(Elsa POV)
"Now on a scale of one to ten tell me how bad it has been."
I hate her. I hate these stupid sessions my mother bought for me and the idea of being probed like a convict terrorist holding vital information.
"Four." There I gave a number. I always give a number.…an even number. That usually keeps her satisfied.
My psychiatrist stared at me in what I assumed was disbelief. She sighed rubbing her perfect face that was aged to magnificence.
"Elsa every time I ask you for some type of numeral you always…always give me an even number. If this is to work I need you to be honest with me." My eyes dropped down to my lap as my hands rose to the blue bow on my delicate blouse.
"Have you been taking your medicine?" As attractive as she was I couldn't trust her. She wasn't my friend nor was she here to help me, she was only interested in getting the job done and me cured. I snickered to myself at the word. Cured as if there was a problem.
She narrowed her accusatory brown eyes at me. Clearing my throat, I answered formally already too through with this appointment.
"I have been Mrs. Flaxen." Lies. It's not as if she could tell anyways. I'd like to think of myself as a pro at lying. It is the most sufficient way to survive in a world like the one we're in today.
Mrs. Flaxen tilted her head closely studying my eyes searching for any trace of dishonesty. She found none.
"Well your doctor has instructed that I give you this new fullfiment of the prescription." I took the bottle she placed on the desk with a scoff.
"She's filling my prescriptions now?" I arch an eyebrow looking up.
"Only because you refuse to." Mrs. Flaxen said sternly standing. I stood along with her. Glad that this interrogation was now over with.
She led me to the door with a hand on my shoulder. "Remember Elsa…we're not the enemy here…I'm not your enemy." with that I left the office without responding. I took my long, navy blue reefer coat off the rack and put it on to shield myself from the damp weather outside. Other patients in the waiting room looked at me, some with envy probably thinking I was a perfect member of society and didn't belong here, they were all the same and couldn't be more wrong.
I finally made my way to my car. It was classic I was proud of, a grey 1966 Shelby 427 cobra, I won it at a convention.
As I made my way to the main road cars filed behind me honking their horns not liking how I was following the speed limit perfectly. They all drove to the side of my car and passed me. Speedy bastards, if they wanted to die it was their choice.
Finally, I found myself in front of my favorite restaurant Tiana's place. Taking a breath as anxiety filled me at the thought of entering…. their world once more. I had three safe places. My house, my car and another place I care not to talk about. I hurriedly exited my vehicle and quickly jogged to the front door of the establishment. Comforting smells filled my nostrils relaxing my nerves immediately. This was the only place I ever ate out at ever, see I didn't trust anyone but the owner of this place to cook my food.
A large chief named Louis was minding the counter, a smile graced his lips as he waved me over. I offered my own weak lip lifting in return. I like him well enough but not enough to call him a friend.
"Hello Ms. Kongelig how may I help you?" I frowned a little bit trying to look past his massive shoulder.
"Umm is Tiana around I would like my usual coffee?" My voice shook hoping that she was present.
"I'm afraid not. But I can make your coffee." he offered opening a door for panic to set in. I shook my head a bit obsessively. I only trusted one person to prepare my food other than me and that was Tiana. "No I need Tiana to make it."
"She actually went on vacation today." Great. My face became crestfallen. "Really it's no trouble I can make-"
"No Louis!" I raised my voice drawing the attention of other diners. "I'm sorry but no. I only trust Tian-" I huffed out at his perplexed look.
"It's fine I'll just have coffee at home." I left the counter making my way to the door my gaze falling on some people blindlessly shoveling food down their eager gobs. Idiots. I mean what imbecile just eats food prepared by a stranger not caring what is in it. For all they know it could be poisoned.
Shaking my head I left. Next stop Belle's Reads. Then home.
Pulling into the small book store with my return in exchange for this week's read, a light rain began but I didn't mind. Rain was the perfect reading weather. Read on sunny day people think you're crazy. People always assume even when they don't know anything.
I laugh out loud at the word crazy. I couldn't help it. It was a funny word and no matter the situation always made me laugh or giggle.
"Good morning Elsa!" Belle greets me enthusiastically.
"Good Morning Belle!" I copy her enthusiasm. I was her most loyal customer. I was basically her only customer and that made me happy. Thinking that every shipment of books was meant for me only.
"Here to return this." Belle chimed, it was more of a statement. "No matter how long the book you always finish it in two weeks. Never missing a beat." she mused.
"Well I am very….particular." I trailed off and headed straight to the back of the store to the weekly releases shelf to start browsing.
I hear a sneeze which startled me. That's odd no one is ever in this store on a Wednesday. Suddenly a rage fills me causing every muscle in my arm to twitch in agitation. Who is in here stealing my books!?…well Belle's books but they are still meant for me. Why do people always have to change things? There is no need for anyone but me to be in here.
I swallow the lump in throat and begin reciting Shakespeare's works a method that calms me. Always feel anger but never express it, repress it.
Feeling a lot better I return to my search. Last month was romance month so this month I have to read a horror. I have to.
I pull an old classic off the shelf. As I do the book on the other side gets pulled out as well. My eye meets with liquid gold. It stares back at me. I find myself unable to turn away. I've never seen irises like this one. The book was put back so I immediately try to head for the other side only to bump into a soft form.
Before I could fall to the ground I'm caught in a strong vice grip.
"Whoa careful now." An adorable accented scratchy voice touched by celestial goodness caresses my ears. I feel them hum in delight.
I'm terrified to look up to see who is currently cradling me but I must. I crane my head up to see a beautiful caramel colored face staring down at me with those golden globes contained in her head with a crown of soft auburn tight shoulder length curls. It takes a moment for me to realize that the pain in my chest is coming from lack of air. So, I take a deep gulp of oxygen.
"Are you alright?" Her light angelic voice cracks at the most perfect moments. Licking my lips and regaining my strength I stand shakily.
"Yes, I'm fine. I'm alright." I take a few steps back. "But you…. you're perfect." I subconsciously mumble out. She giggles a little and places a hand on her chest looking around flustered.
"Why thank you no one has ever…thank you." I give a genuine smile. Making eye contact once more but this time I notice in the left eye a…. second pupil in the same iris only a little smaller. While in her other eye instead of a usual black pupil it's a soft gold.
Gathering herself back up she offers her hand which I all too eagerly take. It is incredibly soft yet firm. "My name is Piper..Piper Leclerc."
"Elsa Kongelig. I'm sorry I must say your eyes are gorgeous. What color are they?" Her brown cheeks turn pink under my attentions.
"Thank you so much. They're amber. You're actually the first stranger to feel comfortable looking at them." Piper explained I tilt my head confused. She must get this type of attention all the time. I mean look at her.
"I'm far from comfortable I'm transfixed." Her head ducks in between her shoulders in a bashful manner.
"Well it's because I suffer from Pupula Duplex which isn't as severe just means I have a second pupil in this eye but luckily it's just a little one. Then as kid I used to have coat's disease so my pupil in my other eye changed color." For some reason, she looked a little embarrassed from the explanation. I thought she was beautiful and not anyone on this planet had the right to make her feel like anything other than perfection.
"Would you like to join me for coffee?" She asked pulling a curly lock behind her ear.
Before I could think of an answer I responded. "Yes."
"Great I know this awesome place down the road. We could walk there." I nervously glance to the clock on the wall. I really should be sticking to my schedule and heading home to read my book.
The action must have been notice by Piper. "Of course, if you have to be somewhere I can take a rain check."
I shook my head. "No, it's fine. We can go as soon as I check out my book." She peeped over at the title.
"Huh nice. I can you're someone who appreciates the classics huh." She is so adorable. After checking out my book along with hers. We entered the street.
"Here we can share my umbrella." she offered digging in her orange purse. I took the opportunity to take in what she was wearing.
Grey jeans that seemed to have suspender straps attached to it over a white lightly stripped shirt, a black leather jacket, grey converse, and finally a grey newsboy cap she pulls out of her purse along with a purple umbrella. I take note of the colors she is adorned in. Piper smiles at me opening her umbrella moving wonderfully close to me.
I can't help myself as I wrap arm around her waist. At first, she stiffened then giggled relaxing into my hold.
"So I hear an accent but I can't quite place it. "I Bring up. "Well I did live half my life in Marseille." She looks up at me with a grin. "Ahh okay." It wasn't heavy but noticeable.
We finally made it to the small coffee shop I open the door for her which made her gush lightly with a thank you.
Making it to the register she looks at the menu. "Um I'll have a vanilla bean annnd Elsa what would you like?" She looks over her shoulder.
"No thank you I'm good." I quickly say anxiously.
"Come on my treat." She urged me. I guess I'll have to play normal Jane for a while. "Same as you."
"Two medium vanilla beans please." she handed a card she retrieved from her purse to the cashier.
Bile rises in my throat at the idea of someone's disgusting hands preparing the drinks. Oh God.
"So, I know it may seem odd but I absolutely love rainy weather so wanna stand out on the patio?" Piper asks handing me my cup.
"Yeah sure I love the rain too."
"Okay let's go!" she grabs my arm. Touching is a rule we quickly established.
"So, what do you do for a living?" she asked politely. While we were walking to a dry spot I managed to chuck my cup's contents into a nearby bush.
"I uh... I took over my father's personal architecture company. So, I'm an architect."
Her eyes lit up. "Wow that's amazing so you design buildings and stuff?"
I nod with pride. "Some of the buildings in the cities, skyscrapers, I designed them. So, I'm basically my own boss. Choosing my own hours." Okay tone it down a bit Frank Lloyd Wright.
"That's amazing. I'm just a boring accountant." Piper droned about to take a sip of that disgusting drink. I can't take the idea of her even having the contents in her mouth when I don't know if the person who made it washed their hands or spat in it…. or worse…poisoned it.
Out of compulsion I slap it out of her hand causing it to fall to the ground. She squeaks with surprise then looks at me perplexed. I come up with a quick excuse.
"I saw a bee." I admit wrapping my arms around myself swinging gently.
"A bee in this weather?" She questions. Damn.
I try to relieve the situation. "I-uh- a. I saw something buzzing around your face." I wave my hand in gesture to my own face to emphasize my point.
"Oh, darling you mean a Mosquito!" She laughs out. Oh, okay I'll go with it. A shiver takes over my body at the way she calls me darling.
"Yes, that's what I meant a mosquito." she nods still chuckling.
"Well thanks for saving my life." I stare into her ambers again with a soft smile. My eyelids becoming lazy.
"You're welcome." I mumble out. We jump apart from a sudden flash of lightning followed by a boom of thunder. "Oh, I should probably head home now before it gets any worse." Piper warned shoving her umbrella into my hands. "Here you take it I live just a couple blocks away." suddenly she moves incredibly close to me. "Goodbye I hope to see you again." then just like that she sprints off from under the protection of the coffee shop into the brewing storm.
Snapping out of my haze I sprint back to the book store not bothering to open the umbrella. I jump into my car and for the first time of my driving career I go above the speed limit to find the sweet little amber nymph that escaped me. I spot her quickly running then recklessly before she can cross the street I pull in front of her.
Rolling down my window I yell above the rain. "Get in I couldn't possibly let you walk in this."
She looks around the runs over to the other side getting in. I look at her expectantly until she gets my hint. "Oh sorry." she sounds pulling the seat-belt over herself.
"Okay so just take a right down there then a second left and go straight." She instructs. I nodded and follow the directions.
"Thank you so much for this. You're really sweet." she coos laying back in her seat.
I just smile and continue to drive. Eventually she dozed off when I pull into an apartment complex. I park and study her.
I've never seen someone so perfect before. In her sleep, she looked so pure, cherub like not belonging in this world just…accidentally falling here from heaven.
We sat there for ten minutes until I sighed and woke her up. She rubbed her eyes like a little chipmunk waking from hibernation.
"Hey sleepyhead we just pulled in." A yawn escaped her bow lips.
"Sorry I drifted a bit." she turns to me her hair wonderfully messy. "I'd invite you in but my place is a mess so maybe another time okay." I nod and before she can get out she exclaims. "Oh, yeah here's my number!" She digs in her purse once more and hands me what seems to be a business card.
"Thanks Elsa." she gets out and runs to the door of the building then turns and waves I wave back feeling elated.
I don't recognize my own driveway as I pull into my home. Odd I didn't even remember driving. I look down to see Piper's umbrella. I pick it up along with my book and head inside.
"OH, MY GOD ELSA'S HOME!" I hear a shrill cry followed by a stampede of paws. Suddenly I'm tackled to the ground in a blanket of white fur.
"Oh, my god Elsa what happened? Are you okay? We were so worried about you." I giggle as my akita drags his large tongue across my neck. I've had him since he was eight weeks old and at the age of eleven months he began to speak to me deepening our relationship. Of course, this caused me many problems but in the end I just decided to keep it a secret it was easier that way. He's helped me through some troubled times.
"Olaf I'm fine. I just got a bit…. distracted." He stops licking me and gets off tilting his head.
"Was it a…bad distraction?" He asks carefully. I shake my head. "No buddy far from it. I…I think I'm in love." I bring my hands up to my chest wistfully.
He groans. "Oh boy!" he exclaims in glee. "Remember the last time you were in love and the time before that?"
"And the time before that, and the time before that, and the time before that, and the time before that." I sigh as Asle drones on walking into the room.
She's uh….she's me but in a ridiculously dramatic Ice dress she refuses to loose. She's more negative than Olaf and level headed but is a still my friend nonetheless.
"No, it's different this time guys. She really is different and just gorgeous." I walk upstairs. My house is comforting. With red wood floors and white carpet. Most of my furniture I like to keep turquoise because Olaf told me that it meant tranquility and peace. He knows a lot about colors which I find odd since he can't really see them but I trust his advice.
I enter my room and breath in, flopping onto my bed. Olaf comes in and jumps on the bed resting his head on my stomach while I stroke his fur.
"So, what does this girl look like?" he asks before I can open my mouth I'm interrupted. "Ugh she's a dream!" Asle laughs excitedly sitting on the edge of the bed.
"How do you know that?" I ask. Asle rolls her eyes. "Because idiot I see what you see." she points out. "Oh, yeah I forgot."
"Imbecile." She curses under her breath. I ignore her like I always do.
I yawn. I'm exhausted. Looking to the clock I see that it's 10:45 Am. I need to get to bed.
"Gosh guys it's late we need to get some sleep if we're gonna wake up tonight." Both Olaf and Asle whine.
"But what about dinner?" Sounds Asle. "Yeah and I want to hear about this girl." Olaf adds.
"Okay fine." I set into describing how we met and what she looks like. I even go into the colors she's wearing. "So, Olaf what does her outfit mean?" I ask hoping for some enlightenment.
"Hmmm well grey is a color of neutrality, so she was probably just expecting to have a normal day and she is most definitely not in a relationship. Black could be elegance but also mystery so we don't know a lot about her. White is purity of course and since the jacket was covering the white it means deep down she's pure. And then to bring out the purple umbrella. Purple is an easy-going color but is also one of the four colors of seduction." After his explanation, Olaf began squirming. "When do I get to meet her?!" Olaf's tail wags with joy.
"I don't know I hope soon. I'll invite her over soon and…"
"Elsa, you need to look at the facts here. This is no ordinary interaction." Asle sounded smoothly.
What do you mean?" I ask looking up.
"It's obviously no accident that you met this girl. She's meant for you and there's only one logical explanation why that is."
"What reason is that?"
Asle looked at me in a venereal way. "She's your Angel. A creature not of this world but something higher. And we need to obtain her less she will be destroyed by this disgusting world and those who inhabit it."
For some reason this made perfect sense to me. It seemed to be the only explanation that was viable I mean how else would such a creature exist.
"But don't worry Elsa I'll help you get our little… precious Angel." Asle promised hugging me. I love her hugs.
I was way too tired to make dinner so Olaf simply went into his bone stash he had under my bed.
Heading into my bathroom thoughts of Piper filled my head as I showered. Finally, in my night gown I climb into bed while Asle turned off the lights climbing in next to me.
Olaf took his usual place at the end of bed with his head resting on my legs.
"Asle?" I whisper out. "Yes?" she answered.
"We need to be careful with this girl. She's…she's too special to lose." a whimper crept past my lips at the very thought.
"Elsa she's not even ours yet. We need to make that happen first then I'll make sure she never leaves us…ever."
"Ever." Olaf copies.
"Ever." I confirm looking up at the ceiling. I turn over to where Asle lay to only see she has disappeared. I groan hating when she does that.
But at least I know she's there. She's always there.