swirling_storm (swirling_storm) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2014-03-11 14:02:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, aurora [ouat], elsa of arendelle |
Who: Aurora and Elsa
When: Late February - after the ring plot end
Where: Mall
What: Helping hands
Rating/Warning: Low/None
Status: Complete
Aurora still couldn’t quite believe what had happened over the last couple of days. First there had been an earthquake, then a volcano had appeared practically out of nowhere and then they’d been told to stay inside because of the poor air quality as a result of the volcano. Aurora had seen a lot of strange things over the last few months, but she was positive that this one was the strangest. After all, how did a volcano simply rise from the ocean? Luckily it had only lasted a couple of days and once the volcano collapsed back into the ocean, the air quality seemed to clear up and they were permitted to go back outside and not a moment too soon. While Aurora was able to see Ruby during those few days, since her friend lived just down the hall from her, she’d only been able to text Stephanie or Mulan to make sure that they were alright.
Speaking of Mulan, she was still a little confused about her feelings for the older woman. She knew that she liked her and enjoyed spending time with her, but the status of their relationship was still a mystery. The problem was that they were both new to the whole dating another woman thing that it was difficult for them to actually figure out what they were. In an attempt to try and figure out all the jumbled stuff in her head, Aurora had decided to head over to the mall, which got her out of the house and of course she found herself in Sephora as usual.
Elsa had been perfectly happy to stay indoors while the volcano did it's thing. She'd done her bit and looked into the weather indicators and even contacted a friend of hers from university who dealt in seismic activity so she hadn't been idle. But she had to return to the television station soon. Kate insisted that she went out and got on with her life instead of letting her power control her so that was how she came to be shopping half focused on her task half worrying about not turning anything to ice.
Aurora liked experimenting with different products on herself and on her friends and it helped her when she had styling jobs, so Sephora and Ulta and other makeup stores were usually the ones that she gravitated towards when she went to the mall and this time was no different than any other time. She went from display to display, looking at different products, picking up a few replacements for items she already had and also a few new things. As she walked about the store, she glanced up at one point, eyes landing on a woman nearby. A woman who looked familiar somehow, but Aurora wasn’t sure why.
While she had gotten used to wearing make up for the cameras it wasn’t something Elsa was really an expert at, so she always felt a little lost when in shops like these. She thought she recognised some things from the studio make up room but she wasn’t entirely sure. She sighed, maybe she should give up and ask one of the people from the studio to make her a list. That would be easier than this.
Aurora spent so much time in makeup stores and doing makeup for people that she could usually spot when a person had no idea what they were doing and the woman in front of her clearly looked lost. Deciding to take a chance, Aurora approached her, “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help but notice that you seem a little lost. I don’t work here, but I thought maybe I could help you.” She knew that some people didn’t like being approached by employees of a store, much less a stranger, but Aurora was just a genuinely nice person that she wanted to help anyone she could, “I’m a makeup artist.”
Elsa looked up at the woman who spoke, a grateful look on her face. "Oh, really? That would be wonderful. As long as it isn't a bother. I'd hate to inconvenience you" she smiled, "I'm afraid your assumption was correct, I have no idea what I'm doing"
Aurora shook her head, smiling, “It’s not a bother at all. I just couldn’t help but notice that you seemed a little lost. Are you looking for something specific?” She still couldn’t figure out why the woman looked so familiar, “Oh, and I’m Aurora.” She realized that she probably should have introduced herself first, but at least she’d remembered before they’d had a whole conversation.
“I don’t often wear a lot of makeup but I’ve started to for work so I thought it might be time to start wearing it a little more in general too” she informed the woman before holding out her hand, “I’m Elsa” she replied with a smile.
It wasn’t until Elsa introduced herself that Aurora realized why she looked familar, “Elsa Arendelle? From the news?” Aurora didn’t always watch the news and usually checked the weather on her phone, but every now and then she was home when the news was on and simply didn’t change the channel when it came on.
Elsa nodded, "Yes that's right" she nodded smiling, "I have to admit that I still find it strange being recognised but that's to be expected I guess"
“That has to be kind of weird. I apologize if this is awkward.” Aurora knew, from working around celebrities on occasion, that they didn’t always like being approached or recognized, but then there were some who didn’t mind it at all, “I’m Aurora. It’s nice to meet you, Elsa.”
“It’s not awkward, honestly I don’t mind. You’ve already been so kind to offer your help” Elsa replied and it was true, it wasn’t awkward just strange. “It’s nice to meet you too Aurora”
Aurora smiled, glad that she wasn’t being intrusive or anything, “So, I’m guessing, with you skintone, you don’t wear anything too dark.” Both her hair and skin were very fair so anything too dark would wash Elsa out or make her look goth, “What do they usually use on you when you’re on air?” Aurora knew that sometimes, especially on screen, more makeup than was usual was used as a result of certain lighting.
“I’ve been trying to remember” she admitted, “But all I know is that it’s in a creamy yellow bottle with swirly black writing on it. I know I’m not very helpful, I really am hopeless at this I’m afraid”
Being a makeup artist, Aurora used all types of products and knew most of them by the colors and designs of the bottles if she didn’t know the names and she knew exactly what Elsa was talking about, “Over here.” She led the blond over to the area where that brand was displayed and chose the bottle that she thought matched Elsa’s skin tone, “This one?”
“Oh my god” Elsa said with a smile, “That’s the one. You are magic, I thought that nobody would get it from that rubbish description” she admitted somewhat sheepishly.
Aurora smiled back as she handed the bottle over to Elsa, “I’ve used it before, so I recognized the description easily.” It always made Aurora happy when she was able to help someone, whether it was a friend or a complete stranger.
“Magic” Elsa nodded with a grin, “Thank you so much, my girlfriend will be happy to know I won’t have to drag her around helping me look I’m sure. So you’ve actually helped us both out”
It wasn’t as if Aurora had never heard another woman mention that she had a girlfriend, in public, but since she’d started developing feelings for Mulan and had only told her friends, it felt strange to hear another woman say outloud that they had a girlfriend and Aurora couldn’t help flushing slightly, “Oh, you’re welcome. I’m glad I was able to help you.”
Elsa noticed the flush and realised what she had said, “I’m sorry, if I said anything wrong” she said, “I do appreciate your help”
“Oh. No. No, you didn’t.” The last thing Aurora wanted was for Elsa to think she was homophobic or something, “No, it’s just that…” She glanced around briefly, but of course no one was paying them any mind, “I’ve recently developed feelings for another woman and she likes me, but she’s the first woman I’ve ever liked and I guess I just wasn’t expecting you to say that so openly.” She was rambling and she knew it.
“Oh I see. Well Kate’s my first proper girlfriend but I see no reason why I should hide who she is to me. I mean people talk about their boyfriend and girlfriends all the time don’t they? Why should it be different for me? Or you for that matter?”
Aurora nodded as she listened to Elsa. She had so many questions, but she didn’t want to ask them in the middle of the store, “No, I get it. I just...I have to figure out how to get over this anxiety. I just get so nervous when we’re together and she’s never dated another woman either, but she’s known she was gay for awhile and I don’t…” She ran a hand through her hair, knowing she was rambling again, “I’m sorry. We just met and I’m rambling all my personal problems to you. You probably don’t want to hear all of this.”
Elsa nodded as she listened, she could understand - probably better than most in all honesty. “Oh please don’t apologise, it sounds like you need to talk to someone. So, why not me? Would you like to get a drink? Somewhere quieter maybe” she suggested kindly.
“Oh, yeah, actually.” Aurora hadn’t wanted to be the one to ask, considering they had only just met, but since Elsa had brought it up, she wasn’t going to turn down the chance to talk to someone who was in the same boat. She knew that Ruby and Stephanie supported her and whatever her and Mulan had, but they didn’t understand completely what it was like for her to suddenly have feelings for a woman, “Was there anything else you wanted to get here first?”
Elsa didn’t mind, if she could help someone then she would. In her eyes it kind of off set the damage she could do with her powers. Maybe if she strived to be good her powers would be too. “Oh no” she replied to Aurora’s question, “I’ve spent far too much time among makeup today” she joked.
Aurora nodded, “Alright. So, you can pay then we can talk.” She may have been a little nervous about talking about her personal life with someone she’d only just met, but at the same time, it was someone in a similar situation as herself, so she hoped this would be beneficial.
Nodding Elsa moved to do so, it didn’t take long and she was soon back with her new found friend. “I think there’s a nice coffee shop just around the corner” she suggested.
Aurora waited for Elsa to pay then nodded as she suggested the coffee shop, “Yeah, it’s down this way.” She had been to this mall quite a lot, so she was familiar with a lot of the stores. “Thank you for this, by the way. I mean, we just met and all and not a lot of people would take the time to talk to complete strangers.”
“Not many would help a complete stranger find the makeup they needed either” Elsa smiled, “Besides, I like helping people and if my experiences can help you be happy then I think that’s worth it. Besides, living here I’ve found that speaking to strangers isn’t half as worrying as it should be”
Aurora smiled as they went into the coffee shop, “You’re right. And it’s actually a little silly for me to be nervous, talking to people since I talk to people pretty much on a daily basis. Other than being a makeup artist, I’m also a waitress at Granny’s in Huntington Beach.” She stepped up to the counter and ordered her coffee, paid then moved aside so Elsa could order her own.
“Oh I think I’ve heard of that place” Elsa replied, “I’ve not been there yet but I’ve heard good things” She placed her own order and moved to stand with Aurora to wait for their drinks. “How long have you been a makeup artist?” she asked curiously.
“My best friend, Ruby and her grandmother own it.” Aurora said as they waited for their drinks, “I work there when I don’t have a stylist job or if they need extra help. You should come check it out. We have some of the best pie around.” She may have been a little biased, but that was to be expected, “I’ve been a makeup artist for a couple of years now. About four or so now.”
“That’s really nice of you. I’ll definitely stop by, I love pie” Elsa said with a smile as they took their orders and sat down, “Is it through work that you met the girl you like?” she asked softly.
“You won’t regret it,” Aurora said as she took her drink then followed Elsa to a table and sat down, “Sort of. She came in soon after she moved here and then, I didn’t know it at the time, but all the other times she’d come in, it was to see me.” Aurora hadn’t realized that was the main reason Mulan had been coming into Granny’s had been because of her until later.
Elsa made a mental note to see if Kate wanted to go there one evening before focusing on Aurora. “Oh, that’s so sweet” she said with a soft smile, “So she knows you like her? Have you told her you’re nervous? That you haven’t felt like this before?”
Aurora nodded, “Yeah, she knows. I actually kissed her once at random. I’m still not really sure why I did it, but that kind of made me realize I liked her. And we went out on New Years and stuff.” She took a sip of her drink, “She’s just as nervous as I am cause she’s never actually been in a relationship before.”
Nodding slowly Elsa considered what she was being told, “I hadn’t either, not properly. I think you really need to just be honest with each other. Go on dates, have fun, continue getting to know each other, I believe you’ll find the rest comes pretty easily once you’re at ease together”
“We do that now. More or less, but then when we’re not together we both get so uncertain.” Aurora wished that this whole thing was easier and that she was so uncertain about what would happen if her and Mulan continued seeing each other, “And I guess I’m just a little worried about what other people will think. My friends are supportive, but I don’t know how my parents would react, if I told them.”
“You can’t do that” Elsa said, “Other people shouldn’t control your happiness. If they truly care about you then they will support you, no matter who you chose to love. I know it’s scary but you won’t be alone, living in fear isn’t living. It’s hard but you seem strong and you’ll find strength you didn’t know you had as well”
A small smile spread across Aurora lips and she nodded, “Thanks. It’s something I’d never expected before and you see so many other people discriminated against because of who they’re attracted to and it scares me, but when I’m with Mulan I don’t think about any of that.” She covered her face as her cheeks flushed, “And now I sound like some romantic comedy.”
“You sound adorable” Elsa replied, reaching out to pat her hand, “Discrimination hasn’t been something I’ve come up against too often, a lot more people are accepting than you’d think and those who aren’t you simply can’t let bother you”
Aurora smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly, “Well, maybe if things work out…” She paused for a moment, realizing that she was about to offer to get together again with someone she’d just met. Then again, wasn’t that how one made friends? “If things work out, maybe we can get together again with Mulan and your girlfriend.”
“I think that would be lovely” Elsa smiled with a nod, “I do hope things work out. And I hope I’ve been of some help even if it’s only a little. I think you’ll find your way Aurora, I have a good feeling”