As before, ASIS needs to be read before this chapter makes sense. This chapter follows Gerda again in the events of chapter 4/5. This chapter isn't as closely tied to specific events that happen in the chapter, but includes some of the characters. Enjoy!
Only three days had passed since the charming young redhead had last visited and so much had changed. Gerda had gone from Elsa's carer to her tactical planner, though sometimes the two roles have many overlaps. There is so much on the line, there can be no room for error. She had told herself that often. There were so many variables, so many pieces in play, so much that could go wrong. Gerda's plan had to be perfect, and she had not rested much in the past three days. Dark bags were beginning to form under her eyes. Today, however, was the first stepping stone of the plan.
Do I tell her parents of the plan or not?
It was a question she had considered at all points. Elsa's parents had gone through just as much as Elsa herself. Each visit they paid her, every birthday or Christmas, it took it's toll upon them. Whether the ever formal, well presented Hellands wanted to show it or not, the struggles with their daughter had a huge grip on their lives. Gerda did admire their persistence to see their daughters recovery. Even after a decade after her last words were spoken, they still visited as often as they could. But that is why revealing the plan to them is so dangerous. While Gerda was certain that The Hellands would probably respond professionally as always, she wasn't sure if they would agree to the plan. After all, this was by no means a conventional way to help a person recover from mental illness. Would they trust a method that has no previous results to show the chances of success? Would they ignore the possibility the disastrous outcomes in the light of possibly getting their daughter back?
I need more time to consider that. For now, I'll see how Elsa is with her parents today.
Gerda buzzed to gain entry to the visitor lounge. Not many people in the lounge as usual, only Olaf and the Hellands. Mr and Mrs Helland were sat at the far side of the room around a table facing their daughter. As always Elsa had returned to her usual posture of "the ice queen", eyes glued to the ground. Some part of Gerda wished to see the blonde smiling as she had been when the young redhead had visited. Gerda spied Mrs Hellands eyes noting her presence as she entered the room. I need to tell them something. Gerda approached the Hellands and stood next to Mrs Hellands chair. "Good afternoon Mrs Helland, Mr Helland. I was perhaps I was wondering if I could have a word alone before you depart."
Both wife and husband looked at each other with a quizzical glances before Mr Helland replied with a suspicious "But of course, Gerda."
Gerda led them out into the hallway, silence between them all as Gerda considered her next words carefully. How can I word this without giving false hope? As soon as the door from visitors lounge shut Mrs Helland began asking questions immediately.
"Gerda, is everything okay? It's not often we speak outside Elsa's reviews."
"Everything is fine Mrs Helland. Actually this is more of a off the record sort of question."
The two Helland regarded each other again with quizzical looks. "Go ahead Gerda" Replied Mr Helland "You have done much for us over the years. It would be unfair if you couldn't speak to us outside official channels after all this time."
Gerda smiled warmly. Charming as always. She thought to herself. "First of all, has Elsa responded any differently today? Perhaps a reaction to passing conversation. Changes in the way she sits, perhaps glints of emotion in her eyes?" She felt foolish asking such questions. She already knew by the lack of reaction from when she entered the lounge that Elsa had shown no changes. But she had to be sure.
Mrs Helland grew very suspicious at that "No, nothing out of the usual... Gerda what is happening? Is there something you're not telling us? Has something happened with Elsa?"
Gerda noted the look of worry in her eyes. It took all of Gerda's will to not blurt out everything that happened. The mysterious young redhead who visited Elsa. How her unresponsive damaged daughter had turned into a grinning, chocolate loving, somewhat sociable girl. How Anna and Elsa had shared long adorable looks between them. How Gerda had a plan to get Elsa to finally respond to other people and get the Hellands the one thing they wanted most in the world. Their daughter back.
Gerda sighed, and was silent for a moment before the words came to her. "Elsa... Elsa is receiving a new type of therapy. Very experimental. But she has responded well only after one session."
Both Hellands eyes grew wide at the words. "There are no drugs applied is there? Nothing that could cause harm to her?" Asked Mr Helland.
"Goodness, no." Shrieked Gerda "The therapy hasn't been tried before, well not in this context. The therapy involves a more Freudian approach. A variation on a talking therapy. It was introduced more by accident but Elsa did respond to it. I discussed it with a few of the other orderlies and they agreed that the therapy could have positive effects."
Mrs Hellands eyes had begun to grow watery. False hope! You're trying to AVOID false hope here old woman. Gerda sighed deeply. "I have known the both of you for a number of years, like you said. I don't mean to lead you on here. But, I need to know if you would consent to Elsa continuing with another few sessions."
"Could you at least tell us more about the therapy? Other than it's a talking therapy." Mr Helland asked.
"Only that it involves a new person that Elsa isn't particularly familiar with."
There was a long pause before Mrs Helland finally broke her silence. "Do what ever it takes. So long as Elsa isn't harmed. I want every therapy in the world to be tried with her. No matter the cost, the sacrifices on our part. I'll even endure the 12 labors of Hercules. So long as I hear my daughters voice once more." Tears had welled in Mrs Helland eyes by this point. Mr Helland wrapped his wifes shoulders with his arm and pulled her close to embrace her gently. Mrs Helland lowered her eyes to the floor and took comfort in the gentle hug.
Gerda felt guilty to provoke such tender emotions, but she had gained the permission she needed. The plan could begin. Gerda placed a hand on top of Mrs Hellands shoulder and waited for her to look up. Gerda stared her in the eyes to make sure she knew how serious this was to her. "I promise, I will do everything in my power to help Elsa."
Mrs Helland smiled softly, tears in her eyes still ready to fall. "Thank you. We'll leave you to take Elsa back now. Will you contact us of any changes from the therapy?"
"You have my word."
Mr Helland nodded toward Gerda and turned with his wife to head toward the exit. Slightly more dramatic then I would have liked. But the best case scenario emerged. Gerda buzzed to gain entry back to the visitors lounge. As the door opened Gerda had noted that Elsa had moved to the table where her and Anna had been sitting the day of the visit. A smile stretched across Gerda face. Looks like Elsa will be fully on board for the plan . Gerda approached Elsa. "Come on Elsa dear, we have to be getting back now. Unless you'd like to sta-" The visitors door lounge flew open making Gerda jump. Hans had stormed through the door, scowl clear on his face. "Hans! A bit gentler next time, please?"
Hans ignored the orderly and flopped into the couch by the TV. He flipped it on and turned onto a poker tournament. Before Gerda could turn to finish her previous question Elsa had stood up and fled the room. Curious. As Gerda turned to follow the blonde back to her room she overheard the commentator on the TV, "What a game we have here folks. The biggest pot today by far!"
No pot could ever come close to the amount I'm playing with and for. Gerda mused. And it all relies on two cards coming together... a queen of ice and a queen of hearts.
Hey guys, thank you for reading! Glad to finally role out the second chapter. I admit I would have liked to publish this sometime during the past week, but had some stuff come up with work.
I'm happy with this chapter, I think I added more context that wasn't completely tied to the ASIS chapters. However, I will most likely change this chapter and others as time goes on. The more I reread the ASIS story the more I realize that some of my character reflections might not exactly align with how they act in ASIS. So, I will gradually change my chapters to best show how they would react in my chapters.
For now, I will be working on the third chapter. I am most likely going to be doing the chapter from Gerdas perspective again. Although, I have been toying with the idea of looking at some other character perspectives. I'm cautious to do this with characters closer to the main plot as inconsistencies will be harder to account for, and I believe Celery Sticks has done as good job in showing their POV on the situations that have occurred. I will consider it for now.
Anyway, thank you for reading! Hope your new year is going well.
Umbra Mortis
