when will my life begin

[powershines]

In the morning, Rapunzel is not disturbed until she has had a little while to go over her coded notes from last night (letter by letter - she will learn to read this just like she learned to read printed notes, but neither task is quick) and has opened the door.

The guards posted there - they've changed in the night, she notices - tell her that she's invited to take breakfast with her parents in the dining hall.

Comments

[kindestgarden]

The royal parents have apparently delayed beginning their breakfasts until their child's arrival.

"Good morning, Rapunzel. Rolan," says Ranae. She may have rehearsed this, whether to avoid saying "Claribel" or some longer suppressed paragraph is unclear.

[sundayfish]

"I think you'll like the food," guesses Cearl, serving himself a fried egg.

[hisowninvention]

"Good morning," says Rolan. He sits; he forages.

[powershines]

Rapunzel watches everyone take food and imitates them tentatively. She takes an egg and some bread and some fruit and a sausage and then proceeds to be very self-conscious about her table manners until she has watched her mother eat some of all of those things.

[hisowninvention]

Rolan is considerably more casual.

"I like the food," he announces, very shortly after trying it.

[powershines]

"It's good," agrees Rapunzel.

[kindestgarden]

"Torea's a treasure."

[hisowninvention]

"I'm seeing that. I should make friends," he says.

[sundayfish]

"Rapunzel, anything you want and don't have besides the things that are in the tower?"

[powershines]

"Oh, uh." She squints at her notes. "I might like - proper music lessons? I have my piccolo with me and my voice obviously, even if guitar and xylophone would have to wait. And - my hair does the - healing thing. If there's some kind of hospital I could go to - with guards, as many as you want to send, I'm nervous too it's only - it could be really useful."

[sundayfish]

"We'll get you a music teacher. I'll want to talk to the captain of the guard about security logistics sending you to a hospital. Well thought of, though."

[hisowninvention]

Rolan smiles The Smile.

[sundayfish]

Her dad notices.

But doesn't say anything.

[powershines]

"Okay. Torea gave me notebooks and pens last night and there were candles and blankets and things already in my guest room. Um, the tower should have the rest of my clothes in it, but if they aren't going to be sufficiently princessy I guess I should have princessy ones. I remember there was a library in the tour yesterday, can I read things in it?"

[kindestgarden]

"Oh, sweetheart, of course you can. And I'll send a seamstress by to get your measurements later today."

[hisowninvention]

Rolan considers announcing his intention to make clothes for Rapunzel, and then decides against it.

[powershines]

"Okay. I'll probably be in the library most of today, I think."

[sundayfish]

"All right. Lunch is around half past noon, same place. Dinner at seven. We're holding off the various nobility who want to meet you, take your time settling in."

[powershines]

"Thanks."

[hisowninvention]

Rolan smiles another smile, this one of appreciation for Rapunzel's family.

[powershines]

"Are they very impatient? Why do they want to meet me, do they want to - ask me questions or just get a closer look or what?"

[kindestgarden]

"Some of both, and some of them just don't like that they aren't allowed to bother you whenever they like. It will do them some good to have to wait."

[hisowninvention]

[powershines]

"Okay. Well, none of the things I've said about where I was and what I was doing are secrets, if they're curious. But - thank you."

[sundayfish]

"You're welcome."