitchen and looked to her as I laid my shoulder on the wall. She searched for something to eat in the refrigerator. "I wouldn't let him near Elsa for sure! But if he came back is because he changed or maybe… I don't know!"
"I knew it… Wait, did you just said this girl fell from the freaking sky?"
"She fell… from the sky, like you just heard it."
"Well, that's crazy" Awkward silence moment as she kept moving things in the fridge. "You should clean your refrigerator too darling. I think you have the leftovers from last month here.
"Sorry for the delay" Branne's hair was wet and made a mess, still managing to look good. She wore black jeans and a maroon sweater that went at once with a pair of dark red Converse sneakers. "Anyway thanks, again."
"Sure! Thanks too you!" Anna, why would you thank her? I straightened and started to walk toward her, out of nowhere I find my face inches from the floor, just to realize the only one keeping my nose and body against gravity was Branne, her incredibly warm arms around me, one around my hips and the other around the upper part of my chest. I immediately felt the blood coming up to my cheeks I knew my face was burning red. She immediately helped me back on my feet. Well, now you have a reason to thank her. "Thanks! You should know this happens a lot to me."
Her face, she was blushing too. "What are friends for, huh?"
"Oh Anna, are you alright?" Merida came rushing from the kitchen with a carton of milk in her hand.
"I am, yeah right…" I sensed the who-the-hell-are-you looks between Merida and Branne.
"Merida, this is Branne, the girl who is now wearing your clothes; and Branne this is Merida, the one your clothes officially belong too." I face-palmed myself, Anna who could ever make and introduction like that? Fix things up! No, wait… sometimes it results worse when you try to do it… stay quiet, they should talk to each other… Awkward silence and both girls staring confused. Come on! Say something!
"Thanks! You have really nice clothes; I don't get why to share them with someone like me."
"No worries, did you saw the reason Readhead tripped?"
"Yeah, she ran up to that bikini on the floor." I felt my face impossibly blushing even more as Branne pointed the underwear out and then pointed me. "Do you leave your underwear in the floor very often?"
"No I don't, it's just that…" Merida burst in laughter and almost spilled the milk on the floor.
"I… I just… It was for." Merida was going to pay for this; I pointed out to her and exclaimed,
"She brought the thing for you!"
Sudden silence felt on the apartment, as Merida's face grew red and she could barely form words. "Well, you told me the girl was hot!"
And this is how you get a room with three awkward girls with a burning red face looking shocked.
"I'll just forget everything here happened." Branne walked now toward the bathroom. "I should pick up the other clothes and…"
"I didn't mean to frighten you! I'm so sorry Branne! I…" A sudden knock on the door.
Thank goodness Ariel, you saved me form a very uncomfortable moment. I hurry up to open the door and find Ariel and Elsa. Elsa? Well, what a surprise!
A redhead, Like, someone with a very red hair, stands at the door, embracing Anna in her arms.
"God Redhead, it has being a very long time! And to celebrate the occasion, I brought some Tiana's Bakery famous bagels..."
"Beignets…" A voice said behind the redhead.
"By the way, look who I found on my way here!" She pushes someone inside as she steps inside, closing the door behind her.
"Elsa! What a huge surprise!" Anna wraps her arms around her and gives her a little peck. "I did not expect your visit today but is always good to see you."
Wow, I mean… WOW! This Elsa girl had on a turquoise coat and white jeans with black large winter boots. Her skin was pale as her platinum hair in a side braid, and swisps of her bangs slicked back on top of her head. Blue eyes that could haunt everyone… In a good way. At least her eyes did have me. And most important of all, she is hot. Just Wow.
"So, I see you are having a little party in which I was not invited."
"No! No… I mean I called Ariel…" So that's the redhead name? Ariel? Oh, I should stop calling her redhead as I seem to be in a redheads convention. I mean Merida, Anna and Ariel, I'll call this the Redhead Club, yeah why not? "She was going to help me with something." She said while pointing at me. What did I make this time?
"Who is your new friend here?" Ariel looked at me as Elsa pointed at me too, surprised in my presence; which made me point at myself. Branne, you perfectly know you are the strange in here so yes, they are talking about you.
"Well, that's the thing, Ariel, this is Branne; Branne, Ariel." Ariel leaves the box full of Beignets in the table. Anna introduces us and as I'm used to, the moment we shake our hands she backs up for the incredible heat of my skin. "So, I was hoping you could give her shelter for a little time?"
"Oh, sure!" She still looked a little shocked because of our first contact. "We will be the best roommates Naslean has ever had!" She tried to grab my arm but backed again immediately after the contact. "Darling, did you catch a fever? You are incredibly hot!"
"Glad I'm not the only who says that!" Merida interrupted. Merida didn't even touch me! Am I really that hot for people to notice it from a distance?
Anna tried to touch my forehead. They can't know, not yet. C'mon, what made you feel this hot this time? Conceal it! I backed up and I got a lot of concerned looks from around the room.
"Let me help Branne." Ariel walked toward me. "There was this time I got so sick, I felt so bad I even visited the local witch, it did not help at all. I ended up losing my voice for three days!"
"Oh I know who you are talking about." Merida sat on the couch by Elsa's side. "My Mum was very sick too, we visited her and Mum ended with such a sore throat, I almost thought she talked bear or something animalish. That Witch is such a liar."
"Most people with powers are." Ariel tried to get closer to me and I refused. "They pretend they are normal people so that makes them some kind of liars."
Something in Elsa's and Anna's faces looking at each other caught my attention. Their pain at the comment Ariel had just made. They are hiding something, I know that look. Out of nowhere I found my back at the extinct fireplace. Ariel had caught me, I tried my best to get my head back enough for her not to reach it but she always found a way. I felt heat risen all over me and my hands shaking, Don't let her see, Don't let THEM see, You are not a liar… YOU ARE NOT A LIAR! The redhead's hand touched my cheek and I felt my hands bursting. And for my bad luck, the fireplace was now filled with alive and warm fire. What have I done? Now they know, now you are the witch and this whole thing will be ruined. You'll have to run away again and…
"Oh God! I'm sorry Branne, I think you accidentally hit the on button. You know, electric hearths are such a difficult thing to understand." But the button is on the other side… Nevermind, thanks girl, I owe you now so much now. "So, Branne will see you tomorrow in the afternoon, she will be staying here for tonight."
"Yeah, anyway thanks Ariel, I will help you with anything you need." Well played girl, keep going. "It seems I am good at lighting these things up to huh?"
"Please Ariel, we are all just new to her, I don't think she actually wants some stranger touching her face all like that." Since when Elsa understands me so much?
"Right, I'm sorry Branne." She backed a few more steps and gave me some space to breathe deeply. "So, who wants some delicious Bagels!"
"Beignets, they are called Beignets darling." Elsa spoke and I knew I wasn't being properly introduced to her so, it's my move now.
"Branne Makt." I didn't even offer her my hand, knowing she would just toss it away like all the other people I meet, I just bowed. "It's my pleasure to meet you."
"Elsa Glasiem." She smiled gently at me. I noticed her few freckles, you could barely see them if you were far. Now I know I'm not much of a detail viewer as I finally see the purple shadow behind her eyes that make her eyes look like a bright blue sky.
She stood up from the couch at I had a better glimpse of her, I was slightly taller and my body being narrower that hers. Being honest, my body was very narrow for the normal woman's body.
"Come on Branne! Join us!" Anna shouted from the kitchen. "Would you like coffee, hot chocolate, something to drink?"
"I'm okay; if you have cold milk it would be perfect."
"Don't drink cold stuff if you are sick, Mum always told me that." Merida looked at me and smiled. "It makes the pain rise."
"But I'm not sick." Then what is the logical explanation of you being so hot? You have mythical powers associated with fire? Of course that's the answer but they won't take it. "I actually feel very good, so I don't know." I took a sit at the dining room were Elsa was handing out plates and I could see Anna preparing things in the kitchen. Ariel putted the carton box full of Beignets in the middle of the table, as Merida stuffed her mouth with one already.
"Alright, anyone else?" Anna pointed at everyone as she holds a teapot. "Something to drink?, I know what you like My Ice Queen." Well that is so a… sassy nickname. Elsa blinked at her and Anna blush the hell out of her cheeks.
"So, where do you come from?" Ariel tossed the question at me. A shiver ran through my whole body up to my hands, where I accidentally burned the piece of pastry I had on my hands, making the crust black as cinder. From far away, but you won't understand after all… Everyone looked at me waiting for an answer as my mouth was making some very strange sounds. God, they got you trapped, again.
"But that isn't important after all is it?" Anna tapped my shoulder and stared at my hand burning the crust of the beignet. She placed a glass and a carton of milk in front of me. I dropped the pastry on the plate and quickly served and drank the whole glass of milk. "Of course is important but I've noticed you don't like talking about that too much, not that I have being stalking you but… Oh the milk, I hope it isn't too cold, oh alright…"
Elsa looked at me concerned as Anna placed a mug full of hot chocolate. The pale girl kissed her girlfriend on the cheek and made her blush again.
Still everyone looked at me as if I was, the insect of the room. "I'm sorry… I…" Say something and don't screw it up. "I… Love… Milk!" God dammit Branne, fine, make a calf out of yourself. So now, fix it! "Well, I would like to thank all of you for helping me like no one ever did before, Thanks for the clothes Merida, for the shelter Ariel and Anna, for being my first friend in this whole new life… Adventure!" You were so close! "And Elsa, well…" For making me nervous and make me fall in love and breaking my heart, everything in not more than 24 hours starting my new existence. "Thanks for being a good friend, thanks to all of you."
"What are friends for?" Ariel smiled back at me.
"I'm pretty sure I heard that phrase more times today than I heard it last…" Life, adventure, existence? "Last year!"
They all laughed and we proceed the reunion, frequently sharing jokes they all understood and I had no clue of what they were talking about, eating Beignets, Truly Delicious.
Elsa and Anna sat next to each other and there was this time Elsa had this cute chocolate milk moustache and Anna took it away with a kiss. I was actually so focused on Elsa I ignored most of the questions they were throwing at me. Time goes quick when you find yourself falling through the deep well of having a new crush… or lover if you are lucky enough. Branne, can't you see it? They are happy together. Don't make a bitch of yourself again. Aren't you tired of seeing broken hearts all the time? Not another one, not anymore.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" Ariel was close to me smiling. "C'mon girl! You didn't say a word in the whole evening!"
"Sure! See you tomorrow! Thanks a million again!" I was shocked Ariel extended her hand to me after all she saw I was capable of making with mine. We shaked hands and, once again, she flinched at the temperature of my body. "I'm so sorry."
"No worries darling," Ariel still smiled at me. "I'll be waiting for you, but I got to go right now okay? Don't make pranks on Anna while she is asleep…" She approached to my ear and whispered. "I've heard she snores!"
"Wait, what?" Anna looked awkwardly at her. "I don't snore! Well… not that I know"
That sounded a little creepy in my opinion. I was not even expecting knowing that much of you today Anna.
"I need to go home now too, I don't like cycling alone to home when it's dark." Merida stood from her chair. "It was a pretty fun meeting ya' Branne, guess I'll see you later"
I just watched the two redheads leave through the door as I waved goodbye at them. They are such nice girls, I'm so sorry I came up to ruin your perfect life. So now we were just Anna, Elsa and me. Good! More awkward moments together! Yay!
I turned my head to find them holding hands as waving goodbye to the girls through the window. I've got admit they are a cute couple.
"So!..." Anna suddenly turned around to face me, which I won't lie, took me for surprise as I was staring at them both, hoping they couldn't see me. "I think I didn't present each other properly, Elsa this is Branne; Branne, this is…"
"Elsa, yeah…" I took a step forward. "And let me guess, she is your girlfriend?" They both nodded, "I introduced myself to her earlier so no problem."
"Well now that you know each other…" Guess she stopped having any words or she expected something to happen between us, she grabbed Elsa's arm and made her extend her hand to me but dropping it in surprise back to its place. "Elsa, you are… cold. More than usual, are you okay?"
Elsa just nodded, and stared at my eyes.
I instinctively offered my hand to her, as she slowly took it.
"But Elsa…"
Too late, we both stared at our hands together. Why doesn't she feel it!? We stayed in that way, in silence for what it seemed hours.
Elsa let my hand go; not pushing it away, but slowly. Anna stared at the scene in amazement too, "You are not the only one."
"Not the only one?" I turned confused at Anna, "What do you mean with not the only one?"
Elsa's face turned shocked, as if I had just discovered something really intimate of her.
"I mean, since I meet Elsa, people had always said she was well… pretty cold. And you, well you seem to have the same problem but the other way, pretty hot. I'm sorry I… think I just, uurg, this is turning very awkward because of my fault, I'm sorry."
"So, she has Ice powers?" Dammit, dammit, damn… damn! Did you just said that aloud? Elsa just looked terrifyingly shocked, alternating her gaze between Anna and me. FUCKING FIX IT! YOU JUST SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF HER! "I was just joking; it must be because of the weather."
An instant relief sigh got out of both Anna and Elsa's mouth.
"I think it's time to get some rest. Are you staying tonight?" Elsa nodded at the redhead's question. "Wonderful then! Good night Branne, see you tomorrow! Remember, if you need something, anything, don't hesitate asking me."
"Thanks Anna, See you tomorrow girls." I responded and watched them go through the hallway and disappear through a door at the back.
So it's now or never; you could escape now, or stay and try to make the best of this life as possible. If you stay, soon or later you will end up making harm to them, as you always do. But this time may be different. No, it wouldn't, you just have no reason to stay… but…
Too cold or not, I liked her. More than that, I fancied her. Elsa is the first person I have touched in my life that made me feel like a human. Not a monster, or an abomination, a human. I wasn't too hot for her, and I can tell by her look of surprise, she thinks she wasn't too cold for me. We complement each other's… Temperature? That actually sounds very weird. I think she is in fact really hot, Yes, in THAT way, so I do have ONE reason to stay… her.