bildungsromans | for watcheslanterns

Really.

[ He's not exactly satisfied to be the bearer of this information. It isn't exactly a secret, which ought to say a lot about how controlling her mother is. Dick can understand protectiveness as a parental impulse, but this... there were red flags from day one. ]

Really, really.

[ He turns to embark towards their destination, certain Rapunzel will follow. ]

And how are you, Pascal?

[ He then addresses Rapunzel, nodding at her. ]

Can I hold him?

[ Rapunzel looks to Pascal, as she follows alongside Dick. He gives her a nod. Rapunzel reaches out one arm and the chameleon skitters down it, jumping over to Dick. Pascal's made a quick study of Dick, and he's pretty sure his reflexes are good enough for a catch. Pascal remembers Dick when he was younger, and so any distrust he might have for a strange man around Rapunzel is somewhat mitigated by remembering the fun they had all had at the circus.

Meanwhile, Rapunzel begins to relax more. Dick is still sort of a stranger to her, especially given the gap in time since they last met, but her memories of him help to calm her nerves. ]

So, the lights...what are they?

Ah, yes. The lights.

[ Dick can't remember the last time he's been able to, well, cut loose and relax like this. The stakes might be high for Rapunzel, but Dick has to admit - his little solo outing has proven to be far more peaceful than the haphazard violence he's been prone to as of late. Righting wrongs is not easy... even with a team of loyal friends.

Before he gets too distracted by Pascal climbing on him and all, Dick regards Rapunzel with a knowing look. ]

They're to honor the memory of the lost princess.

Corona's royal family lost their heir apparent sometime 18 years ago. An inexplicable disappearance, but a kidnapping, no doubt.

[ He takes a moment to let the information sink in. This, after all, might be the first time Rapunzel's ever heard this. ]

[ Rapunzel's eyes widen at Dick's explanation. A princess, kidnapped from her own home? There really were terrible people in the world. Her mother had been right about some things, it seemed. Rapunzel can't imagine why anyone would want to take an innocent child away from their home, from their family. ]

Do they think...I mean, could she still be alive?

[ She's hopeful for a girl she's never met. It's an odd feeling, really. The princess would be her age. She wonders if the princess is looking for something now, just like she is. But if someone could kidnap a child...wouldn't it be equally plausible that they could do something much worse? ]

It's very possible, but. Y'know.

Barbaric times like these? Life expectancy's kinda low. Plagues, wars, famine...

[ Dick hesitates before he drones on about the horrors of the world. He vaguely remembers Rapunzel being spoonfed too much of that stuff back when they were kids. ]

Then again, she could also be perfectly fine. A well-adjusted young adult... like we are.

[ His ironic tone betrays a bitterness that's only festered since his parents' deaths. A bitterness tempered by everything he's gained since then, admittedly, but a bitterness nonetheless. ]

Nevermind that. This should be a good place to camp for the night, then we should be able to reach Corona proper by sundown tomorrow.

[ The spot Dick has identified is a space in the woods where just enough trees stand apart from each other that a campsite becomes viable. Dick's eyes seem well-trained for the darkness, like surveying environments without a sufficient light source is something he's had to get used to.

He doesn't even take long to return with firewood, lighting a fire between himself and Rapunzel. ]

Make yourself at home, I suppose.

[ Rapunzel's temporary good mood wanes somewhat as she listens to Dick's response. She shouldn't be surprised that things really are as dangerous and scary as he mother told her, but she still feels let down. She appreciates Dick's honesty, but just wishes the truth was different.

She looks around the small clearing. Her eyes have adjusted somewhat to the darkness, but she still shivers at the potential nightmares within. She hugs her arms around herself and stays in place while Dick searches for firewood. Only when he's lit the fire does she settle down on the ground. She bends her knees in front of her, then hugs her legs close to her chest. Pascal sits atop her head now, and they both study Dick as he masterfully works the campfire. ]

Do you do this often? Camp out like this?

[ When Rapunzel's features soften in dismay at his words, Dick doesn't fail to notice. ]

Don't get me wrong, Rapunzel. There's still enough life out there worth protecting. I've made a lot of friends you can trust just by fighting for what's right.

[ And that gives him an idea. ]

...In fact, I'm actually surprised I was able to make as many friends as I did. After we see the lights, I can introduce you to them.

[ It also just seems like Rapunzel could use a bigger support network than 'Mother, Chameleon, and That Kid from the Circus Several Years Ago.'

Dick worries about digressing, though, and recalls Rapunzel's question. ]

That said, yes. I do this often, these solo outings.

It gives me time to... think. Process things. [ And occasionally perform reconnaissance on bad people. ]

These days, a lot of people rely on me.

[ Rapunzel studies Dick across the fire. She's still trying to connect the bright, sunny boy she had once known to the jaded man before her now. It's obvious now that it's still him, but something has changed for him, and perhaps not all for the best. ]

Your friends...are they from the circus?

[ She remembers her long ago outing to the circus and how much fun she had had together with Dick. Did he no longer find joy in the work his family pursued? Or had something worse happened? ]

No.

[ He pauses, pensively staring into the glow of the firewood. He casually tends to the flames, before finally regarding Rapunzel with a somber look. ]

They're all outcasts who've lost their way in the world.

Life had other plans for them-- plans they couldn't agree with.

[ Despite all that, he manages a small smirk. ]

It was the same for me.

Not long after you left, and I presume that was your mother's doing, criminals killed my family.

I fled the circus and I've been out for vengeance ever since.

[ Rapunzel's hands fly to her mouth as she gasps. She's imagined such horrible things before thanks to her mother's tutelage, but to hear that something so awful has happened, and to someone she cares about, makes the reality so much worse. ]

I'm so sorry, Dick.

[ If there wasn't a fire she might have reached out to him, but as there is, she settles for her limited words. ]

That must have been awful. I wish...I wish I could have been there for you.

[ Believe it or not, Dick senses Rapunzel's hesitation. His expression doesn't really soften, but he attempts a small smile at her kindness. ]

Likewise.

[ It's not like Rapunzel's out here in the wilderness because her life's been any better. ]

There's nothing we can do about it besides do right by the living. Do right by you.

After a night's rest, I promise to get you where you need to be. To something you deserve to see.

[ Dick's attended the lamtern festival before, back when his parents were still alive. To say it was anything short of beautiful would've done it no justice.

To prepare for the night ahead of them, Dick rummages through his backpack of supplies (he's had one this whole time, but simply brought no attention to it). He pulls out a folded cloth that unfurls into a large blanket... something for picnics, probably. Still, Dick spreads it out and lies down, deliberately occupying the edge furthest from the campfire.

Rapunzel, after all, might need the warmth more than he does. ]

It's not bedding or anything, but I hope it serves.

[ Rapunzel hesitates for a moment before getting up and walking around to the blanket. She sits down, with Pascal settling next to her. She glances over at Dick, uncertainly. ]

Are you alright over there? [ She pulls the bulk of her hair into her lap. ]

I know it probably sounds strange, but my hair will probably keep me warm, if you need to be closer to the fire...?

Thanks, but there's no need.

[ He turns to look at her, but his eyes wander to the fire instead. Rapunzel can see that he's taken off his mask, and this will have been the first time she's seen his eyes in forever. ]

I'm quite used to the cold, and I can also--

[ He pulls the far side of the blanket around himself and rolls until he's bundled up like a burrito. From his position, he looks up at her with a whimsical grin - something like he'd worn when they were both still small. ]

--do this.

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