And Just a Dash of Ginger

Anna Nielsen has a whole lot of love to give and not a whole lot of people to give it to. {{ indie modern Anna. Sideblog to elsaletitgofree}} {{ tracking: andjustadashofginger }}

[andjustadashofginger]

Anna has moved here! This blog is archived!

[andjustadashofginger]

constellaticnsx·:

Lucas couldn’t stop grinning. This was honestly the best experience he’d had acting in his entire life. He felt like his whole body was buzzing with electricity and he couldn’t calm down even if he wanted to, which he didn’t. He wanted to bask in this feeling as long as he could. “That’s exactly how I felt about it! Like I know for sure I wouldn’t haven given that performance with anyone else. So I’m just gonna thank whatever audition gods there are that put us together,” he gushed, wanting to just reach out and hug her. She was something special, a star on the rise. She had a pure, raw talent that he really couldn’t wait for everyone to see her. He laughed at that. “Honestly? I hope that’s what happens. I would love it if we got to work together on this. It would be the opportunity of a lifetime or something if that audition was any indication,” he told her with a huge smile. He nodded excitedly as she spoke. “Exactly! That’s exactly how I feel! This was the greatest audition I have ever had and probably will ever have. Like it was so powerful and amazing and I just don’t even have the words for it, really,” he gushed, shaking out his hands to try and release some of the energy. “Would you, and you can totally say no, would you wanna grab a coffee or something? After all, we’ve got plenty of time to kill before we hear back.”

She felt like something was trying to burst out of her. This man in front of her was the acting partner she’d hoped for. There some just something about him that instantly made her feel safe and like she could tap into that raw side of herself and know he would be there to catch her. It was a feeling that was already addicting. “Oh, thank you mighty Audition Gods for bringing this moment into my life! Next chance I get, I will lay a playbill at your alter!” she joked dramatically. She blushed at that. “I would love to work with you on this, too. I really, really would.” She shook her head. “Oh no,” she said. “No, no, no. This will not be the greatest one you ever have. I can tell. There’s something so magnetic about you that this moment will keep happening for you and you deserve it. I hardly know you and I can already tell. I haven’t seen a talent like yours ever and I was practically raised on Broadway,” she admitted to him, instantly wishing she could take the words back. Was that going to be too much? Should she not have said that? Oh god, how embarrassing. Anna shook off that feeling when he asked her for coffee and started nodding her head yes before he even got the chance to finish asking. “Absolutely. Yes. Please. Coffee would be amazing. Or tea, rather. Sometimes coffee gives me too much energy and I’m so hype from this audition I might explode if I add anything to it,” she joked. “There’s that place a few doors down from the theater? Want to go there?” she asked with a happy smile. 

[andjustadashofginger]

blackmagicblackheart·:

“Oh, God. What has he done?” she asked, only half joking about it. It wasn’t unlike Alexi to find trouble, even if it wasn’t his intention. The woman’s tone was the only thing that told her she needn’t be actually worried about it. “If you didn’t seem so excited, I’d be very concerned right now, as though you were about to bring me to your prison or your infirmary or something. I like to think he isn’t that much trouble, but he has been gone a while,” she mused, shaking her head.

“Oh, nothing at all! He’s a guest at the castle!” she was quick to assure his mother. “Alexi has become a friend of sorts to my sister. I’m afraid she’s the reason he’s been away from home for so long. She’ll be happy to welcome you, though,” Anna babbled. “Does he do this often? Get himself into messes where you’re concerned about his safety?” Anna asked. That didn’t sound like the Alexi she knew, but she would admit she didn’t know him nearly as well as her sister seemed to. Maybe he was a troublemaker of sorts? She’d have to look into that.

[andjustadashofginger]

losttoagod·:

“Interesting,” he responded, deciding she could make of that what she would. He was, he suspected, going to have to do some more research on her. Clearly what he’d already done hadn’t been informative enough. No one had expected her to be any sort of issue. And maybe she wouldn’t be for anyone else. But he needed to know how much of a problem she would be for him. “My advisors concocted this arranged marriage scheme,” he pointed out. “It’s a bit difficult to put faith in people who thought marrying me off was the best course of action. Shouldn’t you understand that?” He paused before adding, “But… they do have their own talents and skill sets. They’re not useless just… frustrating.” He would replace them all, one day, when he had the chance. Choose advisors more suitable to his own needs and desires. But that was a ways away.

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Ah, so he wanted to be vague. Fine. She could play along. It wasn’t like she’d take much stock into what he said anyway. With a man like him, lies fell from your lips just as easily as truths and Anna had been lied to enough in her life to spot them easily. “Ah, they did. And here you are, humoring them. Sold off like meat in the market. How does it feel?” she asked bitingly. “You forget that I was raised to play this role. Second daughters are good for nothing more than forging alliances. My father, may he rest in peace, likely wouldn’t have picked you, but this was never going to be my decision to make. How surprising that you didn’t get a say. One might even say it was interesting.” She tilted her head. Admittedly, she did find him interesting in the same way one finds any enemy interesting. “That practically sounded honest.”

[andjustadashofginger]

thewitchandtheangels·:

“I think if anyone could pull it off, it’d be Liv. She’s such a nerd, but the most determined nerd I’ve ever met in my longer-than-average life.” He ought to ask some of his older relatives if they’d ever met someone more determined than his sister. “You definitely loved us and you spoiled us and it was pretty great,” he answered, smiling fondly at the memory. Anna had always been one of his favorite relatives and losing her had been hard. It was… ridiculously good to be seeing her again. The question gave him pause, debating whether he wanted to throw more of this mess her way. But, well, they were already in it, weren’t they? “Have you met mom’s college roommate? Because, uh, that’s Aunt Morgan.” He couldn’t remember if Aunt M had ever mentioned meeting Aunt Anna, but it was definitely possible. He grinned at her. “Oh yeah, definitely real.” His grin shifted to something softer, more sincere. “That’s… good to hear. I think mom felt something similar? I hope so, at least. I’m probably a little biased because I do remember you, but you’re definitely still family and I think everyone else is going to be really, really happy to have you around. I can’t wait for Gabby to meet you. She reminds me of you sometimes? She’s just… got a lot of love to give.”

She couldn’t help but laugh at that. Leave it to her sister to have a daughter that was such a nerd. She must really take after her mother. Growing up, El had always been the sister much more focused on studies. “That does not come as a surprise,” she told Pete. She felt herself smile at that. She loved kids, and sure, these ones were all grown up, but she’d been their aunt at one point. While the thought should definitely freak her out, she found comfort in it. She had loved them. She had meant something to them. And maybe she could again. As freaky as it was, she longed for a big happy family. This wasn’t how she expected to get one, but who was she to look a gift horse in the mouth? They could be her family. She could love them again and that could be enough. “I’m glad I wasn’t a disappointing aunt, then,” she said. Anna’s eyes widened. “Morgan? That Morgan? She knew about all this too?” Was she the last to know? That left a slightly bitter taste in her mouth. Well, fine then. She was the last to know. It probably wasn’t to hurt her or anything. She looked up at him and shook her head, smiling to herself. “You were probably my favorite,” she told him. “You just have this look that kind of reminds me of me. I probably felt a real kinship with you. Causing trouble without always meaning to. It’s almost funny.” She smiled brightly at that. “Aw, I can’t wait to meet her then. She seems sweet.”

[andjustadashofginger]

thewitchandtheangels‌:

He laughed. “She might. It wouldn’t surprise me and I mean… we’ve got time, so she might as well, I guess?” Maybe he should have been more productive with his immortality, but that just wasn’t the kind of person he was. A softer smile spread on his lips at her question. “You were the best, honestly. You were fun and funny and kind and you let us get away with stuff our parents wouldn’t but like… not too much stuff, you know? Nothing dangerous. You’d help us sneak into the kitchen for chocolate though. And… you were really, really there for us when we needed you.” After mom died, but he didn’t want to bring that up. “I’m not sure dad would’ve known how to handle half humans kids without you and mom and Aunt Morgan.” He wasn’t sure they’d have survived without Anna’s help after Elsa. “Uuuuhhhhh… I’m not sure, honestly? We had cousins growing up, but they were human and keeping track of your line got kind of sad after a while, you know? Liv might be able to tell you. That seems like something she’d have kept up with, but I’ve never asked.”

She had to hand it to herself, if this was all some elaborate dream, which it still very well could be, then she’d done a damn good job at making it seem real as hell. “Well, once she learns everything, there will be new stuff to learn. Seems like a pretty impossible task, but more power to her,” she said. “Kinda cool to have a wild goal like that.” Anna listened carefully, trying to soak up and hold onto every word he said. She loved children. Adored them. They were so sweet and innocent and in need of love. Being a good aunt made her heart swell with pride. “Really?” she asked, not bothering to hide her hopeful tone. “I bet I loved you guys so much. And helping you get chocolate feels very in character for me, even today. I guess past me and me me are more similar than I could imagine.” She paused. “Who’s Aunt Morgan?” she asked. Anna nodded slowly. Maybe it was better if she didn’t know. Then again, what if she was friends with one of her great-whatever grandchildren? What if she knew them? What if they were cool? “I’m definitely going to have to look into that,” she decided, her mind already running wild with possibilities. “I just can’t believe this is real. You’re real,” she said softly, looking at him again. Anna was hit with an overwhelming amount of love for this boy in front of her and a sudden need to keep him safe. “Can I say something crazy?” she asked. “I don’t know you, or even remember you, but you seem so familiar. And now that the ‘holy shit’ feeling is starting to wear off, I look at you and you feel like family.”

[andjustadashofginger]

losttoagod‌:

“Is that a good thing?” he asked, the question oddly genuine. But he did want to know if she felt it was in her best interest to remain mysterious. He wasn’t so sure it was. The smile he offered her was tight lipped, ignoring the urge to offer one that more resembled bared teeth. “A great leader knows when to delegate to advisors. I have my strengths and my weaknesses. I do my best to balance them.” He thought the advisors stupid and foolish, but that was hardly the point. They had their uses, occasionally. And if he was truly desperate for help, there was Felix, but he had no plan to even acknowledge his twin in this discussion.

“I haven’t decided yet,” Anna answered honestly. “But I’m leaning towards yes.” If he didn’t know what to do with her, she’d be able to protect herself. Then again, if he found her to be a risk, he could get rid of her. She’d heard rumors of it happening before in other kingdoms. She smirked. She could tell she was starting to bother him. “Hmm,” Anna said, looking past him. “I imagine a man like you doesn’t have high opinions of his advisors,” she commented. “How much delegating do you actually do?” Her eyes slid back to him disapprovingly. “Perhaps you'll surprise me, though.” She doubted it. She really did. If anything, she felt he would be viler than she already figured him to be. 

[andjustadashofginger]

blackmagicblackheart‌:

“My son, actually,” she answered, offering her most warm smile. “He took a trip out here quite some time ago and since he has yet to return, I was hoping to find what seems to be keeping him.” Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, like any gossipy, overbearing mother her age. “I suspect it’s for a girl.” She knew at least, that there was a girl involved, but she also knew it wasn’t the way she’d prefer. “About this tall, light brown hair, green eyes. I think he looks a bit more like his father than me, though I suppose that’s not much help to you. His name is Alexi.”

Anna smiled kindly. Ah, a mother looking for her son. There was something about this woman’s smile that left Anna feeling ill at ease, but she shook it off. She was just being silly. Anna laughed at that and grinned. Oh, she loved a good love story. They were favorite. “Sometimes your heart can keep you away from home longer than you planned,” she agreed in a whisper. Anna stood straighter. She looked over at her in surprise. “Alexi? Alexi is your son?” she asked before realizing how that could sound. “Oh, forgive me, I don’t mean to sound rude. I’m just... wow! You’re Alexi’s mother! It’s so nice to meet you! I know exactly where your son is! Here, come with me and I’ll bring you right to him.”

[andjustadashofginger]

constellaticnsx:

Lucas laughed lightly at her compliments. “You couldn’t keep up with me? I think it’s the other way around. You were so good I could hardly keep track of where I was in the scene. I almost wish we weren’t matched up so I could’ve just watched you, you’re that good. I honestly don’t know why they’re gonna bother watching anyone else,” he gushed, unable to stop himself. He’d never have a better audition in his life and he’d been on plenty in his time. And really, it was all thanks to her. He knew deep down if he’d been paired up with anyone else, he wouldn’t have given the performance he just did. He laughed again, he really couldn’t believe that she was feeling the same way about him. “Oh my god, please, if you think I’m good enough to get this, you’re definitely, definitely good enough to get this. Like the role is yours, no question. I’d say I’m sorry you’re not gonna get to see me ‘cause you’ll be on the sage, but I’m totally not sorry at all.” Honestly, if they picked anyone but her for the role, he’d never audition for these idiots again. “I’m Lucas and it’s really, really nice to meet you, Anna.”

Anna beamed at the praise and it meant a lot coming from someone she already decided was absolutely amazing. “That is so nice of you to say, but there’s no way that’s true. Everything you just did? Ugh, it was so raw and amazing. You are so talented. I was only that good because my scene partner challenged me to be that good,” she argued, her cheeks turning red. She could go on and on about how talented he was. She was still in awe of everything they’d just done. What a thrill to forget about the audience and really lose yourself in a scene. That was what acting was supposed to be like. She blushed harder and didn’t even care. “Well, I guess we better get used to each other. If I’m convinced you’re getting the role and you’re convinced I’m getting the role, I guess we’ll be acting together,” she joked with a small laugh. Part of her wanted to just jump she was so giddy and full of energy. “It’s so nice to meet you, too,” she said in a rush. “You know, I almost didn’t go out for this and I’m so glad I did. I don’t know about you, but that’s what an audition is supposed to feel like. Like every nerve is on fire or something. Ugh, I’m never going to forget doing this with you.”

[andjustadashofginger]

constellaticnsx:

Lucas went through the scene with more passion than he’d probably ever used in a scene before. She was just so good he felt like he had to match her in talent and presence, which was hard when he was so mesmerized by her performance. He took a deep breath when they were done, shaking out the remaining emotions before smiling at her. “Wow, that was, I don’t even know if I have words for what that was,” he told her, so pleased with how it went. “It was amazing! Like really, really amazing. I was a little worried at first because I always am at these things but, wow, you are so talented. There’s no way they don’t pick you,” he gushed, unable to really reign it in, which made him feel so fucking lame. But this girl was a natural talent, she was a force of nature basically and he just felt so lucky that he was who she got partnered up with. 

Anna lost herself to the scene and the character. She never connected with a scene partner like this before. Her skin felt electric. This was how actin was supposed to feel. Like a second skin as you became a new person. And ugh, he was so handsome and talented, Anna was having her best audition ever. She didn’t care if she was cast or not so long as he was. When they were done, Anna smiled widely. “I know! Oh my goodness, I’ve never had a scene feel like that, my god. You were amazing. Like, honestly, your delivery is so raw and real I could hardly keep up with you.” She wanted to hug him or something, but they were still strangers dispite feeling like she knew him already. “Me? Who cares about me. You were made for this role. Oh my golly, I can’t wait to see you in this.” She couldn’t stop the rush of compliments if she wanted to. This man was so talented and amazing, she knew she’d just worked with one of the future greats. “I’m Anna by the way.”

[andjustadashofginger]

losttoagod:

“They most certainly can,” he agreed. “Although maybe it is unwise for you to admit so.” It was one thing to be dangerous. It was entirely another to admit it. “Everyone is calculating. People do not come together without wanting something. Even your kingdom set up this marriage to benefit themselves, did they not? Some choose to be more up front about their intentions. Sometimes that is not possible, but at other times? If there is no point to pretending, why would anyone bother?”

“I don’t believe it is. Now you won’t know quite what to make of me.” She narrowed her eyes at him and watched him carefully. “There is always a goal, yes. A trade, an alliance, some sort of benefit. I don’t disagree. However, I find that the equally important positive relationships are far better developed through patience and goodwill than with the glint in your eye that’s yet to dull since I arrived here.” She clasped her hands together. “You’re more suited to war than diplomacy. A great leader would be capable of both. I suppose you’ll have to settle for less.”

[andjustadashofginger]

blackmagicblackheart:

{ @elsaletitgofree​ }

Alexi was scheming. He was scheming but of course, he wouldn’t tell her about it. And Hades didn’t know enough to tell her either. But she knew he’d managed to worm his way into a royal family. A handful of people even thought he was dating the queen. And while she doubted that very highly, the rumors had been enough to get her attention. So she’d made her way down to Arendelle to see for herself. She’d wandered a bit around the town, wanting to take it all in before she finally made sure to cross paths with someone important. “Excuse me, dear. Would you mind helping an old woman out? I’m visiting and seem to have gotten a bit lost.”

The last few months had been strange, even by Arendelle’s standards. First, her sister finds a mystery man to keep secret. Then, she gets kidnapped in what would certainly become the longest few weeks of Anna’s life. Now, things had settled into a calm sort of peace with only her sister’s developing love life to keep her entertained. So Anna busied herself with getting to know her people and spending as much time outside the castle walls as she could. She was making her rounds one morning when she heard a voice behind her asking for attention. Anna turned and smiled happily. “Of course, I would be happy to. Welcome to Arendelle. Who might you be looking for?” she asked kindly.

[andjustadashofginger]

losttoagod:

“I prefer to know what the people around me are thinking. Women can be just as smart as men, whether the world will admit that or not.” And it made them just as, if not more, dangerous. Never underestimate a potential enemy. A cruel smile tugged at his lips at her observation. “Would I? Perhaps I prefer letting people see that. Perhaps it scares them. Perhaps that’s the point.” Although he knew some situations required a softer touch than others and that maybe she was right. Still, he didn’t like the idea of admitting that.

She’d be sure to write to her sister and warn her of this. They’d underestimated just how he looked at women. Clearly, he saw them as more of a threat than they’d considered. “At times, they can even be smarter,” she replied coldly. “Then you are a fool,” she decided, ignoring the way her heart raced faster at his look. “Despite my repulsion at your tactics, you give away your true intentions when you let them see what you’re thinking. It makes you difficult to trust. How would one find allies or trick enemies when one looks calculating at both times?” she asked. She would never trust this man. This conversation made that perfectly clear. 

[andjustadashofginger]

thewitchandtheangels:

“That’s fair because I imagine it’s… a lot. Sometimes it gives me a headache and I grew up around it. Liv’s done all this reading about the family and stuff and I honestly don’t know how she processes it all. It’s insane. But she’s like… brilliant, so I guess she likes learning it all.” He was proud of how smart she was, even if he didn’t talk about it often. He gave her the most comforting smile he could manage, which he liked to think wasn’t half bad. Gabby was better at this sort of thing, but Pete was pretty decent with people. “It’ll be okay. You’ve just gotta… let it all sink in. Do you wanna go lay down or something?” He didn’t know if it would help much, but it might. He nodded. “I know. She was happy when I was a kid.” And then she died, but… he liked to not think about that. At all. Ever. “She’s kind of secretly dating someone? I mean… they’re kind of married but also not and just dating and… I dunno, it’s weird and complicated. Dad still talks like they’re married but mom is still like… readjusting to it all, I think.”

She smiled at the information he was giving her. He seemed to like to ramble about her sisters. Anna just hoped she remembered it all once she felt less like puking. “She gets that from her... mom,” Anna said. “El always did want to know absolutely everything about certain things. Maybe your sister just wants to know everything about everything.” Anna arched an eyebrow at his suggestion, feeling lighter for a moment and more like herself. “I’ll pass, thanks,” she told him gently. She didn’t think she’d be able to relax if she did try to lay down. Anna paused and thought for a minute. “What was I like? When you were a kid?” she asked, curiously and afraid of the answer. It was strange to think about lifetimes. They’d had more than one and there was someone out there, a few someones even, who remembered the details. “That’s... that sounds incredibly messy and like something I’ll someday want to tease her about.” She froze for a second. “I don’t have... like grand-nieces and nephews, do I? Oh god, do I have great great, however-many-greats, grandchildren?”

[andjustadashofginger]

strangeperfectionss:

He smiled at her. “Well, I am thankful for this insight into this otherwise mysterious world of girls,” he told her with a cheeky smile. He hadn’t said anything to his friends, not because he didn’t like her, but he was a little worried what the other TAs might think, though he knew this happened before. He smiled. “Great, Friday it is,” he said, grinning excitedly about it. He couldn’t wait for this date. He smiled at that. “And if you ever want some help studying, let me know. I can quiz you on some of the material.”

Anna bit her lip to stop herself from grinning too widely. “You’re very welcome. We can be quite the strange species so I think offering insight when you can is the kind thing to do,” she joked. Was it weird that she’d told her friends? Maybe she shouldn’t have. Oh God, had she fucked this up before it could really start? Anna took a deep breath and decided to fixate on it later. “I can’t wait,” she said, her honesty getting the better of her again. “Why thank you. I might just take you up on that.”

[michaelandlucinda]

“Do you remember anything?”

{ @andjustadashofginger }

He looked at the girl in front of him, studying her and trying to come up with some sort of answer. Her expression was so concerned and hopeful and he knew that he was important to her. He could see it in the way she looked at him.

But he had no idea who she was.

“I… I…” He shook his head, looking away. His next words were barely above a whisper, “No. Should I?”

[andjustadashofginger]

michaelandlucinda:

He listened carefully to her response, nodding slowly as she finished. “I will. I promise, I will.” Because he didn’t think he could keep putting her through this kind of thing for the rest of her life. If he really loved her, how could he let her deal with chaos regularly?

Lucinda elbowed him gently and offered them both a smile. “I don’t think it’ll come to that. Things will calm down eventually and Mikey will remember and you guys will be alright.” At this point, she was pretty sure she and Elsa would take on an entire army with just the two of them in order to let their siblings have some peace.

Anna shut her eyes tightly. She longed for her Michael back, the one who seemed to understand why she fought so hard for them. This man before her didn’t seem to want to fight at all and it would be hard to fight alone, but for him, she would do it. “Okay,” she said. She swallowed thickly and looked away. “Well, that’s that then.”

Elsa met Lucinda’s gaze for a moment and nodded reassuringly, reaching out to take her sister’s hand and give it a gentle squeeze. “Happiness is owed to you,” she told her sister. “And I’m going to make sure you get it. Be patient and have faith in each other.” 

[andjustadashofginger]

losttoagod:

“Sometimes maintaining peace isn’t an option other nations provide,” he said. To be truthful, it wasn’t one he would provide if he had that kind of power and he knew it, but he also knew not to admit that. it was probably a good thing that he didn’t have the kind of power one conquered nations with, because he would certainly take full advantage of it. A shrug rolled off his shoulders with surprising grace. “I rarely am. But, if you don’t mind my asking, what did you expect?”

She clenched her jaw, irritated that he seemed to think she didn’t understand that. “I’m simply saying it shouldn’t be the first choice.” Something settled into her skin that made her pause. She didn’t trust him. She didn’t trust the gleam in his eye that sent a chill down her spine. “Most men wouldn’t entertain a woman sharing her opinion. While I know what I say means little to you, allowing me to speak is... different.” She tilted her head at him. “There is a coldness under your mask. You would do well to hide it better.”