Important note: For their time in Corona, I will only italicize Coronian accents in Anna's POV. I need that emphasis for a reason you might understand in later chapters. As for Elsa, she's used to both accents so I didn't find the need to italicize words in her POV too. Otherwise, the entire 'Corona Arc' might end up with italicized words. D:

The only places in Arendelle with visible trees were the City Park and gardens, whereas Corona had as many trees as there were buildings. But even when the former was more advanced and buzzing with large industries, Corona still had the necessary establishments for emergency and living purposes. The houses were similar to historic buildings, which was a good change and something Anna highly appreciated that she even promised herself to look around much more later.

Presently, a man was opening the gates for Marshall's car. In appearance, he was similar to Olaf, only with blonde hair, as well as being taller and more muscular. The photographer had a childlike and innocent look while this one had a rougher and more mature aura.

As soon as Marshall parked his car inside the garage, Rapunzel didn't waste any time stepping out and stretching her limbs, which Anna and Ariel had no problem mimicking. Meanwhile, Elsa was gazing around the place with a distant look in her eyes that made Anna wonder if she was alright. This was, after all, her hometown.

"Toph!" Marshall shared a rough handshake with the man who opened the gate. "It's been a long time!"

"Tell me about it." A wolfish grin spread across Rapunzel's face when this 'Toph' replied. The accent, Anna agreed, was definitely pleasant to the ears. "I see you picked up Arendellian. Olaf's been speaking that way for a long time. Alice has to point it out just so he'd notice."

"Olaf's been there longer than I have. He comes home every year, though." Marshall rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh, right. I've heard you've met Rapunzel?"

"Senya's sister, yes." Toph acknowledged the girl with a nod.

"This is Ariel and Anna. Girls, this is Kristoff, Olaf's older brother."

"Hi," the cousins greeted together.

"Who's your girlfriend?" The question almost made Anna blurt out a laugh, the redness of Ariel's cheeks making it incessantly difficult. "Ah. I see."

"Toph! We're—"

Kristoff waved a massive hand. "Hey, it's cool. You're young."

Marshall sputtered and was about to say something when Kristoff turned his attention to the female blonde who wasn't paying them any mind. Elsa was looking at a balcony when Rapunzel jumped and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Brings back memories, huh?" The brunette grinned.

"Hey, Toph?" Marshall gestured to a little girl poking her head out the front doors. "Who's the kid?"

Kristoff chuckled. "That's Alice."

"Your daughter? Wow! The last time I saw her, she was only a baby."

Kristoff beckoned the girl to come closer. "Alice, come here. It's Elsa with her brother and friends," he said, waking Elsa from her trance and turning to him. "She was excited to see you again. When Olaf told her you'll be coming home for Christmas, she couldn't wait."

From what little view visible to Anna, the girl had blonde hair that was a few shades darker than Elsa's. Their skin was similar in paleness though, compared to Kristoff's slightly tanned complexion.

"Alice!" Rapunzel stretched out her arms. "Come here!"

Ariel gasped. "You're scaring her!"

"She knows me," the brunette reasoned, pouting when Alice leaned closer to the door.

"She's shy when she hasn't seen you in a long time," Kristoff said. "And when she hears people speaking differently from her, it makes her uncomfortable."

"Okay, leave this to me!" Marshall pulled on the sleeves of his shirt and cleared his throat. Everyone held their breaths and waited. "Alice, it's me! Uncle Mars!"

Much like back in his car, everyone laughed at his attempt. They didn't know if it was on purpose, but they were aware of how ridiculous he was being. The Coronian accent was only mildly there combined with a little bit of Arendellian. Being mixed together? They decided it didn't fit.

"Alice, come here," Kristoff called again. The girl released the door and fidgeted on the way to her father before gripping on the edge of his pants and hiding half of herself behind his leg. "What's wrong? It's Elsa."

"I-I know," the little girl murmured.

"Are you shy?" That earned him a swat on the back of his leg, but he only laughed it off. Alice's cheeks turned cherry red.

"Alice, how are you?"

The smile on Anna's face fell and her mind instantly went into overdrive. She was having a hard time processing what or who she just heard. Elsa was sitting on the balls of her feet with eyes solely focused on the girl who was now trying to fuse with her father.

"I-I'm okay," Alice squeaked.

"Hey, it's just me."

"B-But E-Elsie is so pretty."

Elsa's eyes widened and when she looked to Kristoff, he shrugged. "I didn't teach her that," he said.

"Are you really Elsie?" Alice suddenly asked. "Can I hug you?"

There was a hitch in Elsa's breath before she answered. "Of course."

Alice's face brightened and she didn't waste time tackling Elsa into a hug as big as her little arms would allow her. Kristoff motioned to pull his daughter away but stopped when Elsa returned the enthusiastic affection.

Standing there, watching the scene unfold before her eyes, whatever worries Anna had melted.

...maybe Corona wasn't only filled with painful memories.

Elsa was greeted with a gasp and squeaked "Elsa!" when Gerda, her aunt, exited the kitchen and pinched her cheeks, stretching them from side to side. "Oh dear, look at you! Have you been eating well lately?!"

"Ow, ow, ow! Ish hersh!" Elsa groaned and rubbed said cheeks when the lady released them. "Ow."

"You're getting skinny!" Gerda chided.

"I'm eating," she said defensively. Her aunt eyed her suspiciously and trained a raised eyebrow at Marshall and Rapunzel.

"Believe me. She's eating," the brunette promised.

"She just doesn't get fat." Marshall hurriedly waved his arms around when Elsa glared at him. "It's a compliment!"

"It's definitely not enough!" Gerda chided.

"Mammie!" Elsa covered her hot face with both hands, embarrassed at the attention being given to her, about her own slip up of the term of endearment, and that she was speaking Coronian in front of their guests.

"Fine, fine. Show me your hand."

Knowing what her aunt wanted, Elsa reluctantly offered her hand and let the lady eye it carefully. "I took it off two weeks ago," she said.

"It doesn't matter how long ago it was. I want to make sure."

Letting Gerda examine her wrist, Elsa turned to the redheaded cousins standing awkwardly under Alice's scrutiny. They'd been quiet and rather reserved ever since they arrived and it worried her slightly. In her excitement to go back home, she'd forgotten how to be a good host. Maybe she should've been more welcoming?

They haven't been here before.

Elsa suppressed a frown. Why hadn't she thought of that?

"Aunt, this is Ariel and Anna." Marshall introduced the cousins the same way he did to Kristoff. "Girls, this is our Aunt Gerda. She's Olaf and Kristoff's mother, and the one and only wife of Uncle Kai."

The last comment caught the woman's attention. "You've met my husband?"

"Yes. He was the one who made these eyeglasses." Ariel pointed to the glasses she was wearing.

"Aha! So this girl is the one you broke the glasses!" Gerda pinched Elsa by the ear.

Elsa squeaked. "I-It was an accident!" Her aunt released her ear and she quickly rubbed the sore spot to distract herself from wishing the ground would open up and swallow her whole. She couldn't believe this was happening in front of their guests!

The surprised look on their faces nearly made her faint from embarrassment. Rapunzel didn't react badly because she had already seen similar situations ever since they'd met. Elsa knew it was how they got closer. But Marshall hadn't seen her act this way for a long time and the cousins never did.

"Elsie!" Alice ran towards the female blonde and grabbed her hand. "Come on! Come on! Come on!"

"Come to the dining room once you're done!" Gerda's voice echoed throughout the house as the little girl dragged Elsa away.

The route they were taking led to a room with white doors. It was a room that caused Elsa nightmares so many times in the past. As the distance grew thin, her heart began pounding in a rhythm she hadn't felt in a while. She didn't even notice that Kristoff was right there until he waved at them.

Alice threw the door open and ran deeper inside to pick up a small white violin. "Elsie, look! Look!"

It shouldn't have come as a surprise that the music room was neatly arranged. Gerda and Kristoff were well accustomed to music, after all. But it still did. When was the last time she had been inside this room?

Elsa swallowed. "You have a violin."

"Papa said I can get an instrument of my own!"

"And you chose violin?"

"Grandmammie said you're really good at piano! I wanna play together!"

The wish was sudden that it almost made Elsa struggle for breath. She knew there was no deeper meaning or ill intentions behind it. Alice was just a child!

"She heard that piece you made last year," Kristoff said. "She's been playing it nonstop for a few days and still listens to it sometimes before going to bed."

"I... see."

"Don't you want to play with me?" Alice pouted.

"I do." It was true. Elsa did want to play with Alice. But wanting and being capable of doing something were two different things.

That wasn't something she could tell a child though.

"Me too!" Alice placed her violin on the case and quickly hugged Elsa. "I wuv you, Elsie!"

Elsa ran her hand through the little girl's long blonde hair.

Kristoff smiled and let the two have their moment until there were sounds of utensils from the kitchen. "Come on. Let's eat," he said.

They stepped out of the room with mild difficulty because Alice refused to let go of Elsa. The aroma of their supposed lunch permeated the air, and it was the strongest in the dining room. Once there, Elsa was stunned to see Anna and Ariel helping out with the table without Rapunzel and Marshall. She made a mental note of reprimanding them later for leaving the cousins to do these things.

Elsa approached Anna who was scooping something into a huge bowl. "Do you need help?"

Red head turned to the side in a jolt. When their eyes met, Anna narrowed hers pointedly. "I almost dropped it."

"I noticed. Here, let me help."

"I'll do it."

"But I—"

"Dear, don't be dense." Gerda placed a plate on the table. "Anna is trying to do something she's not used to. Don't stop her from learning."

"But I want to do something."

Ariel cupped her chin. "I see. Elsa's a wife material."

"W-What?"

"Elsa isn't the type to sit still," Kristoff agreed.

Before Elsa could react, Anna went back to the table while carefully holding the bowl. It worried her that the girl was scalding her hands. Wasn't she bothered by the heat? Or was the soup not that hot?

"I heard you took care of Anna when she was sick," Gerda said.

Cheeks flushing a deep crimson, Elsa looked around for information on who was responsible for telling her aunt. Ariel and Kristoff were smiling, giving away no hint that it was them. Alice was drooling while staring at the food. No, it couldn't be her. And Anna... Well, Anna was looking at anywhere but her.

Elsa arched a brow.

"I know everything that's going on with you, child." Gerda placed her folded arms on the back of the chair. "I know everything that happened to you ever since you moved to Arendelle." The underlying hint of concern lacing the woman's voice didn't go unnoticed, but at least she was trying her best to not sound accusing.

To assure her aunt, Elsa returned the playful grin with a one of her own. "I expect nothing less."

If it had been her mother, negativity would instantly flood her head. She'd only end up thinking if her parents were only worried about her because of the fear of losing her like they did Cindy. But with Gerda, her concerns weren't needed.

"What is that amazing smell?!" Rapunzel squealed upon entering the room with Marshall.

"Now, hurry! Chop-chop! Let's eat!" Gerda pointed to the seats.

"Elsie! Here! Here!" Alice patted the chair on her left since Kristoff was on her right.

Giving in to the little girl's demands, Elsa sat on the offered chair without any hesitation; it had always been their arrangement. For some reason, Alice was attached to her even when all they'd often do together before was spend their time in silence.

Glancing around the table, Elsa noticed that Kristoff's wife was missing in action. "Where's Charlotte?"

"She had a call from work this morning." Kristoff placed a napkin on Alice's lap. "She wanted to be here when you arrive, but Tiana came down with a cold and she needed to be there."

Elsa hummed and looked in front of her when there was an unmistakable movement of a chair. Anna took the seat across hers without sparing her a glance, which was odd in itself because that never happened before.

"Mmm!"

Everyone's attention shifted to Alice. She was happily devouring her meal which caused the hearts of everyone around the table to melt. When the sauce spread around her lips, Elsa picked up a towel to wipe it away.

"Elsie, you should try this! It's yummy!" Alice offered a fork with something pierced in it, but it poked Elsa on the nose. "Whaaaaa!"

Elsa wiped the sauce away while staring at the piece the girl offered. Alice squirmed in her seat and discreetly pulled the fork back. Undeterred, Elsa grabbed her tiny hand and ate the piece of... "Alice, is everything in your plate meat?" She had to ask.

The blush on the girl's face grew and answered it.

"Kristoff." Gerda's voice held promise. She wasn't happy.

"B-But she was asking for meat!" Kristoff said.

"Oh my god." Rapunzel laughed.

Elsa shook her head and giggled at her cousin's predicament.

Alice ignored the adults around her while Elsa desperately searched her mind for some idea on how to make her eat vegetables. She knew that if Charlotte wasn't around, Kristoff would completely spoil and give in to their daughter's wishes.

She grabbed the bowl Anna carefully held earlier to look for vegetables and an amused chuckle made its way past her lips. "Lovely pieces." Elsa pierced a big carrot piece and showed it to her aunt. "It's no wonder she's afraid to eat them."

"Nonsense! It's more delicious to eat them huge!"

"For adults, maybe. But, she's a child."

Alice blanched upon seeing the vegetable. "B-But grandmammie's carrots taste like carrots!"

"That's because it is a carrot, baby," Kristoff gently explained.

"But Elsie's carrots are yummy." Alice turned her pleading eyes at Elsa. "You are going to leave, right? Cook for me! Please! Please! Please!"

The suggestion wasn't surprising, considering who it came from. Nonetheless, Elsa found the need to ask for help from her aunt and cousin. Gerda's smile and Kristoff stifling his laughter was enough to tell her that she was on her own. As a last resort, she was about to ask Marshall for help when she saw him just as excited and curious as the rest of the people in the room.

Sighing, she fought for a compromise. "I will if you eat vegetables."

The little girl's lips quivered as she watched, quite intently, Elsa put a piece of carrot on top of her plate. The one-sided staring contest lasted until Alice looked up with a cute frown and a determined nod. A smirk tugged at Elsa's lips and she started scooping more vegetables to place on the plate.

Alice cried. "That's so many!"

"I'm here for two weeks. What's a full plate of vegetables for two weeks' worth of delicious food, right?" Elsa winked, making the girl cover her mouth as she giggled.

"I heard that," her aunt huffed.

"But Mom, Alice is right." Kristoff chortled. "Elsa's vegetables are delicious, you'd think twice if they were actually vegetables."

Marshall nodded. "I agree."

"Now I'm interested." The smirk on Ariel's lips sent a shiver down Elsa's spine. That was a new reaction coming from the usually demure redhead.

"That's unfair! How come you never cooked when I visited you before?" Rapunzel asked.

"Because you were annoying."

Her nonchalant reply made everyone around the table laugh.

Feeling more comfortable than she ever had been in nearly half a year, Elsa made the mistake of looking in front of her again in time to see Anna snap her eyes elsewhere. The evasive gesture might as well be a slap in the face. She had no idea what to think. Was it because of her wanting to help out earlier? Or was there something else? They were on good terms before leaving Arendelle! What happened?

Trying to gather a positive vibe she rarely even felt, Elsa decided to eat in silence while avoiding looking at Anna. Everyone else began eating, with Gerda and Kristoff occasionally asking questions about them. They'd respond politely and laugh from time to time, but Elsa's mind was already elsewhere.

'Just one glimpse...

Why won't you look at me?'

It's the start of the next half! A late entrance for Kristoff, but he's here now and happily married with a daughter. The next chapter's going to be a little... enlightening? You'll see. ;)

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