lol at the anon who called elsa mopey xD dw, it'll get better :)

also this is completely unedited. sorry

The meeting is long, and boring, and takes place almost entirely in Norwegian. You're in a huge conference room, with Elsa at one end and an old dude at the other. She's talking about something, and of course you can't understand her, but you also can't think of anything but her voice because it just sounds so lovely.

You've never really noticed before; you were always too focused on the words. But not now.

The people along the table, other than those at the two ends, don't speak. They sit there, listening, sometimes writing down notes. You're not even sitting at the table, which is why you have a chance to notice all these things; you're kind of against the wall, just observing.

You're not sure what Elsa was thinking, bringing you along, because you really can't do anything at all.

It also means that you're ignored for the entire duration. Elsa has her focus taken up with the conversation (and if you had to guess, all the other people are probably shareholders...), which means that she doesn't notice you watching her. After her attitude that morning, you're a little cautious. She doesn't seem to be feeling herself, and it's a little concerning.

So you're able to watch her in peace, observe her. She keeps blinking really slowly, and almost seems unwell. Sometimes, you see a flicker of something pass over her face; you're not sure if anyone else notices, but you do. It almost looks like... pain. Or nausea perhaps. Which, if she hadn't had much sleep, you wouldn't be surprised. You still remember your sleepless nights of early adolescence, and how ill it made you.

It goes on like this for a few hours before everyone stands up. You're dozing where you sit, and as soon as the sight of everyone getting to their feet filters to you, you realise that you've probably been noticed as having fallen asleep, which isn't really a good look.

But not noticed by Elsa, because she's straightening papers until the last person leaves, and then she just kind of sits down in her seat and puts her hands on her head.

You're about to move over to her and she speaks. It's obviously directed at you, even though she doesn't look up. She hasn't looked at you all morning.

"Anna, would you be able to get a coffee for me? Black with one sugar, thank you."

"Oh, uh, sure," you say, moving towards the door. "Would... you like something to eat at all? Maybe a salad or a sandwich?"

"No, thank you. Feel free to get something for yourself, though. Just be back here in half an hour."

You nod, even though she can't see it because she's still not looking, and move out of the room.

There's a cafeteria on the second floor. You don't know why it's on the second floor – it actually seems a bit stupid, you think – but there it is. It has a combination of hot and cold food, and as soon as you arrive, you find yourself eyeing off a brie and cranberry sandwich. They have a coffee machine, and it's probably shit but it's the best you're going to be able to find for her, so you get a grande espresso with one sugar.

It doesn't seem to suit her. Like, it does, because she's a CEO and sophisticated and it's just a coffee order, but at the same time, she also seems like the sort of person to enjoy like. A shot of caramel or something. Anything to liven it up a little.

It's stupid and you're definitely overthinking it.

So, you buy her a coffee, and get yourself a milkshake and the sandwich before heading back upstairs. It's only taken about ten minutes total, but you don't wanna be late. it would probably be super embarrassing to have to wheel in halfway through the meeting. Definitely wouldn't make Elsa feel any better.

As you come up the hallway, though, you can hear the muffled sound of voiced. It's still not in English. You peer through the glass window walls to watch as Elsa talks to someone else.

You're not sure if he was in the meeting. You weren't really thinking about anyone else at the time.

They're both standing up, though you can see Elsa swaying, just a little. Her arms are crossed in front of her body, but she's angled away from you so you can't see her face. The dude is probably a similar age, maybe a little older? You're not sure. He's got a beard, well-trimmed, and he looks pretty good.

Objectively speaking. You have a boyfriend.

Except he doesn't seem very good because he takes a step forward, into Elsa's personal space. She steps back, but hits the arm of her chair. He keeps walking.

You know what this is. Or, you think you do. You're undecided as to how to progress, just for a moment, when you realise that you really need to go in there because if you happen to be really mistaken, then no harm no foul. But if the thing inside is what you think it is, then you need to be there to support Elsa.

So, making sure the drinks re still balanced on your lap, you wheel forward, more obvious in the corridor and impossible to miss as you open the door and, probably less gracefully than you could have done it, work your way inside.

He takes a step back straight away, and Elsa moves towards you. You're not sure if it's actually because she wants to help or rather, because she moves away. Either way, she holds the door open for you as you move towards the table, heading towards her seat so you can put her coffee there.

"Hi! Sorry if I'm interrupting," you say.

"Ms Arendelle and I–"

"Not at all, Anna. Thank you. Now, I wanted to go over our itinerary for the rest of the day. I know you probably want to eat your sandwich, but would you be able to take some notes?"

You glance between Elsa and the guy, nodding your head. "Uh, of course." You put your sandwich and milkshake on the table, fishing into your handbag for a pen and notepad.

"I shall leave you to it, then," the dude says, leaving the room without waiting for a response. Elsa sighs and sits down as soon as the door shuts behind him.

"Don't... don't worry about writing anything down, Anna," she says. "Enjoy your lunch. Sorry."

"Was he uh..." You're not quite sure what to say. Elsa just looks at you.

"Thank you for the coffee," she says, not answering your question. And, well. You probably shouldn't ask about things like that.

Nodding your head, you grab your lunch and return to your spot along the wall.

The sandwich doesn't taste as nice as you'd hoped.