Learning To Crawl, Desperate To Run

Elsa Arikoğlu | 30 | Owner of Save Haven animal rescue

[learning-to-crawl]

Elsa Arikoglu is based on Elsa from Frozen. She is a 30 year old gifted human, animal shelter owner, and uses she/her pronouns. She has the power of snow and ice manipulation.

APPEARANCE

Face claim: Burcu Biricik

Sexuality: Still trying to figure that one out. Probably not into guys, possibly not into anyone. She’s got some stuff to work through before she can get to that.

Height: 5'5’’

Eye colour: Brown

Hair colour: Blonde

Piercings: None yet

Tattoos: None

PERSONALITY

Positive Traits: Loyal, tactful, independent, hard working, empathetic, creative, sincere

Negative Traits: Mistrustful, insecure, withholding, pessimistic, impulsive, secretive, perfectionist

Likes: Fireflies, being outside before sun up, malted milk, sewing, gothic novels, chocolate, the smell of earth after rain, snowstorms (they make her feel at home)

Dislikes: Crowds, red wine, sitting still, flirting, locked doors, heatwaves, gloves, painting, light pollution, spicy food, the aftermath of snowstorms (she always worries she caused them)

Phobias: It’s certainly not at the level of a full scale phobia, but she does have a mild fear of fire. There’s no fireplace in her house, and she doesn’t go in for candles, but if she visits somewhere with a fireplace she’s a little more on edge than she otherwise would be, and will be stealing nervous glances over at it the whole time.

Even after having control for years, she’s still terrified of losing control of her magic. Any time she uses it without meaning to can spark severe anxiety, and even panic attacks, because she sees them as a sign she’s slipping and she could hurt someone again.

Hobbies: Knitting, needlepoint, baking (poorly), horse riding, hiking, ice skating, testing her magic

Aesthetic: The sting of first stepping out on a cold day, wind blowing through an ajar window, vanilla ice cream, a cat purring, starlight, snowflakes clinging to woolly jumpers, dark pet hair on light clothing, the sounds of the outdoors between midnight and dawn, hot drinks steaming in the cold

HEADCANNONS

❄️ Has never once dressed appropriately for the weather in her life. Snowstorm? Cute dress and a light cardigan. Heatwave? Wool tights, layered skirts, and a wool jumper. It’s genuinely unclear if she’s doing it for the aesthetic, or just because she finds throwing people off a little funny.

❄️ When she was young Elsa found out that keeping her hands busy was a good way to burn off some of her excess energy when her nerves were frayed, or suppressing her magic became too much. Small, repetitive hand motions work best, so things like knitting, crochet, and needlepoint are her go-tos. She tried other things over the years, vie drawing and painting never scratched that itch, and while she still loves to cook and bake, she’s horrible at it. She’s tried digital art since coming to Evermore, but she needs to feel something physically in her hands.

❄️ Likes scented products/oils/defusers, but is very particular about which scents. Vanilla, peppermint, and spices are her go-tos, but berry, citrus, and especially cherry scents give her awful headaches. This basically results in her house smelling like Christmas constantly.

❄️ Despite always loving animals, after what happened with Anna she didn’t trust herself around animals any more than she trusted herself around people. Now she’s older and is more in control of her magic, she’s found that they can be much easier to interact with than people. She has a soft spot for cats, because they remind her a little of herself. Even before she took control of the shelter, she’d take in strays, and her home is still full of the ones she’s fallen in love with.

Her isolated upbringing left her a little clueless on social games. She likes that animals aren’t shy about letting her know what they do and don’t like, and would really rather people just came out and said what they mean.

❄️ On that same note— Elsa talks to herself. Half of the time it’s just talking aloud to her pets, but she’s also very prone to practicing conversations, especially if she’s worried about how they’re going to go.

Her isolated upbringing, and desperate need to try and keep up the ‘perfect’ image mean she’s not good with organic conversation. She can give speeches to hundreds of people without batting an eye, but a quick conversation with an acquaintance can leave her scrambling to find her words. She tries to get past the nerves by hashing them out in private.

❄️ While she isn’t teetotal, she rarely drinks, and has never properly been drunk. Given how tied her magic is to her emotions, she’s just never really trusted herself to indulge enough that it might risk her powers acting up, and even now she has much better control, she just has no taste for it.

❄️ She’ll never admit it out loud, but deep down, Elsa knows she doesn’t want to get out of Evermore as much as she should. She tries, for other’s sakes, but the longer she remains and the more she’s able to build a life that’s her own, rather than a desperate attempt to reflect her reputation, the harder it becomes.

She’s always been restless, and she’s not really convinced this is where she’s meant to be any more than she was meant to be at home, but with Anna here, she doesn’t feel she’s left much behind, and she’s gained a chance to just live, without the ever-present weight of expectation.

[learning-to-crawl]

Having support in this endeavour was enough to make Elsa relax, and she quickly shot Sienna a grateful smile, even if her idea wasn’t the most workable.

“I’m not sure just dragging people in off the street is a good idea,” she said, with a faint note of amusement in her voice, “I’m not going to pressure people into taking these guys home, because there’s a good chance they’ll change their mind before they’re old enough to be adopted anyways— or that they’ll end up back here in a f ew months with new bad habits from someone who couldn’t look after them right.”

When the kitten was mentioned, her eyebrows shot up, but she quickly tried to school her expression into something more neutral.

“Had a change of heart?” She asked, biting back a grin. “Would you like to take a look at the calicos too, or are you already sold on the Siamese?”

[fairestsienna]

Sienna always wanted to build the community and although some of her antics are a bit more excessive than the normal philanthropist she wasnt going to let that stop her. "Oh Elsa no no no i don't want to encourage irresponsible adoptions or bad habits!" Smiling Sienna threw her hands up in front of her ready to paint the scene of her idea. "What if i go grab a few people off the street and give a schpeal..." She looked over at Elsa with a smile. "Get the word out and show them everything you have to offer here. They will either be interested or they won’t be…” Almost in the edge of her seat Sienna continued “BUT it’s a talking point…they might see friends later and kittens or turtles or puppies may come up and they will mention you and this event!” Sienna knew she was probably over stimulating her dear friend Elsa but she just wants to help and this is the best cause!

At the mention of the kitten Sienna couldn’t help but shrug. “ 100% change of heart! I use to think I had no time for a pet…” Sienna looked over towards the boxes of kittens with love. “…but I just realized I have more time than I thought and it’s been a dream to have my own little fur baby!” Looking back to her friend she nodded “I think a Siamese is a perfect fit for me!”

[learning-to-crawl]

Elsa watched Sienna with a knowing smile, leaning against the edge of the counter as she gazed across at the kittens. She’d already had to call herself up on wanting to take some home a few times— and if she didn’t already have a full house, she was sure she’d have been ready to take two or three. “Yes, I’ve had those kinds of change of hearts before.

“Anyways, I’m bad enough with people when they’re not annoyed at being dragged off the street.” Elsa pointed out, with fond amusement etched across her face, stepping off towards a side table, and coming back with a little stuffed mouse dangling on a string. “I’m glad you came, and gladder one of these little ones found a home. I’ve got weeks to start looking for ones for the others.”

She offered Sienna the toy, not wanting to pressure her to keep chatting when she was still looking back towards the pens.

[learning-to-crawl]

For: Open ( @evermorehqsstart )

Location: Safe Haven animal shelter

The adoption event was going poorly.

It had seemed like such a good idea at the time; she’d had three litters born to new arrivals in less than a month, and while none of them were old enough to leave their mother’s yet, the more they grew the more she realised she would soon be overrun. Elsa had made flyers and posted them around town, she’d gotten all three litters set up in play pens, and had even made sure she had cookies to give to attendees— and then for the first four hours, not a soul had shown up.

She’d begun to resign herself to the whole thing being a failure, when the bell above the door finally rang, and her head snapped up, relief painted across her features.

“Please tell me you’re not just here to deliver cat food?” She quipped weakly, stepping out from behind the desk to welcome the newcomer.

[lottalottie]

Lottie adored her dog, Stella was her little princess and she absolutely spoiled her more than she should. But sometimes, though she wouldn't trade her for the world, she found herself still missing her childhood cat. While Stella did great with other animals, she'd just never taken the leap to bring one in. So when she heard of the adoption event, she tried to talk herself out of it, reason with herself that she had enough on her plate, but she still found herself walking into the building.

Just to look.

Maybe.

"Not at all," she smiled at the woman, a little surprised at how empty the place was. Had everyone cleared out already? Was there any animals left? "I was actually hopin' to see the cats, if thats alright."

[learning-to-crawl]

Relief evident on her face, Elsa got to her feet quickly when she realised someone actually interested had turned up, ushering the newcomer over towards where she had the pens set up in the hopes she could convince her to take one of the little one’s off her hand, when they were old enough.

“Well, none of them are really old enough to be away from their mother’s yet.” She warned, “But if you fall in love with one of them I can put your name down and give you a call as soon as they’re ready to move— or else we have plenty of older cats who’re still looking for forever homes too.”

“These two sets are mostly calicos.” She said “though the mama for those over there is a siamese. They all have a look of each other though, so I think we probably have one tom running around causing all these problems.” Elsa gave a nervous laugh at that, shaking her head, suddenly wishing she’d talked Anna into coming and helping her out here; talking to new people had never been her strong suit.

[learning-to-crawl]

Just seeing a familiar face was enough to raise her spirits immensely, and Elsa couldn’t help the shy smile that crossed her face at Sienna’s entrance. No adoptions, it seemed, but the little support for the event was enough to raise her spirits immensely.

“Good morning, Sienna.” She said, before glancing down at her watch, and realizing just how far into things they were with no attendees. “Well, not quite morning, but… well, thank you for coming.”

“They’re fairly new.” She said, as the kittens began to crowd around the newcomer, gathering at the edge of their pen. “Too young to leave their mother, yet, but I’m hoping to have homes set for them when they’re a little older. They’re already growing so quick.”

[fairestsienna]

Sienna loved being able to speak with animals. When she was a little girl it was def a bit scary but now that she can control it; and use it to in cases like this...to spread love and hope...Sienna was in a personal High. "Oh Elsa i wouldn't miss this for the world! I cant believe i didn't make it in sooner." Noticing that the room was empty and it didn't look like a soul had been through here...the wasn't even a trail of foot prints and dirt from the door. "Do you need me to go grab people off the street? This is really unacceptable!" Where was the sense of community around here. "We really need to build up this project!" Philanthropy was her passion and it just broke her heart that one her friend put in all this effort for no one to give her even a second of their time...and the little babies in need of a home. "How much longer were you planning on hosting this event? Lets turn this around!" Smiling at her friend Sienna pulled stray chair up to join her at the table. Leaning in Sienna pointed to the paperwork "You can also sign me up to adopt one of those kittens...."

[learning-to-crawl]

Having support in this endeavour was enough to make Elsa relax, and she quickly shot Sienna a grateful smile, even if her idea wasn’t the most workable.

“I’m not sure just dragging people in off the street is a good idea,” she said, with a faint note of amusement in her voice, “I’m not going to pressure people into taking these guys home, because there’s a good chance they’ll change their mind before they’re old enough to be adopted anyways— or that they’ll end up back here in a f ew months with new bad habits from someone who couldn’t look after them right.”

When the kitten was mentioned, her eyebrows shot up, but she quickly tried to school her expression into something more neutral.

“Had a change of heart?” She asked, biting back a grin. “Would you like to take a look at the calicos too, or are you already sold on the Siamese?”

[learning-to-crawl]

For: Open ( @evermorehqsstart )

Location: Safe Haven animal shelter

The adoption event was going poorly.

It had seemed like such a good idea at the time; she’d had three litters born to new arrivals in less than a month, and while none of them were old enough to leave their mother’s yet, the more they grew the more she realised she would soon be overrun. Elsa had made flyers and posted them around town, she’d gotten all three litters set up in play pens, and had even made sure she had cookies to give to attendees— and then for the first four hours, not a soul had shown up.

She’d begun to resign herself to the whole thing being a failure, when the bell above the door finally rang, and her head snapped up, relief painted across her features.

“Please tell me you’re not just here to deliver cat food?” She quipped weakly, stepping out from behind the desk to welcome the newcomer.

[samhainmade]

SHONA wasn't going to bother, she changed her mind four times before mentally agreeing with herself to take the leap of faith and come up here. For years she hadn't taken care of herself, but she always kept scraps for the mice, birds and strays outside her building. And maybe just maybe it was enough to convince her that this was the right thing to do, company for her new place, Oz did say to make herself at home... Taking a breath of composure Shona nudged the door open and wandered inside, a little stunned to see someone happy to see her. "Uh no.." she deadpanned, pulling out a crumpled up flyer from her pocket. She cleared her throat and glanced around the room. "I want a cat-- or a snake, maybe like a dart frog? You got any of those?"

[learning-to-crawl]

Ah. Well, perhaps leaving out quite so many flyers had been a mistake, but then, she did have a lot of cats desperate for loving homes.

“…We don’t really have any snakes.” Elsa said, slowly, looking over at the newcomer in confusion, “Or dart frogs— or any frogs, really. I don’t really know if anywhere in town would have those.”

She stepped out from behind the play pen, offering the woman a hand to shake, since it was (at least as far as Elsa could remember) her first time in the shelter.

“If you’re wanting spooky, we have a lot of black cats?” Elsa said, trying not to be too judgemental or quick to shut conversation down. “There’s kittens, but we have older ones if you’re wanting lower maintenance. People don’t want to adopt them, because they think they’re bad luck.”

[learning-to-crawl]

It’s sweet. He’s being sweet. Just accept the help, and he might go away.

Elsa sighs, and gives him a look, glancing down at the scratches on her own palm, and noting with some relief they don’t seem to be deep enough to need actual medical intervention.

“It’s just a scratch.” She says, though when he still doesn’t turn away, she does resign herself to accepting some help.

“…I have a first aid kit in my bag. There’s a little bottle of rubbing alcohol in it.” She says, “Think you can grab it? It’ll save me staining everything in there red.”

[herculeskosta]

“ YES, MA'AM !” Hercules says , abashed at once by his enthusiasm . And use of ma’am . He considers banging his head against a nearby tree and log-rolling into the distance , but obediently recalls Phil’s advice — that he’s supposed to be a hunk of hero , not a dork who drops at the sight of a damsel  — and salutes instead . That’ll do it . 

With polite discretion ( he doesn't know what ladies keep in their bags , and it feels rude to ask ) , he rummages past her belongings and finds the bottle , passing it to her with a dash of pride . “ You keep this in your bag ‘cause you get injured a lot ?” he asks , with far less indiscretion , “ or because you wear , um , a lot of white ?”

[learning-to-crawl]

Elsa chuckled slightly at that, before realising that he might not have meant it as a joke, and feeling guilt set in. The poor guy was just trying to help, and she’d snapped at him, and then laughed when he’d asked her a simple question; Was if any wonder she didn’t have many friends?

“No, I’m—“ she cleared her throat awkwardly, “I like to be prepared, and this is useful for when I’m having a bad day and water isn’t a great option for me.” It took a moment or so before Elsa realized what she said, and hastily tried to backtrack. “That sounds like I’m drinking it— I’m not. It’s just— It doesn’t freeze?”

She grabbed a tissue out of her pocket and dabbed a bit of the alcohol on her palm, trying to keep a straight face in spite of the sting. It didn’t quite work.

[learning-to-crawl]

For: Open ( @evermorehqsstart )

Location: Safe Haven animal shelter

The adoption event was going poorly.

It had seemed like such a good idea at the time; she’d had three litters born to new arrivals in less than a month, and while none of them were old enough to leave their mother’s yet, the more they grew the more she realised she would soon be overrun. Elsa had made flyers and posted them around town, she’d gotten all three litters set up in play pens, and had even made sure she had cookies to give to attendees— and then for the first four hours, not a soul had shown up.

She’d begun to resign herself to the whole thing being a failure, when the bell above the door finally rang, and her head snapped up, relief painted across her features.

“Please tell me you’re not just here to deliver cat food?” She quipped weakly, stepping out from behind the desk to welcome the newcomer.

[fairestsienna]

Safe Haven animal shelter was always a frequent stop on her weekly routine. Donating food and snacks for all the animals was the least she could do. Her favorite thing was speaking with the animals. Through her gifts of animal song she could spread a reassuring message and uplifting rid bits of love to all those under their care. Animals were next to kin for Sienna; and there is never not an excuse to give back.

Bustling though her morning she saw a reminder on her phone of the adoption event. She has always told herself she did not have time personally for a pet but she did have time to support her community and give back. Nearly running to the shelter she burst through the door. Expecting to see a decent turn out she was shocked to see no one…and here she was empty handed. “Oh no! I don’t even have a bag of treats to drop off! This was so unlike her…late and empty handed! “I have been so busy I didn’t even prepare my weekly donation box! I am so sorry!” Wrapped up in her apology Sienna almost didn’t even notice the litter of kittens in a box to her side. There was something pulling her towards the group of Siamese kittens. Holding out her hand to reach in the box she started to hum a little tune. Connecting with the litter.

She had to admit this was the first time she truly couldn’t look away from an animal.

[learning-to-crawl]

Just seeing a familiar face was enough to raise her spirits immensely, and Elsa couldn’t help the shy smile that crossed her face at Sienna’s entrance. No adoptions, it seemed, but the little support for the event was enough to raise her spirits immensely.

“Good morning, Sienna.” She said, before glancing down at her watch, and realizing just how far into things they were with no attendees. “Well, not quite morning, but… well, thank you for coming.”

“They’re fairly new.” She said, as the kittens began to crowd around the newcomer, gathering at the edge of their pen. “Too young to leave their mother, yet, but I’m hoping to have homes set for them when they’re a little older. They’re already growing so quick.”

[learning-to-crawl]

For: Open ( @evermorehqsstart )

Location: Safe Haven animal shelter

The adoption event was going poorly.

It had seemed like such a good idea at the time; she’d had three litters born to new arrivals in less than a month, and while none of them were old enough to leave their mother’s yet, the more they grew the more she realised she would soon be overrun. Elsa had made flyers and posted them around town, she’d gotten all three litters set up in play pens, and had even made sure she had cookies to give to attendees— and then for the first four hours, not a soul had shown up.

She’d begun to resign herself to the whole thing being a failure, when the bell above the door finally rang, and her head snapped up, relief painted across her features.

“Please tell me you’re not just here to deliver cat food?” She quipped weakly, stepping out from behind the desk to welcome the newcomer.

[learning-to-crawl]

Elsa had made a very stupid decision. She knew better than to try and catch a stray without the proper equipment, but she’d tried anyway, and now she has a bloody hand, a pounding heart to thank for it— not to mention a blood stain on her favourite shirt.

After years of experience, she’s learned calming herself down before she can cause any trouble is the best place to start with something like this, though, evidently the kind (if misguided) soul passing by hasn’t gotten the memo.

“Nope.” She replies quickly, and just a tad too sharply. “Nope, not bleeding. I’m fine.”

The way she’s clutching her hand against her chest, and the blood standing starkly out against her white clothing says she’s lying, but she’s hoping the man will shrug her off and go away.

[herculeskosta]

SHE DOESN’T WANT YOUR HELP , so move along . She doesn’t want your help , so move along . But — she looks like she needs help , right ? There’s blood . Actual blood . And before Hercules can swallow his heroism and hop along he says , “ are you sure ? Unless that’s not your blood , which would be , uh , even more concerning .” He holds his arms up in small surrender — an ‘ I’m cool , trust me , helping people’s all I got ’ sort of gesture .

“ I’ve got water ,” he adds , grinning sheepishly as if a self-branded sports bottle containing the world’s most common liquid will sway the stranger.

[learning-to-crawl]

It’s sweet. He’s being sweet. Just accept the help, and he might go away.

Elsa sighs, and gives him a look, glancing down at the scratches on her own palm, and noting with some relief they don’t seem to be deep enough to need actual medical intervention.

“It’s just a scratch.” She says, though when he still doesn’t turn away, she does resign herself to accepting some help.

“…I have a first aid kit in my bag. There’s a little bottle of rubbing alcohol in it.” She says, “Think you can grab it? It’ll save me staining everything in there red.”

[herculeskosta]

𝐅𝐎𝐑: open !! ( @evermorehqsstart ) 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: utp

THIS STYLE OF MEDDLING has got him in trouble before . Stopping and speaking instead of swagging on by . Sticking his chiseled nose in other people’s business wanting , sincerely , to offer a helping hand .

Not everyone , he’s reluctantly coming to realize , wants that hand . Some would rather he keep his headphones on and jog past as if their pain or predicament is unnoticeable . Sucks for them , it’s instinct. A pull , kinda — from somewhere far , far away — tugging him like a magnet to a , well . Other magnet ?

So Hercules does stop . He removes his headphones and approaches cautiously , wiping a lil sweat from his brow ( just because he wants to help doesn’t mean he hasn’t tripped and made the situation worse a few hundred times before ) . “ Hey are you , uh - bleeding ? ”

[learning-to-crawl]

Elsa had made a very stupid decision. She knew better than to try and catch a stray without the proper equipment, but she’d tried anyway, and now she has a bloody hand, a pounding heart to thank for it— not to mention a blood stain on her favourite shirt.

After years of experience, she’s learned calming herself down before she can cause any trouble is the best place to start with something like this, though, evidently the kind (if misguided) soul passing by hasn’t gotten the memo.

“Nope.” She replies quickly, and just a tad too sharply. “Nope, not bleeding. I’m fine.”

The way she’s clutching her hand against her chest, and the blood standing starkly out against her white clothing says she’s lying, but she’s hoping the man will shrug her off and go away.

[frankenhxmie]

closed starter: @learning-to-crawl !! location: animal shelter

kristoff has never had one of his dogs run off like that before. bodil and einar were two of the most loyal, well-trained, and good hearted animals he had ever met— the ONLY other animals he liked as much as reindeers, mind you !! bodil, the more social of the two, had somehow figured out in that brilliant head of his how to open the front door and had ran off. kristoff had come down the stairs to einar whining at the open doorway, and he had ran around town for hours searching, screaming bodil's name until his throat was hoarse. he began to wonder if the town's curse worked on animals until a familiar number had called him to inform him his baby had been found and brought to the shelter.

barreling through the front doors, his face flushed from a cocktail of emotion and the brisk weather, kristoff heaved a sigh. ❛ elsa ?? elsa !!❜ the man called out, running up to press his hands against the front desk, looking at the woman with a sheen of desperation in his eyes. ❛ boldi — is he... he's here ?? someone found him ?? ❜

[learning-to-crawl]

What had been a slow morning had been quickly derailed when, while out walking a few of her charges, Elsa had found herself accosted by a large dog she only vaguely recognised. Luckily, he’d been well trained, and once she’d realised there was no owner with him, she’d set about trying to wrangle him back to the shelter, along with five other excitable dogs, with no spare leash. it'd certainly slowed down her walk, but after bribing him with a few treats, he'd been happy enough to follow her safely away from the main road.

Of course, how well behaved he seemed to be made a lot more sense once she called the number on the collar and worked out who he belonged too. She hardly knew Kristoff well, but he didn’t seem like the type to let his animals run wild and risk them getting hurt.

“He’s here, he’s here.” She assured, sounding vaguely amused as he came rushing into the shelter’s reception. “Though I can’t claim I found him so much as he found me. He’s awfully friendly.”

[learning-to-crawl]

not as cold as I seem

Let it Go

It’s funny how some distance Makes everything seem small And the fears that once controlled me Can’t get to me at all

Stray Italian Greyhound

So what do I do with this This sudden burst of sunlight And me with my umbrella Cross-indexing every weatherman’s report

Northern Attitude

If I get too close And I’m not how you hoped Forgive my northern attitude Oh, I was raised out in the cold

Oldest

Maybe growing up too fast was the only choice I had Wish I wasn’t controlling It’s the weight I’m holding Trying to live up to the girl they see

Drinking Song for the Socially Anxious

And I’ll speak with my eyes You’ll think I’m weird, one sympathises I might not make it tonight Because I don’t find this easy like you

I Miss the Mountains

Everything is balanced here And on an even keel Everything is perfect Nothing’s real

Keep You Safe

With the risk of fall I never climbed at all Every day I told myself, "I'm not ready"

Castles Crumbling

And you don’t want to know me I will just let you down You don’t want to know me Now

Everything Stays

Keep your eyes wide open Even when the sun is blazin’ The moon controls the tide It could cause you to drown

Burned Out

I am burnt out I smell of smoke It slips through her cracks and so I start to choke

[learning-to-crawl]

What’s in my bag?

Elsa is chronically over prepared. Her bag is full to bursting at all times, with everything being meticulously organised into pouches and pockets for easy use. She’s got everything you could possibly need— and probably a dozen or so you don’t.

The cold doesn’t bother her, but the rain does a number on her hair, so she’s always got an umbrella to hand!

A small pouch with stuff for her animals! Includes little baggies of dog and cat treats, a training clicker, and of course some mess bags, just in case.

Her purse very rarely has cash in it, but it does have her card, ID, and loyalty and stamp cards for every business in town that offers them, all neatly organised so she doesn’t lose them. She also has a photo of her and Anna in there.

Collapsible tote bag, in case she needs it. It’s penguin patterned, because those remind her of home.

She always has some kind of chewing gum or mints in the front pocket. Usually the strongest ones she can find.

A miniature journal/diary, for keeping track of her day. She’s way less likely to remember things if they disappear into the void of her phone.

Headphones, because sometimes you just need to block everything out.

A water bottle, because if she’s not carrying it she will forget to drink any water most days.

A basic make up touch up kit— nothing fancy, just some mini brushes and concealer and such for long days.

Her little first aid kit! Mostly plasters and pain killers, though she also makes sure to have stuff to treat ice burns, not that she ever really needs it.

More basic non-makeup toiletries; hand sanitiser, body mist/perfume, tampons, a mini brush, hand cream, and chapstick.

A copy of whatever book she’s reading, for quiet moments at work.

A small pencil case, to go with the journal! Just a couple of pens and pencils, a pencil sharpener, a rubber, and some paper clips.

Her travel project pouch! Usually has a 3 inch embroidery hoop, a few bobbins of thread depending on the colours she needs, a needle pebble, and an empty floss container. She’s tried putting her crochet in there instead, but it’s not really practical given how little wool she can fit in there.

Sir Jorgenbjorgen the second— a tiny penguin charm that’s always in the front of her bag, for luck.

Her keys! She doesn’t have any keychains, and instead uses a key organiser to keep things neat.

Some kind of chocolate— probably from Anna’s place.

A chemical hand warmer! It’s no use to her, but she likes to have one on hand and ready in case her magic makes things uncomfortable for someone around her.

[learning-to-crawl]

Absence

My dear mother,

I’m sorry.

I know that isn’t the way to begin a letter. You told me once that a queen can’t apologise, because she can’t be seen to be wrong. Well, I’m not a queen, not really, but I am sorry.

I wonder some days, if you’d be disappointed with me, over that. All that time you put into teaching me to rule, and I couldn’t cope, in the end. You should have put your efforts into Anna— we’d have all been better off that way. I’m sorry I couldn’t be what you hoped I would be.

I’m sorry for letting you down.

I’m sorry too, for all those days I spent hating you. I love you, I do, but I was a child, and you left me alone with a kingdom to run. I begged you not to leave me. I was so afraid, and I needed you, and you went anyway. I hated you for that, for so many years.

Maybe I still do.

She hugged you, when you left. She hugged you, and she smiled, and she told you to enjoy your trip, and all I did was ask you not to go. I hadn’t let you hold me since I was eight years old. I’m not sure I remember what it felt like, now, and I know I’ll never feel that kind of love again.

I’m sorry our family wasn’t what you wanted it to be. I’m sorry I poisoned the happiness we had. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for Anna when she needed me. I’m sorry I’ve not grown into the woman you thought I could become.

I’m sorry there’s nowhere to send this letter.

I’m sorry, mamma.

With all of my heart,

Elsa

[learning-to-crawl]