For the 11th time within five minutes, Anna pops another chocolate square in her mouth. She watches the lively people dance in their colorful dresses and suits. Anna had kept her promise to Elsa and enjoyed her day. It wasn't difficult as she had assumed when dressing and following Nathaniel and his partner out of the castle. She had dreaded that Prince Hans would fill her thoughts throughout the day. The moment she stepped outside and saw the festival colors, banners the commoners with their adoration on their faces, Anna felt at ease (and she took off like a child running to a candy shop). She is proud to say that she had not thought— not even once— of that horrible man or that unfortunate night.
Now here, at this big party that started around 6 pm, before Elsa's arrival for her welcoming speech, Anna is just relaxing and observing. So far, she turned down three men who asked for a dance. Although Nathaniel and his partner are keeping a watchful eye on her and the men around her, the guards do keep a respectful distance. Maybe she'll ask Nathaniel for a dance. It must be boring to be a guard, having to do nothing but just watch people drink and eat this fine food.
Speaking of drinking, Anna is quite satisfied. The blood she had this more gave her enough energy, though she wished she had drunk it a lot sooner. It wasn't as tasteful as these chocolates. Anna blindly reaches for another chocolate. Instead of a square, she touches a gloved hand. She turns around and brightens immediately seeing her sister. "Elsa!" She flings her arms around the torso to her unexpected woman. Flowers and old papers fill her nostrils, drawing a hum out of the young vampire. "You smell good!" Anna murmurs, rubbing her nose against her clothed chest. Nevertheless, the woman laughs— oh, wait, queen. The queen laughs.
Anna detaches herself from Elsa, "Oh! I'm sorry!" She gives a rushed curtsy. "—keep forgetting you're queen!"
Elsa snorts. "I'm your sister first. And between you and I," Elsa links her arms with Anna's, leading her to the raised platform. "I keep forgetting that I am queen. This is entirely new."
I wish I can forget that I am a vampire, Anna thinks. How would it be to be human for just a moment? Definitely colorful promises of more fun and fewer worries. Anna closes the very thin distance to press more into Elsa's side. She's very warm. "Aw, ready for your big speech?" she asks. Elsa giggles nervously. " What—? Did you practice? Nervous? I can read it for you— the trick is just… dive in and do it!" Anna makes a motion with her hands to mimic her words. "Do you have it written down?" They stop on top of the raised platform, facing the dancing people. Some notice them and wave. Unable to resist, Anna waves back, grinning brightly.
"Ah, don't worry about me, Anna. Enjoy yourself… and your youth." Elsa mutters that last part very lowly, meaning— it's not meant to be heard. Despite having the ability to hear things that a bat would, Anna decides not to comment on it.
"I'm enjoying myself. Even more, now that you're here."
"Mm. You should… make friends Anna,"
"But I have friends! I have you—"
"Sister—"
"Kai—"
"Caretaker—"
"Gerda!"
"Also our old caretaker. And Nathaniel is your guard before you include him as well."
Red fills her cheeks. "Well.. um," Anna looks around. "Well, I have you still!" She only needs Elsa as her friend. The whole world can go away, and as long as Elsa is there, here, Anna will be fine.
"And while that will always be, Anna I meant, making friends of your age. I'll be very busy making decisions, and speeches—?"
"Party planning?"
"Sometimes, but the point stands, I won't be here with you like always. I don't want you to be alone. The gates are open after all."
Anna opens her mouth to retort. Her gaze falls. So far she has had two encounters that weren't good. The vampires who drank that woman dry. Elsa doesn't know about that. And then Hans. He deliberately captured her heart. Then tried to kill her. What if she meets the wrong person again? Or face death again? Is death waiting for her outside the open gates or is this just outside life?… No one had prepared her for this. Well… she knew vampires would be a bad thing. She just didn't know that they could be a magnet for the unfavorable.
It's as if Elsa read her thoughts flitting through her mind. "I won't let anything happen to you. Hans will be the last and the only." Her tone starts out determined and ends grimly. Anna wants to ask what will happen to him. Definitely, he will die. But will he be questioned? How did he find out her truth? Could there be others? Yes— the world behind the open gates is so big- anything can. she can meet another Hans— or worse—
Anna's thoughts stop when she feels a warm hand on her cheek. It belongs to Elsa— she hadn't noticed when the older woman shuffled a bit to take her glove off. Anna nuzzles against her palm and peers up.
She's so beautiful.
"You have nothing to fear." Elsa's lips turn up. "I promise."
"I know," Anna grins. This immense feeling to take on the world rises in the teen.
It… sucks when Elsa removes her hand when the announcer publicly presents the girls to the crowd. Silence. It's now time for the speech. When silence becomes pregnant, Anna squeezes Elsa's hand for encouragement.
Elsa softly sighs. She opens her mouth and begins to speak. The words slow to a stop as Elsa does her nervous nods and steps closer to Anna.
The ballroom is filled with applause and cheers.
"You are great," Anna whispers close to her ear.
Elsa blushes prettily. "Thank you. I noticed there's a group of girls your age near the sandwich tables."
Anna locates them. They are pretty and tall. Cheeks rosy and blond hair beautiful. Anna feels a bit childish with her hair braided at her nape. And her dress isn't as full and brightly colored as theirs. But green is my favorite color. A color that breathes life into this world.
"They seem friendly," continues Elsa. "Make friends. But only with girls."
"I um," Nothing. There is nothing she can say. There shouldn't be. If Elsa can make and say her speech in front of a large crowd, what's so wrong with making friends of her own gender? They could not like her. She could be seen as weird or too regal. Anna voices out her concern to her sister.
"Oh Anna, you are… wonderful. Everyone loves you. I promise they'll like you,"
Except for Hans and those who hate vampires. Which means everyone. But Elsa. Elsa knows about her half and as long as Elsa loves her, the world will remain bright. "You really think so?"
Mouth a Go and gives her a reassuring smile which Anna returns, with a squeeze of her hand, and moves to the group of girls. "Hi! I'm Anna…"
It's lovely to see Anna shyly introduce herself to the girls around her age. It's record-breaking that Anna can make a group of people laugh at anything she says. A soft smile grows on Elsa's lips. This is the picture she wants of Anna. Happy. Smiling. Bright. Making friends— not the picture of a man with a fiery sword standing over her.
Thinking of the prince causes her smile to fall.
He almost ripped that picture from her. If Elsa hadn't been overprotective, she would've been a bit too late.
He'll pay. No doubt about that. But Elsa needs answers to unsaid questions. Right. Now. Nathaniel and his partner are supervising Anna, so she is safe, should harm find her. The speech is done. She has no real reason to be here.
Elsa leaves the ballroom.
"I wish to speak to the prisoner. Privately."
The guards bow and leave promptly. Elsa walks smoothly through the dungeons. It's designed for more of the strongest prisoners. There hasn't been a stronger prisoner since her parents' passing. Only prisoners of old age or those that have committed a heinous crime in which the public would not care if he'd disappeared. The Queen acknowledges this prince's also the fact that he's royal. The public will eventually notice his disappearance. It's strange to think that he hasn't used his powers since his arrest. A normal queen would've taken his surrender as mercy.
And Elsa isn't— by no means— an ordinary queen. she is no fool.
The red-haired man is seated on his cot. At the sight of the queen, he stands and bows. Odd. He attempts to kill her sister and he's currently showing practiced respect.
Elsa weighs on what she should say to his expecting face. His eyes are wide but he stands straight. Mentioning Anna— pointless. He knows why he's here, behind these metal bars. Mentioning his punishment— she hasn't really finalized what to do with his execution— whether that be public or private— she hasn't even finished writing a letter to his father. There's too much at once to mention on a single starch paper. His attempt, his trial, and the kingdom's relationship. His powers— She is curious about his powers. "You've not used your powers. Why?" she asks, glaring at his gloved hands.
His eyes fall on her gloved hands. He has gloves on as well. White. Hers are dark blue with red thread embedded on the sides. "My powers, unlike yours, aren't perceived as the most friendliness."
He diminishes the image of her powers. "Friendliness is what my people will know unless there are threats," says Elsa coolly.
"I hope your words are true, your Grace. There is a bigger threat. And it's near time." He says in a grim tone.
"And this threat of yours, involves you killing my sister?"
"This threat is your sister. She'll bring on the bigger threat. Your blind kingdom can't fathom what she can bring."
She ignores his insults about her kingdom and her people. What's important is discovering his reasons for harming her sister. "What is it she will bring?"
"Pain, my Queen. But it isn't the matter of what she'll bring, but rather who."
"Who." Elsa demands, glaring at him. "Anyone who dares to harm my sister will meet your fate."
The prince huffs a laugh. "He doesn't want to hurt her."
"Yet you do. Why?"
"I'm simply following what my prophecy says, your Grace. She is the key he'll use to doom all humanity."
Elsa tries her best to keep her face flat. "And who might this he be?" She'll be well prepared, before whoever dares to propose a threat to her sister and the kingdom.
Hans averts his eyes. And Elsa scoffs. He's wasting her time. He's a madman with a make-believe prophecy. This is nothing but a joke to him. And he will die very soon. "You don't even know who he is."
"He is the worse of the worst of her kind," the prince murmurs. "More vicious, with dangerous vampires following his heels. If—"
Elsa sighs. "It is beyond me why you've anchored yourself to this fairytale—" she interrupts but Hans keeps going.
"—he gets a hold of your sister, they will unite. And they will drain everyone—"
"Even beyond me how you've discovered about my sister. Are you a mole?" Has his kingdom sent him to find out secrets?
"I'm a vampire hunter!" he declares in a snappish tone. "This is what I do."
Elsa twists her lips. This is pathetic. "You'd find that type of talk in common pubs. Even toddlers can do better. This is done. you are done. You will have a private trial. There, you will learn your fate."
"Wait— please!" Hans grips the bars. "Don't let it be too late. Please, Queen Elsa. Not just for humanity— but for Anna, don't let it be too late. People won't accept her when they find out. I won't be the last one to hurt her. Anna is still a vampire amongst humans. Her kind will always be welcoming. He will be welcoming. There will be a time when she chooses between the two. She will choose between you or him."
Elsa stops. Anna will always choose to be by her side. She would never choose something that harms and kills people. She nears the bars. Ready spew words. Either that be anger or skepticism. To tell this worthless man that he's wrong. Anna is a good vampire.
But the air changes, becoming tight and charged.
Anna hadn't really planned on dancing with this short man with the energy of a young galloping mare. She was talking to other princesses— actually enjoying speaking with new girls around her age— when she was asked for a dance and swept her away before she could utter a word. It is only when he begins to make movements like a chicken muttering about graceful peacocks, Anna realizes that this is the duke from the dinner nights before. The duke with the flippity hairpiece on his head. His dancing is completely awful. Hopefully, Elsa is seeing what she is experiencing. Anna giggles and momentarily scans around for her sister.
Elsa is gone.
The duke steps on her foot. "Ow, ow," Anna steps back, annoyed. The duke reaches out and closes the distance in a dancing position.
"My apologies!" the duke says, "If you swoon, let me know. I'll catch you. I caught a number of fair maidens in my days."
Ooh, Anna doesn't like this. She's uncomfortable but she has to keep this image up a little longer before she rushes an excuse, like— I've to find my sister now.
"It's great that the doors open." They settle in the basic steps. "Who would have thought the princess and our reigning queen would be beautiful. Speaking of, why did they shut the gates in the first place?" Suspicion is clear in his tone.
"What—?"
"Do you know the reason?"
"...no—"
"Your father? Mother?"
Me. It was me. That guilt feeling she had earlier returned. There will always be an encounter that reminds Anna about her true self. About her fangs, and unnatural strength for a young girl. Her need for human blood.
Having the doors close exclusively because of her biological nature. And now, having them open, it's a harsh reality to realize that it changes nothing,
"—and what of your sister—?"
"Elsa?" Anna squeaks, feeling a slight new emotion that she cannot describe. It wasn't sadness, no.
"Yes! Hang on! They don't call me the little dipper for nothing!" With that, he dips Anna, which admittedly steals her breath. The duke leans close to her face. It's invading, yet he continues to speak, "Could it be she is the sole reason why they closed the gates? Perhaps she committed a heinous crime with that ice sorcery of hers. Is it theft? Treason? Murder?"
Eyebrows narrowing, the slightly new emotion she feels increases. How dare he! About the Queen— about her sister!— right in front of her face! Without another thought, the princess maneuvers around out of this dipped position lift his scrawny body in the air, and turns. Everyone witnesses this rare astonishing sight with gasps. But Anna isn't aware of this. She isn't even aware of the shock cries and yelps of the duke. Not even when she throws him to the table, that holds the glass drinks.
The wig flies off his head before the short man makes a collision. The sounds of shattering glass and a broken wooden table interrupt the music.
And now— All eyes are on her. The room is stripped of all noises.
The dead silence seems to snap her out of the fury. Anna gasps as she realizes what she has done— how unbecoming this is for a princess and well just a human in general. As she nervously huffs out a laugh, Anna makes a move to go over to the injured man (he's about a yard away) but she pauses in her tracks.
Two men help the duke up—
this isn't what makes Anna stop.
It's the scent that hits her before she could see it. His gloved hands and cheeks are punctured with shards of glass, blood flowing from the wounds. It's a delightful sight to her (she has to remind herself this is only because of her biological half)
The blood is the sweetest blood she has ever smelt. Immediately, Anna's throat dries. She could feel her eyes swirl to the blood-red. On (accidental) instinct, she bares her teeth for everyone to see. It elicits startle cries from the crowd.
"Vampire!" the duke says, pointing a shaky finger at her. "She's a vampire!"
The word 'vampire' rings around her ears. She seriously regrets showing her teeth. "No—" Anna starts, covering her mouth wanting to say so much but what can she say? No, that's not true! I'm completely ordinary— like the rest of you! That would be lying.
The people gasp and murmur in fear, trying to put a great distance between themselves and the princess. Terrible words are thrown at her; Vampire!
Devil's spawn!
Her eyes!— so red!
And look at those fangs!
Someone, please help!
Get help!
Guards!
She's going to suck our blood!
Guards!
Vampire
Guards!
Get the stake!
Grab fire!
Vampire!
Vampire!
It's all too much. Anna hurries to the door. The guards scrambles out of her way. Tears brews in her eyes. The strange feeling she felt after her parents' funeral return. "Please, please help! Please help!" Anna whispers. The people behind her continue to scream.
Someone—!
Guards! After the vampire!
Anna picks up her pace and bursts through the door. She runs down the stairs, continuing to pray for that force to come quickly so that it can relieve her.
The crowd cuts its applause and cheers at the sight of Anna (still her red eyes have not returned to normal and her agape mouth still shows her fangs) Anna sees that a citizen folk turns her baby away and shouts in fear. Push forward wanting to get away. Where is it? Where's my sister?
The duke follows her outside. "There she is! There is the vampire! Stop her! Kill her!"
That word brings a sharp fear rippling in Anna. She makes a series of noises as the women of the crew move farther away and the men advance her. Anna backs up, her back hitting the fountain. With an outstretched hand, she begs, "Please— don't. I- I haven't done any— I never hurt—"
Here's the stake!
Kill the vampire!
Anna shut her eyes, unable to face what could possibly happen next—
Something— is terribly wrong. The queen thinks it's the prince's doing, but the expression— the awareness— shown on his face proves otherwise. Before she opens her mouth. A castle guard, Nathaniel rounds the stoned corner, breathing hard from running. His eyes are wide and he looks as if the sky had ripped open.
"Anna?" Elsa asks, a tightness growing in her chest. Nathaniel can only nod and Elsa runs.
An ear-splitting screech disturbs ripples through the ear. Everyone, including Anna, looks for its source. At the far end, the crowd slowly parts in silence. Three figures. One of them— for sure, 1000% positive— Anna knows it's the force she has been asking for. Tonight— of all nights— she will finally see the person who has been haunting her, and yet aiding her, in the flesh.
As he— they— near, Anna holds her breath. She quickly debates whether she should take this chance and run. Get away from everyone. The folks here seem to be distracted enough to not see her make a disappearing act. Leave or stay? Leave or stay? Oh god, he's getting closer! So close— oh! He's gorgeous!— but in a dark way!
He chuckles— as if he heard her thoughts. Anna blushes a crimson red. It's a bit beneficial for this situation because without the crowd wanting to… rid her a few moments ago, she would be spewing the first ridiculous things out of her mouth.
He stops a few feet away from her. His two friends also halt a few feet away from him. Anna stares in his—
blood red eyes.
Anna gasps. He's a vampire too!
And he's utterly handsome. Striking. So pale. Paler than herself. His midnight-black hair is perfect. His perfect brows amaze her. And his smirk— if it was stretched a little bit longer she would see his pristine white fangs.
He just stares at her. And she, him. Maybe I should say something. He doesn't look like the guy to speak first. Anna opens her mouth but a breathy sound only comes out. Again this man chuckles.
"Hello, Annabelle."
That voice! The same voice that visited her around the time her parents had died. His dark alluring voice is mellifluous to her ears. "H-hi?" she finally says.
"I must say, you have grown quite a bit from our last encounter."
Dumbly, Anna nods.
"I didn't expect to visit you again until your birthday. That's— what?— six days from now?"
Again, she nods.
"But you look in need. For dire help. From these humans." He spits the word out in a tone of hatred and hunger.
Anna nods— hesitantly, eyes flicking between the crowd and this man. They wanted to kill her. Still, do. But even as the bravest men try to step closer, the force's companions growls in a warning. Thankful she is, however, Anna doesn't want him to hurt these people. She just wants to go away. Far away from these spiteful people. And to punish the duke. Make him pay for his words. But not kill him because of what he said about Elsa. Oh no— wait. Actually, Anna just wants Elsa. For her big sister to come to her rescue. She'll know what to do. She always has.
"Anna!"
Speak of the angel! Yet Anna doesn't look back. She can't tear her eyes away from this man. But Elsa is here. She should be with her sister. Anna makes a small noise, wanting to cry. Wanting to tear free from the box of horrors she opened this evening. The tears she is holding back, fall freely.
"Shush," the man says, stepping closer to her. Anna flinches. Her senses pick up his scent. So sweet. Sweeter than the duke's blood. it's not even blood that she smells. She wants to drown in his scent. His fingers brush away her tears. "Don't cry now. I'll help you. Help you… realize."
With those words being said, he removes himself from her personal space. The vampire grabs a random woman (actually he didn't actively grab the woman. He thrust his hand out, and like a magnet, she is dragged to him, her neck in his claw)— and to everyone's horror, he easily rake her throat with his sharp nails and pushes the poor woman to the arms of the princess before disappearing (with the other two companions)
Instinctively, Anna sinks her teeth into the woman's mangled throat. She could hear Elsa's voice, Anna NO! She can taste the pure sweetness of this victim. So delicious! The prisoners have never tasted this good. Maybe because she is a female— a young female, she never had a girl's blood before! She grips the whimpering woman tighter, ignoring how her sharp nails deeply puncture the skin. She doesn't care for this woman's pain or her weakening struggle. Her blood would satisfy Anna for more than a week. If she has more blood like this, she can be satisfied for months. Anna sucks harder and faster.
"AS QUEEN OF ARENDELLE, I DEMAND YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM MY SISTER!"
This is the first Anna heard Elsa yell with such anger and authority in her voice. Anna opens her eyes and looks at the queen as she drinks. She stands, hands out facing the crowd, her purple cape billowing behind her, with a fierce expression. She's… she is beautiful. Well, Anna has always thought Elsa to be beautiful, but right now, Elsa's hands out in a threatening manner, make her more beautiful-ler. God, she wants to touch her. And that's what she's going to do— touch her; Anna drops the dead woman—
Dead woman. Dead woman. Dead, dead dead dead—
Anna jumps and removes herself from the body. People shout in surprise. Some run away, unable to look upon the face of a princess, whose chin and neck are painted of red blood. Coated of blood. Dripping.
Anna covers her mouth, eyes wide open as she looks at the pale woman— so drained of blood—I did that? I did that! I just killed someone! Oh god- oh god! She just committed the very one act that separates vampires from good and… unholy…
Elsa catches Anna's fearful look. She slowly advances to her sister, ignoring the contrast between the blood and her pale skin…(it is— it shouldn't be— captivating. why... ). "Anna. Anna— look at me."
Blue eyes met hers. Good. It's a start. "Everything is okay." Anna's eyes go back to the woman, who is most likely dead. "No! No— don't look at her. Look at me. Everything's okay. We can fix this— together." She's almost close. Just a step away. Elsa offers her hand, beckoning her sister. "Let's go."
Anna steps back. "St-stay back, please. I don't—" Anna inhales sharply as she looks at her small, bloody hands. "I don't wanna hurt you."
"You won't. We can go home," the queen persuades. "Call off the festivals—"
"St-stay back Elsa."
"No Anna, don't push me away." There's sternness in Elsa's voice. This makes Anna nervous. She begins to hear the words of the people. The words of the duke. How they want her gone. Killed. How they believe that she is a danger to kids and babies, to helpless women. She'll take our kids. Our women! They knew— they (her parents) knew, that's why the gates were always closed. Because she's a vampire.
Elsa continues to close the distance between them. "You're not alone—"
A lie! A LIE. She was always alone. Always— how is it she is the only half-human, half-vampire? There is no one like her. And no one in this town would ever accept her, seeing that she is what makes people scream in fear. So yes. She is alone. And her sister— Elsa told a lie. A lie—
Elsa's head snaps to the side, feeling three lines of sharp pain on her cheek. A small whimper of pain escapes her lips. Elsa returns her now wide eyes to Anna, hand covering her cheek. Red blood trickles through and down her fingers.
Anna cries out. "Elsa…!" Anna takes a step closer to her, hands out to help, and then stops in her tracks. Elsa's scent. Elsa's blood. It fills her nostrils. It… titillates Anna. If she could just smell this aroma, Anna would be content with life. She almost forgets where she actually is, or the predicament. Almost.
"Anna…" the queen whispers.
Her sister's broken, cracked voice breaks the influences. The princess realizes what she has done. "Oh…"
Elsa stutters, using her hand to reach out to her sister. "No no— it's… it's f-fine—"
Anna takes off with a screech.
And Elsa doesn't follow.