JQ: Gotta get this cutesy shit out of the way before shit hits the fan.
Again, sorry for the postage delays!
Enjoy some random fluff!
Chapter 8
After their conversation, in the cleaning supplies closet, Elsa and Gia made their way back to the main portion of the castle. As they entered the foyer, they were met by Fría and Kristoff.
"Kristoff," Elsa greeted, "I didn't know you were stopping by." the tall blonde man just shrugged his large shoulders.
"I came to drop off an important order, requested of me, by Princess Brina." he answered as Elsa raised her eyebrow. Kristoff appeared to be headed out on some ice harvesting voyage and Elsa was confused because her daughters could make their own ice.
"What was it?"
"Addie." Fría and Kristoff answered together, causing the blonde queen to chuckle.
"Ah, makes sense." Elsa turned to look at her daughter, "Are you going to go play with them?" Gia fidgeted with her hands and looked to her left. She noticed Serafina and Anaïs speaking with Darya. As much as she loved playing with her cousin, she hated making a scene. And the events, earlier this morning, definitely classified as a 'scene'. The young blonde shook her head and looked back to her mother.
"Uh...there's something I have to do, first." with a halfhearted curtsy, Gianneva quickly evacuated from her parents and uncle. She began to make her way, out into the hall, where she saw the visiting women. Elsa smiled while Fría and Kristoff wore confused expressions.
"Should I worry?" Fría asked, linking her arm with Elsa's. The blonde queen shook her head and laughed lightly.
"I don't think so."
Out in the hall, Gia quietly made her way to the small circle of women. They didn't notice her, right away, until Anaïs shifted her gaze ever so slightly to the right. Her amber eyes met Gia's blue ones and a soft smile crept its way onto the redheaded woman's visage.
"Your highness," Anaïs greeted the girl as Serafina and Darya also turned to look at her, "is there something we can do for you?" Gia coughed and shook her head.
"Uh, no, miss. And please," Gia said with pleading eyes, "call me Gia." the three women smiled at the apparent nervousness of the princess.
"Of course, Gia." Anaïs replied, "What can we do for you?" Gia shuffled in place and fidgeted with her hands before saying anything.
"Um...I'd just...I'd like to apologize...for my behaviour this morning." the blonde told them, "It was uncalled for, and I should've handled that better." Serafina and Anaïs shared a look at the girl's apology. They felt their hearts melting at the gesture. They wouldn't be able to have a say, in regards to the binding, but they surely did not mind that this sweet and responsible young girl was going to end up with their beloved daughter. They approved fully and bowed before the princess.
"We accept your apology, although it was unneeded." Serafina said, "I didn't take my binding seriously and reacted way worse." she admitted to the girl.
"Either way, I shouldn't have acted that way." Gia said. Alright, so her first apology was finished. She still had one more person to see. "Have...um...do you know where Astraia is?" the blonde asked.
"She's in her guest room, on the third floor." Darya chimed in. Serafina laughed.
"She wanted some rest."
"Indeed," Anaïs added, "it is the most hectic birthday that she's ever had." Gia's eyes snapped up at the word 'birthday'.
"Today's her birthday?!" Gia asked in disbelief. If so, she had really failed to make the visiting girl feel like it. All three adults nodded.
"It is." Serafina said proudly, "14 years sure flies by." she ended her statement with a kiss to Anaïs' forehead. Gia ran a panicked hand through her hair and groaned. Before anything else, she bid farewell to the women and ran her way to the stairs. Serafina and Anaïs giggled.
"She'll do wonders for our Aya, don't you agree?" Anaïs asked her wife.
"I wouldn't think otherwise." Serafina agreed.
...
Gia waltzed up to the guest room that Astraia was residing in, only to realize that she had no idea what would please the girl, on her birthday. Gia, herself, didn't care much for presents and she definitely wouldn't know what to give someone else. It was easier with her parents and sisters; she knew them well enough.
Vindra liked anything even mildly interesting. Take last year on Christmas, for example:
"Thanks Gia! You were right! This rock does resemble Immanuel Kant!"
Brina loved Gia's paintings and expressed it almost always. That was an easy birthday gift.
"I really like what you did with the water colours, Gia! Thank you!"
Her madre loved pink things.
"These flowers are lovely, mia bambina! Thank you. I'll put them right next to my weapons display."
And mama just loved spending time with people.
"Thank you, for accompanying me on my morning stroll as always, Gia. I highly cherish our outings."
She was literally terrible when it came to anyone else that she didn't know like the back of her hand. How the hell was she supposed to celebrate a stranger's birthday? Especially when she, so graciously, ruined the occasion anyway. Bri and Vee were right; she needed better people skills. Before she could run away, said visitor exited the room.
"Oh!" Astraia exclaimed, visibly taken aback by the princess' presence. Gia just blushed. "Hey, your high – Gia."
"H-h-hi, Astraia." Gia stammered.
"What...um...is there something you wanted?" Astraia asked, carefully. She really didn't want to say the wrong thing and anger the princess, yet again. The blonde turned a darker shade of red and tried to avoid eye contact.
"Um...no...yes. Yes I-I'd like to formally apologize f-for my rudeness this morning." she finally said and this caused Astraia to smile, shyly.
"Oh, no, it wasn't your fault." the brunette insisted, "I understand that the binding it a lot to process. It's fine." Serafina and Anaïs, unlike Fría and Elsa, knew a great deal about the pairing of magical persons. Once they thought Astraia was responsible enough, they told her. Astraia knew that this was a big deal, and admittedly, she was rather excited that it happened. She saw how happy her parents were and wished that she'd find something similar. And now here it was, nervously fidgeting in front of her. Gianneva shook her head, at the brunette's statement.
"But I was still rude. Rude is rude." the princess said, "Besides, I was rude on your birthday." Astraia laughed again, but louder. This girl was stubborn.
"You couldn't have possibly known that fact; I never told you." Gia just shrugged and ran a hesitant hand through her platinum blonde hair.
"But I still feel really bad..." Gia lifted her gaze to meet Astraia's, "...and I'd like to make it up to you?" the blonde realized it came out like a question, and had no idea why. Astraia lifted a hand to her mouth, to stifle a giggle. She did, in fact, find this nervous version of Gianneva to be kind of endearing.
"I think that's an acceptable request." Astraia said, holding out her hand for the blonde to take. "We should be getting to know one another, then, yes?" Gia held her breath, but found herself reaching for the brunette's hand. Gia had never held anyone's hand, that wasn't a part of her family, before. The sensation felt weird but comfortable. Astraia was delightfully warm to the touch. Once their fingers were intertwined, both of them blushed.
"Um..." Gia said, finally retrieving her voice, "we can take a walk." Astraia smiled brightly, at the idea.
"I'd like that. Let's go!" Astraia began to tug the blonde along the hallway. As she turned to see the bewildered expression on her companion's face, Astraia let out a loud laugh. Gia smiled; she had never heard such a boisterous laugh, and for some reason, she didn't think it'd be as lovely coming from anyone else.
