I think some company is overdue...

[moonsummoned]

Jack's decided he's in the mood for a change of scene. Most of his spare time can find him in the park or on rooftops, playing pranks that bring smiles to kids' faces or else just having a good time. Half the time, he forgets about what responsibilities and routines normal humans might have, much less trying to pass them.

But today he's in the mood for something different. That's why he finds himself in front of the used bookstore, browsing the temporary shelving and tables they've put out. He can only assuming they were expecting a milder day than the chilly, gray one they've got on their hands but that doesn't seem to stop bookworms too much.

Seeing as he can't really feel the cold, Jack's more than happy to join them and see if there's anything that strikes his fancy.

Comments

[anopendoor]

"Wow," Anna says, though really, it makes sense. Of course having that kind of connection to cold and ice would have such an effect. It's not like a person could melt — not, that is, in the way snow does — and there's no way there wouldn't be any reaction. "Have you always... had powers like that, or did you get them later?"

[moonsummoned]

He's had the conversation with Elsa, but Jack doesn't mind repeating it. It seems important and good that both of them hear it. "I was born human. No powers or anything. I didn't get like this until I was seventeen."

[anopendoor]

"How?" Anna asks, realizing only a moment later that maybe she shouldn't. Jack has been nothing but friendly so far, and she doubts he'd be able to blame her for being curious, but still, it's kind of personal. Elsa kept her powers secret for most of their lives, after all. "Sorry, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. This is just all still pretty new to me."

[moonsummoned]

Jack shakes his head, holding his hands up. "I don't mind telling, but the story can be a little...dark. Do you want to hear it?"

He still remembers Elsa's face when he'd told her that he had died.

[anopendoor]

Anna's expression grows a little more serious at that, but it's out of concern for him, not what she's about to hear. She can handle it. With all she's seen and done and been through of late, that, to her, just stands to reason. Besides, she's at least fairly certain that however Jack got his powers isn't how Elsa got hers. "I do," she says, "as long as you're sure."

[moonsummoned]

Jack nods and then puts down the book he was examining. If he's really meant to have it, it'll still be on the table in a few minutes. For now, he gestures to a nearby street bench and sits, waiting for Anna to do the same.

"When I was born, I was human...no powers or anything. I was just your average guy but one day, my sister and I decided to go ice skating."

[anopendoor]

Anna nearly grins, that having been what she and Elsa were doing when they got here. He'd said the story was dark, though, and somehow, she doubts it'll have a happy ending. Instead, she takes a deep breath, one leg tucked up under her so she can better face him on the bench, and nods along. "What happened?"

[moonsummoned]

"It was too warm," Jack explains. "The ice cracked and she was about to fall through. I pushed her off the ice to save her but I fell through..."

Jack looks at her a little uncertain, knowing it's a pretty harsh twist in the story.

"But the Man in the Moon realized what I'd done...so he brought me back to life and gave me these powers."

[anopendoor]

Anna draws in a breath, eyes widening as she looks at Jack. Like he'd said, it is a dark story. What's more, it's one she understands. Since showing up here, she hasn't had much time or occasion to think about what happened before Arendelle thawed, how she'd thrown herself under Hans' sword. Now, though, it's inescapable, even if this is far from the time to mention it.

"I didn't know there was a real man in the moon," she says, voice soft, sympathetic. "So that's why the ice."

[moonsummoned]

"Exactly," Jack replies. He keeps his tone soft, knowing that what he's said is hard to hear, knowing that he and Elsa are so alike in ways.

"But she was my sister. I couldn't just do nothing."

[anopendoor]

"I know," Anna says, just as quiet, before she even realizes the words are leaving her mouth. She hasn't talked about it, not really, not even with Elsa, what happened out on the fjord. Now, much as she might feel for Jack, it's impossible not to think about. "I — I saved Elsa. Not long before we got here."

[moonsummoned]

Jack raises his eyebrows, listening to what Anna has to say. The expression on his face gives him the impression that it had required a massive sacrifice, powered by love.

"You want to talk about it?"

[anopendoor]

"It's a long story," Anna says with an exhale of a laugh, the crooked smile on her face genuine, though there's the slightest of tremors in her voice. Really, she wouldn't even know where to begin explaining it now, the way everything came together — Elsa striking her, Hans and his lies and his leaving her for dead. She's still not sure how so much happened in such a short time. Here, she's been able to put most of it far from her. This is the first time that hasn't been the case. "Someone was trying to kill her, and I... stepped in front of his sword."

[moonsummoned]

Jack reaches out and takes Anna's hand, giving it what he hopes is a comforting squeeze. He doesn't know the exact details. The story isn't exactly the same, but in that moment he thinks that he and Anna really are the same kind of person.

"We'd do anything for the people we love."

[anopendoor]

"Yeah," Anna says with a nod, certain of that much. If she had to go back, she'd do the same thing, without question. That, she thinks, probably says more than any explanation she could try to give it, either to someone else or in her own head. Now that they're here, she thinks it's all that matters, too. "No matter what."