sorry this took so long. i am essentially working 7 days a week at the moment (have been for a month and will continue to do so until mid-june) and have really... really limited time.

:/

hopefully next chapter will have more content, but there's still plenty to dissect here ;) enjoy

You're both kind of hungry, so on the way to... wherever... Elsa gets the driver to go through a drive-thru. It almost seems a little fancy, but you're kinda just used to greasy McDonald's. This isn't greasy. Apparently it's still fast-food, even though there are definitely traces of vegetables that are't half-wilted. That probably says more about the culture shift than you. This has a lot of chicken, and tastes pretty good.

Elsa pays for it, and she preempts any arguing from you with a, "Business trip, Anna. Don't worry about the expenses." You frown a little, still prepared to argue, when she continues. "Even if I weren't the CEO, no one's going to care about a thirty-dollar meal. Trust me."

So, you do.

Kristoff always said you trusted too easily, you think as you eat your food. Elsa is focused on her own and doesn't notice you looking at her. Maybe you do trust too easily, but at this point, perhaps Elsa's earned it, too.

Ten minutes later, you're pulling over and the driver is getting your chair. It doesn't take you long to manoeuvre into it, and as you roll forward, you take in the building in front of you. The luggage stays in the boot, at least until you know whether or not this place is going to be fine for you.

It's a low-set building, with perhaps three or four levels. Also, it's not as brightly lit on the outside, but once you get in, it definitely seems a little...cosier than the last place. Elsa dings a little bell on the counter, and an older woman, probably in her sixties, comes tottering out, cup of tea in her hand and a dressing gown over worn pyjamas.

"Hallo!" she greets, and you understand that. Then she continues in Norwegian and doesn't switch to English, even after Elsa seems to ask if she speaks it. You don't like not knowing what they're saying, but you know Elsa's got you covered.

There's that trust thing again.

And, it means you're watching her and are privy to the massive smile that graces her face, just after the woman finishes speaking, and just before she turns to you. Elsa opens her mouth to speak, but is interrupted before she can get a word out. Whatever the old woman says is clearly not something Elsa either wanted or expected.

They argue back and forth a few times before Elsa closes her eyes and nods her head. After a moment she turns to you.

"So," she begins. "There's some good news. They're happy to let us investigate, but Bente has assured me that the facilities are completely up to par with what we're after. She, apparently, also has some mobility aids that are available for use."

Geez. That sounds pretty good. All you need is furniture you can reach, plus a shower chair. You're really not fussed on anything else.

But then Elsa's words really sink in, and you find yourself frowning. "So, what's the bad news?"

At that, her lips tighten and move to the side, like she's sucking on a particularly sour lolly.

"They only have one room. There will be another available the day after tomorrow, but for the time being, we would have to share."

Honestly, you don't really see what the problem is. You don't even have to tell Elsa, either, that you think it's a non-issue, because she sees it written on your face.

"I just..." she begins. "After the... problems... we had earlier, the last thing I want is you to feel uncomfortable or coerced in any way."

That's... actually really sweet. Thoughtful.

So you just smile at her. "I don't feel like that at all."