Chapter 5: The Guardians
Aurora kept her word and had sent the books about fliers and Elsa found herself reading them constantly. The book looked ridiculous with the smiling lady standing beside her flier. In big bold letters it read, 'Understanding Flier Behavior!'
Elsa found some rather outrageous things that didn't seem true. She read how fliers had a sensitive spot just below their wings. Reactions were varied. All you had to do was press with your thumbs.
Elsa put it to the test when Anna had her back to her in the library. Needless to say Anna had a 'panic button' and knocked over almost a whole tower of books with her wing.
She read that fliers had territorial problems with other fliers. Which explained why Anna had a stare down with Phillip during tea.
The book also explained why Anna loved to cuddle. Not only did it relax fliers, but it was also a way to bond and like a dog or cat mark with their scent. Elsa wasn't big on touching, but if it helped Anna. Elsa would hold her everyday.
But right now Elsa was fighting Anna to get her to take a bath. For a month because of her wrap, Anna could only use a rag to wipe herself couldn't take the smell anymore and told Anna to bathe.
That didn't go very well with Anna. The flier shook her head vigorously.
"See I would, but I have this wrap on. Didn't that fat guy say I couldn't get it wet? Yeah so until then. No baths for me." Anna rubbed the back of her neck, leg bouncing nervously.
Elsa tossed the towel onto her shoulder and placed the bar of soap down. She cracked her knuckles and Anna didn't like the look of determination on her face.
"Anna... I will drag you there myself. You need a bath. Badly." Elsa said in a no nonsense tone. She lunged with speed Anna didn't think a human could possess.
Elsa had to have been working out, because she wrapped her arms around Anna and held her in place . Anna panicked, a bath meant she had to take her clothes off. She was pretty sure Elsa didn't know her secret. Normally it didn't bother her, but something about Elsa knowing made her flustered. It just didn't sit well with her.
The flier flailed and tried to smack Elsa with her wing. Her captor ducked and they both struggled and ended up on the floor. Anna rolled to her belly in an attempt to crawl away. Elsa rolled as well and sat on Anna's thighs.
"I got you now Anna. Besides hasn't it been a month? I think this can come off." Her fingers ran across the cloth around Anna's bad wing.
Gently Elsa started to unravel the wrap. Anna whined and struggled. Attempting once again to smack Elsa with her wing. "What if it isn't healed? You going sit there and wrap it back up if it's not?"
"Yes I will. I learned how to do that actually. So stop fighting and hold still." Elsa replied still working to get the cloth off.
"Can you stretch it out?" Elsa asked after freeing the wing. She ran her hand up and down the gap between Anna's wings. Said girl shuddered and her wings puffed up looking rather ridiculous. Elsa did it again just to see her shudder again. She wasn't expecting the moan that Anna let out and she jerked her hand away.
Anna blushed and was glad Elsa couldn't see her burning face. "Sorry, its just really sensitive right there. Do it again, but scratch it. You tickled it and now my back itches." Elsa reached out slowly and scratched Anna's back. The strawberry blonde groaned and wiggled her back, "Scratch it everywhere."
The older girl now used both her hands to scratch all over Anna's back, and she even went beneath the wings. "That feels awesome. Keep going."
At this rate, Anna was going to fall asleep. Her back being scratched felt so good, it was a small heaven. She never could reach that spot in between her wings.
"Alright. I scratched your back, now see if you can move your wing. No more stalling." Elsa said after five minutes of scratching. She watched Anna move her good wing, "Very funny, the other one." Anna gulped and really hoped her other wing was still broken. It wasn't hurting like normal, hadn't been hurting for a while actually. But Anna just prayed to someone that the pills were working really good and maybe it was still broken.
Is this what I have come to? Wanting a broken wing to get out of taking a bath? I sure have changed. Normally I would jump for a bath.
Anna shut her eyes and unfurled her wing quickly, figuring it would be the best way to do it.. Other than feeling really stiff, it felt fine. Perfect actually.
"Incredible." Elsa whispered, touching the healed wing gingerly. "You're amazing Anna." Anna felt another blush burn her face.
"Again." Elsa tilted her head, confused. Again what?
"Do what again?" Elsa asked, brow furrowed in thought. What would Anna want again? Her back scratched?
"Say it again." Anna whispered and Elsa smiled. Oh thats what she wanted.
"You. Are. Amazing." She whispered, laying on Anna, her arms curled on either side of the fliers shoulders. Anna let out a noise that sounded like a deep hum, maybe even a purr at the contact.
Cuddling had become a new thing for them and Anna loved it. Elsa was always stiff at first and Anna always had to initiate it so being snuggled suddenly was a surprise.
A rather amazing surprise. Did I hit my head and die struggling with Elsa? This is heaven. Because she would never willingly do this. Maybe she's just getting used to it. Yeah. Maybe she secretly loves to cuddle. Ha who am I kidding. Elsa always stiffens up when I hug her, or even touch her.
Another thought reared it's head, and it echoed through her head.
But she's holding you now, and she is completely relaxed.
With a playful growl she rolled in Elsa's arms, wrapping both wings around Elsa. Tucking them both in the warmth of her wings. The flier knew she probably would have to take bath still. So she did her best to put Elsa to sleep.
I can bathe once she falls asleep. And she gets a nap. Win win right?
Elsa stiffened when Anna had moved but she relaxed after being wrapped in Anna's wings. Bonding. Yes. This was bonding for Anna. And trust. She yawned against Anna's neck and the flier twitched, giggling.
"You still.. need.. to bathe." Elsa reminded her,eyes drooping. Why was Anna so comfortable? She felt a hand rub down her back. Anna even started to make a noise that strangely sounded like a purr.
The gentle touch from Anna running her hand down her back soothingly and the soft purr coming from her chest did it for Elsa. She closed her eyes and let sleep have her.
Great! She's asleep! Aw... But she's asleep on me. I did not think this through.
XxXxXxX
Anna bounced in the limo and ignored the look Hubert gave her for bouncing in what he called, 'his baby.' He rolled his dark window up, tired of Anna already.
The limo had been flying down the highway for a while now. Thirty minutes into driving by nothing but trees on the left and right, the ride got boring.
"So where are we going Elsa?" The blond looked up from her phone, her fingers no longer tapping on the screen.
"I figured I could take you to the city." Elsa smiled when Anna gave her a lost look. Elsa answered the question she knew that was coming. "KG Vets isn't in the city. It's a small town near my home. The city is much larger."
Anna shrugged and played with the switch by her, fascinated at how it controlled the window. She rolled it up then down. Up and down. Elsa grabbed her hand she groaned sliding from the seat onto the floor.
"Are we there yet?" Anna's voice was muffled against the ground, and Elsa almost couldn't understand her.
"We are actually."
Anna jumped up so quickly she hit her head in her enthusiasm. The flier had her face pressed to the window as she watched the city gradually grow larger.
"Wow look how tall that building is!" Anna pointed to a massive skyscraper and when her breath began to fog the window she switched seats.
Anna stared at all the people who walked down the street. The sidewalk was clouded with many people, and most seemed to enjoy dark grey colored clothing.
There was a man in a suit who led his similarly dressed flier by a leash. One lady held her flier by the hand and dragged him into the store. The other fliers were so different, some tall, some fat.
Another had wings like a rainbow and Anna found them too flashy for her taste. She wondered if the wings were natural. Some fliers had perfectly groomed wings, and a few had terrible grooming habits. Their feathers all askew and leaving a trail of feathers.
The limo came to a slow stop against the curb and Elsa exited the car, holding her hand out for Anna.
"Anna come." Elsa said in her owner voice. The one that demanded respect. Anna knew it was a show but she still listened. It was her promise to Elsa to listen in public.
So many fliers and people, they littered the streets and Anna felt overwhelmed, small and weak.
She scurried to Elsa's side and tried to cover her fear but Elsa saw through it. She smiled and patted Anna's arm.
"Scared?" Elsa asked, grinning now as Anna shook her head no. "Then why are you sticking to me like like a leech?" There was concern hidden in her words. But the amusement far outweighed her concern.
Anna glared at Elsa to know how she felt about being laughed at. "I am not scared! I worried you would be and so here I am protecting you. Because I am a good flier." Anna bared her teeth at a flier who got too close for comfort, and it flinched.
Elsa rolled her eyes and led Anna to a store. The store's logo had a fancy looking flier facing the other way, looking over his shoulder in a 'cool' manner.
Anna didn't catch the name, but the inside was all white. And very bright to her eyes. Rack after rack of clothing filled the entire massive store. Anna thought she saw moving stairs that led up a floor.
"What are we doing here?" Anna eyed a few fliers, making sure they knew she liked her space. They glared at her and followed their owners without another glance.
"Getting you new clothes. I could have ordered them online, but I don't know your size. What do you like?" Elsa searched through a rack of button up shirts and held one out. It was bright pink.
Anna stuck her tongue out, "Bleh! I don't like that. Can I get this?" She held out a long sleeve shirt. She figured this would keep her old tattoo covered. She got the feeling it needed to be hidden.
Elsa nodded, "Yes whatever you like Anna. But I do need to get you formal clothes. Look for some pants or shorts. I'm sure you're tired of my jeans."
You don't know the half of it. I might have shrunk from the lack of room down there. To the pants! To save mini-me. Breathe buddy!
Anna scurried over to the pants looking through them. Most looked a little too boyish for her liking. After hunting through them, she found neutral looking olive colored cargo pants. She liked the big pockets on them easy to stuff her hands into.
Anna turned to look for Elsa, but ran into a sturdy wall of a man. "Flier." He grabbed her right arm and pulled out his scanner, and Anna panicked. Using all her strength she jerked back and her small hand slipped easily from his. Why did people always go for the right arm?
Her eyes darted around for Elsa, where was Elsa? As if thinking about her conjured her, Elsa appeared. With her owner face on. "Excuse me sir. What business do you have with my property?"
The big man's brown eyes widened to saucers, "Miss Roe! He belongs to you?" He held his hands up, as if trying to ward Elsa's wrath away.
"Yes. She does. Now what did you want?" The blonde put extra emphasis on she. The man's bald head grew shiny from his sweat. Anna wanted to laugh at the fear in his eyes. Not out of ill will, but for grabbing her like she was some lost creature.
"I thought she didn't have an owner. My apologies Miss Roe. Have a wonderful day." He didn't even say anything about Anna being a girl, he just took off like something burned him.
Anna stifled her laughter and handed Elsa her pants. "Cargo pants and a long sleeve shirt. Pretty neutral items you got there." Elsa helped Anna pick a few more different types of pants, shirts and got her some underwear.
XxXxXxXx
Anna carried all the bags back to the limo. Elsa got in the car and pulled her phone out, waiting for Anna to place the bags in the trunk.
"Psssst."
Anna whipped her head around searching for the noise. A girl with short dark hair waved. She was leaning from behind the alley beside the clothing store. She wore a black zip up hoodie, and she had a pale yellow shirt underneath it. Her skinny jeans had holes in it.
Anna glanced around then pointed at herself. "Yeah you.. come over here." Anna leaned around the trunk.
"Almost done Elsa." She heard a grunt in reply and then she walked over to the lady who called her over.
She definitely didn't expect to be grabbed and she squealed in surprise. "Shh! It's okay! You're safe!" The girl smiled softly and dragged Anna with her down the Alley.
"Elsa! I think i'm getting stolen!" Anna hoped she was heard, because now they were turning down another alley. "Hey! Who are you. Where are you taking me?" Anna struggled but the girl was strong and kept her in her grip.
The girl shook her head and pulled Anna down a small staircase that led to a meal door. Keeping a tight grip on Anna she knocked on the door.
Ta-tap. Tatata-tap.
The door swung open and someone yanked them inside. The girl finally released Anna. She rubbed her wrist, "Okay. So thanks for the nice tour. I'm gonna go." She turned but bumped into another person.
He had scruffy blond hair and a black beanie capped his head. He was dressed in the same zip up sweater as the girl. He also didn't look very pleased with Anna.
The girl spoke first. "Who are you Angel? Are you a girl?" She had her hands splayed out like Anna was a rabid animal going bolt on them. Anna would if there wasn't a guy in her way.
"Angel? Whoa whoa. I'm a flier. My name is Anna. Yes I'm a girl. Partly. It doesn't matter" She backed away but the room wasn't very large and she hit the wall. Her heart spiked and she trembled. Anna found it odd that the girl didn't just scan her arm like the others did.
The girl gave her a big smile, "Okay. You're right. That doesn't matter. Here lets start over. I am Rapunzel. That lug over there is Kristoff. He's harmless. And we are the Guardians. And You. You are an angel." The brunette turned to show Anna a symbol on the back of her jacket. It was two beautiful golden wings with two crossed swords in between the wings. "This is our symbol. We are flightless, yes, but we care. The treatment of angels is wrong."
"What? Why do you keep saying I'm an angel?" Anna waved her arms, frustration taking over. She didn't get any of this.
Kristoff sighed loudly, looking tired. "Look. Rapunzel and I only two of many. We save your kind. The Angels who walk on our world. We know that Doctor Stone stole your kind from Heaven. We the Guardians save you one at a time. We're out to take Doctor Stone down. Welcome to the club kid."
He placed the same jacket on Anna's shoulders. Except hers had holes in the back so her wings could slip through. The sleeves were a bit long though and only the tips of her fingers peeked through.
"Angels.. crazies.. Elsa warned me about you guys! She said some crazies called fliers angels." Anna felt something in her stomach drop, but at the same time she felt hope. These people were out to save her kind? Did this mean they would treat her like an equal? They didn't even look at her arms either. They looked her in the eye and for once, she didn't feel like a lower being.
"Is Elsa your 'master?" Rapunzel asked, air quoting the word master. Anna was about to answer but a third voice interrupted her.
"Anna!" Elsa's muffled voice outside the door had her spinning in place to face the door. She opened her mouth to answer her, but some niggling feeling told her not to. She wanted to know more about these Guardians. She wasn't sure how stopping Doctor Stone would save them all, but she probably didn't have the whole plan.
Rapunzel tried to convince her one last time. "They always say we're the crazy ones. But do you see us treating you like they do?"
Anna turned to face Rapunzel, "I'd... I'd like to see more of these Guardians."
Kristoff ruffled her shoulder length hair, "Alright Angel. Follow us." Anna turned one last time to look at the metal door.
"Anna where did you go? ANNA!" Elsa sounded like she was panicking, and it hurt Anna to hear it. But she had to know about these people. Maybe they were out to change the world.
Then she followed the Guardians, ignoring her master's call.
AN: HOLY I TRIED TO UPDATE twice in one day. I did but my grandma called and was crying because no one remembered her birthday. (I honestly forgot too) so I went and got her a card and made her a cake and dinner. (Even did a solo birthday song like a boss) Sorry if the format is terrible, I had to do this on my phone. Hope you enjoyed this one.
Hope my tiny smidgen of fluff is okay (worthy to be even be called fluff?). I'm working on it! I swear.
To the guest : I guess I did take inspiration from the book Maximum ride. But I have only read the first book to be honest. I don't know much about the world.
Big thanks to all who have reviewed and followed: I am amazed I have 70+ follows on this. I expected around five, man am I ever so glad to be wrong. So thank you guys! Seriously have a cookie.