As Rapunzel and her friends are on the journey to figure out the secret behind the black rocks, Varian is kept locked up.
Lashanie stays in Corona to be by his side, for she's sure that this is the time he needs her the most, with everything else falling apart beneath their feet.
She's on her way to Varian, even though her daily visits aren't welcome, neither to the guards nor to her parents. But at this point she doesn't even care anymore. All that has happend, all this mess that's left - she still can't sort out her thoughts on that day Varian unleashed all his anger on the royal family and got arrested for it. There are questions circling endlessly in her head. When did he start to think in such destructive ways, how come she didn't notice how deep his despair went and how much his anger already had poisened his mind, and was there anything she could have done?
But dwelling in the past won't get them out of this nightmare, not her, or Varian and for sure not the poor Quirin.
Dark clouds start to gather in the sky while she slowly walks her path. Lashanie looks up for a moment, feeling the first drops of rain gently landing on her face. A deep breath and she continues her way. The rain grows stronger as she speeds up her steps, pulling the hood of her cape into her face.
Her parents will be mad when they realize she sneaked out of their new home once again. And though it's the smallest problem in the world, to have her parents yell at her, she wants to hurry this time, so it might go unnoticed she was gone again. She hasn't been a good daughter, not even a good person, lately and her conscience feels like a heavy rock rolling down on her. Still there is nothing she wouldn't do to help her friend.
The puddles on the street leave her feet wet and the cape is also almost soaked, but it's not far anymore, she can already see her destination.
Never would she have thought she'd be stealing or breaking into other peoples homes, never! Anyway she has to find answers, since Varian can't do it himself now and the easiest way to find them, without leaving him alone here, is to seek knowledge. There has to be some clues, something usefull, out there in the private libraries of those scholars, or in the books and papers she's stolen from careless merchants. Sometimes she takes them with her to Varian, not the big ones though, because the guards wouldn't let her near him with anything suspicious, she knows that for sure, as she already tried to bring him some of his stuff.
He always asks where she's got them from, having this skeptical, concerned look on his face and then she feels even worse for stealing. Giving him more things to worry about, is the last thing she wants. And he's probably starting to see, that she doesn't get them in a normal way, but what else should she do then, when normal isn't an option at this point anymore.
She has arrived at the gate and the guards are staring down at her.
Guard: You again!? I've already told you this isn't a tavern you can visit whenever you like.
Lashi: I know...
She looks down to the floor.
Guard: Fine! Go in, but you won't stay till night falls this time!
Lashi: Thank you!
She nods witha smile, then hurries past them.
It's embarrassing to play the sheepish, weak girl for those guys, but talking back doesn't do her any service here. The only time she's tried that, they left her standing outside for the next few days. It still bothers her to think back to this, because Varian probably thought she gave up on him, breaking her promise. As if she could ever do that...
Every step she takes, echoes back from the walls. Even her breath causes an echo, a noise that has become a well known companion.
With every passing day, she's more sure that her loyality for Varian, the loyalty that keeps her going, is not just because of their friendship, but because she's fallen in love with her friend.
It's not that she didn't want to see it, back when everything was fine, she just couldn't. Maybe she took all their happy times for granted. There was not one moment, when she spend a single thought on getting seperated.
This is just one more of those things, that make her stomach feel sick, thinking about it for too long. How could she be so blind?
Damn those accusations and unanswered questions that fill her head!
But as she doesn't want Varian to worry anymore, than he already does, she won't tell him about her feelings now. Not before there is some place in his mind for things like that again. Hopefully this day will be there soon.
Just a few steps more. Her heart is racing, like it always does, everyday when she comes here to see him. No matter how long it will take to get their lifes back into their own hands, she knows for sure, she won't leave his side.
Lashanie walks towards Varian, with a gentle smile on her face.
Lashi: Varian.
...
