Family Tree (Elsa)

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Xavier, yes, Elsa would forget that. She nodded, figuring that Erika knew enough in that regard, or at the very least enough to move the conversation along. Her sister kept getting weighed down, thinking about heavier things, and, strangely enough, kept comparing herself to Elsa. They were just doomed to do that, weren't they? Go in circles, keep thinking that the other one was the better version of whatever it was they were. It hardly struck Elsa as fair, and she almost wondered if having an identical twin was worth all the hassle.

Take her pick with guys even, which had Elsa smiling and arching a brow. "I don't know, maybe I should scoop up your leftovers. It's worked so very well in the past," she drawled. It really hadn't happened more than a time or two. Elsa literally didn't seem to be able to help falling for the same guys Erika did, though usually after the fact. She blamed her connection with her sister and her own complicated emotions and the like. they were definitely drifting though; even Elsa could acknowledge that, which she did with a sigh, before looking to the microwave.

"I seem to recall us trying that as children and it not working out well. Ice cream soup or something along those lines,' she said. She paused though, staring, "but then again, we do have a better understanding of things now, what with our obviously being responsible adults of eighteen long years," with that little bit of sarcasm dropped, Elsa hopped from the counter, scooped up the ice cream, and went to the microwave. Usually she'd be the one cautioning for patience, for them to wait and have good things. But, as usual, Elsa was willing to toss aside a lot of her usual for the sake of her sister.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Sighing, Erika sent her sister something of a 'that's not funny'-expression. Elsa deserved better, even if they ended up liking the same person. Maybe it was about time Erika took a step back and let Elsa have the guy, instead of... Well, giving her the leftovers. It didn't seem fair - it wasn't fair, but really, could it be helped? Was they truly doomed to repeat history over and over again? Erika liked to think that wasn't the case. She wanted to believe that it was nothing more than the typical teenager insecurities and their... Strange identical twin link that played them both for being fools... Or something.

Erika didn't know. Though, she hoped that one day, one day they would be able to grow out of the 'identical twin' image and manage to co-exist as two completely different people.

''But that won't happen if we don't have it in for long; A few seconds should be enough, right?'' Pursing her lips, Erika's eyes followed her sister. ''You always do that,'' she said silently, ''You always go against your better judgement, or even against your own happiness just to please me.'' It wasn't as much a question as it was a simply observation. She didn't say it for the sake of knowing why; Though, she was sure Elsa was already aware. How couldn't she be? ''You don't have to do that.'' After all, I do not define you. You are you and I am me. This was added with something of a light-hearted smile.

Even so, it was nagging at the back of her mind. It made her a little sad to watch her sister stand in her own shadow. That wasn't how it was supposed to be. Erika didn't want that, even if the fact that they were indeed twins, and identical fed onto her insecurities. She could push those aside. She wanted to.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

"I do and I don't," agreed Elsa. She turned to look over at her sister though, smiling. the smile turned into a laugh and Elsa rolled her eyes, turning to fully look at Erika now. "You do realize I'm a mind-reader, right? And that I automatically read your thoughts by now? I'm not standing in your shadow, Erika, and if I am, then I'm enjoying the shade. As for stuff like this," she gestured, then shrugged. "I love you. You're one of the few people who I can stand for an extended period of time. I'd kill for you. So I can certainly go against my better judgment or my happiness to make you happy."

Elsa shrugged, then punched the microwave, letting it pop open and flap for a few times before moving to grab the ice cream. She squeezed it a few times, nodded, and placed it on the counter a little behind her, somewhat close to Erika. She popped the second in, turning the microwave on again.

"If it really bothers you that much, just reciprocate from time to time. I believe that's how the whole loving sister thing works, though I am mostly just going off books," she gave Erika a wry look there, raising her brow. Because anytime Elsa had to lecture Erika on emotions or interactions was just hilarious in her book.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

''I know that-'' Erika began, protesting, ''-I love you too, but that doesn't--'' she stopped, sighing. The feelings were mutual, that wasn't the problem. The problem was that it didn't feel right. Neither of them should be standing in the other's shadow, whether or not they were didn't matter. They were equals, different, but equals nonetheless. It did make her wonder though. Did Elsa not wish to be in the spotlight? Was she truly and really content standing back, cleaning up after everyone? Erika didn't think so. She deserved so much more. ''You shouldn't have to do that.''

Hoisting herself up on the counter, Erika folded her arms in her lap. ''You know,'' she said, ignoring Elsa's words, ''I often wish I could be as--'' she stopped, smirking, ''--Down to earth as you.'' Erika couldn't picture it, of course. Even as gloomy and cynical as Erika could be, at the end of the day, she was still the kind of person that was naturally attracted to the idea of what things could be. She was naturally gullible, even as much as she hated admitting it. ''Thank you. For being you.''

To avoid things from getting to sappy, Erika turned her attention the the cabinets. Using her ability to open them, she brought out two pairs of bowls, spoons and started searching for anything additional they could add to their ice cream; Chocolate sauce, peanuts, anything really.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Certainly they were equals in the ways that counted, but Elsa liked being in the shadows. she kept telling herself that, and she was pretty sure that it actually rang true after so many repetitions. Besides, she certainly didn't relish the thought of being DL's punching bag or going through the emotional turmoil that seemed to be Erika's every waking moment. No, she liked her life just fine.

Elsa looked over at Erika as the thoughts shifted though, and she actually barked a laugh at the thought of her being down to earth. "Yes, my earthiness brings all the boys to the yard," she drawled, turning back to the ice cream. "And you're welcome," she smiled at that, knowing that there was  "thank you" embedded in there as well. They didn't need to get mushy or sappy; Erika knew how Elsa felt. Besides, they both knew which one of them was the gloomy, cynical one: Elsa just wanted to fulfill her role.

The various treats started hovering in place as Elsa got out the second container of ice cream. "Ben and Jerry's alone not enough for you?" she asked, eying the various floating bits. she reached out for a spoon and bowl of her own, moving to scoop out portions of both ice creams (because why not?). "I'm surprised we even have those peanuts. Is that something dad likes?"

Like Erika would know any better than Elsa.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Leaning forward, Erika pursed her lips, "Or girls," she added with an arched eyebrow. She didn't have proof, and Elsa had never confirmed it, but Erika was fairly certain that the pansexuality ran in the family, as it seemed as if the other two Bellefonte children also swung both ways. It was actually fairly interesting, but then again, Erika didn't care for her brother's and baby sister's personal life. Most of her family adoration had been and would always be pin pointed directly at her twin.

Just as her twin sister deserved, for everything she did to help her older sister.

Looking at Elsa, Erika smirked, "Hey, if you're complaining, I'll just take it all," she teased with a chuckle. Erika wasn't normal one for sweets, but right now it sounded pretty good. All things considered, Erika needed whatever it took to make herself stop wallowing in self pity, and this had to be better than getting drunk somewhere. "Mmm," Erika mused absentmindedly as she turned her attention towards the bag of peanuts, "Possibly. But then again, our mother is known for surprising us."

[Elsa Bellefonte]

"Point," admitted Elsa, looking away for a moment. she'd often claim to anyone who asked or anyone she thought it would make uncomfortable, that everyone in their family was a pansexual to some degree. Truth was, Elsa's sexuality was slightly more complicated than that, but she certainly couldn't deny that girls were still part of the equation. She didn't want to think about it, honestly, since she was far more focused on making certain that everything was alright with Erika right now, or at least that Erika could get distracted from anything that would make things "not" alright.

Elsa snorted at the statement, grabbing some various syrups to squirt into the ice cream. It was there, and a little indulgence never hurt anyone. It wasn't as if Elsa was going to be slathering all the ingredients into her mix. Plus, she figured, as stupid as it probably was, she could make a statement of her individuality via the toppings. Erika's comment did have her chuckling though.

"I suppose neither of us really knows her well enough to say definitely one way or the other, do we?" she asked, raising a brow and digging into her ice cream. She stuck some in her mouth, savoring the decadent flavor for a moment. She pulled her spoon out. "Remarkable that we've turned out as well as we are, what with our mother and upbringing and all. Is Grandaddy Bill still looming over you and hinting that you should be the next to sit on the throne?" Elsa might have asked this a bit ago, but she was hoping to get a little more information. She even started skimming her sister's thoughts again, unable to keep her curiosity completely in check.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Absentmindedly poking her ice cream with the tip of a spoon, Erika nodded, "Yeah, I guess you're right," Erika said silently. She didn't really want to discuss their mother, because it often made her feel more sulky than what she did on a regular basis. Instead, she offered nothing more on the subject, and she didn't think Elsa was going to push it either.

It was already obvious that the Bellefonte children and their mother didn't exactly have the best relationship.

Turning her head to face her sister again as their grandfather was brought up, Erika sighed, "Yeah," she said silently, frowning a little. "I don't understand why, though," she added quickly. "I mean, you or Abel would be the best choices." If anything, Erika was a ticking bomb waiting to explode, and as much as she understood that she had a closer relationship to their grandfather, it didn't seem like a good enough reason for her to be forced upon the throne.

"Maybe we can do it together. Be the very first doubled up headmistresses," Erika suggest with a meek smile. Either way, Erika couldn't even picture herself doing anything without her sister close by, so if it did end with her ascending the throne, Elsa wouldn't be far behind. She hoped.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Their mother could just be a continued looming presence, as far as Elsa was concerned. They'd passed their eighteenth birthday, and that meant they only had to deal with their mother on occasion, not that they'd ever had too much contact with her. No, Elsa was far more interested on her siblings, on their near future. She had to smile a bit as Erika admitted to not being the best possible choice for it. Technically Abel made the most sense in the whole line of succession thing, though despite all the princess comparisons, they weren't some kind of deranged kingdom.

"You're pretty," Elsa said, working her spoon to gather ice cream, "and vivacious, and well liked," she looked at her sister, saying the next with an even flatter voice: "for some reason. I'd likely rule the school with something of an iron fist, whereas you'll continue the whole family feeling that we've all come to appreciate throughout the years. As for doubling," she smiled, "it's not a bad idea. Let's face it though: you'll be the one with the title, and I'll be the one in the office doing all the work."

Elsa smirked then, taking a very self-satisfied bite of ice cream, clearly enjoying herself far, far too much.