A Normal Life
Oslo, Norway
Present Day
After the long years away from home, Elsa returned to Arendelle Manor to find it just the way she and Anna had left it, that is to say pristine. In their absence, Kai and Gerda had dutifully maintained the Kaldborg family property, loyally awaiting the day that their wayward masters would return. They were overjoyed to see Elsa again, and relieved to hear that Anna, though she wasn't present, was alive and well elsewhere in the world.
However, all was not well for Elsa when she tried to settle back into a regular lifestyle after the short stint of adventure she had. Arendelle Manor was old, and contained within its walls were the persistent echoes of memory. Everywhere she looked, Elsa saw the ghost of Anna's smile, or the phantom sound of her parents' laughter, echoing through the empty corridors. Haunted by her past, the present and the imminent future, Elsa had trouble sleeping. Nights were spent tossing and turning restlessly until she rose in the middle of the night to wander the empty halls in an aimless fashion. She made sure to avoid her parents room, her father's study and Anna's room. Pale as she was, she would give Kai and Gerda a dreadful fright when she encountered them by chance during the night, appearing to them like a lost spirit. Tried as she might to stop the endless tide of painful memories in her mind and the unrest in her heart, Elsa found that the longer she stayed at Arendelle Manor, the more difficult it became.
After a week of being home, Elsa dismissed her loyal house servants. Kai and Gerda were reluctant to leave, having served the Kaldborgs faithfully for many years. However, they were aging, and Elsa gave them her blessing to enjoy an earlier retirement rather than spend their days tending to an empty and quiet manor. Soon after, Elsa moved into an apartment in the city, yearning for some distance between her and the house of memory she could no longer stand to be in.
After she locked the door, Elsa decided to stroll around the property for what she hoped would be the last time. She passed around the sides where she and Anna used to climb on the walls. She rounded the corner and gazed at the paddock where she used to ride, now empty and bereft of any horses. Kai had sold them long ago. Elsa wandered on, casting a gaze over the greenhouse where her father used to keep a small herb and vegetable garden. As she passed it by, Elsa couldn't help but stare at the old willow tree and pond.
A cold sense of dread filled her then, and in her mind's eye she saw Anna's signature red hair dipping below the surface of the pond. Her breathing quickened, and her legs felt weak. The wind howled and moaned through the evergreens, seemingly whispering Elsa's and Anna's name at once. Before she succumbed to the terror, she spun on her heels and ran back towards the front of the house. Elsa jumped in her car, speeding away from the ghosts, the memories, and the pain. She hoped that would be the last time she ever stepped foot on the property of Arendelle Manor.
... ... ...
Three years later and it was April, Anna's twenty-third birthday was next week and neither sister had seen nor spoken to one another since their argument. Elsa was twenty-five herself now. Every few months, Anna would send Elsa a postcard which was always from some different corner of the world. It was enough for Elsa to know that her sister was alive and well, and likely happier without her. When Elsa received the first about three months after their argument, she was surprised. The postcard was from Colombia, and Anna had kept her message short.
Dear Elsa,
I found your address from Kai and Gerda. I just needed to know you were okay. I'm doing fine. I'm in Colombia right now, but you probably guessed that from the postcard. Anyways, I think I might have found El Dorado.
Oh, and Kristoff says hey.
Your sister,
Anna.
There was no mention of their argument or any prying questions into Elsa's past, which she was grateful for. Truly, it had seemed that Anna had moved on without Elsa. As much as it hurt her, Elsa thought she made the right choice. In any event, Elsa had managed to keep herself busy as well.
Shortly after moving to Oslo, Elsa completed her degree in social anthropology in two years by fast-tracking it as much as she could. Her studies kept her busy full time, but she had found that she was grateful for the distraction. In any event, her academic prowess combined with her real-world experiences made it easy work. After graduating, she found a job as an assistant registrar at Oslo's Museum of Cultural History. In just one year, she moved up the ranks thanks to her passion and drive. Her family name had also opened further doors not ordinarily possible due to their renown. She attained the position of conservator, and then chief curator.
In her day to day business, Elsa tended to each gallery and exhibit at the museum, planning new arrangements and overseeing the acquisition of new pieces from artists or artifacts recovered from around the world. When she wasn't at work, Elsa mostly kept to herself. She preferred to spend her time alone by keeping her marksmanship skills honed at the gun range, or keeping her body active at the gym partially because a small part of her actually missed the thrill of adventure. At home, Elsa mostly read and thought.
As busy as her everyday life was, Elsa was deeply unfulfilled. She missed Anna terribly and she often fretted about where she was in the world, what she was doing and if she was safe.
She was no longer Elsa Drake. At home, she was simply Elsa Kaldborg; daughter to deceased treasure hunters and heiress to a vast fortune. She set aside the excitement and thrill of adventure for the routine and humdrum offered by an ordinary everyday life. Elsa had hoped that in time, such adherence to her monotone existence would quell some of the unrest in her heart and mind.
Tried as she might to adjust, Elsa struggled. Her life had been so strange and different from normal people that she begun to feel even more isolated than ever before. She had trouble connecting with people over mundane issues and she couldn't just talk to anyone about her experiences as an adventurer. For that part of her life she had Anna, and that was all she needed. But Anna wasn't in her life anymore, and every time Elsa forced herself to say that it was for the best, it got just a little bit easier, though the pain of it remained constant.
Indeed, over time, Elsa fooled herself into thinking she could even be happy without Anna one day. It wasn't until Anna suddenly reappeared in her life again that she found out how wrong she was.
... ... ...
It was Friday. It also happened to be Anna's birthday and Elsa continuously had to fight the urge to dial her sister's phone and call her. Eventually she picked up her phone from her desk, bringing up her virtually non-existent list of contacts and stared at Anna's number
I don't even know what time zone she's in, Elsa thought, rationalizing her indecision as she set the phone back down.
Instead, she turned her attention back towards the acquisition forms piled in a neat stack at the corner.
Methodically, Elsa signed off on each one, making sure to cross each T and dot each I. Next, she picked up the shipping manifest that she had set down earlier, inspecting it to make sure that the pieces that arrived earlier that day were all in order. When she was satisfied, she organized all her papers on her desk then picked up her jacket and bag, then strode out her office, shutting off the light and locking the door behind her.
As she walked down the hallway she passed her colleague, Oaken, the deputy director. He was a large and burly fellow, and perhaps overly cheery for Elsa's liking but he was genuinely kind and meant well. Oaken was also leaving for the weekend when he spotted Elsa as she approached.
"Yoo hoo, Elsa!" Oaken said cheerfully as he closed the door to his office. "Any big plans this weekend?"
Elsa was by no means socially inept or rude, but she preferred to keep her interactions with her co-workers short and to the point. Some of them found her demeanor to be a little off-putting but none could deny her competence or knowledge. In any event, Elsa certainly wasn't disliked, and liked at least well enough to be occasionally invited to after-work shindigs.
"No, no I'm afraid not," Elsa replied politely.
"Well, Nils and I are throwing a barbecue this Saturday. Maybe you would like to come, ja?" Oaken offered warmly.
"Sorry Oaken, but no thank you. I just wanted to head home and unwind. It's been a long day," Elsa muttered apologetically.
Oaken nodded and held up his hands in surrender. "Ja, have a great weekend Elsa," he smiled sincerely.
"You too, Oaken. See you Monday," Elsa said, returning the smile then carrying on past Oaken.
Elsa went down to her car in the parking lot and sighed as she leaned back in the driver's seat. She placed her phone down in the cupholder and glanced at the blank screen, willing it to come to life with a call from Anna. She had been holding onto the hope that Anna would make the first move and call her, but she scoffed when she realized that Anna likely didn't want to speak to her.
It's for the best, Elsa repeated to herself as she turned on the ignition and headed home.
... ... ...
Elsa stepped into her apartment, fumbling around with her arm as she searched for the light switch with one hand while the other held onto the bag containing the double fudge ice cream she had picked up on the way home from the museum.
Flicking it on, she kicked off her shoes, placed her keys in the Mayan copador bowl she kept by the door and strode into her kitchen. She opened the fridge, inspecting its contents and was about to set the ice cream in the freezer when a loud snore suddenly snapped her into focus. Elsa shrieked loudly, bolting upright and dropping the ice cream as she instinctively shifted into a fighting stance.
"Who's there?!" Elsa demanded.
At the same moment, another person also shrieked, much louder than Elsa had as they crashed to the floor. Elsa adjusted her position, switching the light on to the living room that was connected to the kitchen and where the noise had emerged from. As she turned the corner, she grabbed a knife from a holder on the counter and held it in a reverse grip as she turned on her intruder.
"Don't move!" Elsa yelled. "What are you doing in my apartment?!"
From behind the couch, the figure froze and shifted the blanket off their head, exposing vibrant and bedraggled red hair. Next, they slowly peeked over the edge of the couch and met Elsa's intense gaze. Elsa recognized her immediately and gasped in realization. It was Anna.
"Heeeeeeeey, sis," Anna said sheepishly, waving and smiling a bit awkwardly.
A tense moment of silence followed and Elsa blinked several times as she regarded her younger sister who had miraculously appeared in her apartment.
"An- Anna?" Elsa whispered as she took a careful step forward.
"Are you, uh… are you gonna gut me?" Anna said softly, pointing to the knife held in Elsa's grasp.
"Oh, no! No no… I just, I thought you were a burglar," Elsa said as she set the knife down. She turned up to look at Anna again. "Anna? Is it really you?"
"Ummm, last time I checked, yep!" Anna quipped and she smiled more brightly.
She crossed the remaining distance between them and pulled Elsa into a warm hug. Elsa hesitated for a moment, before returning the gesture. For the first time in three years, Elsa realized just how touch-starved she had been and how much she avoided physical contact with other people. Anna's embrace was warm, loving, sweet, and it felt like home. In the same moment, she felt the urge to stay there wrapped in Anna's radiant love forever, while forcing down the deep sense of unease she felt in her gut. She simply couldn't believe that Anna was here, holding her, after everything she had done.
Elsa nuzzled closer and buried her nose in Anna's hair, breathing in her scent and aura. It was all things that made Anna, Anna. She inhaled deeply and thought that Anna exuded the very essence of life itself. Energy, passion, light, warmth, and love. Elsa also detected more tangible scents like silky coconut oil.
Is that my shampoo? Elsa wondered. Did she use my shower?
Anna noticed the way Elsa had stiffened at first, then loosened and settled in her arms. She missed Elsa terribly over the years, but she was afraid of contacting her for fear that she would scare her off again like she had at their last argument. Holding Elsa again felt right, sweetened further by the long years they spent apart from each other, again. Nonetheless, Anna was more than happy to prolong the embrace as much as possible, and more elated at the fact that Elsa was just as happy to see as Anna was. She ran her fingers up and down Elsa's back, leaving little trails of feather light touches that melted into her skin. After a few more glorious seconds, Anna pulled away first and planted a soft kiss on Elsa's cheek.
"I missed you," Anna murmured and smiled tenderly.
Elsa blushed and her skin tingled from where Anna's lips had been. The kiss was chaste, quick and lasted only a second but it communicated such a deep sense of love and affection that Elsa was nearly overwhelmed. Yet again, a sneaky thought entered her mind in which she imagined feeling Anna's lips on her own with a much deeper kiss.
Elsa shook herself slightly at the thought, then realized Anna was staring. She had to say something.
"I missed you too," Elsa said. "But how did you get in?" she asked, eager to change the subject.
"Well. I am sort of handy with a lock-pick," Anna replied easily. "I'm sorry, I should have called first or waited for you to come home, but I…" Anna looked off to the side. "I wanted to see you."
Elsa blinked, once, then twice, and then took a moment to really see Anna. The wound had left a scar on her temple above her right eye, though it had healed. What remained was a thin and faint line that crossed over into her hairline somewhat, preventing any hair growth. Anna was older now, much older than when Elsa had seen her last. She was virtually the same height as Elsa, perhaps an inch shy of the older sibling's height. Her hair remained as red and vibrant as ever, though it was heavily tousled and messy. Her eyes were youthful and bright, retaining the same shade of teal. Her freckles remained, and though they were slightly faded, they were still noticeably visible. Now, more than ever though, Elsa noticed how much Anna's body had changed.
She was wearing a set of comfortable leggings and a simple red t-shirt. The physical toll extracted by years of adventuring had sculpted her form, making it lean and toned from the muscles she regularly used. Her thighs were shapely and taut, her hips were round and curved, her midriff was smooth and supple, leading up to the gentle swell and rise of her breasts.
She's grown so much. Elsa had to shake herself from the intrusive thought that had entered her mind.
Meanwhile, Anna took the opportunity to take in Elsa's appearance. She was not noticeably older than the last time they had seen each other, though it appeared that Elsa had settled comfortably into her normal life. Her platinum blonde hair was tied up in a loose bun. Her skin was still nearly as pale as porcelain, and her countenance held an icy look of refined poise. It twisted a string in Anna's heart to see that Elsa's eyes, though still as blue as sapphires, remained dim. Freckles as faint as snowdrops dusted her cheeks, and from where Anna was standing, she could see that Elsa took good care of her body.
She was still dressed in her work attire; a light blue button-down shirt that she wore over a gray business skirt. Black stockings covered her legs where they reached a simple set of heels. The look was simple, but highly flattering to Elsa's hips and legs. Anna had to swallow a lump in her throat when she realized she was staring.
You're staring Anna, stop it, Anna thought as she blinked them away.
At least a minute had passed during which they were both simply staring at each other. Their meeting, sweet up until this point, was not turning a bit awkward given how long it had been since they last spoke to each other.
Anna snapped her fingers to shake Elsa out of her stupor. "Hey, hey! You still with me?"
Elsa shook her head, shaking the strange thoughts from her mind and refocused her eyes on Anna's face, who was looking at her with a bemused and slightly mischievous grin. Anna didn't realize she was biting her lower lip.
Is she biting her lip? Elsa thought.
Am I biting my lip? Anna thought. I am. Stop it.
"Yeah, I just need… to sit down," Elsa said as she sank into an easy chair next to the sofa Anna had evidently been sleeping on. "So, when did you get back?"
"This morning actually," Anna replied. "I stopped by the house, on my way here."
Elsa looked up and nodded thoughtfully, but she said nothing.
"I didn't know you let Kai and Gerda go," Anna continued.
"Well… it was better than just leaving them to rot in that old place. I thought they deserved an early retirement," Elsa said, shrugging.
"Oh no, I agree. It was just… real quiet, that's all. All our stuff is still there, and the power still runs too. That was surprising, considering how dusty everything was," Anna said.
"Yes, well I… couldn't bear to get rid of mom and dad's stuff. The place has been in our family for generations so I just pay the bills to keep the lights on," Elsa said softly.
Anna nodded and looked down, sensing the sensitive topic and searching for a way around it. She looked up again and swept her gaze over Elsa's apartment. She had acquainted herself with the kitchen, living room and bathroom when she broke in earlier, but she didn't dare enter Elsa's bedroom. The apartment was modestly furnished, but it was cozy. A television sat to the opposite of the couch Anna had slept on, and to its left stood a tall bookshelf. To the right was sliding a glass door that led to a balcony.
"I see you've been busy." Anna said as she gestured her head towards the degree that Elsa had hung up beside the bookshelf.
"Yes, I… well, I graduated a year ago. Since then I've been working as the chief curator at the Museum of Cultural History," Elsa replied a touch proudly, and also happy to move onto lighter conversation.
"That's really good. I'm happy for you," Anna said, smiling sincerely.
"And you? Are you still…" Elsa trailed off.
Anna still knew what she meant and nodded. "Yes, I am. Still running around the world, chasing treasure and all that," she chuckled lightly.
"And Kristoff?"
"He's okay, been doing well for himself. I haven't seen him in a while though. We've been flying kinda solo for a bit."
"Good, good."
An awkward silence filled the gap as both sisters seemed to run out of things to talk about. Elsa shifted in her seat uncomfortably, while Anna fidgeted with a tangle of her hair.
"I'm sorry if this is awkward, I mean. I know it's been a while, and I know… that we haven't talked or kept up with each other. It's just- I just, um, I wanted to surprise you and I know I totally invaded your privacy by breaking in like this, and I'm sorry about that, again, by the way. And… I wanted… I wanted to make up for all that, I guess because the last time we saw each other, things weren't… ideal," Anna blurted out, pouring words out to fill the silence.
"It's okay, Anna," Elsa said, waving away Anna's rambling. "I'm... I'm glad to see you."
Anna nodded, grateful for Elsa putting a stop to her nervous rambling.
Elsa stood suddenly, remembering her manners as she walked back into the kitchen. "Are you hungry, Anna? Can I get you something to eat? Or drink?" she asked as she bent down to pick up the fallen ice cream that was now partially melted.
"Oh no, that's not necess-" Anna paused when she saw what Elsa was holding in her hand. "Um, is that… is that chocolate ice cream?" she asked tentatively at the same time her stomach growled loudly.
Elsa looked back down to her hand and back up at Anna, remembering their shared fondness for anything made of chocolate. "Um. Why, yes, as a matter of fact it is. Double fudge."
Seeing the look of hunger appear on Anna's face, Elsa then quickly grabbed two bowls, a pair of spoons and scooped a generous amount of the rich dark ice cream into each one. Anna watched her with rapt attention, and smiled gratefully when Elsa handed her a bowl.
"I, um… happy birthday Anna," Elsa said, smiling warmly.
Anna paused, and mumbled around the spoon that was already in her mouth, "Oh, fuck is that today?"
Elsa laughed softly as she raised her own spoon to her mouth and started in on the dessert.
"I completely forgot," Anna whispered as she leaned back on the sofa.
Internally, she beamed and something tugged on her heartstrings at the fact that Elsa still remembered her birthday.
Together, the two enjoyed their dessert in amicable silence.
... ... ...
Elsa and Anna spent much of the evening catching up, though it was mostly Anna regaling Elsa with stories of her own adventures that she had been on. As the evening wore on, they both had forgotten how much they enjoyed each other's company and were determined not to ruin the moment by discussing any sensitive topics. That was, at least, until the subject of relationships came up.
"So you don't live with anyone? No roommate? Or… cute boyfriend?" Anna asked over her third bowl of ice cream.
"No, no. I just… don't have time for that sort of thing," Elsa sighed and ran a hand through her hair, when she just realized the implication of what Anna had said.
Her sexuality or the topic of relationships had never surfaced when she and Anna were still travelling the world together, especially given that their line of work left little room for such pursuits. Now that they had spent some time apart however, it was natural that Anna would be curious about that aspect of her life. Elsa fretted for a moment whether or not she should divulge her preferences to Anna, but then she realized that Anna was her sister and deserves the truth. The partial truth that is, given that she could barely understand the strange urges that came over her when Anna was around, nor their implications.
"And besides… men don't exactly… do it for me," Elsa said suggestively.
Anna laughed a bit before realization sunk in. "Oh. Oh. You mean…"
"Yes, Anna. I… like women," Elsa admitted shyly.
"Well hey, that's great! I think that's awesome!" Anna exclaimed.
"You do?" Elsa asked.
"Hell yeah! In fact, I'm really glad you brought it up, because I guess I have something to tell you as well," Anna said.
"Oh? Do tell." Elsa said, setting down her empty bowl.
"Well uh… I kinda, um, I mean, what I'm trying to say is… that… I am… bisexual," Anna said, chuckling to herself a little bit. "Like, just super queer."
"Oh. Okay," Elsa said a little cheerfully. "Cool!"
Anna bounced in her seat and edged closer to Elsa as she did. "So, no girlfriend then, ever? Have you… you know?" she clapped her fist against her other open palm, making a slapping noise.
Sensing her meaning, Elsa coughed nervously and turned away. "Um, no… no I've never… done that," she said as she began to flush red
In truth, Elsa had always been curious and explored her own body enough times, but the thought of being intimate with someone else always seemed like something beyond the realm of possibility to her.
"Hmm. Well that's okay, nothing to worry about. You'll find someone, I'm sure of it." Anna said kindly. "You're sexy."
The hell did that come from? Anna thought as she frowned to the side.
Elsa fixed her with a stunned stare, but something in her eyes betrayed a hint of curiosity, excitement even.
"Oh, I didn't mean it like that! I… um… I just meant that you're good looking," Anna attempted to explain.
Elsa raised one eyebrow.
"That is to say, that… I mean that you are… objectively good looking. Like… like anyone could take a look at you and think wow she's good looking. You know? Not that I don't find you good looking, in that way. I mean, that personally, I also think you are good looking, heh, right?" Anna turned her eyes down towards her hands in embarrassment. "Oh boy."
She snapped up when she heard Elsa laughing, truly laughing. Elsa was covering her mouth to try and hide it, but Anna heard it clear as day. It was light and musical even. Anna couldn't remember the last time Elsa had laughed like that.
"Laugh it up, butthead," Anna grumbled and crossed her arms.
"It's okay, Anna. I think you're good looking too," Elsa managed once she had collected herself.
Given the information that was just revealed, Elsa suddenly recalled that Anna and Kristoff had spent much of their time together in the years she spent away. A strange panging feeling and bitter sense of jealousy filled her at the thought of the two together in an intimate sense. She knew that it was only logical that Anna would encounter or even seek the company of other people, especially since Elsa was the one that abandoned her. Even so, the thought repulsed her and since Kristoff was their closest partner, Elsa found herself curious and decided to learn more.
"Can I ask you something?" Elsa started.
"Of course, anything," Anna replied.
"I know it's not really my place to know… but have you and Kristoff… ever… you know?"
Anna considered her question for a moment then started laughing earnestly. "No, never, Elsa. Don't worry about that."
"Oh," Elsa said. She was relieved, and yet couldn't place why. "Why not?"
"Eh," Anna waved her hand dismissively. "Not really my type. Too gruff, I guess. And you never want to get involved in that way with the people you do business with. Things just get messy otherwise."
"Ah, I see," Elsa nodded, though a small smile of relief crept over her lips.
A curious feeling washed over them in the next moment. It was an easy, comfortable, and familiar sensation that was altogether natural and almost instinctive. Strange and exciting all at once as Elsa and Anna looked warmly at each other. Something was stirring, though in that moment, neither of them could place exactly what it was.
