Winds Have Brought an Unexpected Visitor
Elsa knew that there were going to be dissatisfied people demanding her attention after her speech, there was no question. However, it didn't lessen the feelings of being constantly on edge as she listened and explained the situation based on each individual's different flairs of concern; concerns for the kingdom's safety, for the kingdom's reputation, for the kingdom's judicial system, and so forth.
While she would put her people's own needs before her own without hesitation, it did not change the fact that she felt like she was constantly repeating herself. Though it meant that she didn't have to come up with new explanations she hadn't thought through well enough, it still chipped at her long-suffering patience. She didn't let that show, of course, except for the momentary sigh of relief she accidentally let escape when she was interrupted by the royal messenger. She took it as an opportunity for the visits to end for the day.
After the last visitor filed out of the throne room, the messenger kneeled before her, words spilling from his mouth hastily, "Your Majesty, a prince of the Southern Isles has just arrived and requests an audience. He says it is of high priority that he speaks with you as soon as possible." Elsa leapt out of her seat in shock, the messenger flinching in surprise at the sudden movement.
It seemed that the Southern Isles' royalty had impeccable timing when it came to making surprise appearances – Impeccable timing to show up at the worst moments. She was already on unsteady ground in the eyes of some of her people. Having another Southern Isles prince in her kingdom while trying to repair the damage was not going to help matters.
She could just order the visiting prince away. But that would mean that she would run away from the problem, and that wouldn't solve anything. Not to mention risk angering this prince for not seeing to his purpose for making the voyage to Arendelle. As tempting a choice that was, she begrudgingly called for the prince to be sent to her throne room as she sat back down, willing her heart to settle down.
As the prince made his way to the foot of Elsa's throne, she couldn't help but take note of what kind of person he likely was based on his appearances. There was a jagged scar that traced across his cheek, ending at the tip of his chin. A combative personality, perhaps? His gait was stiff and precise, reminding her of the soldiers in the kingdom's army when she watched them practice formations one day. He likely had some form of military training. The prince was trailed by a single guard adorned in the colors of the Southern Isles, a bodyguard most likely. So, he must be someone of great importance in his kingdom, since she didn't see Hans have one during her coronation celebration.
"Greetings, Queen Elsa of Arendelle," the prince said after a graceful, respectful bow. "I am Prince Anders Westergaard of the Southern Isles, fourth heir to the throne, and older brother to Prince Hans. I am here to relieve your kingdom of him."
Direct and to the point, already unlike her first impressions of Hans. Well, at least she didn't have to worry about having to pull answers out of him like pulling teeth.
"I thought I made it clear that Arendelle is now his custodian, as ordained by the kingdom of Corona, whom the Southern Isles had given full discretion of his fate. Hadn't anyone read the letter I sent?" Elsa said.
"Yes, and its contents are what worry me. We were afraid that he fell into his delusions and was able to convince you to believe his false realities. If that is the case, I ask that you please show him mercy if you aren't willing to part with the responsibility of his care. However, that could have easily been communicated through a letter, or they also could have sent someone else.
"I'm here due to the high possibility that he has somehow been able to manipulate his way back into Arendelle. I fear that he has harbored an unhealthy enough grudge against you and your sister, Princess Anna, that he may find an opportunity to strike and… 'finish what he started.'
"These… 'curses' that you spoke of in the letter… they are impossible to have happened. There is not a hint of sorcerous practice in him or anyone in our bloodline, nor do I believe that he had attracted the attentions of 'the pixies.' To be quite frank, the fact that he was able to convince you of such nonsense proves that he is incredibly dangerous. That is, of course, if he's sane.
"I left my kingdom as soon as we received the letter in the hopes that I can assess whether or not he is still a danger, something that can only be done in person. Out of all the Westergaard brothers, I was the one who was most able to call Hans out on his deceptions. A skill that had proved useful in the end, for I am in charge of the law enforcers in my kingdom."
"Prince Anders, I thank you for concerns, but I assure you that Prince Hans is not lying about his condition," Elsa said.
"I'm sorry to seem disrespectful in saying this, but magic does not exist outside of stories told to children. This wouldn't be the first time he claimed magic playing a part in things that have gone wrong for him. He once called you an 'ice sorceress' and that you cast a curse upon your kingdom that struck winter upon the land the day of your coronation. In the middle of July."
"He didn't lie about that either, Prince Anders. Magic does, in fact, exist." Elsa flicked her fingers and tiny swirls of snow danced in the air in a small show of her powers. They disappeared before they hit the ground.
The prince before her gaped in wonder at the display, eyes widened in shock.
"Just as you've seen and believe that I possess magical abilities," Elsa said, putting on a stern and persuasive tone. "I've seen and believe the effects the curses the pixie has placed upon your youngest brother. Since it is due to my reckless behavior that your brother has been given this burden, I am doing all that I can in my power to rectify the situation, as I stated in the letter."
"That meant… Hans did kill Klaus." Anders stared off into the distance at the realization. His gaze darkened. "Oh, that pixie is going to pay for this."
Elsa was relieved yet astonished that Prince Anders pushed all his anger towards the pixie instead of her, unlike how Hans initially reacted. She shouldn't feel so surprised, though, since Anders was likely completely different than his brother in the dungeon. He didn't think nor act like Hans.
But that didn't mean the little voice inside her mind would keep from saying she deserved at least a little bit of his anger.
"May I see him, Your Majesty?" he asked.
"You may, though I do suggest you exercise extreme caution. While he isn't a danger in the way that he's driven by vengeance, even so much as touching him can lead to… extreme discomfort."
"I don't quite understand what you mean."
"There's a new curse that was placed upon him. One that causes one's soul to be disturbed at its tethers at the touch of his hands, apparently in substitution for the pixie dust he used to have. He himself isn't immune to its effects."
His look of distress upon hearing the explanation elicited an ache of sympathy she felt towards him. Unlike Hans, Anders made no attempts to hide how he felt as his tears streaked down his cheeks and chin, his fists clenching at his sides.
"No! That… he can't live like that!" Anders said to no one in particular. "Where is he?"
###
Princess Anna… apologized? And Hans accepted the apology without a second thought? Just when he thought things wouldn't get stranger, the most out-of-the-blue and unlikely of moments had happened.
And here he thought that he needed to jump through many hoops for him to ever get an apology from the princess. Even more if he was to ever say "I forgive you" in return.
Hans eyed the gloves on his cot warily before he moved to grab them. They were made of a thick leather, slightly worn and old. Working gloves, its previous owner was likely a blacksmith, a carpenter, or someone along those lines of professions.
With shaking hands, he slipped the pair on. It was an arduous task to try to avoid any contact with any part of his body with his hands.
Now came the moment of truth.
He inwardly prayed for it to work when he touched a forearm with a covered hand, wincing in anticipation when he made contact.
He waited and…
Nothing.
He released the breath he didn't realize he was holding and laughed in joy. It worked! Ecstatic, he touched his cheeks, shoulders, even going so far to touch his chest. No torment, no wispy soul stirring for escape. Oh, the relief! The metaphorical burden lifted from his shoulders, leaving him with a feeling as if he would float into the sky should he jump from the parapets of the castle.
He was certainly going to thank Kristoff for his wonderful idea.
Hans could learn to live with this curse, now that there was an easy loophole he could exploit. All he needed to do was never to remove the gloves. Ever.
His mood faltered a bit at the realization. Ah, no matter. There weren't many things in life that needed the fine dexterity required from uncovered hands. He wasn't a seamster, nor was he keen on repair work. Also, on the bright side, he now had a legitimate excuse for not playing the violin or piano.
The memory of having those horrid, mandatory music recitals the princes would perform for their parents every year played in his thoughts and brought him to sigh wistfully. Whoever thought it was a good idea for thirteen rambunctious boys to learn the discipline of sitting still and learning to play a musical instrument needed to reexamine their life. While the princes wouldn't ever dare to act out of line with the king and queen around, their music tutors were fair game. Music lessons were the only time they ever really exercised the opportunity to rebel. Despite the obvious chaos that arose from their unwillingness, the princes would perform whatever piece they were assigned to practice and memorize for their yearly performance.
Pieter, being the "perfect example of royalty and grace," was impressive to watch. Hans supposed his eldest brother's sensitive nature helped with expressing emotion through the inanimate, soulless sound-devices. Of course, said emotions were frustration and anger at having to play another piece, but he always played so masterfully. Had Pieter not been born to be king, he would have earned his keep as a professional musician.
Everyone else? Well, if the music was written one way, that was certainly not how it was played. Holger, the second-born, just didn't practice and fudged his way through a piece. Anders would play all the notes in perfect pitch and tempo, but always had the tendency to play at one volume, and that was extremely loud. Klaus would purposefully sour his notes for "delicate" songs, or switch tempos on the fly.
As for Hans, while not as terrible at playing as Holger, would play "creative renditions" of the pieces he was assigned to perform just to spite everyone. One very frustrating year, Mozart's "Sonata in C Major" turned into "F# Minor." Oh, the reactions of his brothers to hear such a commonly-heard piece butchered by his hands were priceless. He hated playing an instrument with a passion.
Still, all the princes of the Southern Isles were able to hold their own musically. Passable for having learned the skills, at the very least. While none of them were wanting to learn such nonsense skills required by the royalty and nobility due to "etiquette and privilege," they did it out of respect for the king and queen. Needless to say, the recitals ended with the death of their parents.
Thinking about his family quenched the giddy feeling he was feeling earlier. He missed them – which was strange, because he wanted to escape from their influence in the past. He supposed it was due to the fact that he would likely never see them again. He would never be able to fulfill the desire he had to repair whatever relationship damage that was formed over the years, especially now that he knew they've been trying to reach him for the longest time.
He never even met his many nieces and nephews, either. How sad that the rift between him and his siblings was great enough for that to happen.
But as long as he was still alive, there was always a chance, right?
A knock at the cell door, the grating sound of it unlocking, and its swing on its hinges harkened the entrance of a stern-faced Prince Anders.
A distant memory of being punished through punches in his torso from an angry, adolescent Anders flashed in his mind before he shook off the feeling of astonishment.
Awestruck that one of his brothers was here in Arendelle stunned Hans to where he was on his cot. Just when he was thinking about family, one of them just so happened to be there. How unsurprising that it was the violent-tempered Anders and his uncanny ability to catch Hans in all his schemes at just the right moments. A perfect skill to possess in one whose pet name throughout the Southern Isles was "Prince Inspector."
Or "Prince of the Pigs" for the more unruly folk.
He observed his older brother carefully, trying to predict whether his brother was here to hurt him, as he did in the past; or if he was here out of concern, which was a newer development in the fourth heir. Even though his brother was skilled in eking out the truth in deceivers, Prince Anders was quite possibly the easiest of all thirteen to figure out, intentions-wise. However, Hans was surprisingly having a harder time reading Anders than usual. He wasn't sure if the obvious displeasure his brother displayed was directed towards him or someone else.
He really hoped that it was the latter.
Just when my infallible knack for reading people fails, it fails at the worst time, Hans thought to himself.
"Even though Queen Elsa says what is true, my heart does not want to believe it, little brother," Prince Anders said as he walked into Hans' cell, his bodyguard following behind him. He turned to the Arendellian guards watching the cell, "I wish to speak to him in private."
The guards exchanged worried looks before shutting the door. Hans couldn't help but fidget under his brother's attention.
"Hello there, what brings you to my humble abode?" Hans quipped sarcastically, attempting to hide his discomfort. He decided to err on the side of caution and act like nothing was amiss. "Wouldn't the police force of the Southern Isles miss its chief inspector? I fear for the common good if just one slimy criminal were to get away without you around."
"I came to verify the contents of the letter sent by Queen Elsa. As you know, such things can only be done in person. I needed to know, Hans. I wanted to prevent you from slipping further into your treachery."
"And what? Send the Southern Isles' hunting dog to sniff for blood that isn't there?"
"If I didn't know you so well, I wouldn't have come here. While you haven't spilled the royal blood of Arendelle, I've come to the realization that you did kill Klaus in making this visit. But… it didn't quite add up. I'm looking to you for an explanation."
"As I told everyone before Klaus' funeral, I killed him using the scythe you saw was in my possession when I met with him while he was on his deathbed. For someone who prides himself in sorting lies from the truth, surprisingly enough my reputation to deceive won out."
Anders seemed to crumble after Hans said this. The older prince never was known to keep emotions hidden for long anyway. Anders was almost a blubbering mess when he spoke again.
"You were under a great amount of stress, Hans. I didn't know whether or not you were acting out of your own volition, or if Klaus' death made you lose your mind. I had to go with my instincts, and all evidence pointed to apparent suicide. But… now knowing the truth…"
"I understand if you want to execute me."
"What? No! As much as I've dedicated myself to following the law to the letter, I have… biases that prevent me from doing so. I still hold onto hope that you'll find your way again. A purpose that will serve for a higher, better cause."
The two fell silent, one watching the other as if in anticipation for an outburst of sorts. Anders gave in to the tension first.
With an angry yell, Prince Anders pounded against the stone wall of the cell with a clenched fist, knuckles torn and bleeding from the action. Hans flinched, half-expecting the punch to land on him instead.
Anders hadn't laid a hand on Hans in years, but the memories had never really disappeared.
"I'm sorry, I just really hate how all of that got destroyed by… your new condition," Anders said, brushing the raw flesh with his uninjured hand.
"Likewise."
"It breaks my heart to see you in such a state. I no longer see the pride you used to carry, the charm in your words every time you come to insult me. The… hopelessness I see in your eyes. To see you so bare and without pretense, it's… I never wanted to see you so broken. It's as if I'm looking at a stranger. Like one of the hardened criminals that have been locked in prison for far too long. Ones I see every day.
"You had so much more to offer for our kingdom! I was always so jealous of you, knowing that if you used your talents for good, you could help usher in a new era for the Southern Isles. To rally the people just with your words, or strike fear into our enemies by slinking into the shadows of subterfuge. I hated you for what you would become, for being everything that I was not. So eloquent, charming, opportunistic. Someone who would have easily surpassed this older brother."
"I knew about your jealousy the whole time, Anders. You were always so easy to read. I had to! If not, I wouldn't have been able to keep at least two steps ahead of you to avoid being beaten to a pulp if I so much as looked at you at the wrong time."
"I know, and I've never felt so guilty in my life after realizing what I've done to you. I turned all that negative energy towards upholding the laws of the Southern Isles, to protect its citizens from the ruthlessness that lives in the hearts of their own friends and neighbors. I hoped that I would be able to redeem myself.
"Don't you see, Hans? Every one of your older brothers has tried to contribute in their own way to fix the tumultuous legacy our father left behind. To rectify all the wrong we've done in your childhood. Pieter has become one of the most merciful kings ever known in the Southern Isles. Holger is using his ingenuity with medicine to lead our doctors to create treatments that are saving many lives! Even Klaus was trying to get an orphanage running. 'So that no child would ever feel invisible,' as he said.
"To see our youngest sibling faltering, not fulfilling the destiny that was so apparent in the very beginning. To know that it was due to our poor treatment of him throughout the years that caused this…"
"Anders. Please, don't… I'm as much at fault in this as everyone else. I always knew that each of you turned your lives around. For the kingdom's sake. For my sake… But my pride… My desire for a crown, for control. My choices led me to where I am today. I deserve every bit of this."
"No! No one deserves this! That pixie that did this to you deserves to be struck dead from the heavens for her maliciousness!"
Hans stood up in alarm at his brother's outburst, "Don't say that! Please, I don't want you to attract her attention."
"She wouldn't dare mess with me."
"She would and it was through her schemes that Klaus is dead. I don't want to lose another brother to my curse." A small "plip" sounded on the floor when a teardrop fell from Hans' chin. Hans was… crying and he didn't notice? The two stared at the spattered droplet on the floor in wonder.
Curse tears and the feelings they represent, Hans thought to himself as he angrily wiped the tear-trail from his face with his gloved hand.
"You… do love me, brother," Anders whispered in shock. "To make this discovery in such terrible circumstances." Anders walked to Hans, arms opened wide. Hans slinked back in fear and Anders paused. "And to know that I can never hold my baby brother in love ever again. How bitter fate could be."
"No, you can hug me. It's just that… I'm not used to you laying a hand on me without having the intention to hit me."
Anders didn't hide his hurt and shame, but with a nod of understanding asked, "But what of your curse? The… newer one Queen Elsa mentioned?"
Hans showed him his gloved hands and said, "We found a way to work around it." Drawing up the courage, Hans embraced his older brother with a desperate fervor to show how much he loved him, despite all the misgivings in the past. Anders sobbed into the younger prince's shoulder, sounds of sadness and laughter muffled into his shirt.
"We love you Hans. Never forget that," Anders whispered. "Even if you lose yourself in this mess, never forget."
Prince Anders' bodyguard stepped away from the two brothers, feeling awkward of having been enclosed in a cell to watch the events between the two unfold.
###
Kristoff, Anna, and Elsa were quite embarrassed to walk into the two brothers' tearful reunion. It didn't appear that the two princes noticed their entrance. However, Kristoff was pleased to see that his idea to cover Hans' hands had worked, at least.
"We have visitors, Prince Anders," the bodyguard coughed, face reddening in embarrassment.
Said prince straightened himself, but didn't release his embrace from his youngest sibling. Hans, on the other hand, let go of his brother, eyes widened in mortification.
Kristoff saw his fiancée smiling wide in bemusement and discomfort, slowly inching herself toward the exit. He kind of wanted to do the same, but their meeting with the prisoner was necessary since they needed to talk about his new role as executioner and the unknown, encroaching date of another "call to action." He didn't know if Prince Anders was needed at the moment. The older prince likely wanted to hear about his brother's new responsibility, too, though.
As for why Kristoff was there, well… Since he was the one advocating for Hans' idea, and the added leniency towards the criminal prince's living conditions, it was only fair for him to be as involved as possible throughout the whole process.
Even if it was going to be a whole lot more work than it initially appeared to be.
Also, queen's orders. Couldn't argue with that.
"If you pardon the informality, I would like to hug my baby brother a little longer, Your Majesty," Prince Anders said, amusement in his voice. Hans gripped at Anders' grasping arms, attempting to pull himself away from his elder and failing. "I rarely have the opportunity to do this."
"Imagine how your officers would react if they knew their leader was displaying such a compromising display of affection towards a high-profile criminal," Hans ground out. Then he added with a devious grin, "I doubt you ever hold your own wife this way. I'm actually quite honored. She should be very jealous."
Appall and terror twisting the older prince's face, Prince Anders shoved Hans away from him and brushed his attire in disgust. Kristoff didn't hide the short chortle of amusement seeing Anders' theatrics.
"Of course it would be you to twist my innocent intentions into something so… abhorrent, brother," Anders said, straightening his coat.
Hans shrugged as if to say, "What else did you expect?" and replied nonchalantly, "From what it seems, they're here to discuss something important. I can't listen properly with you hanging onto me like that."
Anders scoffed, mock offense painted on his face. Wow, and Hans was the youngest sibling?
"It's about your new role in Arendelle's justice system, Prince Hans," Elsa said.
"Oh, is that so?" Prince Anders said, crossing his arms and leaning forward slightly in interest. "If you wouldn't mind, I would like to hear. I'm also quite involved in the Southern Isles' justice system as well."
"Yes… You lead the law enforcement there, if I remember you mentioning that correctly?"
Prince Anders nodded, adding eagerly, "Serving and protecting my countrymen through weeding out those who threaten their safety among their numbers. A passion of mine, really. I'm much too soft to handle the rigorous training of being a soldier."
Huh, Prince Hans had a brother that was a lawman? Kristoff wasn't sure if he was surprised. With someone as deviant and corrupt Hans initially appeared to be, he never would have guessed one of his brothers falling into that line of work.
Then again, twelve brothers. Twelve potential cases of differing personalities. The eldest, King Pieter, sounded like a good man, and Prince Anders seemed like he was concerned for the common good. Were these two the exception, making the rest of the Southern Isles princes a brood of evil? Or was Prince Hans the only bad apple?
Or was there more to the story that he wasn't aware of?
Kristoff supposed that he could sate that curiosity by talking with Prince Hans later, or with Prince Anders if he was going to stay in Arendelle for a little while longer. Both would be best, of course. It wasn't good to only have one side, since there was always going to be bias somewhere.
Elsa cleared her throat, drawing Kristoff's attention back to reality.
"As an executioner of Arendelle, there are expectations that you must follow," Elsa started.
Prince Anders butted in, surprised, "Pardon the interruption, Your Majesty. Executioner? Is… that the solution you came up with?"
"It is actually Prince Hans' idea. Under Arendelle's laws, attempted regicide is punished through execution, the same as it is in your kingdom. However, we've come to the conclusion that if he were to face this as is punishment, we risk angering forces that are much more powerful than we can handle. The land… The… being that is influencing Prince Hans' drive to sacrifice has agreed to leave him be as long as he does what it asks.
"Should Prince Hans fail to act, the land has threatened destruction. As for the pixies, Prince Hans' execution would likely bring more chaos than they have previously brought through their influence in this matter. No one is willing for Prince Hans to be set free to do whatever he wishes, since it risks the safety and lives of countless innocents, the same goes for keeping him locked up in the dungeons to fall into madness with the land's influence wearing at him. Prince Hans' idea is the best we have so far. The pixies have also shown their support for this idea, and have assured me that following this through would lead to a better outcome."
"Understandable, yet… not reassuring. In all my years as an investigator, for someone with Hans' reputation, the irony is not lost on me that a would-be murderer would kill other criminals as a part of his sentence. But who am I to judge? The crown says the law, and all I've trained to do is to follow it. Do continue, Your Majesty. There will be no more interruptions from me."
"Very well," Elsa said with a nod. "As an executioner of Arendelle, Prince Hans, you must dress in uniform to represent that your actions are done in the name of the Crown of Arendelle. Since you are now a part of the kingdom's justice system, you must be hold yourself to a higher standard. Your appearance and your actions will be judged against you should you fail to do so, and harshly. You may not speak a word when an execution is taking place. You may not touch the condemned unless it is to kill. You will execute only when ordered to. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Hans replied.
"In the event of a public execution, the previous rules still apply. However, you are to announce the crimes the person had committed and prepare the condemned in such a way that when they die, they die with their dignity still intact. If they have any final wishes, that is only for the Council to decide upon. Your only duty when it comes to final wishes, however, is whether or not they want to have their faces hidden during a public execution. That is all. All executions must be swift. They are not to be torturous. They were sentenced to die, not to suffer. Are we in agreement?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Now, we must address the nuances of your new responsibilities given your… other duty. You must report as soon as you feel an… 'urging' for a sacrifice, no matter how minute and inconsequential you deem it to be. While I feel that there are enough high-profile criminals being sent to Arendelle where at least one every few weeks will be sentenced to death, there is no guarantee that you will not experience discomfort from the land in the meantime. And as soon as you feel that you are losing control, you must – I repeat must – let others know immediately. I can hasten the criminal proceedings accordingly should that happen. But remember, that must only be in the event that the lands influence is getting too much. Is that clear?"
"Clear as day, Queen Elsa."
"Good. The Council and I have put Kristoff Bjorgman in charge of your… 'rehabilitation.' Consider him to be your parole officer."
Kristoff blanched at this and sputtered, "W-wait, what? Me?"
"You seem to know what you're doing, and I can't keep making visits like this to the dungeon on a regular basis. Anna certainly can't do it, given that she's shown to be a little… impatient when it comes to Prince Hans. Plus, no one else knows him enough to make note of his change in character, nor is anyone else willing… considering the… violence that surrounds him."
Anna looked to Kristoff with a guilty look, a sheepish grin gracing her lips.
"Sorry," Anna said, playing with a seam on her dress. "I kinda… sorta… suggested that Hans kinda sorta needed a babysitter, you know, to watch if he's doing what he's been ordered to do…" She brought up her hands defensively. "B-but I didn't know it would be you! I didn't know everyone else was that scared of him."
"If you'd like, I can help train you in the 'feeding and care of Prince Hans' while I'm here," Prince Anders offered, placing a heavy, reassuring hand on Kristoff's shoulder. "He's a wily one, I'll tell you. I'll share some things you need to look out for, especially when he gets into a mood."
Hans stared at Anders, looking like he wanted to bore holes into his sibling with the gaze. Noticing that Kristoff saw the display, Hans played it off as if nothing happened.
Well, this was going to be so much fun.
Why, oh why, did he ever listen to Sven in the first place? Why did his troll family have so much faith in him? Why did he have to believe them? At the very least, he could have some questions answered from the two princes.
Sometimes he missed his old life where he answered to no one, his only companion being Sven. This looked to be one of those times.
Author's Note: Oh hey guys, it looks like I ended up updating after all. Turns out that writing is a good outlet for when I'm grieving and upset.
I'm starting to feel weirded out the more I write for this fandom. Even when I'm reading, as well. I like to make connections between different ideas, and how the characters would react to some of them but then… I noticed how… oddly similar my father's past resembles Hans'. And it's making me feel extremely awkward.
I mean, violent criminal (reformed and completely changed, in my dad's case. Never would have guessed if you spoke to him today), growing up with twelve older siblings, youngest in the family, treated pretty badly by siblings during formative years; how can I not? Of course, there are stark and obvious differences.
Still. Ewwwww. My dad is amazing, while Hans' character is just… no. At least in the movie. In here? Well… he still needs work. And even if all things got fixed, he still wouldn't ever be as amazing as my dad. (Bias? What bias? I don't see any!)
But now that the connection has been made in my brain, I can't get it out of there. DARN MY TRAITOROUS BRAIN!
However, at least it gives me a bit of inspiration for more scene ideas for the plot?
*shudders in disgust* Ugh. Sorry dad, if you ever happen to read this (I doubt it, lol), for comparing you to someone as wicked as a fictional character as Hans. My thought process is weird, which you're already aware of. XD
Many thanks to the reviewers of the previous chapter! I'm super appreciative of every single one of you. My heart goes a-flutter with wings every time someone reviews. Yeah, I'm sappy, sorry.