"You look gorgeous." Elsa cooed as she fixed C.J's purple white dress. The girl looked at herself in the mirror while the maid tied her raven side bang in a purple bow. "Do you really think?" She asked examining herself. Elsa smiled nodding her head while she knelt down. "I do. How do you feel?"
C.J thought for a moment tapping her head. "I feel…pretty!" She answered while jumping excitedly. Elsa grinned displaying her teeth. The door opened to the girl's room entering was her frazzled looking mother.
"Elsa before you get her dres-oh you did already." She began interrupting herself. C.J spun in the dress. "Look mama do you like it?" Clarkson smiled sadly staring at her daughter. "Yes sweatheart you look great. Elsa could I talk to in hall real quick?" Elsa nodded turning her attention back to C.J. "I'll be right back okay?" C.J nodded and began playing with the lace of her dress.
She noticed once in the hall how stressed Clarkson look as she tucked her hands under her armpits. "Um Elsa C.J has to change." Elsa frowned confused. "But she looks amazing and is so happy in it." She argued.
"Yes but you see Luther refuses to believe that me and C.J are female." The expression Elsa gave encouraged the heiress to explain further. "We took test showed him results but in his world if you have a penis you are a man or boy and he hates it when C.J or I are associated with anything feminine, so she'll have to wear a suit." Elsa sighed, C.J really did look beautiful and now she would have to take off something that gave her confidence.
"I could dress her-"Clarkson started for the door. "No it's alright I think I have an idea." Clarkson nodded then leaned in as if to kiss her cheek but gave a weirdly angled hug instead rushing off to greet Luther.
Elsa returned to the girl who was reading a book sitting on the edge of her kicking her tiny legs. "Hey little birdy can I ask a favor of you?" C.J hummed glancing up. "Depends on what it is." She chortled. Elsa chuckled herself. C.J in most situations seemed a lot less timid than her mother which was probably a result of the woman using herself as a human shield to protect C.J from the hate that they were attacked with daily.
"Can you wear something instead of your pretty dress, maybe a suit?" C.J furrowed her brows setting the book beside her. "Save it for what?" Elsa raised her brows and spoke as if it was something C.J should know about. "Well my dinner party tonight."
C.J gasped eyes widening. "You are having a dinner party tonight?" Elsa nodded. "Mmmhm with dancing, and music and sweets…" She then gave a knowing smirk. "And Anna and I don't want this lovely dress to get messy so maybe you could put on a suit for me." That sealed the deal as C.J eagerly took off the dress and dressed in the white suit with black trimmings and bow tie. "Can I wear my bowler hat?" She asked as Elsa fastened her white laces upon the black dress shoes. After receiving a nod C.J removed the bow carefully and finger combed her hair down placing the white and bowler hat with black rim on her head.
Elsa escorted her downstairs, to see Clarkson looking down while getting chewed out by a stout Man with thinning yellow hair. Next to him was Chad and two raven haired boys and a little girl with honey wheat hair. Unlike the two boys who sneered when they saw C.J the little girl smiled waving. C.J shyly returned it. After watching the exchange Elsa tuned in on the conversation happening.
"Honestly this is ridiculous, you have been married for how long and still have not produced more children?!" Elsa wanted to do nothing more than to swoop in and rescue her fragile blue jay who looked so weak and inform under his harsh words as she swayed nodding her head not daring to meet his fierce burning gaze.
Finally her voice piped up sounding small "Yes sir-"
"Don't interrupt me!" Luther barked causing Clarkson to flinch hunching her shoulders. Chad entered looking like a Greek goddess sniffing up. "Ahh Chad I was about to call you in." Luther chuckled abandoning his torn up prey which was the young heiress.
"The children are beautiful and so strong, look at these boys just like their father." Elsa could tell by the way the man patted his shoulder and when Katrina joined the group hugging Chad sweetly that they all would have preferred if Chad inherited the company and Katrina's hand leaving Clarkson to whatever leftover that fell from the table of bounty. By the way she kept her gaze on the ground it was evident that Clarkson wished for that to be as well but the thought of not having C.J redirected those thoughts.
As the group except the two outcast walked further into the house Luther took notice of Elsa. "Well now look at this lovely find, very nice Katrina she fits the house." He gestured to the home as if Elsa was a decoration rather than a human being.
She plastered a fake smile on her face turning to Clarkson. "Master Clarkson can I do anything to you- uh- for you before I go prepare dinner?" Clarkson convulsed imploding on herself. Elsa's tone dripped with sultry gold marinated with bedroom voice that sent Clarkson's member into a twitching fit. Quickly she followed after the group righting herself. In the lounge Katrina was cooing and fusing over Chad and the kids while Luther examined C.J.
"Clarkson what are you feeding this boy, he has no meat on his bones. Look at him he's a stick!" C.J stood limp letting her grandfather move her to and fro.
"Well C.J doesn't usually have a big appetite." Clarkson replied. "Well boy…" Luther began expectantly. "You have company go entertain them." C.J nodded then waved her cousin's to follow her to her room.
"So now that the children are gone, I expect Clarkson that you have been keeping my little girl.. Satisfied." Elsa blew air from her nose feeling embarrassed fixing margaritas for the room. Clarkson blushed sputtering slightly. "Well uh yes sir?" She winced as Katrina took her drink eyeing her. She was going to have some fun with this.
"If by satisfied you mean going limp every time I touch her daddy the yes I have been" Katrina's falsehood caused Luther to look anything but pleased. "Clarkson… are you in need of pills?"
Clarkson shook her head gaping, she couldn't believe they were actually discussing this. "Ah no sir I don-"
"She drives me away all the time as if she doesn't even like me… it just makes me feel so unwanted." Katrina dramatically threw herself into Chad's arms snickering to herself once turned around. Luther shook his head standing, he approached roughly grabbing Clarkson's cheeks painfully. "Look at her boy! Look at her! Is she ugly?" Clarkson shook her head as it was forced by a strong grip to Katrina. "Is she fat?" Again she shook her head. Elsa not being able to stop herself decided to go check on Anna. "Is she unappealing to you in any way!?" He was now roaring, Clarkson held back her tears answering no. "Then why must you complicate things with your weakness to perform!?" He shoved her back into the chair.
"It, it's not true she's lying!" Clarkson pleaded. Luther had many triggers one being the slandering of his daughter's name. He back handed Clarkson making her cheek bones ring in pain. "How dare you sully her words? You know why she is in the arms of another man? Your brother? Is because she was driven? Driven by your weakness." Her head hung, she began hyperventilating as her cheeks grew moist. Luther sniveled at the pathetic display. "She is still a Gunnery we are naturally attracted to strength, cunning, ambition. All of then things your father was and you are not." The final wield of the battle crushed Clarkson who used the last bit of her strength to stand and briskly retreat to her to her office. She seated herself on the couch and grabbed her crying pillow shoving it into her face opening her flood gates. She felt a soft assault on her head to look up and see Elsa holding a pillow.
She wiped her eyes embarrassed at how weak she must have looked. Elsa sat down next to her inviting her to warm arms. "I- I don't know if I can keep quiet about this anymore." Clarkson cleared her nose. "No don't please it'll put both you and your family in danger, the Gunnery family is more powerful than what most think." Clarkson whispered.
"Well then all I can say is you have to try and be strong and survive tonight." Elsa said firmly. "I don't know what to else to say Clark." Clarkson ran her fingers through her hair with anxiety. "I can't Elsa, do you realize how hard it is for me, all my tormentors in one room, and I don't know how I'm going to protect C.J when I can't protect myself." Her voice broke in defeat. Elsa lifted her chin to her face her. "I'll protect you, you protect C.J." She promised. "I will have to take Anna to get her dinner but after that I'll be back."
"Promise?" Clarkson whimpered. Elsa smiled kissing her bruising cheek. "I promise. You can rely on me." The oath drained out all the fear and turmoil Clarkson felt about tonight replacing it with warmth that started on her cheek spreading through the rest of her body.
Using the tissues Elsa fetched from her desk she blew her stuffy nose. Smiling to the blonde the blue jay unknowingly created a small haven with the woman who mended her broken wings. The only one she could trust with herself and her daughter
"Your room is a lot smaller than I remember." C.J's cousin commented looking around. C.J sighed going to the window watching Anna play with Kristoff and Sven wishing that she could join them. She truly wanted her little redhead ach to fish her out of the drowning waters she found herself sinking into today. "That's because we were smaller Rex." Her older cousin responded rolling her eyes.
"And a lot more boring huh Ajax?" Rex chuckled spinning the globe roughly. "Don't you have any actual toys?" Rex Whined. C.J huffed grabbing her least favorite R.C car out the toy box handing it to him. He purposely allowed it to drop to the floor popping of a wheel. Then C.J remembered a piece of advice Anna gave her. "If you ever want someone to go away just play hide and seek with em, only you don't seek."
"Do you guys want to play hide and go seek?" C.J asked folding her hands. "That sounds fun!" The older girl replied clapping.
"We can play in teams, Katelyn and I versus you two." C.J said, she didn't want to lose Kate, she liked her and wanted the girl to meet Anna.
"Aright let's get this over with not that you two would win anyways." Ajax pounded his fist into his palm. C.J held back a mischievous smirk so instead covered her eyes. "One. Two. Three. Four." The boys scurried off at the beginning of the count down. C.J peeped from behind her tiny fingers.
"Come on Kate I have someone I want you to meet." C.J waved Kate to follow her out the room down the hallway. "But what about the boys?" The confused girl asked. C.J turned looking over her shoulder smiling. "What about them?" She countered making Kate giggle running after her.
"I still don't understand why you would name him that." Kristoff scratched his head looking down into the little makeshift pond he crafted for the refugee lobster.
"Well let's ask C.J and see what she has to sa-"Anna began then stopped at the sound of giggling. She rustled through the bushes narrowing her eyes at the sight of her Aviator holding hands with some odd girl laughing. She huffed looking like an irritated chipmunk emerging from the underbrush.
"Oh there she is." C.J pointed excitedly then waved. "Hello Anna." The redhead approached them eyeing the dirty blonde up and down. Kate smiled sweetly offering a hand. It hung in the air without recognition until C.J took the intuitive to connect Anna's hand to her cousin's.
"C.J?" Anna began in an unpleasantly cold tone. "Who's this?" Kate gasped crossing her arms. She glared back already not fond of Anna.
"Anna this is Kate, Kate this is Anna." She introduced completely oblivious to the bristling between the two girls.
"Lovely to make your acquaintance." Kate mockingly smiled raising a perfect brow. "Charmed." Anna copied the action making the grin on C.J's face grow she knew they would get along. "Come on let's show Kate our Kraken." C.J suggested, Anna lifted her nose in the air looping an arm with C.J. "I came up with a name for him I think you'll like it."
Kate rolled her hazel eyes following after them. When they made it back she halted in place at the sight of the cherub before her. She ran her eyes over the golden mop of hair that sat upon his crown. He was the most handsome boy she had ever seen, her cousin however had an opposite reaction at the sight of the garden keeper. "Ugh hello Carlyle." C.J groaned waving weakly.
He frowned standing up crossing his arms. "Yea funny it's Kristoff."
"Kristoff." Kate breathily repeated coming closer. "That's a cool name." She complimented batting her lashes at him. He stared at her with no emotion then turned to Anna. "Who's this chic?" He complained. Anna shrugged. "She followed C.J in I think."
"I did not!" Kate replied indignantly placing her hands upon her hips. "She invited me."
"Why?" Anna asked finally facing C.J. "Well why not? I wanted you to meet my cousin."
"Is she really related to you or your parents and her parents just friends and now they say you're cousins?" Anna explained confusing the younger. "My mama's brother's child." C.J replied calmly.
"Oh well then there you go. Now as for our Kraken how about-"Anna started but was interrupted by an excited C.J. "Cthulhu!"
"I told you she would want to name it that." Kristoff mumbled. Anna sighed nodding if it made her Ace happy and it did then she would give.
"Okay so I have a new game for us to play. Cleopatra!" Anna announced. C.J gasped giddily.
"I watched the movie with mommy. Kristoff you will be Julius Caesar."
"Cool what do I do?" He asked. "You die." Anna replied simply making the boy give an open mouth frown. "I am Cleopatra and naturally C.J you will be my lover who replaces Julius Mark Anthony." C.J bowed on one knee grabbing Anna's hand offering a tender kiss. Anna grinned happily until she winced at the sound of Kate's voice. "Who will I be?" She asked.
"Um well you'll be Cleopatra's hand maiden." Anna rushed out. "What do I do?" C.J asked with a curious gaze.
"Well since you're Mark Anthony you have to kiss me." Anna said painting C.J's face crimson she hid her face in her hands giggling. "Oh my." She squealed.
"Do I have to kiss ya?" Kristoff raised his hand. Anna shook her head. "How come?" He replied.
"Because you die." She reminded.
"How?" He questioned. "You get assinated!" C.J cheered remembering what she read from her history book. She was so happy with the arrangement of the game Kristoff would die she would have to kiss Anna. Her eyes widened at the notion. She would have to practice before the big moment.
"Can I assassinate him?" Kate said. "I make a good ninja in my school play."
"Fine whatever." Anna waved her off. They acted out their own rendition of the historical figures until they made to the kissing scene. C.J kissed her arm one more time to make sure she had it down pack. Anna lay dramatically across a log while she knelt by it holding her hands in her own.
"Oh Mark Antony you are ridiculously handsome, deny thy house and refuse thy name-"
"Wrong play!" Kate berated cupping her mouth to project her voice from the sidelines.
"Thank you Kate!" Anna growled irritably then got back into character clearing her throat. "We shall get married and have a bunch of babies." She lamented. "Married?!" C.J yelped but continued after receiving a glare from her supposed lover.
"Ri-right. Oh Cleopatra you are so so so so so so so so beautiful Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new Earth. There's beggary in the love that can be reckoned." She quoted with her mixture. Anna pretended to swoon. A sweat broke out on C.J's forehead as her stomach twisted. She and Anna stood up, the redhead puckered leaning in. C.J ceased her teeth chattering, steeled her nerves taking in a long drag of air and set her brows determinedly.
Kristoff gagged and Kate's eyes widened.
C.J paused when she felt a large presence behind her and before she and Anna could connect she looked up lips still protruding out to see Elsa looking down at them with furrowed brows.
"What….Are you kids...doing?" She asked slowly Anna didn't hesitate to answer. "We were playing Cleopatra."
"Oh like the movie. Lovely I think. Anna, Kris we are going out to eat while C.J and Kate have dinner with their parents alright." C.J whimpered at the lose she wanted nothing more to go with Anna and Elsa.
Kate too looked a little disappointed. Elsa picked the young heiress up. "Don't worry little birdy we're coming back to have our own dinner party."
"Oh yeah!" She cheered feeling relieved as the blonde carried her inside.