Finalizing

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Shrugging again, Erika pursed her lips, "You tell me," she tossed back at her younger sister. "I just get the feeling you're beating around the bush." Of course, she could be completely off, which wouldn't have been too surprising.

After all, Erika wasn't the mind reader; Elsa was.

But she wasn't going to push. That wouldn't get either of them anywhere, as they were both quite stubborn. A family trait, it seemed from what Erika could tell Ah, well. Her 'sister senses' were probably way off, barking at the wrong tree and all that gibberish. Turning away, Erika focused her eyes back on the window, absentmindedly staring at the world outside.

"We need some new curtains in here too."

[Elsa Bellefonte]

"I'm just wondering a few things. distracted," said Elsa, only half-lieing. She didn't want to worry Erika if she was incorrect, picking up a wrong vibe or anything along those lines. And Elsa didn't see any reason to not share a little hint of what burdened her. "You know me: I'm always worried about you."

There, let that be a lead in for Erika to insist that Elsa needn't worry, that she had complete control over herself and her situation. An easy answer and an easy deflection would work for now: they both knew full well that if they needed or wanted to delve deeper later, the other would be ready and prepared.

"Curtains?" repeated Elsa, raising a brow and looking. "I don't know, I rather like them. Sure you aren't just attempting to change things just because?" A loaded comment, and Elsa was sure that Erika would notice it as such, at least slightly.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

"Ah," Erika replied simply, disinterested; Not because of what she said, but more so because of the way Elsa turned the conversation to be about Erika, over and over again. She figured she hadn't made it clear enough, but then again, Elsa was only doing the same thing Erika was. Avoiding the conversation's topic to be about herself.

Shaking her head, Erika turned to look at Elsa over her shoulder, "I'm sure," she said, "I really don't like these curtains," she added as if that would make her sister less suspicious. Clearly, this conversation wasn't going anywhere. It had reached a dead-end and thus, forced the pair of twins to run in circles, over and over again.

"Well," she said and drew her breath. Moving towards the door with idle efficiency, Erika offered her sister something of a smile, "Unless you have any other official businesses that needs tending to, I'm going to go shop for curtains." And yes; She was being dead serious.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Elsa sighed. While she hadn't been reading every one of Erika's thoughts, she still knew enough of her sister to understand what was going on here. Erika didn't want to talk about herself, didn't want Elsa to pry into whatever was really bothering her. Elsa could push. She could dig a little deeper, potentially use her power to start overturning bits and pieces and see what came up. Elsa might even get away with it. Erika may be talking, no, insisting about curtains, but Elsa could still work around that, could still push the conversation further if she wanted.

It almost seemed unfair, particularly as Elsa could recall all too well practically collapsing into Erika's arms once she'd finally rescued her. Just finding Erika again, knowing it, and then what she'd done.

Elsa watched her twin head toward the door. "Nothing official," she said, nodding, "and there's no point reminding you that if you need to talk about anything, I'm here. Erika," she rose, making sure to face her twin, "I mean, that, really. I know that we're dealing with a lot right now, but we're together. We can do this. You're not alone."

Elsa blinked, then chuckled, shaking her head. "listen to me: I sound like a cartoon character. You're a damn adult, I trust you," she gestured and turned to the desk. "I'll see you around, Erika."

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Stopping as Elsa started talking, Erika turned her head over her shoulder and pursed her lips; Though most people didn't think so, or even notice, there was a softer part of Elsa she rarely showed. It didn't surprise Erika. In fact, she was often on the receiving end of those emotions. "I know," she said, a smile tracing the corners of her lips. "Thank you." As much as it was appreciated, she really didn't think it was needed. She was fine. Nothing was wrong.

Erika's smile widened at Elsa's words. Shaking her head a little, she turned her head back towards the door, "Maybe I'm rubbing off on you," she teased with a light heart. Even so, she did know that no matter what, Elsa was there with open arms.

It was reassuring to say the least.

"Don't overwork yourself too hard," Erika smiled and opened the door. Turning around as she passed the threshold, offering Elsa yet another smile before closing the door behind her.

But again. It wasn't needed. She was fine. Nothing was wrong. This would pass. This numbing indifference wouldn't last forever. It was normal. Wasn't it?