Gerda appearing with Ryu in tow was the only thing that finally drew Elsa's eyes up from her notes that she was furiously writing, the scribble was drowned out by the conversation of the investigative team trying their hardest to gain some ground.
Her clothes were rumpled and black dust subtly coated the bridge of her nose, the clear signs of a rushed and clumsy clean up attempt. Her shoulders remained pulled back standing with that familiar discipline in the presence of authority. Elsa still couldn't decipher if it was an instinctual habit of dragons or something trained into her; she had not asked deterred by the girl whenever she tried to take a small shuffle into the conversation of her past receiving the reply of 'later'. She now was developing a distain for the word. It was evident Ryu was still was insecure with both the environment and the people she shared it with.
Elsa squinted at her state while the others nodded in greeting, it would have been difficult to notice at a glance and when Elsa's inspection was descried Ryu turned her head away to the right.
The light filtered in through the large window to the left of the table, giving the wood the illusion as if it had just been polished, the only one not seated was Ryu, she stepped aside as a maid poured her a glass of water to which she nodded to in thanks.
The chatter momentarily stopped when the dragon stood next to the empty chair, and when her gaze found Elsa's they shared a small smile but kept quiet when Mattias spoke up.
"As I was saying your Majesty, the linguist have few ideas in regards to country origins of Julien but he has neither confirmed nor denied them and refuses to speak in his native tongue."
Anna did not look pleased. Elsa was tempted to go over and comfort her to ease the tension which coiled tightly in her shoulders. What kept her rooted in place was Kristoff taking the role of being her sister's pillar of support, soothing her with whispered words of encouragement keeping the table occupant's spirits up in his usual cool practicality.
Elsa watched as he took temporary control of the room. He definitely was a different man than he used to be; more confident which was only aided by his decisively calm demeanour. It was easy for people to listen to him, to trust him, and take comfort in his blunt and direct but kind words.
"Finding out his country of origin will be helpful yes, but the magic he possessed is also alarming and should be investigated as well. Elsa?"
She looked up from her writing at first with her eyes then head. Placing the pencil down gently she folded her hands politely upon the table.
"Yes?"
"How are the other spirits doing since the incident? Any weird-" he moved his scrunched up hands from side to side. "-symptoms effects?"
"Besides lethargy and a decrease in Bruni's appetite- no- though Nokk is acting odd it could be a physical or mental side effect of which I'm not sure of quite yet."
Satisfied, Anna nodded removing her index finger and thumb from cupping her mouth and chin when she sighed heavily.
"Well it seems the best course of action is finding his country of origin and as Kristoff said how he came upon such a weapon as a sword-"
A small groan was barely heard coming from the dragon who shook her head.
Elsa looked to her disquieted, before she had the opportunity to open her mouth Anna spoke up staring directly at Ryu.
"Is there a problem Periwinkle?"
"Yes, that's a very stupid plan." Anna's eyebrows rose to her hairline at the statement.
"I beg your pardon." Mattias said now turning his head from Anna to Ryu.
"No need-" Ryu said simply. "That's just a bad plan all around-eh."
"We don't really have anything tangible right now to work with, any course of action at this point seems like our best bet-" Kristoff says shrugging. "We tried waiting it out, that didn't work, yes we have Julien in custody but he obviously has friends."
"Maybe the plan would have went better if the queen wasn't kept out of the loop." Elsa deflected the pointed stare shot her way with a small apologetic cringe writing much more quickly now while Kristoff met Anna's face with indifference. What happened happened, it was in the past and couldn't be changed now.
As far as the queen was concerned Ryu was the last person to be consulted on planning. Her plan was successful yes but it was also unnecessary, risky, and hair-brained.
It was when Ryu responded that Anna realized she had voiced her concerns out loud in antipathetic murmurs.
"Yes agree, I make bad plans uh which is why I know a bad plan when I see one."
Mattias and Yelena found themselves squinting at the dragon for very different reasons while Anna countered nearly standing with how much force she exuded.
Honeymaren crossed her arms interjecting without caution. "Not taking action is a bad plan and the greater of the two evils it seems." Her frustration evident from corner they had all been backed into."Besides it seems things just keep getting more and more complicated what with fires now being set in dungeons."
Anna continued. "We don't even know if it was an escape attempt or jailbreak, there were no suspects found." She wasn't sure how much more she could take, how much more anyone could take. Sleep wasn't something that had been easy to come by lately, staying up all hours of the night either talking, figuring out what to do or just anxiety and worry.
It was serendipitous for Elsa to look up at the right moment to witness Ryu's abstruse grimace.
She didn't...
Ryu picked up her glass and took a long deliberate sip, setting it down slowly as if it was the most important task in the world. The spirit had seen that look before when Ryu was caught doing something naughty in the woods. Despite having a different body she still made the same expressions as before.
She couldn't...
As Mattias continued to express the details of the incident her gazed fixed for just a few moments when he went over the injuries with an internalizing concentration. When no injuries were reported she returned to the previous manner of conducting herself during the damages report.
She did.
Standing up and ignoring the questioning looks Elsa stalked towards the dragon.
Of all the reckless, irresponsible, foolish-
Everyone witnessed on confused as she took a stance near Ryu arms crossed, her eyes became angry shards boring holes into the side of her target's head who folded her lips inward sheepishly.
"Uuuh-" Kristoff glanced at the others for answers but they were searching for some as well.
Slowly, Ryu began to crack under the pressure of Elsa's glare. "It- It wasn't a jail break or escape eh attempt." Her voice quivered.
This caused the room's, that is except for Elsa who continued her intense glowering, to keep foreheads scrunched in apprehension.
Anna would have laughed at her sister had she not been so confused, Elsa rarely made that face that was reminiscent of a child who had their candy stolen from them, it wasn't the least bit intimidating but it seemed to be successful in whatever Elsa's goal was by making Ryu wither.
The air began to grow colder in juxtaposition to the incandescent late afternoon sun.
"And you know this how?" Yelana finally spoke calmly, face placid.
Gulping Ryu spoke up with a dry taciturn note hitching in her throat.
"Because eh uh I am the one who...started it."
Eight seconds passed for the news to finally take grip of the room.
Numerous voices, belonging to Anna, Honeymaren, Mattias and his select few trusted men could be heard but the words couldn't be discerned.
Elsa's shoulders slump as she rubs her face haggardly in sync with Kristoff.
Many emotions, silent and verbal opinions ricocheted in the room like a a bolt piercing through the air from a high pressured machine.
"Are you serious? Why are you so determined to destroy my home?"
"If word of this gets out people will begin the rumour mill that you were in league with assassination attempt."
With all eyes on Ryu, Elsa noticed the scales upon her neck which dipped down into her neckline harden and twitch.
"I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep Erusa safe-"
At this Anna scoffed bitterly. "And you think we're not!" Her arm flung gesturing to the table's occupants.
"I don't know yet, I do know you're all willing to waste time sitting in a room crafting horrible ideas-"
"How dare you!"
"At least we're not running around committing arson." Honeymaren said with a sarcastic shrug.
A flare of emotion erupted inside Ryu reflecting back out in her eyes. Her body was tight- like the string of a bow, looking as if it would snap at any moment from the tension her chest glowed putting those that knew what followed on edge. "I'll commit whatever crime I have to in order to protect Erusa! And happily accept the consequences..."
It was a difficult argument to say the least for Anna. She understood Ryu's perspective she too would commit many crimes to keep her sister safe but she also had other responsibilities as well to her staff, her people, her family, and setting fires in the castle still seemed so asinine.
"Why didn't you just ask to speak with Julien Miss Ryu?" Mattias interjected cautiously.
When Ryu answered she kept her eyes trained in front reminiscent of a prisoner appearing before a court on trial. "I was given word from the guards that Erusa and Anna gave orders for me to not have an audience with him."
"Well yeah he stabbed you nearly taking your life." It was said as if it was obvious, but it wasn't for the dragon who merely shook her head.
"He is chained to a wall, the worse he could have done was strangle me with the chains, or attempt to I should say. Even if I asked you both would have said no."
Anna's face became red and heated at the presupposition of her character and judgement. This was the second time the dragon was presumptive of her, what kept her words reigned in was the indecision that squirmed its way into her head. Would she have said no? The incline that lead to yes was tucked away.
Elsa however voiced her own truth. "I would have forbid it, wondering if you were insane." Anna shot her down with a glare that could melt an ice cap.
At this Ryu upturned her palms deadpanning her eyes in Anna's direction.
Kristoff stood up deciding to take charge over the room. "Everyone calm down. There's no use fighting amongst ourselves when there are bigger carrots to pluck."
"I don't think that's a saying- but Kristoff is right!" Kristoff smiled small at Honeymaren's support, while ushering Anna to sit.
Elsa too nodded in agreement, a hatred formed in her heart for the bickering Ryu and Anna took part of, she had hoped they'd get along.
"Now that our Allegiances are confirmed, Miss Ryu have you found out anything that could aid us?"
The agitation cooled down inside her chest as she collected her thoughts in a neat little stack. Now finally they could have a conducive conversation, she wasn't entirely unrepentant for the fire infact it stabbed at a deep and large rooted nerve within her heart for reasons she'd rather not visit ever, but it was a necessary misdemeanor and she'd work personally to help clean up her mess unlike in the past.
"Tracking his country of origin, which is Brazil by the way, is a fool's errand. I am confident that Brazil has no quarrel with Erusa- they have their own problems to worry about."
"It would be odd for Brazil to place an a bounty on you-" Honeymaren adds glancing to Elsa. "Would they even know you exist?"
Elsa looked down at the table in contemplation. "I don't believe we've ever had correspondence with any South American countries. Anna?"
Looking to her sister Elsa could tell something was bothering her and she had a sneaking suspicion it had to do with Ryu.
Anna shook head no. The eyes of the room returned to Ryu as she continued.
"And even if there is a chance that-tu Brazil is involved then we have-" she side eyed fleetingly to the clock. "Four to six months give or take...or never if by the likely hood they all die of scurvy and other diseases they'll bring."
Elsa looks up for a moment speaking without reserve mistakenly. "...and then we'll all be dead from exposure to foreign bacterium." A disturbed look scrunched some of their faces besides Ryu and Kristoff who nodded in agreement.
"And if they have agents already here?"
"We look for any foreigner who just came here with a weird accent."
Ryu could sense the small bit of scrutiny in everyone's eyes that were upon her aside from Elsa who was busy writing everything that had been said thus far.
"Brazilian accent." Honeymaren says correcting herself.
"Okay, what about the weapon?" Kristoff asks crossing his large arms.
"It's irrelevant." Elsa concludes. "I've read tales from other lands and fact checked them best to my abilities, they aren't just children's stories. Magic exist all over the world and we don't know if this sword could lead us back to Brazil or Germany or even a few miles away from here, it's sadly a waste of time at this juncture."
A puerile grin graced Ryu's face, she looked thoroughly satisfied with that conclusion.
"So what do we do-" Anna intercedes impatiently."Sit here and wait for them to come shoot you?"
Elsa is rubs her chin actually considering the option. Anna watched in disbelief before throwing a pen in her water cup with surprising accuracy, the result splashing Elsa's face snapping her from contemplation.
"Ah ah! Hey no! That's bad! We're not doing that... Not again." After some quick thinking Anna snaps her fingers. "We find out where he came from!"
"We know that already, Brazil."
"No, no, we know where he's from but not where he came from."
Both Ryu and Elsa's eyes lit up while the rest watched on in confusion.
Before Kristoff could open his mouth probably to ask for an explanation Ryu spoke up.
"I know what you mean, That's a much better plan than before, but this means we have no time lose." Resolute she turns heading for the door quickly, letting out a strangled gelk when Honeymaren grabbed her collar absent mindedly in a vice grip.
"No ships from Brazil landed near Arendelle and unless one came to a different country and he walked here -also unlikely- then he came on a ship that was at port recently." Elsa says.
"Well then I think my agents and I have much work to do then." Mattias muses. He looked to his queen for dismal which she grants.
"It still wouldn't hurt to find out where the sword came from." Now Anna and Elsa began to develop a hunch that Kristoff had an interests in the weapon that went beyond the cause.
"Which should not be a priority right now but go off."
"Hush you." Honeymaren chastised, dumping water on Ryu's head who remains apathetic.
"It would be much more useful to find out what it does from your grand papa baddie and worry about whether it's feeling homesick later yeah-" she held up her thumb and nodded. "Good."
Kristoff snuffed a small laugh through his nose. "Either way I need to go see Grand Pabbie."
"Actually he's visiting in a day or two so we can ask him then." Elsa confirmed. The idea still brought her some anxiety, she was supposed to keep Ryu in good health but now she was back to limping with a crater like epicenter in abdomen and heavily involved in a conspiracy against her life.
"Perfect."
Finally with the meeting concluded Ryu was released from Honeymaren's grip and into the hallway before anyone had even gotten up.
"Hey Periwinkle?" Ryu turned upon hearing her name, finding Anna holding her green skirts as she sped walked towards the dragon.
"Look I-" she began but then stopped staring at the ground as if it had the right words for her to say. Ryu remained patient despite the anxious twitch of her muscles.
"I just wanted to say to you that the plan you crafted with Elsa will not happen again-"
"I agree." Despite being shocked by Ryu so readily submitting she carried on.
"Elsa values your opinion and input and just you in general-" Ryu appeared perplexed by this information. "I do not appreciate you telling my sister to keep something as serious as an assassination attempt from me."
"Okay." It sounded as if an And? Would follow but instead the implication of it was left unsaid.
"It's undermining to me as both the queen and Elsa's sister, I also will not have you discredit my decisions in front of people." The queenly persona Anna now displayed was entirely different than the bubbly girl Ryu had met prior or seen around the castle.
"Your decision was idiotic." Ryu stated in a matter of fact tone.
"Even still it is disrespectful to undermine my authority."
Ryu hummed rolling her words in her head carefully. "So what you are saying eh you don't want anyone questioning your decisions?"
Anna blinked a couple times as her queenly semblance slipped away. "That is not at all what I'm saying-" she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Just be respectful of the authority I hold here please."
"Anna I'm not going to respect you because you are the queen, I respect you cause you are the person I care about's sister and as an individual as well. I do not pay heed to human titles, useless." She swatted at the air shooing away the word and concept it represented and with that said Ryu turned to go on her way.
Anna stared after her. W-was- did that go well? She let out a humourless laugh. "I liked it better when you couldn't talk."
Down the hall she heard chuckles erupt from Ryu who looked over her shoulder with a knowing grin before limping away.
This certainly wasn't how Elsa hoped the relationship between Ryu and Anna would develop. The meeting had been intense to say the least.
She rubbed the nape of her neck which ached from watching Anna create a trench in the carpet with her pacing.
"I mean what if she were to do that in front a dignitary or ambassador? And now Georg Scherer is staying longer than expected we can't afford any trouble Els and while I appreciate her efforts everytime Periwinkle steps into the capital she causes trouble."
Elsa remained quiet during her sister's venting, she went over their discussion and could understand why Anna would feel confused around the dragon, she did as well sometimes but for different reasons, were they any less frustrating that she wasn't certain of. Placing the tea saucer down to free her hands as Anna sat beside her upon the lounge, she allowed her to snuggle into her side and ran her index finger down the bridge of Anna's nose.
"I'll have a talk with her if you'd like, I think perhaps it's just difficult for her to grasp the complexity of our lives and all that entails. Apparently dragons have a society all of their own with different customs and intricacies." An unconvinced grunt was her reply, Elsa ventured through the topic carefully she didn't want to sully Ryu's already dubious reputation but still did not want to invalidate Anna's feelings towards the matter.
Both sides important.
It seemed the list of things she and Ryu had to talk about would keep growing and growing, from Anna's tribulations, to the encounter she had with Julien, her propensity for arson-
Her past.
It felt ridiculous sneaking through her own secondary home, more than ridiculous it felt horribly nostalgic of the days when Elsa was allowed to venture from her room on rare occasions in the night.
Entering the library she spotted Ryu pouring over some papers. Instead of making her presence known she stood a good distance away and watched the expression of bored concentration etch itself over Ryu's features.
The way her light brows knitted together ever so slightly, her eyes dilated as they absorbed whatever it was she was reading.
Here was a dragon that seemingly came from nowhere injured and afraid now standing in the castle library reading. Yes things had changed quite sudden and abruptly.
Why was she here? What drove Ryu's inclinations towards her? What did the dragon want in the grand scheme of things?
The words that followed the flicker of Ryu's nose startled Elsa into a small jolt.
"Still spying on me?" Her voice remained small with a tiny laugh in effort to maintain the quiet, upon closer inspection Elsa saw the pen she held to circle words on the papers.
Eventually she slowly made her way to Ryu's side, the warmth she felt in the air was palpable, humid almost but easier to breathe in. Without her magic it would have been uncomfortable somewhat for her.
The dragon scooted a bit to the left allowing Elsa more room to see the contents of the paper.
It was ledgers from the naval master no doubt regarding the ships that had been in and out of Arendelle's port.
"Kristoff-eh gave them to me, he said it was important that we record all ships in and out of port and my sharp eyes were needed." Ryu said sardonically.
Elsa nodded noncommittally, she sounded frustrated by the busy work, she had to admit to herself that Ryu never strikes her as one favoring such an abstract pursuit as studying ledgers and charters.
Kristoff's intentions however weren't as subtle as he probably would have liked to both of them. If Ryu was in the library busy then she was less likely to get into trouble, he even used Elsa's safety as an incentive knowing she'd not abandon the task until it was completed.
"So am I to presume you enjoy this?"
"I hate it yeh, but it is necessary and besides once I have the- the answers I can move forward a way I see fit.
Looking back at the work she noted the Kenji - was that what Grand Pabbie called it?
It looked as if Ryu attempted to write it in their Nordic language but gave up seeing as it was difficult to read for both speakers of the language and herself. Her writing in her own native tongue was much more neat than the first clumsy attempt.
Elsa's finger gently traced the Japanese notes written vertically, it was beautiful more likened to art than actual writing.
"When we eliminate those who pose a threat to you I can teach you if you'd like." Elsa's trance like stupor over the notes was broken sharply.
Eliminate? Did she mean?
Debating whether or not she should ask the intentions behind that word instead decided to add that as another topic for them to discuss.
"I'd like that." Elsa remarks in a softly. As much as she was enjoying their amiable quiet that was only disturbed by the small scribbling of Ryu writing she gave Anna her word she'd voice her concerns.
Taking a deep breath she treaded carefully with her words."I well- I told Anna I'd speak to you about the meeting." Ryu merely peeked at her from the side.
It was all the invitation Elsa was given to continue. "She felt you disrespected her."
"I know she told-eh me already, I think it is sorted yes." Ryu replied in her usual quick manner of speaking.
"Yes she told me about that too-" looking off to the side Elsa twiddled her fingers. "It somewhat left her a bit puzzled- that talk the two of you had."
Ryu seemed to be entirely unsuspecting of this when she finally drew attention away from the ledgers with a brow raised. "And she didn't tell me this why?"
That was a difficult question, one Elsa didn't have an answer too, she knew Anna wasn't afraid to speak her mind and generally was rather bold and forthcoming.
"Perhaps she felt some difficulty communicating with you and found it easier if I spoke to you instead."
"Because it is easier for you?" Elsa nodded slowly. She still looked as if she couldn't grasp the notion but acquiesced silently.
"Her plan was foolish- not outrageously so- but it was no good, I won't apologize for pointing that out." Slowly the pen was laid down. "I'm not much of a planner, never have been- so it seems I have no right to speak, but you do not have to know how to play piano to hear when someone is off key." She gave Elsa the opportunity to process what she was saying.
It was difficult to argue with those points, Elsa's only backings were emotional and rationality seemed to rule Ryu's heart and mind.
Except when it comes to me she decides to act in recklessness.
Elsa blinked heavily at the whisper she heard from within feeding into self indulgent recollection of Ryu's motivations.
"I would have done this again and again cause I like you."
She could appreciate the cogent approach to some issues but then sympathy over any hurt feelings always got the better of her so most of her truths were put through many filters before her words would touch the air.
"You seem disappointed eh." Elsa hugged her torso shrugging, with her chin pointed down slightly, her gaze casted upward past her lashes. "It's not that-"
Finding footing was difficult with Ryu leaning back, eyebrow arched, and head tilted looking at Elsa as if she were an intriguing puzzle, even her scales looked softer than earlier.
"I said what I said to help, and it did help, I said what I said because- I don't know." Her once crossed arms now hung at her sides defeated.
"Well maybe show some more respect as Anna feels you don't"
"If I didn't I would have let her barrel ahead with that idiotic plan instead of warning her."
Finally a connection had been drawn inside Elsa's mind. This must have been one of the few ways Ryu displayed affection outside of the physical. She too appeared to be just as shocked as Elsa by this as if she came to the realization just then.
"That's entirely understandable, perhaps though we could practice tact." Now there was a word she never heard before.
Elsa giggled at her quizzical expression and began explaining what it meant.
"So I shoulduh not say what I really feel and think and well just allude to it?" It seemed like a waste of time to her.
"No, say how you really feel and think but know that sometimes in certain situations it isn't what you say but how you say it." A pregnant pause drew a distance between the two despite their close physical proximity.
"What I say is what I think and how I say it is how I feel." Resisting the urge to run a palm down her face Elsa instead retreated inside to find a way to put them on even ground.
"Perspectives are subjective for each individual and vary due to experiences, emotions, personalities, environment, rearing-" It was evident by the Ryu's subtle pout and the way her eyes bounced to here and there as if searching for an answer that Elsa's answer was lost on her, curious but still confused.
Perhaps she could turn it into something more physical and less abstract...
"Think of the way we see the world and react to things as a window, everyone has their own window that is shaped and colored uniquely to the lives they live, now you may look out your window and see a white ball that to you is- um what is your favorite color?"
Ryu shook her head. "I don't have one."
"Oh well alright then- your window is green and to let's say Anna hers is red, you both see the white ball, to you it is green and to her it is red. So you argue about what color the ball actually is. Both right in your own view of things."
"The ball is white so we're both wrong."
Elsa held up her hand. "In this scenario the actual color of the ball is non-quintessential, the ball just represents a view point white because it is objective. And many others see other colors as well and sometimes people see a perspective or window that opposes their own as antagonizing when it is simply just different."
After pacing about Elsa drew closer. "Understanding another's perspective can open up an entire new world that is their own of possibilities and opportunities for us to grew and improve but scorn them even without meaning to and they draw their blinds and are less likely to share with you their world, that to me is more important than being right." This seemed to appeal to Ryu's better nature which in turn made Elsa feel quite proud until she spoke up after mulling over what the spirit had lamented.
"Is that why you hide yourself behind tact? You think your true self will offend them?"
Elsa's retort whatever it may have been died in her throat. As a puddle would dry up under the scorching sun Ryu's words burned her to exposure.
She knew the 'them' Ryu had referred to was anyone except Ryu herself, as if she knew that whatever was contained in Elsa's small inner world could never spoil her opinion of the spirit.
The feeling of alienation that had once terrified Elsa didn't, now that she had someone else on the lonely island that marooned her from the rest of the world.
"I don't hide." This didn't shake away the doubt that gripped her assuredness. No she didn't hide, she was through with concealing, she had learned that lesson twice now. Thrice if Anna's birthday when she had gotten sick counted for anything.
The look Ryu gave her spoke a thousand and one variations of one word. Bullshit
"You do even from Anna," Ryu swayed back and forth, arms swinging as they dangled at her sides. "Things- certain things."
The mention of her sister had brought on a level of defense Elsa had not felt since before when Ryu was just Cherry. "Are you assuming you know me?"
A giggle hiccuped in Ryu's chest. "I'm assuming I don't." Elsa had still heard it even though it was a whisper. "Even though I'd like to."
The reverence she spoke in gestures to Elsa as if she was some grand puzzle to be solved, and it seemed to thrilled Ryu more so than frustrate her.
"I could say the same thing in your regard."
Ryu snorts. "I'm nothing more than a dragon, a creature of destruction who likes cinnamon snails... What more is there?" Despite her efforts to evade the terrible implications of the remark with a glib tone, Elsa's heart still cracks for her and the fragility that just threatened to spill over.
"Alot more, there's a whole world of more...but alas we have reached a impasse." Another word Ryu did not know.
"Impasse is more like when an immovable object meets an unstoppable force."
The dragon hummed drumming the pen across her palm. "We could continue to hold ourselves ransom against the other or..."
"Or?" Elsa prodded.
"I give you a bit of me and you give me a bit of yourself in return."
Well that would solve a great deal of the emotional turmoil that would have came with asking Ryu about herself and her past. Perhaps if it were more transactional she'd be more inclined to share and Elsa could help her, in exchange she'd give herself.
Although Ryu's innate curiosity still perplexed her to no end, sure she had interesting stories to tell and almost impossible situations happen to her- outside of the fantastical occurrences Elsa as an individual considered herself bland. She was reserved, cared deeply for her loved ones, could create winters- something that was a gift for her mother's heroics and altruism, and enjoyed simple things; Reading, writing, mapping the stars, fauna, spending time with her family, friends and academics.
Anna was the more exciting of the two according Elsa. So it seemed she had nothing to lose.
"Deal." They sealed it with gentle smiles before Ryu spoke again.
"And... I- well I suppose I could practice having... Tact?" Elsa's smile grew.
"You are alot more easily persuaded than I would have thought."
"Or maybe you're very convincing eh, plus it seems important to you and you are a very intelligent person so I would like to know why."
Unsure of how to respond Elsa merely began translating some of the words learning it was much easier to understand the language than to speak and writing it for Ryu.
Even though the previous discussion wasn't the most jovial it still offered a great relief to Elsa, a comfort that with those Ryu cared about she did not mince her words or thoughts, she had no filter, her thoughts came out of her mouth without editing.
Still it felt hypocritical to enjoy the sense of security from Ryu's transparency while she hid behind opaque glass with most.
She'd definitely explain this to Anna.
With that matter settled she ventured to a different topic.
"Two friends of mine, Grand Pabbie and Bulda, will be visiting to see you, so we should probably prepare to return home after gathering more information of course."
"Why do they wish to see me?" The trepidation was obvious in her question not wanting to raise alarm Elsa swiftly went on to explain their draconian history and expertise, this calmed and even intrigued said dragon who nodded.
Looking to the papers she gestured to them with a head jerk. "We can continue the investigation there I suppose and maybe you'll be safer."
It was then it dawned on Elsa, would Ryu be staying in her home or remain in the forest?
This was one of the rare occasions Elsa considered what she wanted, did she wish for Ryu to stay with her in her cottage?
"Chikushou!" Ryu cursed the pen shaking it for more ink. It exploded in her face during her perusal of its tip, regretfully she licked the corner of her mouth ridding it of ink.
"Nnnguh!" She choked out disgustedly.
Yes.
She did want Ryu to stay even if for a little while. Her mind already came up with numerous reasons on why that arrangement would benefit the both of them and would bring those reasons up when they left for no other purpose than the fear of her offer being rejected by the dragon.
Elsa hid her giggles behind her fingers. Ryu shook her head. "You shouldn't eat ink." She warned as though it was Elsa that licked it off her lips instead she herself.
"Hm I had no idea- Ah!- don't wipe your finger on me!" She protested laughing along with Ryu's mischievous chuckles while manifesting an ice cloth to clean her now stained forearm.
She really is an imp.
While many desired for the sweet nostalgic reprieve happy childhood memories bided, to him they were nothing but a curse, a reminder of a foolish time when it was thought that love and compassion were enough to change one's inherent nature.
The moments of laughter and innocent play pure and right meant nothing except willful ignorance and contradictions. Could a fox raised in a chicken coop lose its appetite for fowl? Would it still bark or would it cluck? When the fox turned on the chickens whose fault was it? The chickens who instead of purging it out while it was young kept it for senseless sentiment, or the fox for simply doing what every fiber in its being ordered it to?
The sound of wood groaning from the abuse casted upon it from the strong summer monsoonal waves had become a comfort, this had been his home for the past six years, more than what was deserved, still the water could not cast away the guilt of still planning to show mercy when it was undeserved, the guilt of loving someone so wrong.
Something so wrong.
Only when he was awake could his mind focus on the memory of damp stone steps that barely alerted to one's presence, the gurgled out cry of his brother gasping for his last breath and her...
That damned creature who made him love her as his own, standing over the body with the audacity of reflecting fear in her glowing eyes, then unremorseful in ignoring the wails of a mother who had just lost her son to run away from what she was, what she was destined to be.
This memory was the truth, not the warm, sanguine ones that came in the night while he slept and lacked control over his own mind, but the one filled with cries, blood, and death.
A knock interrupted the ambiances of his deep meditation. "Speak please." His strong voice commanded not breaking the difficult position which
kept him upside down rested upon his forearms for balance.
"Lord Mikoto, we have received word from your agents in Austria." The Lord opened his eyes and gracefully descended down to the ground till his bare feet met the wood of the floor.
Opening the door revealed the captain with a small parchment offered up.
Going over the contents the lord took a deep breath, they were still a few weeks out from Europe, which did not bode well for their query. If it decided to not stay long in Austria then it was fairly possible for them to lose its trail if this was approached recklessly.
"Captain Sato?" The large man nodded before his lord, the rings braided into his long dark beard clanging together from the movement.
"How stocked are we from our last rendezvous?" Lord Mikoto began flicking a jade knife impatiently between his fingers as he waited for the captain recount their supplies.
"We have enough to comfortably last for four weeks my lord, with lower rationing I'd estimate six."
He wandered to map hanging up the wall. "Then so be it, lower the rations and tell the men that we must remain frugal with any perishables. We won't be stopping for a long time."
"It shall be done as you say my lord," The hesitant tone of the captain brought up his lord's gaze. His eyes swam across the captain, dark grey irises circling around his space like sharks in stormy waters.
The expectancy of the air encouraged Captain Sato to continue. "Though the men may question this my lord, the uncertainty of whether that would be worth it if the dragon continues its randomized path-"
"Please excuse me captain but he-its paths are not randomized at all. I would not expect a crew new as it is or someone novice in this hunt such as yourself to recognize the patterns."
The captain straightened up rolling his shoulders. "Patterns my lord?" He said dubiously.
Staring at the map Susanoo eyed Europe intently then trailed his knife along. "Yes- before our encounter in Siam when she lost her ability of flight perhaps then it was random but now-" his knife led from Siam to locations the dragon had traveled to mostly by water, sometimes by land.
"It prefers to not remain landlocked, sea faring nations have been its main target as well as countries which are close in proximity, with easily crossed borders..."
"Shall we set swift course to Germany then my Lord and then travel to Austria?" Captain Sato could not hide his surprise when in reply he received a curt and resolute no.
"I shall write the correspondence to my agents myself. We shall however set course for Copenhagen."
"Denmark?"
"Indeed."
"An excellent calculated guess. Mayhaps it would be also an asset to see what others in the area know of its whereabouts when we arriv-"
"Majority of the time what people know is useless, some know dragons do not exist... How useful is that piece of knowledge Captain? This is no mere prediction."
Receiving no further explanation Captain Sato bowed and backed out of the cabin.
Susanoo only opened his cabin's door once more that night to receive his stationery and was not to disturbed for the rest of the evening.
He'd split his men at different scouring points in Amsterdam, Brussel, Paris, and London while he and small crew investigated Denmark, it wasn't certain but would serve as the best choke points they could afford.
Staring at the letter his mind wandered and wondered, albeit silly, if the love he gave his dragon was not enough, it hurt to think about more than he'd ever admit to himself for what he gave her... it was all he had in his heart.
