Have you ever seen a dream, walking?

[Pan Banks]

She'd finally arrived back home in Kalispell, and thankfully her manager had already taken care of purchasing and setting up a house for her. It had been a relatively easy thing to move in, mostly because it included her throwing her suitcase on the bedroom floor and walking out again. Typically between shows she didn't have the luxury of time, so 'unpacking' was a foreign notion to Pan. But she was a rebellious slob at heart, so it wouldn't be too long.

Since everything else seemed to have taken care of itself, she had dedicated the rest of her day to tracking down her sister. Communication between them had ended completely when she had left ten years ago, and considering she had dyed her hair red and legally changed her name, there was a part of her that was unsure Ellen would even recognize her. Of course she was equally scared that Ellen would recognize her immediately and slam the door in her face. After all, Pan had no indication as to how Ellen had grown up these past few years without her.

Luckily it had been easy enough finding her sister's apartment, a notion that struck her with an odd sense of hope. With their father's money she could certainly afford better, but she hadn't. Was that a good sign that Ellen had also stepped out of their father's shadow? She could hope.

Taking a deep breath, Pan pushed her sunglasses up to the top of her head and knocked on the door.

Ellen Banks

[Ellen Banks]

Ellen must admit even if her school days were over and she was now technically in the business world, Ellen enjoyed it, she enjoyed being her own boss. The hours were much less stressful indeed and Frank who quite frankly might be the biggest, most immature clinically insane creature on the planet but she seemed to know what she was doing so Ellen was afforded these rest periods which she could spend on her own in her apartment. She enjoyed the silence, Silence meant the absent of people and the stress that they always seemed to bring, A rare moment of peace in Ellen’s life, that’s not to say that Ellen’s life hasn’t been more peaceful than ever, these last three years…...Well, they were,the best Ellen’s ever had. Without a shadow of a doubt, She savored every moment she had alone in this apartment, in this apartment with Ash….well it was hard to explain but the apartment seemed more bright then Banks Manner ever did. Warmer too, Sure it wasn’t as fancy or as big as Banks Manor. Hell, this entire apartment could probably fit in The Bank family living room….

….but this place felt more like home then Banks Manor ever did…

She was in the middle of eating lunch wondering if she should call Ash now or wait a few mins, she should really wait. She did it far too often and it wasn’t like they had anything meaningful to discuss,...but she just liked talking to her, it was comforting….

She was awoken from her day dreams by her doors being knocked on, she made her way to it and opened it up “Hel-” Ellen stopped where she stood, at first she thought it must have been a trick of the light...no it...couldn’t be it...just...

...No….

[Pan Banks]

For a second it didn't look like Ellen recognized her, but then there was a glint of recognition and Pan smiled. There wasn't horror or disgust on Ellen's face, not yet anyway. She'd be lying if she said she'd been expecting a warm reunion. It had been ten years and it was impossible to tell how Ellen's life had gone for her or how she'd changed.

"Hey there Elly. Mind if I come in for a drink?" Pan asked hopefully. One of her hands reached up to nervously tug on her short hair. 

Her curiosity got the better of her and the woman tried to peer around Ellen and look inside. Was the inside coated in gold or something? Where was the Banks fortune that she had left behind?

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[Ellen Banks]

Ellen was stunned...utterly, utterly stunned...if she had a million guesses she would have never guessed….THIS….The one person she hasn’t seen in years….what? Eleven standing in her doorway, and of course it was her! How could she forget that face? And alll those memories attached to it..The scary loud nights, the songs that were so comforting and soothing….

The day she left…

As Ellen mind began to rationalize what was in front of her, she looked her sister up and down a light pink ting entering her cheeks which grew and grew with every second until it spread through out her face until it looked liked it was sunburned her eyes narrowing into slits her fists opening and closing, her head almost vibrating with pure unbridled anger that had been stewed and festered for a little over a decade.

All she wanted was at that moment was to rush forward and grab her by the throat and claw every single inch of skin she can find. Make her feel just a fraction of the pain and fear that Ellen wanted her to feel,

“Can I come in for a drink?” Ellen asked her body shaking, her voice incredulous “You leave home, you abandon your family, you abandon me, when I needed you most, I don’t hear from you for TEN. Ten! years. and all you can say is “Hey there elly?!” Ellen didn’t know if she’s ever been this angry. Rage infected every pour of her body her hands shaking “How dare you….How dare you stand there...like...like...It's nothing“Get out now, before I MAKE you”

Oh please don’t move. Please give Ellen an excuse.

[Pan Banks]

There was the anger she'd been expecting, and unfortunately even if she wanted to say it was unjust, Pan couldn't blame Ellen for it. She'd never told her sister the reasons behind her leaving, it hadn't seen fair what with how she idolized their father. Ellen had needed the chance to come to her own conclusions about the man, and about the life she had wanted to live, and Pan hadn't felt entitled to influence that.

It was her own mistake that she hadn't calculated for Ellen's rage to be so intense. And why wouldn't it be? She'd up and disappeared, and not said a word otherwise for ten years. She'd basically raised her baby sister. Perhaps talking wouldn't sort everything out, but she at least needed to try. Otherwise she wouldn't have been able to live with herself, living just down the road and having to pretend her little sister didn't hate her guts.
She couldn't help the feeling that if you could just get Ellen to listen, even for a little while, it might make a difference.

Rather quickly Pan began drawing out a song, pushing all of her pleading and calming energy into it. Calm down, calm down, calm down, she chanted internally, hoping the soothing notes of the random lullaby she had chosen would work quickly, and hopefully not so intensely that Ellen decided the doorway was a good place to fall asleep.

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[Ellen Banks]

Oh. Victoria thought she was mad? That’s where she was wrong, Ellen was long pass mad. Mad marginalized and made light of how angry she truly was...and she might have been more angry than she had ever be in her life and believe you me, that was saying something. She wasn’t just “Mad” She was incensed. Furious. And if she had to see Pan for a moment longer there was chance that Ellen could really hurt her sister.Sure she couldn’t use her power. No, she didn’t have the clarity of mind for that, Her mind felt like it was burning with white hot unyielding, unrelenting hate. It was a miracle that Ellen could even speak soft enough. Because she didn’t feel like talking.

She felt like screaming. She felt like screaming at the very top of her lungs. Screaming bloody murder until she left her sight,

That was if she was lucky…

“I said: Get out” Ellen snarled between gritted teeth looking with utter disdain at the woman she idolized and looked up to once upon a time . “Get ou-” And then she started singing,,,,And it was like….memories that Ellen had long since locked away and buried away was slowly climbing itself to the forefront of Ellen’s mind, she knew that song. She hasn’t thought about it in years but it was a fixture of a lot of her early life, being tucked in by Victora….gently being rocked to sleep….

Ellen swayed slightly in place as she tried to hold back a yawn but it was in vain as her face scrunched up and she let out a low yawn feeling the anger slide off her...but the instant she did a repulsed expression hit her face almost appalled with her self for almost falling under the sway of her songs again “....Don’t do that! I’m not a child, they doesn't work !” Ellen stubbornly, but her anger seemed to cool off as a result….it was still there, but wrapped in a nice cool blanket, Ellen stayed silent blinking rhythmically as if trying to summon the anger back, but finding none, she was quite calm….and she hated it….”You can come in for five minutes, FIVE, say what you have to say and leave.
Ellen opened up the door wider inviting her in waiting for the sob story to come about how dreadfully sorry she was…

Empty words...


"You dyed your hair...

[Pan Banks]

It felt wrong to be manipulating Ellen this way. Though, Pan realized bitterly, it did kind of run in the family. Obviously it wasn't the first time she'd used her powers on her sister, but that had always been for Ellen's own benefit, never for her own. This just felt selfish, but she absolutely needed Ellen to hear her out. If there was even a tiny chance of fixing their relationship she was going to grip on to it with both hands.

"But you're still my baby sister," she pointed out, folding her arms. Not only that, she had the feeling that if she started singing one of her old lullabies Ellen would revert back to her child state in no time.
As Ellen started swaying Pan stepped forward, holding her hand out to her sister's elbow in case she keeled over completely. Then she was distracted by the tiny success Ellen had given her, and had to take her arm away to do a little fist-pump of joy before trying to support her sister again.

"Five minutes is plenty of time," she decided, trying to remain positive as she guided them through the door. "Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee?"

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[Ellen Banks]

Yes, it does seem to be the Banks natural way to manipulate to get their way. Pan may dye her hair but she couldn’t keep that particular hereditary trait out of her system, it was deeply coded within her DNA and she could no sooner hold that back then she could stop breathing. Ellen always had a weakness for song, even though she would never truly admit as such and that was all because of Pan’s early influence no doubt her father would have disapproved of, she always associated music with her sister or more so the feeling of peace she got when she was a kid,

That was her doing….

Ellen openly winced at Pan words “You know I hate that word.” She snarled at Pan refusing to be babied by her sister, she wasn’t going to be be joked around with by a woman who suddenly remembered that they were sisters…

Ten. Years…..

Ellen was fine once Victora shut up she just needed to shake her head and the world came back into focus, already regretting her choice to let her in as she shoved her way in and made herself at home, Thank Goddess Ash wasn’t home...she didn’t need things to be THAT awkward as she closed the door her back against it staring silently at her “Sister”

“How about a hammer to beat you with? Or a reason not to toss you out right now? Ten years, Victora. Ten.”

[Pan Banks]

"And I never did understand why," Pan replied. Baby goats were cute. Baby horses were cute. Ellen was cute too, and no matter how much she rebelled, she was still as much Pan's sister as she was their father's daughter.

Realizing she may have been too cocky with sweeping in to Ellen's life, Pan turned and clasped her hands behind her back. "Then how about a seat? I've got five minutes, right, sit down with me for that long at least." Amusement brought a smirk to her sharp features as Pan's mind wandered. "I'll even give up an extra ten seconds so you can spend time kicking me out the door and into the gutter." Not sure she deserved that much, but Ellen certainly seemed to think so.

Now didn't seem a good time to correct Ellen. Besides, she was sure her sister had seen her on tv or heard of her concerts, which meant she was aware that Pan had legally chaned her name. "I know...I should have contacted you..or done something. I was scared if father knew you were speaking with me he'd punish you for it, or use you to force me home." Her chin lifted defiantly, not because she thought her actions had been right, but because now she had returned, and she'd done it of her own power and will.

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[Ellen Banks]

The answer was simplicity itself: Ellen was not one to be babied even when she was a child ever since….well...Since Victora felt the need to leave the nest….Ellen didn’t like to think there was a connection between those two things, but ever since then Ellen forced herself to grow up maybe a little too fast, she needed to, her daddy wouldn’t allow anything less and she took great pride about how she fast she grew up, how mature she was, being called a child or a baby just annoyed her so.

“I prefer to stand thank you kindly” Ellen shot back and folded her hands in front of her, clearly not wiling to entertain Pan any longer then she had too, she didn’t even crack a smile at her joke, she just wanted Pan to say what she was going to say then this could be over and done with, of course she knew that she changed her name, not that Ellen understood it having a disney cultural blind spot so the name just sounded like nonsense to her, besides. She knew her as Victoria. It was just natural to call her that. Ellen whined once the spectre of their father was brought, a typical reaction for Ellen whenever he was “Yes. you should have, he was….” Ellen shuddered a little as unwanted memories hit her “...He was so mad when you left, he won’t even say your name” Ellen’s eyes grew wide as a thought occurred to her “He doesn’t know you’re here does he?!” Ellen head jerked in the direction of the door as if expecting her own personal bogyman to be standing there.

“If he knew you were back….”

[Pan Banks]

Giving up that particular battle Pan sighed and nodded. Folding her hands in her lap, she examined Ellen carefully. In the long years since seeing her sister, Ellen had grown into a remarkable young woman. She'd expected no less of course, but simply being able to see that Ellen had cared well for herself in her absence brought some relief to Pan.

"I can imagine," she agreed, looking suitably chastised. Their father's wrath was nothing to sneeze at, though it had been years since she'd decided to never bow under his hefty influence again. The thought brought a smirk to her face. "Well I've yet to drop in and ask, but you know father has a way of getting around. It's rather impossible for him to keep his big nose out of anyone's business."

It troubled her to see Ellen so obviously terrified by the possible repercussions of their father's attention. She'd assumed his influence stretched far with her, and how she had to be wary in case Ellen decided to throw her out because of the threat from their father. "If he knew I were back he'd be wise to start shaking in his iron-pressed panties," she finished with finality. Leaning back on the rear legs of her chair, Pan's face set into a determined stare. "I didn't come back for him, and I couldn't give a pig's ass what he thinks of that. I'm here for you."

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[Ellen Banks]

Oh, well she had to thank Pan a lot for the way she grew up didn’t she? Once Victora left she was FORCED to grow up like this, Pan maybe would truly never understand what she did that day. Victoria was their father’s heir apparent . He was her favorite child a truth always known by Ellen but one she never called out, maybe that was why she found she had such a need to impress him. classic middle child syndrome maybe. When she left and crushed their dad, maybe this was the time maybe, finally she could get his attention . she was the eldest child now, she could take up the responsibility. She would earn the role that Victora denied and he’d find that she could make him more proud then Victora could ever hope

She could earn the love….

Ellen breathed a sigh of relief once Victoria says he hasn’t got in contact with their father thank GOD for that, but that relief didn’t last for long “He’ll find out soon...he always finds out “ Ellen muttered to herself almost tempted to pull the blinds , but then could only react in shock when Victora began to talk about their father like she just threw a bottle of cold water over her “Victoria! You can’t say that!” Almost agasp that anyone could talk about him like that.

Oh please don’t let him find out she said that…..

“....and what praytell do you want with me?”

[Pan Banks]

She leaned back further, rolling her eyes. "He'll found out? Great, our father is the Transparent Eyeball." Pan sniggered and scratched the corner of her lip, knowing a smile was definitely not the best reply. The all-seeing, all-absorbing metaphor had been well placed though, she thought.

Ellen's offended gasp was too adorably funny not to laugh at, though what is symbolized was less so. She giggled, "Oh bless me dear sister, but where are my manners? Perhaps my evil tongue hath gone awandering without my mind's consent." Her voice became heavily posh, and she even folded her hands neatly over her lap with an eye flutter. Such was the effect that her old name had on her. 'Victoria'. She sounded like a prude. "I could have said far worse," she admitted, back to normal. "I was trying to curb my language so you didn't get too upset. I know you love him." Even if she never understood, she wasn't so cruel as to belittle Ellen's emotions. Just their father's.

Perhaps the way she'd said it had made Ellen think Pan was here to kidnap her. Not that she'd never considered it. "I want to be your sister." She replied plainly, lying her hands flat on the table. "It took me a long time to remember that was what I was supposed to be."

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[Ellen Banks]

No, No this was not the time to make jokes and this was not a situation to make light of. This was serious, When discussing their father the only thing that’ll do when discussing their father is hushed and reverent tones like speaking to a vengeful deity that could rain down misery on their heads at a snap of her fingers….hell, that wasn’t even a metaphor, he could do that with just a mere thought, so you could see why Ellen was thoroughly not amused by Pan's action and choice of words “That’s not funny” She shot back at Pan hoping that, this was the end of her jokes. Or s she did hope at least…..

Ellen didn’t saw anything at Pan’s further comments about their father, she was right. She did love him. Deeply and she knew, deep deep down he did too...or at least he wanted to love Elllen. but she had the earn it she had to earn the right to receive his love and she would. She would make him proud, she just haven’t been able to earn it yet. She had failed to live up to what he wanted but he would. she needed to, she will deserve it

….One day…..

Ellen remained silent once Pan outlined what exactly why she was here, she didn’t want to react instinctively to her words. Because her gut reaction was going to be something that Pan simply wouldn’t appreciate it and maybe freak her out enough to sing to her once moere….so Ellen simply stood there. chewing her words out over and over again “So, NOW you want to be a sister” Ellen snapped her voiced nothing more then a snarl “NOW you give a damn. When it’s convenient for you. When you FEEL like it….What if I don’t WANT you to be my sister. What I tell you, you had your chance and you blew it. What if I don’t feel like humoring you until you abandn me again?”

[Pan Banks]

Jokes and laughter were how Pan coped with difficult situations. It helped her diffuse some of her own tension, which ultimately just made the whole situation easier. Unimpressed by Ellen's defiance Pan raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow and waited. No, her drama probably wasn't funny, but Ellen had her ire, and Pan had her laughter.

Pan flinched at the emotions layering Ellen's words. She'd never had the power of empathy, but being able to influence the emotions of others had made her particularly skilled at picking them up and reading them when on display. It was painful now, seeing the anger that Ellen clearly deserved being thrown at her. Since cracking a joke had appeared not to work, Pan tactically tried to maintain a calm facade. She smoothed her features, listening carefully to her sister, even when inside she was crumbling. Everything her little sister said was true, but she was far too stubborn to give up.

She heaved a deep sigh, nervously twisting the plain silver ring on her left hand as she thought. It seemed every move she made was going to be a risky one, but they were also the kind of decisions Pan loved to make. In this situation under pressure, it seemed much more dangerous. "I don't know your feelings," she began tentatively, attempting to meet Ellen's gaze. "But I think if you weren't at least a little willing to give me a chance, you would have used your powers on me when you first saw me, or kicked me out as soon as the song's effects faded."

She stood from the table, not liking the feeling of superiority Ellen's standing height gave over her. "I'm not asking to be welcomed back with open arms, I'm not that stupid. How about a coffee sometime, or even just texting buddies?" There wasn't much she could say to convince Ellen she wasn't going to abandon her again. She was, after all, a world famous artist that would definitely go on tour again. "I'll never disappear without a word again, but I don't expect you to take my word for it." She quirked a wide, challenging grin. "You'll just have to wait and see that I'm telling the truth."

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