ǫᴜᴇᴇɴ ᴇʟsᴀ (icicles) wrote in thecityof, @ 2018-01-16 08:56:00 |
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Entry tags: | emma swan, queen elsa |
WHO: Emma & Elsa
WHAT: The mysterious and illusive 'girl time'
WHEN: Tuesday
WHERE: A cute day spa type place
WARNINGS: Nnnnoppe
STATUS: Complete
Emma didn’t do ‘girls stuff’, not really. She’d never indulged in spa weekends or gone on those breaks with girlfriends. She’d never really had girlfriends until Snow and Ruby, and even then there wasn’t a lot of girls stuff happening. It was mostly world saving stuff. And look how that was going. But here and now, Emma was prepared to take some time out and do ‘girl stuff’, especially since it was some time to unwind from the chaos and insanity that LA seemed prone to churning out. Knowing that Elsa had been keeping herself busy with potions for tracking things, she figured the Queen would be just as likely in need of girl stuff too; shopping, manicures, even the spa thing wouldn’t go amiss right then. Tracking Elsa down wasn’t hard, she seemed to be just as much a creature of habit as Emma was. “Hello, your highness.” It was largely a tease, since Emma was feeling a little less icy herself, leaving the long coat behind in favour of a more classic jacket, still black, just because, with her hair in a less severe bun and just loosely tied up and wrapped away. “Busy?” Elsa was indeed a creature of habit. Today, Emma would find her at the pastry shop - if she wasn’t there, she was probably in her apartment since where else would she go - and she was doing her best to stay occupied, even in the calm that settled over the city. Well. Calm in comparison to the past two weeks or so. How long would it be until the next debacle? Rather than consider that, she’d been working on a batch of Madeleines, and the buttery aroma was unmistakable; it wafted under noses tantalizingly, like beckoning fingers of steam. Those, and the aroma of the elegant triple-layered Victoria sponge cake were her main creations today. But she’d be glad to put that all aside - she’d been wondering how Emma had been doing anyway. “Emma, hi!” Elsa dusted off her hands - a cloud of flour dissipated, but at least it was actually flour and not snow this time. “Oh, you look so nice - “ Different, somehow. Maybe it was the hair? But it was also her demeanor - she seemed happier. “I’m not terribly busy, no. Did you need me for something?” It was difficult to not get used to crises, she’d fallen from one curse to the next for the last several years now, to the point that when the next thing happened it was almost par for the course. She knew it was sad that her life was one thing after another, but she’d come to accept that magic made things weird, and weird was just her whole family now. The sight and smell of Elsa’s work was definitely distracting, almost enough for her to consider just testing a few of the treats. But the point was to get them both away from normal and towards something relaxing. “Thanks,” the smile was genuine, not just as close to her true, open and bright smile, but less of a smirk. Killian questioned if she still felt things, the walls were going to push everyone away if she let them, and that wasn’t what she wanted. “I do need you however, it’s very important and can’t wait.” She didn’t want to get Elsa into a tizzy about anything, or imply anything was wrong, but she also didn’t really want to hear arguments about responsibilities and jobs. A little underhanded trickery was a bit easy right now, but well meaning. “We’d need to leave now, but it’s not far.” Very important and couldn’t wait?! Uh-oh. Elsa blinked large, crystal blue eyes - though she immediately untied the apron from around her waist and hung it up on a hook. There were other employees in the bakery who could handle things, so, she was fine with stepping out - her shift was just about done anyway. Not to mention she’d done so much overtime here lately, she had enough hours racked up to take a week’s vacation most likely. “No more demons, right?” she asked sheepishly, coming around the counter to meet Emma, wearing ‘distressed’ (she didn’t understand at first why the denim had been torn) jeans and a knitted sweater that was all comfy cozy, and the same color as her eyes. Her trademark braid was carefully done, long down her back. “By the way, I hope you fared alright with everything. It was getting kind of intense around here.” She just wasn’t used to it - even a place as dramatic as Storybrooke paled in comparison. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad.” Because yes, Elsa had worked her butt off, for strangers no less, during the recent shit here, and Emma was sure if anyone should come and take a break with her, it was Elsa. “Just absolutely necessary.” She’d never honestly seen Elsa out of her Queenly gown, so the ‘normal world’ clothes were a cute change, “You’re adorable.” Leading the way out of the bakery, since Emma had scoped ahead and figured out where the closest place was to be able to drop in for the ‘pamper day’ of manicures and a close by boutique that they might find something to shop for, then there was the option of ice cream at a small stall or coffees in a sweet little authentic coffee shop at the corner. All within a nice little walking distance. “It was fine.” Mostly. “I kept an eye out for friends, avoided most of it.” She was tired of saving people if she were honest, least of all when it all seemed like none of them were able to step up and return the favour. “There was a small incident but… Killian sorted it.” And that man seemed to be running around sorting everyone; for someone who claimed to have sunk into the darkness, he didn’t seem aware of all the good he still managed to do, even if he was a little more mean in the execution. “I heard you’ve been quite busy with more than just baking though.” “A small incident?” Elsa repeated, frowning a bit (though she’d blushed and laughed at the remark about her being adorable, mostly because hearing it from the Dark One was actually sort of funny). “I’m glad it got sorted - you and Killian are doing better, then?” It was hard not to ‘ship it’ and, well, Elsa sort of did. Mostly because she saw how in love they’d been back during all the Storybrooke adventures, how happy they made each other - and she knew that things would take a turn for the better. It just required patience and time. She walked alongside Emma, wondering where they were going that was so pressing - but she wouldn’t ask too many questions, just let her fellow blonde lead her. “I wanted to do something to help - it was complete insanity and I seemed to have made a new friend out of it, at least?” It was hard not to be thankful that something happened, sure she’d been in a tight spot but it had forced the conversation finally. “An attempt at my soul, but Killian dealt with it and… we talked.” It was the cliffnotes, but that was all Elsa really needed, she wasn’t looking to scandalise the Queen with the details. “We’re better. Not… not fixed, but better.” She was fairly sure they might work through things. To the point where Emma felt like the whole world wasn’t going to crush her. It was somewhat freeing, knowing that she hadn’t completely lost him. “Friends are in short supply around here, but that’s good. Keeping busy and stuff. Otherwise you’ll go mad.” Which was the truth, they needed to figure out how to stay focused and busy, without getting sucked into all this at the same time. “However it’s also important, to take a load off sometimes.” She stopped outside the beautician’s place, pointing a finger towards the door with a smirk. “Tremendously important really.” Better was good, and Elsa told Emma so - she believed that what was worth obtaining was worth working for, and her friend’s relationship with the pirate she loved was certainly worth the effort. “Better is a positive step forward - much preferred than going backward,” she reached out and patted Emma’s arm. “I’m here if you need anything, even just a listening ear.” It wasn’t like Elsa was a relationship expert by any means (she’d never been in a relationship) - yet she wasn’t the Ice Queen her demeanor and particular skillset would suggest. Love thawed a frozen heart; she knew that by now. “Vincent’s very nice, I’ve never really had a friend like him before - a fellow witch, I mean. Well, besides you, but you’re...” She didn’t feel the need to keep sneaking glances at Emma like an idiot, is what she meant there - just difficult to put into words, was all. “Oh! Is this what we’re doing?” Saved by the appearance of a day spa. How lovely. “Like getting our nails done?” she asked, examining her fingers. “I could use that. Sneaky!” She was quite grateful for it though. Honestly, the staff who tended to her hair and appearance back in Arendelle would be appalled at the state of her hands now - somewhat dry from the flour and spices she worked with, dough under her nails. Not exactly pristine. Emma wasn’t about to take offense to not being ‘a witch friend’, even before she was a Dark One, she wouldn’t have considered herself a witch or sorceress, not like Regina or Cora, she had magic she didn’t understand and yes, she had started to get the hang of it, lessons with Regina ultimately paying off, but she wouldn’t label herself a witch. “I’m not a witch.” And even with the new abundance of knowledge the previous Dark Ones provided, she wasn’t offering her magic out for just anyone -the risks were too high and she was still prone to wanting something in return. “But I’m glad you have that option.” Bonding with someone over their magic skills, the ability to help people without reservation. It was good, good for Elsa. “It is, and the subterfuge was just to make sure there were no excuses.” Emma even tried to not look like she was going to curse everyone. Pushing in the door, already seeing the girl she’d previously made the appointment with, they were led to their little corner for the commencement of pampering. “You needed a break, I need a break. Just… girl time.” Taking a load off, getting their nails done, following up with more girl stuff. It was new, but not bad. Well, she mostly meant she’d never known a male witch before - apparently that was what they were called, as opposed to warlocks like Elsa assumed. “Don’t worry, our talks about magic hold a special place in my heart - no one can touch those,” she grinned, and she meant that. Helping Emma embrace the magic within her, accept that, it was invaluable for Elsa - and she was reminded how scared and hesitant she’d been about her own magic at first too. There were a lot of hurdles crossed, important ones that let the two of them bond and their friendship blossom. “We helped each other.” Into the spa she went, already excited to see what this pampering entailed. Very exciting. First, she settled in the cushy chair and put her feet up - there were attendants who also brought drinks too, what looked like champagne and orange juice. Smelled like, rather, and she took the dainty glass to have a sip. Yum. “What do you talk about during girl time?” she wanted to know, since she didn’t want to say the wrong thing. Gossip? Men? Men and gossip? There was likely an element of needing to ensure that talents and skills stayed honed, if Elsa could practice with Vincent, provided he wasn’t up to no good, then it would be good for her. Emma might dig a little, but friends did that, right? Checked up to make sure everything was on the up and up. “We did, you a little more than me.” Accepting her magic came directly from Elsa’s encouragement, everything after, with her magic, it was important, and she’d always remember that. The plump chairs, the drinks, the very soft and calming music. She’d done a spa thing exactly once in her life, right before she was going out to retrieve a bounty, figuring what the hell but it hadn’t exactly relaxed her. “Beats me, whatever we want I suppose.” Cosmo would know, but Cosmo was a rag of stupidity, so Emma didn’t bother summoning one over. “Storybrooke didn’t have places like this, and I was too busy anyway.” Story of her life. “You didn’t have like, ladies in waiting or stuff like that at the castle?” “I did, yes,” Elsa nodded, taking another sip of her...concoction. She wasn’t sure what it was called - a mimosa, apparently, when she asked the attendant. “Many ladies-in-waiting. For both me and Anna. But we never really...talked or anything, beyond the formalities. I mean, you know of my stellar social skills anyway,” she smiled ruefully. Yes, her ‘stellar’ social skills - like when she asked Emma where the rest of her dress was, on the night of her date with Killian. So naive about modern fashion - so naive in general. But she was getting better, she liked to think - especially here, getting a chance to make friends and be exposed to lots of...culture. Delicately, she placed her hands into a bowl with perfumed water when instructed to do so - the first part of the treatment, she supposed. “It’s just as well that I’m by myself again- in terms of roommates, that is. I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. Living in a meat locker probably doesn’t appeal to everyone.” It was still a strange concept; staff, people on hand to do things, royal life. Emma assumed that had Regina not cursed everyone, it would’ve been her life too. But things being what they were, it hadn’t happened that way and here they were where the sheer notion of someone doing that for her had Emma’s eyebrow quirking all on it’s own. “Yeah, they’re maybe a notch below mine.” Elsa had ice powers and isolation for her excuse mind you. Having her cuticles tidied up, nails actually shaped and potentially painted without the use of magic had Emma squirming just a little -she wasn’t used to nail files, since she’d continually just bitten her nails down to the quick when they broke on whatever she’d been doing. “I guess, I’m sure there’s more than one person who wouldn’t hate the chill. But at least you don’t have to hold back at home? Or get worried about losing control a little. Or just playing with your powers.” Emma shrugged. She hadn’t spent time around Alice -mostly because she didn’t want to have to answer any of the girls questions- so she really didn’t know much about roommate situations. She certainly wasn’t opposed to Killian’s presence after all. “You know you’re always welcome to stop by our condo. Frosty or not.” Elsa was still as the spa attendant (esthetician? Was that what they were officially called?) buffed the nails of her now baby-soft hands. The dryness was alleviated for the time being, thank goodness, and soon those nails wouldn’t resemble claws either. “I think I’ll take you up on that,” she chuckled. “It gets lonely in the freezer sometimes.” Not that she could feel the cold much, but anyway. Her Majesty wasn’t above making good-natured quips about her frosty abilities. At least she’d be a hit at parties if anyone wanted ice sculptures. “Plus, I haven’t visited with Killian in awhile. Not since we said goodbye in Storybrooke, and then it was back in Arendelle and Anna and Kristoff’s nuptials...oh, I wish you could have seen it, Emma! She wore our mother’s wedding dress.” Maybe she should have been angry with her mother, for the role she’d played in trying to strip Elsa of her powers, but she wasn’t. She’d let go of that hurt by now, and also the hurt caused by Ingrid - who had realized the error of her ways in the end. It felt like such a long time ago, sending Kristoph and Anna and Elsa through the portal to Arendelle, kicking Gold out of Storybrooke, stopping another curse. Relatively speaking, it had been a while for them, although not nearly as long as it felt. “I’m sure she looked wonderful,” the ray of sunshine that Anna was, undoubtedly it was a magical affair. Family grudges were hard to hold on to; Emma had tried, and she’d been angry at Snow and David for trying to choose her life for her before she was even born, for the things it had caused, but in the end, they were still her parents, and that wasn’t something she wanted to change. “I wish we could’ve been there too, that the realms were easier to travel between.” That they wouldn’t be worried about Storybrooke destroying itself while they were gone. “I’m sure your mother would’ve been very proud.” “Thank you,” Elsa smiled warmly. “One day, we’ll meet again back home - maybe not when things are so dire.” Arendelle was only a short journey by sea (if only Elsa didn’t have a crippling fear of being on ships though...) away from the Forest, and there would come a time when she could see her friend and not have to be concerned with which family member was destroying what. And she did have Emma here too. It was something she was grateful for. Now came the part where deciding on nail polish had to happen - so many colors to choose from, how could she even begin to choose? “I’m thinking something...pink?” she suggested, glancing at Emma. The polish would undoubtedly chip and fade quickly with all the work she did in the bakery but it would look pretty while it lasted, right? “Or maybe I should live dangerously. Purple.” Yes, Elsa. So daring! A violet shade was what she ultimately went for, pleased with her decision. “Thanks for this, Emma,” she added. “I really did need some girl time.” “If only our biggest worry was what colour our nails should be, hmm?” Emma considered breaking the cycle, but right now she was far more aware of her own aesthetic. After all, every single Storybrooker had questioned ‘the look’ so far. The ruby red was probably more Regina’s thing, but the alternative was crimson red and honestly, she couldn’t see the difference. “Maybe that’s something to think about, living dangerously. Not literally.” They didn’t need help to do that, not here. “But… outside the box. We’re stuck here until something gives,” because neither her magic nor Killian’s had found that weak spot to get them out, and she’d just been poofing around when she tried to leave. “Pamper time, relaxing. Making an effort to not always be at the centre of each crisis.” Girl time was presumably a way to unwind, and if they ended up with things to talk about down the line, that was the purpose of the mimosa and massages, loosen the tongue, and other things. “I think I’ll make a habit of abducting you for pamper time.” “I certainly won’t say no,” Elsa agreed easily. She could probably use the respite, otherwise she would end up drowning in her attempts to dull the ache of missing Anna - it was difficult though. Her sister was such an important part of her life, and they had already gone too long in their youth being separated - it felt like there was always some force at play trying to keep them apart. She also supposed that Emma had a good point about not being in the center of each crisis - if Elsa could help, then she would, but there was admittedly a lot of drama in their circle of kidnapees that she really didn’t want to touch with a ten-foot pole. It wasn’t even the type of drama that could be resolved, or was best for a play - it was...toxic. And mostly pointless. “May as well pamper ourselves when we can,” she agreed. “I’ll make that a mantra, not being in the center of all the crises.” Because there would be more on the horizon, that much was a given. No, she’d much rather have mimosa’s and massages (once she mustered up the nerve to have a stranger touch her). That, at least, was more than tolerable. If she wasn’t the Dark One, if this wasn’t how she’d ended up here, she would’ve possibly been just as involved in all the insanity going on every day around here. As it was, she had a very narrow scope of care and only offered her assistance where she could benefit otherwise. Elsa was similar in that vein as Emma had been, helping people. Ice powers didn’t denote a frozen heart after all. “Definitely.” And with the slight upturn in events, even if things weren’t magically fixed, Emma felt far better about taking some time out to chill out, like she could stop trying to not relax. “We are in LA, there’s plenty to do when the shit isn’t hitting the fan.” All those ‘real world’ things that people from the other realms tended to not fully understand. The movies, piers and the fares, even some vague sight-seeing. “I’m intending on taking you shopping afterwards.” Shopping. “You said the magic word,” Elsa laughed, and there was joy in the sound. “I could use some fashion tips.” She hadn’t gotten a chance to really sightsee much while here - or in Storybrooke, really, not that there was much in the way of entertainment. But modern amenities like hot showers, fast food, films, even what everyone took for granted like electricity - she could certainly stop and appreciate, really get a feel for the way things were in these times. Otherwise it was get sucked up in drama, or her own loneliness, and as they’d discussed? That was the sort of thing neither of them needed. |