mother knows best

[powershines]

Rapunzel doesn't sleep well, and she does wind up wrapped up in her hair overnight like a golden-cocooned butterfly. She's still dozing fitfully when the sun comes up.

Comments

[powershines]

Rapunzel elbows Rolan.

[hisowninvention]

"...maybe less missing than it may appear," says Rolan, and he produces the crown and sets it carefully on Rapunzel's head.

[powershines]

"Please don't arrest him."

Hug of arm. Hug hug.

[sundayfish]

"Crown's here, isn't it, why would anybody be getting arrested?"

[hisowninvention]

[powershines]

"Thanks."

[sundayfish]

"All alone in that tower? Except for this - Gothel character?"

[powershines]

"Um. Yes. Until yesterday."

[hisowninvention]

"I'm pretty sure Gothel is the one who took her in the first place," says Rolan. "And I don't know if she might try again. She's... kind of persistent."

[sundayfish]

"Can increase the guard for a while." Cearl gets up. "Rapunzel, you can invite your friend to stay in the palace for a bit, if he makes you feel better. I'll get Ranae. She might - cry, might try to hug you, you don't have to let her if you don't want to."

And he turns to go.

[powershines]

Rapunzel looks up at Rolan.

[hisowninvention]

Rolan smiles down at Rapunzel. "I'll stay."

[powershines]

Armhug. "Thank you."

[hisowninvention]

"You're welcome."

And, what the hell, he puts down his bag and gives her an entire hug. Hugs are important.

[powershines]

Entire hug. "Am I being too - clingy, I can't tell."

[hisowninvention]

"Not at all," he says. Hug hug.

[powershines]

"Okay. Good." She swallows. "He seems nice though, I guess."

[hisowninvention]

"Yeah, he does."

[powershines]

"I guess I can let the queen hug me if she really wants."

[hisowninvention]

"She probably really wants," he says. "But it's okay not to, even so."

[powershines]

"He said. But I'm going to be living with these people, I think is the idea."

[hisowninvention]

"Yeah."

[powershines]

"So it seems like it might be a better idea to do what they want."

[hisowninvention]

"Or," he says, "it could be a good idea to find out they mean it when they say something's okay."

[powershines]

"What if they don't, though?"