bildungsromans | for watcheslanterns

[ Rapunzel doesn't reply. Instead, she moves around the chair and makes her way to where Dick is sitting. She kneels down beside him and bundles up a length of her hair. ]

Just don't say I didn't warn you...

[ Carefully, she takes his wounded ankle and wraps the bundled hair around it. Ignoring any strange looks from Dick, she closes her eyes and sings the healing incantation. Her hair glows, lighting up the entire room.

At her side, Pascal watches, making sure Dick doesn't completely lose it. ]

[ That's oddly ominous, but there's not enough time for Dick to complain as Rapunzel sings, her hair glows, and his leg magically heals.

His eyes widen at the spectacle, hair on his skin rising as he witnesses what's essentially a miracle. ]

You-- you--

[ It's like he's on the verge of a panic attack as he exchanges glances with Pascal, then Rapunzel, then back to Pascal, and-- ]

You have magic powers!? That's so cool!

[ He finally sits upright, appraising his restored leg as Rapunzel's hair unravels around it. He soon stands up, and to test himself, performs a backflip. ]

Wow! Good as new!

[ Dick's seen a lot of things as a member of a traveling caravan, but never anything outright supernatural, like something straight out of myth and folklore. He regards Rapunzel with an inquisitive look, practically on a sugar high with how visibly pleased he is. ]

Are you some kind of demigoddess? What's your name?

Why is this a secret when it's so amazing?

[ In all his naivete, Dick forgets what might necessitate the secrecy surrounding Rapunzel's magic - the 'parent logic.' ]

[ Rapunzel just stares at Dick for a moment, partially awed by his backflip. She's never seen anything quite like it. Part of her wants to clap and cheer, but she knows that she must make sure he knows how serious her secret must stay.

Pascal sees her anxiety, and crawls back to her shoulder to comfort her. ]

My name is Rapunzel...I'm just a girl though. Mother says my magic came from a drop of sun.

[ She blushes slightly at his praise. ]

But it's a secret because people could take me for my power. Bad people.

'Bad people,' huh?

[ Dick remembers how some bandits, Zucco's gang, keep running into Haly's Circus and asking for protection money. Though the Circus members have been strong enough to fight off these bandits, Dick secretly hopes things never escalate.

He tries not to think about it, even though it's been an obvious worry in his parents' minds. ]

Don't worry, Rapunzel. I'll protect you!

[ He shadowboxes, though he's about as threatening as a little boy throwing punches at nothing can be. ]

I'm strong, I'm fast, I'm agile... and you can always heal me if I get my butt kicked!

[ So that he doesn't overdo it, he stops it with the punching and sits back down to meet Rapunzel at eye level - what with her still on the floor. ]

I owe you, after all. It's really nice, what you did for me.

Thank you, friend.

[ Rapunzel laughs at his show. His confidence and playful manner puts her more at ease. Pascal, too, watches in amusement. It seems Dick has won the chameleon's approval.

Her heart flutters at the word "friend". Pascal is her only friend in the world, and while she loves him dearly, having friends her own age, her own species, is something she's dreamed of for a long time - almost as much as seeing the floating lights. ]

Can we...I mean, are we really friends?

[ Dick collapses on the floor underneath him, crossing his arms underneath his head as he stares at ceiling. ]

We're friends now, that's for sure.

[ He doesn't stay that relaxed for long, tilting his head to look at her. ]

Unless you need time to think about it. I mean, I am a complete stranger.

But maybe I could change that if I showed you the circus? Introduced you to my friends and family?

[ Rapunzel considers Dick, and after a moment flops down on to the floor as well. The ceiling is a familiar sight for Rapunzel. She hasn't gotten all the way up there yet, but she imagines one day she will so she can paint more. As it is now there's a smattering of paintings on the walls and on some of the rafters. ]

I've never had a friend other than Pascal.

[ Pascal curls up in some of Rapunzel's hair, confident in his place.

Rapunzel turns her head and looks sadly at Dick. ]

I don't...no. I couldn't do that. I'd like to, but...

[ Her voice trails off into a tiny puff of a sigh. ]

[ Dick gives Rapunzel a look of concern, somewhat mystified at what could possibly be stopping her. ]

But what?

[ Before she can answer, though-- ]

Hey, wait. Before you tell me, if you wanna tell me...

My only real friend before you and Pascal is an elephant. Her name's Sitka, and she's amazing!

[ It's hard for a lot of the other circus members to count as 'friends' (the way kids ought to think of friends) when they're more like Dick's 'extended family.'

There's also nobody in his age group at Haly's Circus, which doesn't help matters. ]

[ Rapunzel's eyes go wide. She flips on to her side, in Dick's direction. Pascal also peeks up with curiosity. ]

An elephant? Really? She must be wonderful! I've only ever read about them. What is she like?

[ Her expression glows with delight. All thoughts of answer his initial question have temporarily floated away. ]

Gigantic.

I love doing back-flips on her, and doing handstands on the tip of her trunk. She also likes flinging me onto handles and platforms.

And believe it or not, but she's not a fan of peanuts, and she isn't afraid of mice.

[ He glances at Rapunzel's other friend, wearing a teasing smirk. ]

Don't know how she'd feel about Pascal, though.

[ Likewise, Dick's not sure how to feel about the wonderment in Rapunzel's eyes. His uncertainty isn't negative by any means, he's just-- there's butterflies in his stomach he's never felt before, and he's unsure what to make of that. He's never even been one for performance anxiety! ]

I think you'd love it. Haly's Circus, I mean.

You sure you can't come see it? Even for a little bit? After the leg thing, the least I can do is get you a free ticket to the next show.

[ Rapunzel can just picture the elephant in her head. She can almost hear the crowd applauding their tricks and stunts. Yearning tugs at her heart as she imagines a world she's never even seen. ]

It sounds wonderful.

[ She sighs then. ]

My mother wouldn't like it. She doesn't want me leaving the tower.

Well, my folks don't want me leaving camp for long, yet here I am.

I mean, [ He chuckles lightly, ] I was only supposed to get firewood.

[ He looks around for a second, wondering if Rapunzel's mother is bound to show up at any moment. Maybe she's as nice as her daughter, but just really protective? ]

Aw, that's okay. I understand if, like, she wants to be there to keep an eye on you.

Which is why she can come, too!

[ Little does he know, of course... ]

[ Rapunzel's eyes widen, her expression stricken. She could never picture her mother taking her out on any excursion, let alone one where crowds of people would be - possibly ruffians! Or thugs! ]

No. She wouldn't do that.

[ She shakes her head solemnly. ]

It's my hair. She doesn't want anyone to hurt or take me for it's magic.

Hmm...

[ Dick takes a moment to come up with some crafty plan. He’s had no outlet for such things, but he bets that had he the right mentor, he’d totally be a master strategist! ]

Well, nobody at Haly’s needs to know you’ve got magic hair.

Maybe braiding it will bring less attention to it? Because I can help with that!

[ Dick seems very determined about this. And who can blame him? Rapunzel’s the first friend he’s ever met that’s his age! ]

See, even if we’ve gotta sneak you out or something, I think the circus would be fun. Your mom doesn’t have to know!

[ Rapunzel sits up and tucks her knees close to her chest. She sucks at her bottom lip as she considers the possibilities. She knows that her mother won't be home for a few more days. And it didn't sound like the circus is very far away. Could she really go against her mother's wishes this one time?

If Dick is right, it really wouldn't be any danger at all. The siren call of the sights and sounds of the circus are tempting, especially to a curious child like Rapunzel.

She glances at Pascal, silently imploring him for his opinion. The chameleon, for his part, has no doubt in his mind. He firmly nods his head. They should go.

Then she looks back to Dick, concern still in her eyes. ]

Are you sure it would be safe? Really, really sure?

Very sure. So sure I can swear it on Zitka's soul!

[ Dick's grin now looks a bit more anxious than mischievous, though. ]

We're not setting up the Big Top till tomorrow evening, so you can come then.

Everyone from Corona's gonna be there. Even the King and Queen!

[ He eyes the window, wondering how worried his parents must be at this point. An energetic kid like himself has a way of losing track of time. ]

Just think about it, Rapunzel. I gotta head back, but it was nice meeting you.

[ He finally sits up and gets back on his feet. He waits before he decides to look out the window for any reason. ]

Mind if I use your hair to get down?

[ She doesn't think that an elephant's soul is something someone like Dick would take lightly, so the assurance helps. His promise, and Pascal's enthusiasm is enough to convince her. ]

Okay. I will.

[ She nods and gets to her feet. She's a little sad that Dick is leaving so soon, but the prospect of seeing him later helps. She pulls her hair together and whips it over the support hook outside the window. ]

It was nice meeting you, too, Dick. Be careful on your way back, though.

No promises.

[ A beat. ]

...Kidding, of course!

Though I think I'll take any excuse to come see you again, even if that means getting injured.

You and Pascal.

[ Before he spends another moment dilly-dallying, he grabs hold of Rapunzel's hair and rappels down the tower wall. As he descends, he still looks back up at Rapunzel and waves with his free hand. ]

Bye, Rapunzel!

I'll come back when the Big Top is ready!

[ Rapunzel leans out the window so that she can watch Dick move away from the tower. She waves at him, her heart full of hope. ]

I'll see you then!

[ For now, it would be safe for him to return. If they were going to try another visit though, Rapunzel was going to have to figure out some way to warn him if her mother was home or not. Her mind was already whirring with idea.

Pascal hops down on the window ledge and leans is head against Rapunzel's arm.

Rapunzel smiles. She was going to leave her tower. ]

[ Dick had realized communication might be a concern, especially if Rapunzel needs to warn him about her mother's presence. So before he's even halfway down the tower, he climbs back up using Rapunzel's hair. ]

Okay, I swear I'll leave, but Haly's Circus has messenger pidgeons.

In the future, I could leave one with you, and you'd just have to attach a note to it and it'll fly back to me.

And any time I return, I'll give you a new pidgeon to use for the next occasion.

[ Never mind the fact that Rapunzel's gonna have to hide the pidgeon or keep it quiet whenever Gothel's around, though... ]

And with that, I bid you adieu. For real, this time.

[ Once Rapunzel has her say, Dick rappels down the tower with her hair once more, and finally follows through. He makes it home safe with some firewood, and spends the whole evening glowing with excitement for his visit the next day. ]

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