Curtains Down, Masks Off

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Jack couldn't help but give a smile at Elsa's response to his explanation. Not many people would have been as calm about it, but she still was unsure. "I am sure that your sister will understand what you did." he said choosing his words very carefully. "If I had been in your place, I would have done the same thing. It would have been hard, but just knowing I was keeping her safe would be something important to me." he shrugged his shoulders. "But look at it this way, if my training works, you will be able to control it. And maybe your sister will understand some day."

He wasn't sure if what he was saying was going to help her but if anything, he could say that he tried. He was at least willing to be her friend despite being in separate circles.

[Elsa]

"But I..."

Elsa bit her lip slightly; Jack didn't know the full details of what had happened. He didn't know she'd accidentally caused an incident that led to her having to isolate herself for so many years. Elsa wanted to tell him, but how would he react if he knew she had caused someone pain accidentally with her powers? It hadn't even been intentional, but it still haunted Elsa. She thought about it every so often and it bothered her to no end.

At length, a soft sigh escaped the young princess and she shook her head. She had to tell someone, and by that point she trusted Jack enough not to go blabbing her secret to anyone. She'd never told anyone before, though. How would he react to knowing what had caused her to isolate herself for so long?

"...When I was eight and my sister was four, I... I accidentally hurt her with my power. After that, I had to isolate myself to keep from hurting someone again. ...To protect her from myself. Ever since, I've had to conceal my power. That's why I wear these gloves all the time," Elsa said. She longed to have freedom, to be herself, but she couldn't. Not while she had to protect Anna from herself. Elsa's eyes closed and she hung her head, blonde bangs draping down into her face for a moment as she did.

"We used to be best friends, but now... I've had no choice but to shut her out. I don't want to hurt her again."

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Jack's eyes saddened, that was tough. He was thankful that his sister hadn't gone through that, he had gotten his powers much later. "I'm...I'm sorry that happened to you." he meant it and hestiated to wrap an arm around the girl's shoulder to cheer her up. "I wish i could have been there to help you, maybe the isolation wouldn't have been so lonely." He could relate actually. After being invisible for so long, what would elsa say to that. "I...I can actually relate. Not in the same way, but for the longest time, no one could see me. No child would actually talk to me. It was all a sense of belief, children had to believe in me, that Jack Frost was real. I wanted to talk to them, but they always walked right through me, like i wasn't even there."

He sighed, it was always hard to tell people that, especially if they didn't believe him. "If you ever need someone to talk to, I am here. I might not be in the circle you are in but I promise that if we ever get into battles. I will try to avoid fighting you."

[Elsa]

For a brief moment, Elsa started just a little at the touch. It had been so long since anyone had really tried to touch her, and knowing that Jack was willing to had kind of surprised her. Still, she had to look up at him after a moment. Oh, how she wished she had had someone other than her parents to confide in during her time of isolation. She'd go to her mother and father whenever her powers acted up, and they had become like a sort of rock for her, but otherwise she'd been all alone. It had been for the best, though. That way, she wouldn't hurt Anna.

Admittedly, Elsa was a bit surprised to hear that Jack understood what such isolation felt like. He'd been alone, too. Maybe the two of them were more similar than she had even guessed at first. She wanted to ask if all he had said was really true, but somehow the words wouldn't form. Topping it off was Jack's offer to listen if she ever needed someone to talk to. That finally broke her. Tears welled up in her eyes and a bit of snow started to flutter in the air around her. No one outside of her parents had ever offered that much to her before. She hardly knew what to say.

Elsa choked on her tears for a moment, barely managing to get out a thank you, before finally letting her head rest against Jack's shoulder. Normally she was so strong, so stoic, but now? While she was with Jack, Elsa felt more capable of letting go. Being herself, even. It wasn't complete freedom, but it was a start. She could accept that much.

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Jack was very surprised to see her crying. No, that wasn't how it was supposed to work. He was meant to make her happy. A smile. Anything, anything but tears. "Hey, hey," he said in a quiet tone, watching her for a moment, resting his other hand on her shoulder, trying to make her feel better. "It's going to be okay. I promise. You'll be an awesome ice user. Not better than myself of course but hey, I'll do my best." he said. "and your welcome." For a long long time, Jack had wanted someone to depend on him, or rather someone he could help. Jamie had been his first, but now Elsa needed him more. He was going to do his best no matter what it cost him.

If they did end up fighting each other, Jack would make sure that Elsa would be ready, he hoped that he wouldn't have to fight her though.

[Elsa]

"I-It's not that," Elsa managed to say. She didn't doubt that Jack could help her get control over her powers, but was more moved that he wasn't afraid to touch her. He was willing to actually be near her in spite of their being in different circles and in spite of the fact that her power wasn't so controlled. The little flurry around her grew bigger for a moment, and soon the snow started to gently fall down onto the sand beneath them. A faint smile formed on her face despite her tears and she breathed outward after a moment. He wasn't Anna, and he was a fellow ice user. He understood her. She didn't have to hide anything from him like she did with Anna.

"It's just... I've never let anyone get close enough to touch me. I've been too afraid of hurting people. After all this time, it... It feels nice..."

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Jack nodded, and looked up watching the snow fall. "I can understand what's that like." he said, he started to draw a shape in the sand, before concentrating on the image, letting the ice take over and raise it into the air. The pegasus flew around Elsa before bursting into snowflakes. "This is the first time I've met someone with ice powers, so...I don't feel so alone." he felt better with Elsa, all the other students here were nice but they wouldn't understand what it was like to have these powers. "It's too bad I can't switch circles, i don't want to have to fight a friend."

[Elsa]

"It's the first time I've met anyone with powers like mine, too," Elsa admitted. She'd never thought it possible that anyone else could be gifted with her ice powers. The ones who had saved Anna after her accidentally being hurt had never mentioned anyone else, at least. Maybe it was just a fluke, though. She'd happened upon the winter spirit, who seemed quite real in spite of what she had been told when she was a child, and it seemed natural that he would have powers similar to hers. The only difference was that Jack had control over what he could do. Elsa might freeze something or hurt someone because she didn't have any control. The only control she had came from when she was wearing her gloves, and even then it was difficult. Jack could probably tell that much from the fact that she'd made snow appear after she'd momentarily lost control over her feelings.

"I just hope we don't have to fight each other. I don't want to hurt you," Elsa murmured. Could she even hurt Jack, though? They did have similar ice powers, and although hers weren't as controlled she still did have the fear that she might hurt him. But what if she did? What if she accidentally struck him in the heart or somewhere else? The thought sent an uncomfortable shudder down Elsa's back.

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"I don't want to hurt anyone either." Jack frowned, "As a guardian, its kind of my job to protect children, and some of these kids aren't even our age." he frowned. "I don't want to be forced to hurt them." The idea of hurting a kid, was scary, what if he did it and then had to go back to being invisible? "I don't think we have anything to worry about though. The chances of us coming across each other in the fights are pretty slim right?" He was really hoping to make her and himself feel a little better but due to the strain in his smile, it didn't work too well.

"I mean if it was something like an evil wizard or something. I could do it, but not you or any kid." he replied, frowning. He wondered if they would have to fight teachers? He didn't want to think about that.

[Elsa]

"But you have control over your power. What if I'm forced to use mine, and I-"

The snow around her fluttered a bit more rapidly as her worries mounted. She couldn't have a repeat of what had happened to Anna all those years ago. Even if it was someone she didn't know, she'd feel terrible if her uncontrolled powers caused someone harm. Elsa sucked in a shaky breath and tried to calm herself down, though. With Jack's help, she wouldn't have to worry about that much. Besides, if she created ice meant to shield her then it wouldn't be hurting anyone. She'd only be at risk of hurting herself somehow, wouldn't she? It seemed reasonable enough to her, at the very least. Hurting herself would be better than hurting Anna or anyone else.

"N-Never mind... I won't hurt anyone. Not if you help me," she murmured. Elsa wasn't about to mess up again. She'd get her power under control and everything would be okay. It had to be okay... It just had to.

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Jack brushed his white hair away from his face and stared at Elsa. "Don't worry. You won't hurt anyone. I promise." he said looking at her, seriously. He wasn't sure why he did what he did next, but he carefully wrapped his arms around her in a comforting hug, before pulling away. He wanted to make her feel better. To make her smile. But this school was going to be harder to do that.

"We'll start tomorrow okay?" he asked. "And I promise to take it slow, I am not some big strict guy. Not like the Easter Bunny. Don't tell him that though" he said with a smile. "And you aren't alone, if you ever feel like you are, come find me."

[Elsa]

For a long moment, Elsa didn't respond. Her eyes were wide with surprise from the fact that he'd actually hugged her. She'd been out of physical contact for so long that it still felt unusual to her, even after he'd touched her minutes before. When at last Elsa came back to her senses, she smiled again and took hold of Jack's hands in her own gloved ones. She wasn't quite ready to hug him, but did appreciate the gesture nonetheless. Her smile was evidence enough of that fact.

"I don't have any doubt you'll be a good teacher. You'd be better than I could be, that's for sure," Elsa said. The next night would be something she looked forward to, even if she didn't show it in front of anyone else. During the day, she'd have to remain stoic as always and focus on her studies. At night, though? At night, she would be able to let it go and finally learn how to control her powers. It would be difficult, Elsa was certain, but it would be worth it if it meant the continued ability to protect those she loved. Her mother, her father, and her sister... If she could protect all of them, that would have been the best thing she could ask for.

"I look forward to our first lesson," Elsa told him.

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Jack felt relieved to see a smile. It made him feel like he was doing something right in the past week. She wasn't the only one looking forward to the lessons. He was as well. He could finally be able to teach something to someone else, instead of feeling like he was still invisible to the other guardians. "I am too." he replied. "And thank you, that means a lot to me that you think I would be a great teacher."

He glanced up at the sky again, wondering if Sandy would be coming over tonight. He wasn't sure if it was possible. But everyone would need good dreams for the days to come. "I guess I'll see tomorrow. I should get back to my dorm before anyone suspects me of anything."

[Elsa]

"I'll see you around. Maybe during class," Elsa said. She knew they would still have to attend to classes and such, but for the time being she felt more free than she had in quite a while. Her smile never wavered as she spoke, though. Truly, Elsa was happy for what had to be the first time in forever. She had something to look forward to after classes. No more seclusion, no more fear, and no more uncertainty. Once she got her powers under control, Elsa would be free again. She wouldn't have to worry about hurting anyone. Elsa liked that idea, really.

"Yes... You probably should go. Before someone from my circle sees you here and asks what's going on," Elsa giggled. The idea of someone from a circle that seemed to mainly have its roots in calm natures kind of amused the princess. Surely such amusement would make Jack happier still.

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"It's not that I don't want to stay." He said quickly, giving a smirk. "If you want me to I can. I just don't want you to get in trouble for me coming over to talk to you." His blue eyes sparkled with mischief, "I've been known to cause all sorts of trouble, I am the guardian of fun after all." to demonstrate he flew up into the sky and sent a wave of ice into the sky before having it explode into tiny snow flakes, returning to Elsa, a smile on his face. "I am trying to decide what your circle would do, if their beaches were frozen or have snowmen on the beach." he continued to look at Elsa with a smile, not allowing himself to fall back down to the ground just yet.