It was later that year, perhaps not too much later when Rapunzel began to get very eager for her birthday. It was usual in the Spring when she was so cheery and so wanting to go outside. Her brother had to admit it that he would take her up on the roof to star gaze. They would speak about her full reason for excitement.
He would never tire of it. He loved to listen to her, considering how much he cared as well.
"Mother always says that it's not worth it, but… Oh… I want to go out of this tower so much…"
The deformed, yet young ginger looked down as he thought of the countless warnings Mother gave.
"…Oh Rapunzel… I know you do… and it… it only scares me more. But…what mother had said…"
"Oh, Quasi, have you ever wondered what was out there?" she asked, looking seriously at him.
He blinked owlishly at her before he narrowed in thought.
"Y-yes…actually…"
"Like… like the Floating Lights… they are coming tomorrow night and… I always wondered what they actually mean."
Quasimodo looked up. He had noticed how hasty Mother was when this subject was brought up. He knew his sister's wants and dreams. They were spoken of over and over and he was…realizing now that she was actually searching and had true desire. As did he, but his view was highly different.
"Stars, we once called them. But they are not…"
"I know, right?" she brightened for a second before she sighed. "It's just… Mother will just … oh…"
Quasimodo did not like the sound of sadness in that voice. The boy furrowed again before the sun went behind the waterfall.
It was then the next day, as normal as it would seem. He wanted to give her something special. But he did not know what. He knew that even stargazing on the roof was breaking the rules, but… it had to be something special. She had such a way with animals at times and as he looked after the flowers on the window sill, he touched something that should have felt soft to him, not… scaly.
The small animal panicked and turned to the likeness of the of the sill, trying hide. The boy gaped for a moment before stroking a finger along its back. It tensed.
It looked to be a tiny reptile. A small dragon. To him, it looked afraid….
Easing his hand away, he began to smile….
"Rapunzel." he then called.
"Quasi?"
"Come! Come over here…"
She gently set the tray of cooling cookies down onto the stove before going him at the window. She smiled at him before seeing what he was looking at. Her mouth turned into that of an O before he laughed. The little lizard hopped onto her finger.
He smiled as the little creature curled as it sat upon her palm.
"Wh-what do you think it is?" he asked, curiously.
"I…I don't know! It is so cute!" she smiled at him and then to it.
It gave a little squeal, either of fear or as in trying to say something. Quasi blinked at it.
"We need to hide him. I don't know what would Mother would say."
Quasi sighed as the small creature gazed up at him with big eyes. He looked at it, perplexed. It seemed to be smart.
"Punz, I… I don't know. I-it's…looking at me funny."
"Aw, no, he's not. He's just likes you." she warmed up, offering the tiny reptilian to the boy.
He seemed a little tensed when the creature was put onto his shoulder. He swore that he heard the creature chuckle when it stood profoundly. Quasi finally laughed and let it crawl into his hand.
"He does!" he praised, gleefully smiling at his sister.
The girl's eyes seemed to light up.
"Oh, I know what he is!" she said, brightly. "He's one of those chameleons! The ones we read. That change color."
The little chameleon clapped its little claws in agreement. Quasi blinked, in amazement.
"He understands..." he uttered and the chameleon grinned slyly at him.
"I wonder what we should name him..."
"H-how...? How about Verde?"
The Chameleon frowned.
"Pastel?" Rapunzel added.
The Chameleon shrugged.
"Alvern?"
The Chameleon shook his little head. The siblings looked at one another.
"He's picky..." Quasi said, making Rapunzel giggle.
"No, he just has taste. How... does... Pascal sound?" she then asked.
The little creature thought deeply and looked unimpressed for a second or two. He then smiled and nodded, curtly. The two giggled.
"Where did you get that name?"
"I read it. It's French, I think."
Quasimodo looked questioning. But he smiled.
"Well... it is very fitting. Pascal."
Pascal looked proud, loving his new name.
"Now, what would Mother think...?"
"...we can hide him. He is quite small."
Pascal hissed and slapped his hand with his tail.
"I-I meant no offense..." Quasi tried not to laugh.
"Yes, he can hide. As long as we don't say anything, right?"
"Yes..." Quasi smiled back at her. "Our room."
"Right! I have somewhere he might like! He can watch the lights with us tonight."
"Quasimodo! You know how I feel about the climbing!" Mother Gothel scolded the young hunchback. Once again.
Quasi nervously rubbed his arm as he listened. He bit his lower lip as he usually did when she lectured.
"B-but... but, I... her -"
"No buts, young man. I told you many times of how dangerous it is."
He sighed.
"Her hair got stuck, m-mother... I wished not to cut it, as you told us..."
Up in the rafters, the secretive new addition to the family, Pascal, watched from above. He looked a bit angry. Rapunzel sighed as she stood at the bedroom door. She softly banged her head on the door frame.
"Well, that is true, isn't it, boy? But you do promise to never climb while I am gone again?"
"...yes, mother... I do promise..." he said, with his head hung low.
"That's my boy... Now get cleaned up. Hazelnut soup shall be ready soon."
He obediently when up the stairs where his sister stood, tensely smiling at him, guilty of getting him in trouble. Again. Gently, he gathered the golden hair the led upward the stair, he joined her.
"Sorry... I only found a new wall to paint..."
"Don't be sorry... Mother is just always upset..."
"I know... But at least she means well..."
"I guess so..." he sighed, sitting on his bed.
Tonight was her birthday, she surely deserved new paints and they found a new friend... The Lights were the most important thing though. It was something they could never miss.
"I...I am-am just very glad you didn't fall..."
"You taught me to climb though." she smiled as the smell of the soup filled the tower. "Y-you didn't get cut, did you?"
"...no..." he smiled. "I was careful..." he nodded, modestly.
She smiled back at him, warmly. He was growing more than she was, although she was older than him. He always looked out for her, never minding to take blame. She felt terrible though. She swiped a strand of gold behind her ear as she sighed, resting her head against her brother's shoulder as Pascal climbed down to them. Quasi smiled at her and smiled more when their new friend had come. He was then reminded of something.
"Y-you know, for tonight... for the lights... I-I've made something..." he said, quieted.
Rapunzel's eyes brightened. But that was before Mother had called them to come down to eat. He pressed a finger to his lips and they nodded to each other before coming down.
Underneath Quasi's bed there was a small lantern with a handmade candle inside... Covered in his bird drawings and a golden flower in its center.