The Isles's finally arrive at the ballroom of the Crown Jewel Hotel for that night's charity event. Mr. and Mrs. Isles leave their children and head over to greet the event organizers and their friends, but not before Mrs. Isles gives her standard instructions to her children to behave themselves. As usual, this means that the three siblings must keep to themselves for most of the night. They are allowed to exchange a few words with their peers and the adults, but they must not draw much attention by openly or flagrantly socializing. Their mother comes from a family whose bloodline can be traced back for centuries and with noble blood practically drowning the family name. This would probably explain her odd adherence to old fashioned notions of how socialites must behave. She was taught the importance of maintaining an air of mystery to prevent the risk of scandal and to earn the respect of the older generations. The siblings don't agree. Truth be told, even their father – whose family is also "old rich" but not as old as albeit much richer than his wife's – believes that there's no harm in his children mingling. However, they've all learned that it is futile to quarrel with their mother's upbringing, so the younger Isles's must begrudgingly fulfill her wishes.
As the three teens make their way to their table, they are greeted by a few timid smiles, hushed whispers, and a few bold nods and hellos. As much as Elsa hates the restrictions her mother has given them, she has at least managed to create the illusion that the Isles siblings are of a higher race, regal and and enviable. Her plan has worked so far as she has been crowned "darling" or "queen" in various events. Her brothers have each previously held similar titles, as well.
The twins seem to be more natural at acting formal as this is closer to their true nature. Hiccup does not mind socializing in school but, among all his classmates, has only actually formed true solid bonds with the tomboyish Merida and the rowdy Eugene. He believes that their different backgrounds and personalities intrigued him and was extremely surprised to find that they clicked with ease.
Hans, on the other hand, is formal consistently. Unlike his two siblings, his persona in events is not an act. He is genuinely one who acts regal although he is not as cold as he appears to be. He and his siblings do spend time together at home, and they are, in fact, his favorite subjects to paint. Hiccup wishes Hans would be a little more sociable and hang out with him and his friends but has come to accept that he and his siblings only bond around family and socialites. They each have separate lives in school, as if they have created completely different and independent versions of themselves.
They sit at their table and converse in hushed, pleasant voices about a play they watched recently. As they continue to discuss the director's intention, the intricacy of the stage design, and the strengths and weaknesses of the lead actors, Elsa feels a hand on her shoulder.
"Fancy seeing you here," Kristoff grins down at her. "Hey, Hans, Hiccup." The two boys smile and greet their schoolmate in return. "I recall being granted permission to approach the stronghold of the Isles. I'm sorry I don't have my permit in writing and that I don't come bearing gifts of peace and goodwill."
Elsa makes a face at Kristoff that is a mixture of irritation and entertainment. Hiccup keeps a straight face and responds to Kristoff by saying, "Then I apologize, but I must ask you to step back ten paces. We have a field of protection that mere mortals must not cross." He and Kristoff share a laugh.
"Well, then," Elsa continues. "You must atone for such ungentlemanly manners."
"Gladly," Kristoff says accommodatingly. "Would you care to accompany me to get a drink? I'll even pay for it."
"I'd appreciate the gesture more if it wasn't open bar," Elsa says.
"Well, you can't always hit one out of the park," Kristoff shrugs, still laughing.
"B+ for effort," Hans jokes.
"What about you?" Elsa turns to her brothers.
"Yeah," Kristoff pipes in. "Would you young'uns like a drink?"
"Hey," Hiccup retaliates. "We're just one year younger than you. But no thanks, we'll probably get one later. We'll hold the fortress while you guys go."
As Elsa and Kristoff walk away, Hans turns to his twin, suddenly remembering something, "Hiccup, do you remember the Hoffersons? The ones who lost their fortune about ten years ago?"
"Yeah," Hiccup says slowly. "Why?"
"Well, apparently Astrid Hofferson's moved back into town. I talked to her when she first arrived, but I guess she's been here for a week or two." Hiccups eyes widen as he recalls the familiar face he saw in the principal's office a week or so ago.
"Oh, no wonder," he says. "I saw someone really familiar the other week in the principal's office. I didn't get a good look at her, but it must've been Astrid then. Man, if that's her, she's done a lot of growing up. The girl looked totally different from that rowdy tomboy we used to play with. I wonder if she remembers us."
"Yeah, I actually asked her that," Hans shares. "I saw her then went up to her and reintroduced myself. I asked if she remembers that we used to be playmates, which she curtly nodded to in response. Then she said she had to get to class and left right away before I even got to ask her how she's been. I guess I can't blame her for not wanting to talk to me. She did go through a lot, losing everything because of that scandal." Hiccup nods and pensively agrees.
After getting their drinks, Elsa and Kristoff head back to her table, and on the way, Kristoff notices that several boys' heads have turned in their direction.
"Uh oh," he whispers. "I think I better watch my back. Looks like I may have made enemies out of half the teenage population here." He subtly jerks his head in the direction of the gawking crowd.
"Well, how honored you must feel escorting me," Elsa says jokingly. She glances at the crowd and adds, "I guess the remaining half is my enemy. Some girls look like they want to throw knives at me."
She quickly shoots several of them a warm smile. Seeing her separated from the pack, mingling with someone other than her family members, and having her acknowledge them in return emboldens some teens to come over to her and Kristoff.
"Hi Elsa!" one girl says brightly. "I really love your gown! I saw it in the spring collection a few months ago and was dying to get it, but they had all sold out by the time I went back."
"I know!" Elsa replies. "Luckily, my mother had called the designer to save one piece for her the moment she saw it because she knew it would fly off the racks. Your dress is really great, though! I wish I had the proportions to pull off something like that. It looks so romantic on you!"
The girl smiles gratefully in return before getting interrupted by her friend. "Elsa, could you please congratulate your brother Hans on his beautiful painting? My father bought it at the auction last month and had it hung in one of his buildings. It's really beautiful."
"Thank you," she says kindly. "I'm really glad you liked it. Hans was exceptionally proud of that piece and would be so happy to know that it is appreciated by those who bought it."
"Weren't you the model in the piece?" another boy asks.
"Well, not the exact model. He just needed me to hold the pose and expression he envisioned, so he could paint the girl in the scene as accurately as possible. But I suppose the resemblance between me and the girl can't be helped."
"What's all this?" a stern voice breaks through the crowd. Elsa turns and finds herself face to face with her mother. Her mother is smiling, but Elsa knows that smile all too well. It's the kind of smile she puts on when she tries to tell the chef that she's displeased with a dish before sending it back in order to ensure that no funny business goes on in the kitchen when they redo the dish and serve it again to her later on. A smile that is meant to but barely hides her displeasure. "What are you up to, my dear?"
Elsa is irritated with the veiled accusation. She knows what's going on in her mother's mind. Her mother thinks that she intentionally sought out to make herself the center of attention when she and her brothers had been explicitly told to keep to themselves.
"Oh, mother, this is Kristoff Pickman. His father Mr. Pickman is your business associate, right? We just went to get a drink at the bar. Everyone else came over just now to ask me to congratulate Hans on the painting he sold at last month's auction. Isn't that lovely, mother?"
Before Mrs. Isles can subtly remark that her bold behavior might cause some gossip, Mr. Pickman approaches.
"My, Elizabeth," he tells Elsa's mother. "I never knew that your daughter and my son were friends. That's wonderful!"
"Actually, Johannes," Mrs. Isles says. "I didn't know that they were friends either."
"Oh, Kristoff and I are in the same year at North Ridge, Mr. Pickman," Elsa tells Kristoff's dad. "Actually, he kindly offered me a ride home just this afternoon when he saw that I was waiting alone in school. I was just returning the favor now by accompanying him to get a drink. Well, I ought to get back to my brothers. See you at school, Kristoff. And thank you again, everyone, for your kind words about Hans's painting. I'll be sure to let him know, or you can always come to congratulate him yourself. Excuse me, Mr. Pickman. Mother." She quickly excuses herself from the crowd before giving her mother a side glare in response to the mild shock on her mother's face after the little speech she just gave.