"Gotcha!" Elsa laughed at the screeching giggles and squeals the children erupted in when she caught one in the game of hide and seek they had been playing. She hung upside down from a tree branch her legs had been gripping and tickled the kid for good measure before letting him go and run. It was his turn to seek but the rules had been getting bent. All the children wanted to do was hide but Elsa didn't mind.
Climbing down she caught sight of Ryu reclining in the grass, she was in a cycle of dozing off and jerking awake when Nina asked a question. Wearing clothes Honeymaren lent her while Nina decorated her hair in flowers and jewelry.
"These are one of Miss Elsa's Favorites!" Nina said holding up a purple Heather, she had been glued to Ryu's side the entire day. Ryu flipped her hair and leaned over. "Put em in."
"Miss Elsa!" Elsa turned to the voice that was behind a tree. "Come find me!"
Elsa meandered over to the tree, hands clasped behind her back. "I wonder where Nunenuk is-" she wondered loudly checking behind all the wrong trees. "Is he back here?"
"No!" She chuckled at his growing frustration and decided to put the boy out of his misery and 'found' him.
"Wow-" Ryu said looking herself over in the little mirror Nina held up. "I look beautiful." She said it with a confidence Elsa almost found herself being envious of and humourous all at the time.
"They're here!"
"The queen's here and her friends!"
The cries alerted Elsa and Ryu who stood to speed walk to the entrance of the village, the children hot on their heels.
Red hair was the first thing Elsa's eyes zeroed in on. It was as if her presence could be sensed by Anna. She turned around from speaking to Yelana over her shoulder then jogged over to Elsa who braced herself for the momentum of the impact.
Encircling her arms around Anna's hips allowed her to twirl her.
"Miss me?" She asked coyly. Anna scrunched her nose and offered the same expression.
"You?" She dug a finger into Elsa's chest gently. "Absolutely not.
"You look absolutely beautiful." Elsa replied softly. Anna blushed rubbing her fingers. Anna's attire wasn't necessarily formal, as if she were expecting some strenuous activity, Her slender green dress was complimented by the purple sash tied around her stomach, with a black military like short jacket decorated with purple lapels clasped by gold buttons.
Kristoff in his brown tunic and tan pants, clearly did not want to be dressed up by any means while traversing.
"I have so much to tell you!" They spoke simultaneously, staring a few moments before laughing.
As the rest of Anna's traveling convoy arrived. It seemed she had ridden Kjekk faster than everyone else. His heavy panting was a tell. The horse neighed when Anna stroked his strong neck apologetically sometimes forgetting his much older age.
"Olaf!" Kneeling she scooped up the snowman and held him up in a bridal hold.
"Anna! I have so much to tell you! We made sun tea this morning, and Bulda and Grand Pabbie are here-oh and some men broke into Elsa's house- and she flew! We had a picnic and dinner-"
Anna shook her head fervently, Elsa could see the information overload make her nearly drop Olaf, she still held his head but his body had fallen to the ground.
"Olaf slow down- we don't want to overwhelm Anna. Don't worry we'll tell her everything but later." Elsa said in the austere way that got the message across to him.
"Oooh." He hummed as his head was put back in place. "Sorry it was just so exciting and also kind of scary but don't worry Anna I kept Elsa and Ryu out of trouble- well not really but I thought about it."
Anna smiled placing a hand on his cheek. "Thank you Olaf, Kristoff and Sven missed you too you know." Her eyeline trailed to Kristoff unhooking Sven's harness.
They watched him race over to Kristoff and Sven, both unsure of what to say next. Elsa observed Anna quietly to not disturb her sister from processing everything Olaf had just said. Her expressions seemed to match the train of thought and her eyes fluttered as if she were actually reading something. Once everything was neatly organized in her mind Anna looked back to Elsa much more calm.
"Your letter." Elsa nodded, gripping Anna's arm in hopes to assuage her worries and growing anxiety.
"God Els-" Anna lowered her tone. "This is getting out of hand, but don't worry I have a solution." Elsa quirked her brow.
"Which is?"
Anna's eyes flicked to Georg who dismounted, watching everyone and everything with his beady gaze, back to Elsa and led her away from the crowd on a secluded walk through the forest.
She had caught that. The atmosphere of the warm summer, friendly air, and laughter was scared off by the looming Scherer. Elsa hated having him here, she hated exposing her people, the forest, her friends, and family to this type of person. The type that had a dangerous thirst of knowledge and was willing to get it no matter the costs simply because they were agog. It was a defiled curiosity.
Elsa wouldn't let him have his way. Not here. She'd show him the magic of the land was not only peaceful and benevolent but also powerful when tempered with.
Her grip on Anna's arm tightened, her face became placid yet underneath it was a bellicose scowl.
"Anna why don't you say find Honeymaren and Ryder while I go back greet Mr. Scherer privately, I need to explain and show some things to him." Her voice was steady holding a confounding fluidity of strength. Her eyes azure blue yet held the same reflection of a wolf's golden gaze which caught sight of prey.
Despite trusting her sister, Anna could not ignore her own urges to protect her.
"I'm not leaving you with that man alone, not knowing what I know." She tried to match Elsa's tone but instead sounded riddled with anxiety. Elsa thought for a moment, she knew Anna wouldn't let her have the time she needed with him.
"Is it... That you don't want me to hear what you say to him?" She couldn't help sounding a little hurt at the notion.
Elsa faltered shaking her head. "No! Not at all! Sweetheart-" she cooed, Anna leant her cheek into Elsa's palm she had cupped on her face.
"I need him to think we are alone for this discussion and he is a very smart and allusive man. Suspicious." If Anna wanted to take part she would need a level of discretion that many would assume be easy to obtain in the forest but Elsa had seen how well Georg could read his environment, they'd be moving around as well so Anna would have to follow, it was a risk she couldn't take.
"I'll be introducing him to the other spirits and I need to study how he reacts, if we're alone I can safely assume his micro-aggressions will be genuine. He acts differently around people than when it's just him and I."
Elsa began pacing, her mind whirring into many possible outcomes, some end results being undesirable. They still would need to depend on Georg for a good report back to Ruskland.
Her sister wasn't exactly the most stealthy of people either, Anna would have be able to be close enough to hear but not be seen. How could she-
She rubbed away the prickly feeling spreading along her arms. It was a familiar sensation.
Elsa halted, her eyes dilated as the bright smile she casted towards Anna slowly became a smirk. Closing her eyes she chuckled arms crossed to call fondly. "Ryu? You can come out now." Anna titled her head and began looking around.
Elsa had no idea where the dragon would come from but was answered a minute later. Anna yelped when she looked to the left and saw Ryu swaying her arms by her sides.
"Were you spying on us?" Anna asked taking her hand down from her chest. Ryu shook her head no. She adjusted her hat which looked incredibly similar to Honeymaren's, she probably stole it from Ryder.
Grinning Elsa took her hand and led her closer to Anna. "Ryu could you do me a favor?"
She shrugged. "Depends on what it is." Anna rose her brow when Elsa glanced at her.
"Do you think you could help Anna accompany Georg Scherer and I... Without him knowing you both were present?" Ryu now studied Anna closely enough to make her squirm under the scrutiny.
"Yesu, I was going to anyways-"
"I know you were." Elsa said, sounding both amused and exasperated. Anna's dubious scrunched face did not leave Elsa's calm resolved expression.
She knew no one better at not being seen or heard than the dragon who spent her entire life watching humans closely enough to know some of their cultural practices and behaviors without detection.
Ryu's manner of movement reminded her of the cats that dwelt on the rooftops and in the shadowy alley ways juxtaposition to how loud and careless she could be in general. Everyday proving to Elsa how much of a walking contradiction she was.
Ryu pulled her leg back while the other bent keeping her balanced, her hands moved purposely as if she were mimicking Elsa's hands when she wielded her magic.
Her accent thickened considerably when she spoke.
"Anna I will teach you the art of ninjutsu-"
"Wha- what's Ninjutsu?" Anna began trying to copy the stance holding her arms out like a flapping bird for balance. Her leg couldn't stretch as far behind her as Ryu's nearly sending her toppling.
Else watched with a hand gripping her chin, brows furrowed in confusion.
Ryu expertly stood and pressed her fist into her palm bowing, Elsa was positive that she was just being overly theatrical. "It is the beautiful mixture of war and espionag-eh."
Anna was beginning to become entranced at the thrilling idea, she loved learning anything new and again Anna copied bowing as well. "Wait how is this going to help us?"
"Do not question your senpai." Both Anna and Elsa blinked at her then looked to each other worriedly.
It seemed Ryu had taken the inch Elsa gave and turned it into a thousand miles.
"We have much to prepare for Kohai if you are to learn Ninjutsu- ForÅ shite kudasai!" They watched Ryu take off into the woods flipping over a log.
"Umm- okay, I think that means I'm supposed to... Follow her?" A few steps in and Anna turned and waved at Elsa who waved back.
"I'll see you later." Elsa said softly.
Anna smirked over her shoulder. "No you won't." Elsa winced when Anna tripped over a root landing in some bushes.
"I'm okay! I'm alright, supposed to look forward when you walk."
Anxiety began gripping Elsa's heart and stomach causing a terrible ache. She glanced at Gale over head when she blew down swirling next to her while she continued staring in the direction Ryu flipped and Anna tumbled in.
"What have I done?"
"Hello Honeymaren." The sanguine voice turned Honeymaren's head to see Tobias holding two goblets. Honeymaren grinned and took the offered cup speaking after a sip of the wine. "Tobias!" Her brows set downward when she questioned. "Aren't you supposed to be on holiday?"
He released a long exhale and blinked slowly. "It was cut short by dragons, assassins, and scheming villains."
She nodded as he joined her overlooking the party that began shortly after everyone settled.
Elsa and Anna were who knows where, Ryu was probably stalking them, Kristoff had stowed away with Grand Pabbie and Bulda probably to speak with them about the mysterious weapon of nefarious magic, and Ryder was- well he seemed to be overtaking Lord Weselton who appeared engrossed with whatever they were talking about.
Mostly she had been listening in to the lighthearted bickering between Mattias and Yelena.
Tobias apparently didn't know what to say next, they had only spoken a handful of times in the past but from what she could tell he was a sensitive soul, empathetic to most.
"Well I hope you enjoyed it while it lasted. The royals do keep us on our toes don't they?" She glanced him to see his quiet laugh.
"Yes they do, we'll be grey by the time we reach out thirties I presume." He then retreated into his mind for a few minutes occasionally looking at the side of her face. A small noise sounding like the beginning of a word was stopped then he spoke again.
"Would you care to take a walk with me, enjoy the forest for what she is?" In his eyes Honeymaren observed a specific type of fondness swirling in them. Oh boy that's not good.
She wouldn't assume though, and hoped the fondness was for nothing but her character, his outstretched arm offered to her implied something else entirely.
"Sure! Just let me grab my brother." Tobias graciously bowed his head lowering his arm keeping his face and eyes pleasant. Guilt tried squeezing into Honeymaren's heart, but she sealed the cracks. She liked who she liked and wasn't willing to compromise on that.
"Ah Miss Yelena-" Georg Scherer bowed in a manner which made Yelena unabashedly roll her eyes. "A pleasure to see you again."
"I wish I could share the same sentiment Mr. Scherer." There was no use in hiding it, yes they were not formally in a conflict, they both were on opposite ends of a subjective spectrum of beliefs and principles, and had nothing in common. Scherer remained polite as he could be despite this.
"Your people are a wonder I must say, frozen in time, connected to the magic of these lands."
"I know our history." She replied curtly without sparing a look in his direction.
"Well I compliment you on how quickly you are all adjusting to joining us in the real world." Now she faced him.
"I do not accept your compliments for I do not believe that they are truly complimentary but instead you use as nothing more than a lubricant to slither your way in any crevice you can spot with your nose." His mustache twitched upward.
"Listen to me and listen well I do not repeat myself, and I know you are not deaf given how much you love to hear yourself talk, if you bring any harm to my people- Elsa and Anna included- or these lands I will ensure that you believe that your God has forsaken you, from when you cry out for mercy and he does not answer."
When Elsa happened upon Georg and Yelena her hurried footsteps hesitated at the stare down that they were initiated in. The air around them tight, constricting any who passed or approached.
Elsa coughed into her fist gaining their attention. She forced a smile and nodded to Yelena.
"I'll let you two be." She stated leaving slowly. Scherer looked after her and grunted.
Elsa had no desire to be left in the man's presence not by fear of any potential lethal intentions towards her but the emotional fatigue he costed. The situation and company was much more favorable if the less hostile composure he once held himself in was any tell. This slighted an offensive nerve deep within Elsa but it mattered not. His underestimating of her would soon be his downfall that she was certain of.
Clearing her throat again Elsa spoke. "Mr. Scherer-" no Pleasant to see again, or hope you're fairing well. flowery words and greetings would be no use. They both knew they'd be a lie and just noise getting in the way of what really mattered.
"Ah Lady Elsa not accompanied by your dragon companion I see." The word became nasty and implicative when he said it and Elsa would make certain to hopefully never hear him say it again. So he decided to snoop around Arendelle and after reaping no fruit debased his ears with lowly gossip and rumors.
Elsa held her chin high and voice confident. "She's a bit busy I'm afraid entertaining guests for the party." He gave a noncommittal grunt as if he couldn't believe a beast capable of possessing such gifts as hospitality and manners.
"A shame if I had known a simple maid was a creature of myth I would have dissected her more thoroughly."
Elsa took a calming breath keeping her goal in forefront of her thoughts instead of wrath. "I do believe I promised you a meeting with the other spirits of the forest did I not?" He followed her unspoken invitation to a forest trail.
The petty side of of Elsa wanted to take- a high social man of Scherer's stature- through what some considered the rough patch of the woods but this opportunity was too important for such a spiteful ruse- Elsa watched his beady eyes silently scoff at the beautiful nature that surrounded them and hid back a sneer- as tempting as it was.
First stop on the tour was a stream Nokk frequented which trickled banks along almost the entirety of the forests connecting to other channels of water serving as his own personal highway.
Georg had seen the watery steed before but never in his own element. Once his anamorphic change complete he paid no heed to the man greeting Elsa as tenderly as he always did.
"This as you know is Nokk, he's as brave and noble as he is stubborn and surefooted." The horse had no qualms with that description, snorting in agreement. He held his head high and proud. As they spoke on about the science behind his existence Scherer transparently shocked that Elsa had no answers and appeared content with that. Even with Gale and Bruni, the answer was just simply magic and it almost felt disrespectful to pick apart the matter's intricacies, as if one was doing a disservice to the immaculate that was their existence.
"Mr. Scherer? Do you question the lord's existence? How he came to be? How he conjured the ability to create life itself?" The man shook his head no slowly.
"Then why question us? We simply are like this because he made us to be. If I wasn't meant to have my powers-" Elsa crafted a small flurry to add effect to her words. "Then I wouldn't, my parents performed no acts of sin when conceiving me, no rituals or spells. They had union in holy matrimony in the eyes of the church. So I was born just as I should be." The notion that Elsa had been ordained by gods to have such power did not taste well with her but she had to relate to the man in some way and if she had to feigned the idea of such implications then so be it.
"I had no idea that you had any standing with faith Lady Elsa." He challenged. Elsa shrugged then bent low to tend to a sapling which was struggling to sit upright from being trampled by an animal.
"I don't, but I've been and have been continuously challenged in what I thought possible and impossible so who am I- a person who has seen magic trolls, water horses, winds with personality and character, and talking snowmen- what right do I have to tell someone their faith in any God is false?"
Georg Scherer watched Elsa gently stroke the budding plant with the consideration and love some parents even lack for their own children.
He remained silent searching for an answer while she waited for one thus draping them in silence.
"How is this supposed to-AH! He-help me be more stealthy!" Anna's arms flayed to and fro as she desperately tried to grasp at the air and balance on the wood Ryu sent her adrift on in a small water reservoir.
Ryu closed her eyes grinning. "Ah the answer is simple, stealth is not a single action but a group of many actions and balance is one of them no?" Anna in her panic did not see the dragon sink down into water swiftly approaching.
Anna barked out a laugh of triumph when she found balance finally. Her head snapped up to where Ryu sat on the bank or more so where she once sat but was now missing.
"Ryu?" Anna called looking around. She yelped when a sudden tremor sent the drift wood back into wobbling. A reflection beneath the water's surface told her where the dragon had gone. That little imp!
"Ryu! This is cheating!" Ryu surfaced still bumping against the wood. "Adapt! Overcome!" She cheered until Anna fell into the water with a splash and cry.
Ryu stopped treading to laugh at the now soaked queen who floated to the top. Her face was not amused until she heard the laughter and thought about how she must of looked flopping all over to keep afloat and finally joined in with her own giggles.
After a few...lessons Anna learned pretty much nothing about the art of ninjutsu as Ryu called it but she could at least crouch and walk at the same time without tripping.
"Now we just have to find Elsa-" Anna mused wringing out her hair. Ryu lifting nose sniffed thrice then moved ahead somewhat. "She went that way." Anna's eyes followed Ryu's pointed finger towards the streams.
"You know I used to think it was a bit strange you can do that, but it's actually kinda cool." Anna said joining Ryu's side.
"Oh?" The dragon seemed genuinely shocked by this as they began the pursuit. "Yea I mean what are you even smelling for?" She shrugged.
"Erusa." It almost made Anna feel stupid for asking had Ryu's tone held any teasing or ill intent but it hadn't so she continued.
"Well yeah obviously but I mean what does that mean? What do you pick up?"
"You mean what does she smell like?" Anna considered this. She did know what Elsa smelt like, memorized it even. She recalled all the times as child and even a young adult when she would catch an article left behind be it a pillow or glove, or blanket that once belonged to her sister and how she would inhale its air gluttonously while crying. She'd cling to the object until Elsa's smell faded replaced with her own. With Ryu however it seemed the scents she picked up from Elsa as she described them were much, much more intimate. An invasion of privacy if one were silly enough to take assault from it, but Elsa knew Ryu had been tracking her now and in the past from how adept the dragon was at it and was fine with it.
So Anna shook away the thought and followed her until Ryu began slinking lower and lower to the earth, she mimicked as best she could but Ryu proved to be more quick and fluid in her motions pausing a step at random, freezing like a sculpture in positions that looked completely uncomfortable. She moved as if she weren't in a more human like body on her hands and bare feet.
The only thing moving on her were her scales which twitched every now and then. If Anna didn't know any better she'd say the two of them were hunting Elsa and Scherer. The latter she wouldn't mind, if Ryu decided to pounce on the man and do with him as she wished.
Anna snapped from her surprisingly morbid train of thought when she heard Elsa speak about religion and ducked out of sight. She tried to steady her breathing and focus on the words being said.
Her hands supporting her crouched body shaking from exertion she looked right to see Ryu still as a rock, miosis irises glued to Scherer's back past the bushes which concealed them.
For an hour they successfully trailed the two needing less caution when the rock trolls came lumbering by and Anna felt very proud of herself.
"Elsa you are an amazing individual to say the least-" Why did Anna feel as if a but was coming on? And since when were they on a first name basis?
"I sense a 'but' is to follow Mr. Scherer." Elsa did not turn to him instead keeping an eye on the trolls clearing away debris which were forming a damn down in a ravine.
"Ever perceptive. Do you believe that anyone is capable of change?" Elsa sighed now staring at the horizon'd setting sun.
"Yes I do, anyone is capable of changing, if they will change or wish to is an entirely different matter."
"I sense altruism in your statement, so if someone is capable of changing for the better why should it be any different for a person to change for the worst?" Anna watched her sister's shoulders tighten and arms cup their neighbor's elbow.
"If I am following your insinuation correctly you are alluding to that even if you believe me to want to bring only good and peace as well as the other spirits there is still the worry that that may change in the future."
"Correct. Now it is not a matter of whether you will the possibility of that you could is still a... Threat."
Elsa's voice became more disheartened at this. "It's alot to ask of someone.
"Indeed it is."
Anna did not like where the conversation had led them. She could understand both perspectives, she knew her sister would never intentionally bring harm to even her enemies but no one else who did not know Elsa truly could be assured of this. It made her pity those that feared her sister, living with worry of their safety and she couldn't blame them. She learned harshly the pitfalls of trusting to easily and swiftly.
Yet she still could not just let Scherer tarnish her sister's or the other spirits' name just from a fear especially since he did not have the assuredness she did.
Anna finalized a plan that had been brewing in her mind for the past two days.
Ryu watched Mattias, Tobias, and Halima bid goodby to Northuldra and the royals with Scherer in tow. The conversation still buzzing in her mind as she kept her eyes trained on the back of him. When she finally looked away and noticed Anna had been doing the same as well who was clutching Elsa's hand tightly.
Even Thomas knew not to overstep the queen and try to garner Elsa's attention for himself so he clapped joyously and clasped Ryder around the shoulder. "With the old stiffies now gone perhaps you can show me how you party in properly in the Northuldran way eh?"
"Uuuh-" Ryder opened his mouth when Honeymaren stepped in already delegating orders to the crowd and her brother.
"Ryder why don't you show Lord Weselton where we keep the mule wine while everyone else gets the food and music started?"
"Oh yea um sir? My lord?" Thomas waved away Ryder's stammer not removing his hand. "No no, titles here just call me Thomas my good man!"
The gregarious Lord led Ryder away into the crowd.
Elsa, now surrounded by Anna, Kristoff, the trolls, and Olaf, eyed with a hard stare Honeymaren, Yelena, and Ryu to follow them into a large goahti.
"Kristoff I know it doesn't sit well with you-"
"Sit well with me, I can point out at least three issues with this idea Anna. One: If Arendelle's crown is going to make a formal statement in person to the Ruskland empire wouldn't it be odd that the queen is without her consort? Two: as far as we know now Julien came aboard a Ruskland embassy ship which makes Ruskland enemy territory and three: this doesn't sit well with me in fact this doesn't even stand or have any good position with me."
Despite his even tone Kristoff was incredibly disturbed by the idea of Anna going back to Ruskland with Scherer and this would not be an easy thing to sway him on. "Kristoff's right Anna we'll be safer if we go as a group." Elsa added squeezing her shoulder.
"I second or third? the notion the more backup we have the better." Honeymaren twirled her staff easily.
"Hai!" Ryu bowed her head which drew all eyes towards her with scrupulous expressions of doubt.
"Hey-" Anna greeted waving her fingers. "You're not coming." Ryu's face fell, after all they had been through together what with her throwing Anna in the water and tossing her from the tree branch... She- well Ryu thought they had a connective understanding!
"I am."
"You're not." Kristoff voiced shaking his head.
"I am." Ryu shrugged.
"No." It was Honeymaren's turn to protest.
"But yes."
"Ryu, it's probably best that you don't come-" Elsa cringed at her betrayed face. "Those in Ruskland aren't as accustomed to..." She thought of careful words. "To well people like us there and if word of a dragon in Ruskland got out then it could travel to those hunting you and put you in even more danger." Ryu sighed and pouted. She'd never get any leeway at this rate. It was when her expression morphed to wry smile that her friends became more and more concerned.
"What?"
"Oh nothing..." She trailed off haughtily. "Just eh everyone has a choices they're free to make in life, you can choose to not let me come and then I have freedom to choose to follow you very easily without your knowing of my location or you can let me come on your own turns." Anna's jaw clenched so tightly it could be seen in her temple while Elsa rubbed her nose's bridge.
Ryu was able to ignore the side eye glares feeling quite pleased and smug with herself giving Anna her focus when she was able to speak again.
"Are you threatening us?"
"If you consider my presence a threat then yes."
Anna groaned then mumbled. "A threat to sanity yes but if you're going to come we have rules for you to follow."
"I wouldn't suspect anything less."
Taking a calming breath Anna grounded herself. "Let's think about tomorrow tomorrow and let's think about tonight tonight. "
"Anna are you sure that's how it goes?"
"Yes!" Was Ryu's new favorite thing to question what Anna said? Because evidence suggested yes.
She tapped her chin."I thought it was think about tomorrow next week."
"No cause then that would be thinking about last week when we're in next week."
"So the saying is be reminiscing of the past?"
"No! It's worry about tomorrow tomorrow."
"But then it wouldn't be tomorrow when tomorrow happens it would today."
Kristoff had already begun tuning out the conversation as Honeymaren left the tent.
"So think about yesterday yesterday and think about today today?"
"It would impossible to think about yesterday yesterday since it already happened."
"But technically it is possible if we think about today today cause then tomorrow it'll be thinking about tomorrow's yesterday today or actually yesterday if we're in tomorrow."
A foreign voice caused them all to jump seeing a Thomas who seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
"In this context-"
"Has he been there the whole time?" Elsa whispered.
"No we just came in." Says Ryder.
"I think I do believe the verbiage is circumstantial entirely. Elsa am I using that word correctly, circumstantial?"
"Mm no." Elsa replied casually leaving the tent as well with Ryu by her side.
She'd leave the gathering early to set up her house to entertain Anna, and Kristoff, the non verbal consensus being they'd stay the night.
The only problem was that if they stayed in the guest room where would Ryu sleep?
Ryu watched her pontificate the question. Elsa was certain the dragon wouldn't mind frequenting some other place afterall she did sleep in the woods but it felt rude to banish her from the cozy comforts of bed to house her sister and brother-in-law.
Would it be inappropriate for them to share a room Elsa was sure she could make a cot for herself to sleep on.
Clearing her throat she finally turned to Ryu who gave her attention. "Well um Ryu?"
The dragon blinked at her. "Would you mind resting in my bed while Anna and Kristoff stayed in the guest room?"
"Would you mind me resting in your bed Erusa?" That was entirely unfair to do and warmed Elsa's cheeks and neck. She shook her head entering her bedroom and set to creating a cot.
"Erusa?" Elsa turned to Ryu who was seated upon the edge of the bed gingerly. Ryu's brows scrunched sympathetically. "We have slept near each other before and I don't think a cot would be good for your back. I don't mind sharing the space with you but if it makes you more easy I can uh lay on the cot." She nodded towards the one Elsa had set up smiling softly.
Elsa hadn't meant for the "I don't mind sharing with you." To come out as breathlessly as it had but it did barely passing as a whisper. Ryu nodded and watched her retreat into the washroom. Her bosom rising quickly with each breath which hammered away. What was this reaction? Elsa asked herself. Entirely ridiculous is what it was. She had slept near Ryu before sharing her bed was no different than the times Ryu had fallen asleep with her head of muzzle resting upon Elsa's lap in the gardens and forest.
As Elsa changed and freshened up a part of her wished to find Ryu as a dragon curled up on her bed but instead she walked in to Ryu lacing up a night shirt still seated on the mattress.
Swallowing Elsa signaled to the door when she heard Sven's sleigh in the yard.
Anna wondered why she barely spoke as Elsa put Olaf to bed and bid goodnight to her and the trolls.
Elsa was in her head tonight and there she'd stay. She lingered outside her door and almost knocked when she opened it. Her face felt as if it was burning in spite of her efforts to cool it down at the sight of Ryu leaning against the head board atop of the sheets. She smiled sweetly at Elsa who bit her lip attempting to grin back.
Elsa stood at the edge of the bed, the only other person she had climbed into bed with were her parents, Anna, Honeymaren and Olaf. For some reason this felt... Different.
Pulling back the sheets Elsa climbed into her bed and sat back twiddling her thumbs. She could feel Ryu's eyes on her intently.
"How was the- the ninjutsu training?"
"Anna learned nothing... But I got to throw her into a pond." This drew a chuckle from Elsa easing some of the tension. She glanced at Ryu's legs and tugged at the blanket. "I know you probably don't have to but you can get under it you know." Ryu got up as Elsa peeled back he corner letting her crawl into the space.
Once settled Ryu grabbed her fauna book and began reading, so Elsa copied the action and started her own venture into literature. Eventually things became much more comfortable and Elsa found the small noises be it a sniffle or shuffle from the dragon to be a comfort. Usually at this hour she'd be here alone but now... Her eyes flicked to the side at Ryu who seemed very content... The silence was a comfort instead of being a result of one lacking company. Even the page turns were nice. Elsa valued her alone time greatly but this, just existing together was something she could get used to and enjoy.
They stayed like this naturally drifting closer and closer till they were just merely inches away from not touching for about two hours when Elsa yawned. "You can dose the light if you'd like." Ryu commented appearing to not stop her reading. So Elsa did and still Ryu kept on reading as the spirit laid on her side clutching Sir Jorgenbjorgen to her chest. "That must be handy." Said Elsa.
Ryu lifted her head, Elsa couldn't see her expression but heard the smile in her voice. "It is. Oyasumi Erusa." Giggling when Elsa's sleepily replied.
"Oyasumi Erusa."
