It was always cold now.
The chill was seeping into every part of Anna, slowing down her processes, freezing her joints, and destroying sensors. Everything was sluggish and unresponsive. She couldn't even acknowledge the kicks to her sides and legs, barely hearing the laughter as whoever they were left.
At least I don't have to worry about the insults.
"Energy levels dangerously low. Estimated time to total system shutdown: Twenty-four minutes, thirty seconds."
Oh tell me something I don't know.
"Basic mode engaged. Capabilities at lowest acceptable levels."
It was the only voice Anna could ever hear clearly anymore. The one telling her which of her systems had to be systematically turned off to continue her existence.
What I wouldn't give to feel something before…
A warmth fluttered over her cheek, gentle and light. Anna waited for the prods, pokes, or even a hit. But it never came, if anything it became more insistent and spread further along her skin.
Do something! Come on Anna, move!
Her body shook violently as it tried to follow her instructions, sputtering out the start up sequence in harsh tones. The vocal synapses were one of the first things to start degrading, but she had to say something, anything.
A voice, quiet and muffled, attempted to penetrate the haze. Even if Anna couldn't hear it clearly, the intent was there, the question.
Just a bit more, come on…
Through the perpetual darkness she could just barely make out a pale figure, a tiny sliver of blue.
Such a pretty color…
Closer now the figure appeared, the warmth spreading across her hand. Another muffled question caressed her senses and Anna fought her bodies unresponsiveness.
"Twenty minutes remaining."
Pressure around her waist lifted Anna up and again she tried to work her limbs, legs buckling under her weight. Whoever this person was, they were taking great care not to jostle her too much. She could only smile to herself and tentatively hope that this would end well.
Alright Anna, just say your name, Anna…Anna..
"An-n-na."
A gentle squeeze on her hand had that tentative sliver of hope grow.
"Warning, vocal system shutting down."
Oh dammit.
The light was a welcome change, though the edges of her vision were still darkened and blurry. The arms placed her down somewhere, their gentle pressure retreated and Anna felt sad at the loss. That pretty blue appeared in her line of sight and she could just make out hearing her name.
Nod your head Anna, not too hard to do…but I'm so tired.
Fuzzy outlines filled her vision and Anna realizes she's alone. The silence is almost too much now.
"Warning: Six minutes remaining."
I am really starting to hate you.
Something wet was being dragged over her skin, wiping away the filth she knew she was covered in. The darkness was creeping further into her vision, but Anna tried desperately to keep the pale figure in focus. Gentle tugs pulled away whatever was left of her clothes and the cloth was back on her skin, but Anna could barely feel the movement.
"Warning: Two minutes remaining."
Anna felt fear spread throughout her mind. The figure was speaking again and she strained against the damn muffling fog around her senses.
"-arging you up whi-"
Wow they sound pret-wait, what? Charging?
Panic and hope churned inside of her. With the last bit of focus she twitched her arm, unlocking the panel that contained her input ports. Then she waited, ignoring the voice counting down her remaining power.
Please…please…
A quiet click.
Please…please!
Power surged through Anna, the shock of the onslaught freezing up her body.
"Cha-ch-charging."
That is such a head rush. Wow.
The shock drained from her and she slumped ever so slightly. Anna zoned out, letting the system work itself out. Warmth was traveling through every part of her body, making her feel like she was floating on a cloud.
"Func-ion err-err-or."
Oh no…it's still there! No, no, no, no! I have to do something!
"He-hel-p. Pl-plea-ease."
Still too limited! Have to..have to try…there!
"Olaf, start up all diagnostic systems and bring up the charts for the AA's schematics," Elsa removed the bucket and towels from the table, needing the space clear.
"Sure thing Elsa!" Olaf's cheery voice came out loudly through the room's speakers. When Elsa had moved into the house she'd set up the computer system to be automated and she'd attempted to make him somewhat of an AI in his own rights. His personality was very happy go lucky and friendly, vastly different from her own.
Small trays filled with tools slid out from under the steel table while holographic screens appeared in air around, casting a soft blue glow over Anna. Tapping the nearest screen, Elsa scanned the list of electronics used in the AA companions. Nothing in the list even suggested an auto repair function, it was something that not even the AI's of today had. Humming to herself she pulled a stool out and sat down on it near Anna.
"Hi!"
"What is it Olaf?" Elsa pulled up another screen, showing the schematics to the body structure.
"Oh sorry! Forgot about the voice, I'm Anna actually."
The blonde paused, her hand hovering against the screen. But she wasn't hooked up into the system, was she?
"Anna?" She glanced up into the AI's face, noting the completely blank expression and half lidded eyes. "I don't think I quite understand…"
"All I'm doing is projecting my voice through speakers. I asked Olaf and he was okay with it, so here I am!" A burst of static pulsed out of the speakers, sounding like a sigh. "It was the only way to get your help quicker since there is a tiny problem that if not taken care of very soon…will result in a total meltdown of my core systems."
"What do you need me to do?" Elsa stood up from the stool, maneuvering herself in front of Anna. She could hear the panic in 'Olaf's' voice.
"Alright, so, you're gonna have to open the compartment in my chest. There's something lodged there and it's disrupting my repair system." Elsa watched as faint lines of light appeared under the button up shirt, quickly she undid the top half and tugged the edges open. The panel was where the sternum connected to the clavicle and was just larger then her hand. "Whatever is in there is enough to back up the power channeling through there. Once whatever it is, is out of the way, I can fix everything."
Picking up a slim flathead screwdriver, Elsa had to gently slide it into the open grooves and pry the panels open. The smell of burnt metal and oil had the blonde scrunching her nose, wishing she had a mask. The compartment fully open showed Elsa a mass of jagged metal and congealed oil.
"How did this happen?" Tugging on a pair of gloves, Elsa fumbled for a small set of pliers and cleaning cloths. Perching back on the stool in front of Anna she set to work quickly and carefully removing the god awful mess.
"I was passing through an old junkyard and I think I disturbed a homeless man in his sleep. He came out of nowhere swinging this bat, but it looked like he had stuck things to the end of it," Elsa dabbed at some of the oil before pulling out a small slim piece of metal. She dropped it into a tray with a quiet clink. "Anyways, he caught me off guard and got the end lodged into my chest and twisted it. I got away as fast as I could and hid in the sewer system."
More metal pulled and oil wiped, the mess shrinking with every pass. Elsa eyed the largest piece, noticing that it was deeper into Anna then the others.
"Why didn't you fight back?" She vaguely recalled that the AA series had become violent and aggressive, towards anything. This had her pausing slightly, the pliers just grazing the last piece.
"Because it would've been wrong." The worry that was gnawing at Elsa's gut, vanished. "He was only protecting his home and that's his right. Just because he hurt me, does not mean I should've hurt him back," Elsa had a small smile on her lips, glad that her worry was unnecessary. Grasping the metal tightly she began tugging it out.
"Last piece Anna, this should do it."
"I never did get your name," the piece was almost free, one last tug was all it would take. Elsa peered up into Anna's face, wondering what it would look like with her 'awake'.
"How about I tell you when you're up and about, hmm?"
"I guess that would be fine. It's gonna be amazing to be able to use all my senses again. I've been nearly deaf, blind, and mute for far too long."
Elsa fixed her grip on the pliers and with a firm tug, the jagged metal was free. Almost immediately the panel slid closed, sealing back up into unblemished freckled skin. A gentle hum filled the quiet of the garage and she watched as Anna's body slumped further forward.
"Oh she's very nice Elsa! I like her," pushing her stool back a bit Elsa couldn't help but silently agree with Olaf. "She reminds me of summer."
—-
A series of quiet beeps woke Elsa up from her awkward position in her desk chair. Rubbing her eyes, she blinked blearily at the clock on the wall. It had only been an hour. Rolling her shoulder to work out the kink, Elsa looked over towards the source of the beeping.
Anna was still slumped over on the table, but as she watched Elsa noticed the twitching in her limbs. Kicking the chair away from the desk, she nearly fell out of it in her rush. Getting her balance back Elsa quickly walked over to stand in front of Anna, her hands fidgeting with the bottom of her shirt. It was nerve wracking for sure, watching the limbs twist and fidget. Synthetic muscle flexed and joints rotated. The cable attached to her wrist popped out and the wrist panel closed with a click.
After what felt like forever Elsa watched as Anna's body straightened back up, her head lifting. Teal eyes slowly opened, the faint glow fading away to leave her eyes clear and unfocused. Slow blinks followed by tiny movements in her face and neck had Elsa wondering just how expressive she would be, what would Anna really be like.
Lost in her thoughts Elsa didn't notice that Anna was staring at her, head tilted ever so slightly. She was leaning forward, hands on her knees simply taking in the sight of the tall blonde. Long blonde hair braided loosely rested on her shoulder, the bangs swept up messily on the top of her head. Pale skin, barely there freckles dusting her nose, and lips the right shade of pink. Tall and slim with the right amount of curves, this woman made the loose pajamas she was wearing seem elegant and sophisticated.
Anna always spoke her mind and now wouldn't be any different.
"You're really beautiful," smiling widely at the startled woman Anna wiggled off the table to stand on her own two feet. Wobbling a bit, she waited for the calibration to kick in and configure her balance. She was surprised when a pair of hands gripped her upper arms and held her steady.
Peering up into blondes face, Anna took note of the blush on her pale cheeks.
Has no one ever told her that?
"Hello Anna, I'm Elsa," her hands slid off Anna's arms, letting her stand on her own.
She even sounds beautiful…
Anna couldn't help herself, all this excitement was hard to contain. Bouncing on the balls of her feet, she squealed and launched herself at Elsa. Wrapping her arms loosely over Elsa's shoulders, Anna hugged her tightly. She could feel Elsa tense for a split second before she relaxed, arms tentatively reaching around her smaller frame to hug her back.
"Thank you for helping me Elsa."
AN: And now I can move onto the adorbs! First though, other things need to take priority. Then I can come back and have Anna be a complete and total cutie patootie goofball.