Arendelle Ice Palace

Elias flinched slightly before speaking, “I am the elder Anders, it is my prerogative to know what is going on in your life. I am supposed to worry for you. You and Olive are not to worry about me.” he explained, “And you have seemed most... different of late. So this matter strikes me as important.”

“Why would fake confidence be the best?” he asked, “Surely it’s one of the latter varieties.” After a moment he shrugged, maybe he’d understand one day, “Well in that case drive on.” he said, settling himself into the car, waiting for the other to get in, “I would not mind. People always watched eat as a child, incase something was wrong with the food or if I started choking. I may not enjoy it but I am very used to being observed.”

Elias was almost surprised that the other chose not to pursue his line of thought. Perhaps Elias could be more intimidating than he thought? “I daresay he has some to spare. Though from what I can tell you hardly seem in need of it.”  he nodded slightly, “Very well. We’d best be off. I do hope you’ll be partaking in this as well?”

“I wouldn’t think so.” he said, shaking his head slightly, “My parents chosen method was avoidance. I cannot say I have used it enough to truly wield it correctly.” he sighed, “It just appears when I lose control of my feelings.” he explained, “I know they are not exactly pleased with me. But I would rather them angry or sad with me and alive and well then not and end up being hurt by me.”

“Yes.” he confirmed with a small nod, “Architecture is something of a hobby of mine. Different societies have perfected different styles of building. I wonder what such a place would look like.” He sighed slightly as she continued, “The history would be of great importance I am sure. But I have had quite enough of magic for my lifetime.”

Elias opened his mouth to argue but sighed and paused to collect himself, “Well Anders you made it clear you do not wish to share your issues with me. I believe it best I not step on any other toes by being overly familiar.” he said quietly, “Besides, I do so for your own good. Yours and Olives. I only wish you to be safe.” 

Navi was fairly certain the wonder of watching Elias–watching anyone, really–perform magic would never wear off. It amazed her to no end. Of all the things Maldonia lacked, she had grown certain that magic was by far the most riveting. “Yes,” she said, after having stared for far longer that would be appropriate in any other situation. “Yes, that is less stuffy. Your fashion sense–it is not half bad. You could be a designer, if you weren’t busy being king.”

Elias was all to aware some people could never see eye to eye on some matters. It was always a worry to him that he and Anders were so different, if they were similar... It wasn’t really worth thinking about. Still, it didn’t mean they couldn’t get on, after all, he and Navi seemed to be managing okay, and he was certain they were as different as could be.

His words spoke of rejection, but all Navi focused on was the little smile. The tiniest smirk. If it had been anyone else, he would’ve laughed aloud. Navi was sure of it. It was only Elias’s serious, stone-like demeanor that kept him from giggle-fits. “Change?” she repeated, surprised by his statement. “Here? Show me.” She folded her hands on her chest and watched, wondering whether the stuffy king was going to do something very unexpected.

Elias only chuckled slightly at her words, “I think that loving myself is my own form for never-coming change.” he said quietly, good for the soul or no it just went against every instinct which had been engraved on him since childhood. He didn’t know how.

“Don’t do that please,” Anders said of his brother’s sudden coldness,” It’s just not anything you should worry about.  No reason to turn….. cold.”  He grinned a little at the joke, hoping his brother would lighten up again.

Elias had a bad habit of falling back on what felt ‘safety’ for him. Trouble was, that usually involved placing as much distance between himself and others as he could. 

“I am not doing anything Anders.” he said impassively, “I am simply pleased that you are not dealing with anything too difficult to manage.” He sent the other a deadpan stare, “The cold never really bothered me.” he replied, the barest hint of a smile on his face.

“Why not?” Elias asked, genuinely confused. After all, his curse had dictated his childhood, his lifestyle, his loneliness, it had ruled him more than any other trait had. “Sometimes, this curse can be dangerous Madame, I would rather not risk harming those I care for. They would all be safer keeping their distance.”

“I suppose I am more taken with the idea of a truly hidden city more than anything. I find myself wondering what their buildings would look like.” Elias said, it would be full of new things, new people, maybe have magic of its own that could help him with his. But those were silly dreams, even if the place were found, “Next to nothing, save that it has supposedly sunk beneath the ocean.”

“Myself, or rather, my curse.” he amended, most in the kingdom knew of his powers, it was foolish to try and keep it a secret by this point. “It was the best way to keep people safe from me.”

Immediately, Navi held her hands up. “No, no, you look quite handsome,” she clarified, not wanting to lay a blow to his already too-low-in-her-opinion self esteem. “You look handsome, but in a…you know. A stiff sort of way.” Her eyes glinted, and she found she couldn’t help herself from adding. “A cold way, perhaps?” before bursting into a tiny fit of giggles. “Get it? Because you have the powers. You know.”

Elias supposed most, if not all, of what he was saying was lost on the other. After all, they were simply too very different people, he still believed the other could, and would, change. Though he doubted it would be by his hand. “That must be nice, liking yourself I mean.” he said, he couldn’t recall a time he’d truly liked who he was. “Only you can answer that I believe. You will change when you see fit.”