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

[sundayfish]

"Mm-hm. You do seem maybe more competent at looking out for her than anybody who was on duty eighteen years ago, is all."

[hisowninvention]

"I do guard pretty effectively, when it comes to it." He smiles briefly, then shakes his head. "I like it best of all when I don't need to, though."

[sundayfish]

"'Course."

[hisowninvention]

"I - really, really don't like to hurt people."

[sundayfish]

"Good at it, though."

[hisowninvention]

"Very," he agrees with a sigh.

[sundayfish]

"Wanna tell me how?"

[hisowninvention]

"Natural talent. And more practice than I ever wanted. I strongly prefer running away, but... sometimes you don't get the chance."

[sundayfish]

"Mm."

[hisowninvention]

"Mm?"

[sundayfish]

"Nothing."

[hisowninvention]

"Okay."

[sundayfish]

Cearl gets up from the breakfast table, looking pensive.

[hisowninvention]

Rolan declines to inquire. He stays put for a second or two, and then gets up himself.

[powershines]

Rapunzel is in the library as predicted. Reading.

She looks up and smiles just a little bit when she sees Rolan come in.

[hisowninvention]

"Hi," he says on the approach. "Your father noticed I'm in love with you - one of those times when I smiled - but he hasn't said a word about it, so I'm not sure what he thinks. He seems okay with me sticking around, though. He got the whole story of how I found you out of me and then asked me how I'm so good at violence if I hate it so much."

Is there somewhere to sit, comfortably close by? Why yes there is. How convenient.

[powershines]

"How can you tell he noticed if he didn't say anything?"

[hisowninvention]

"He got a look when he saw me smile. It's hard to describe - I come by these things through experience; I don't usually think of them in words. But it was a noticey look. And it's a fairly obvious smile."

[powershines]

"It is that."

[hisowninvention]

"Yep."

[powershines]

"There are so many books here."

[hisowninvention]

"Yeah. Having fun?"

[powershines]

"It's kind of overwhelming, but it's also nice to have all these choices about what to read."

[hisowninvention]

"Well, maybe the overwhelmingness will go away with time."

[powershines]

"Maybe."