Rapunzel had been acting like a schizophrenic for the last five hours, she would argue with herself about the justifications of leaving her tower, and then start picking daisies. She would cry in a dank dark cave that gave me the willies and then swing from tree to tree on her hair. I began to wonder how much the chick got out. She kept muttering about her mother.
I soon began to realize Rapunzel must have some kind of abusive overprotective mother. Yet, despites the obvious fact that there was something seriously wrong and awful about her mom, Rapunzel most definitely loved her. She went on and on about how she might hurt her mother. I envied her. It didn't matter how awful her mother might be, at least she hadn't left her.
Both my parents had abandoned me at the age of three; I couldn't even remember what they looked like. I pushed the thoughts away; I tended to avoid thinking about my past.
I wondered how one trip away could get her into so much trouble, and the way she had acted when she got out of that tower had been strange. I decided to ask her later.
I looked over to see that she had now broken down, obviously the over ride of emotions had just become too much. My heart hurt inside my chest, I knew what guilt felt like. I started to walk over to comfort her but I stopped myself. Why would she want to talk to me? Then it occurred to me that I could use this, I could use her pain. It would be cruel and selfish, but my life could very well depend on me bartering that tiara off for food and shelter. If I returned her home now Rapunzel's mother might not even noticed she had left, it would be a win-win scenario.
Taking a deep breath I walked up to her my feet crunching through the grass. She didn't notice as I approached her, her face was buried deep into her hands and she was quietly sobbing, my heart broke at her pain. I almost stopped myself, but remembering her lavish home and my lack thereof I cleared my throat hoping to get her attention. She didn't respond at all except for her sobs quieting slightly. I bent down trying to put on my most reassuring and trustworthy face, if I even had one of those that is.
"You know," I told her, "I can't help but notice that you seem to be a little at war with yourself here," I paused, that was an understatement but I would have to be at least a little kind to her. I put my hand on my chin as if I was really thinking into it.
"What?" she asked me her face red and swollen, yet still gorgeous, coming out her hands.
"Now, I'm only picking up bits and pieces: overprotective mother, forbidden road trip." I looked to her, "I mean this is serious stuff," in my books it really wasn't but I wasn't going to tell her that. She looked up to me raw sadness on her face.
"But let me ease your conscious," I told her with a dashing Flynn Ryder smile, "This kind is part of growing up, a little rebellion, a little adventure." "That's good, healthy even." I said gesturing to her.
"You think?" she asked hope lighting up her features. I suddenly hated Flynn Ryder, what I was about to do was awful, and could very well taint my conscious for the rest of my life.
The lizard had jumped onto my shoulder, I think he was suspicious f me, I knocked him off with a flick of my wrist.
"I know," I told her bending in to look at her. "You're way over thinking this. Trust me." I leaned forward propping my foot up on the rock she was leaning on, she was now smiling at me in admiration, I hated myself.
"Does your mother deserve this?" I asked her, "no." I replied before she could. "Would this break her heart and crush her soul?" I asked, "Of course," I said again responding for her. "But you just have to do it." I crossed my arms smiling at her as if I was an expert talking to a child.
She was looking up at me in horror, she looked as if she was about to start crying again. I sucked on my bottom lip trying to stop myself from taking it all back. I needed to remind myself, this girl was trouble. She had stolen my satchel and was dragging me into the kingdom. If I went with her all that would happen would be me being caught, I would probably hang for stealing the tiara.
Anyways, if she came with me she might be accused of association, they could hurt her to. I trembled at the thought; for whatever reason the idea of Blondie in jail scared me more than the prospect of me dying.
She gasped at my words.
"Break her heart?" she asked.
"In half." I confirmed sadly.
"Crush her soul?" she sobbed.
I turned around picking a wild grape.
"Like a grape." I told her crushing the fruit between my fingers with an audible pop.
"She would be heartbroken." Rapunzel said clinging onto her hair, a million different despairing feelings playing across her face.
"You're right." She said as I lifted her to her feet.
"I am, aren't I?" I said laying the fake misery and gloom on thick.
"Oh bother," I said looking to the side pretending to think into something deeply.
"Alright," I told her, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm letting you out of the deal." Her eyes went wide and she looked up to me in confusion as I turned away to grab her stuff.
"What?" she asked in shock.
I couldn't believe how well she was buying it. Guilt at using her and pride at my deception swirled around me.
"That's right." I stated, "But don't thank me."
I put force into that sentence, if she thanked me I didn't know what I would do. My head was telling me that I had done this kind of thing to girls all the time but my heart told me that doing it to her was different. She was now looking at me suspiciously; despite her inexperience she was very sharp, her doubt in my intentions proved it. It took everything in me to keep the rouse going.
I grabbed her things, slim supplies for leaving home; a frying pan and some sort of reptile, I mean really? It probably wasn't such a bad idea that I was convincing her to go home.
"Let's just turn around and get you home." I told her looking at her mournfully, as if it was I losing my hopes and dreams... ok stop that thought.
I stuffed her things into her hands.
"Here's your pan here's your frog." I rushed the words out taking a moment to regain my act.
I smiled at her now trying to make her see the sense in my idea, also partially trying to not let myself see how dumb and selfish it was. I wanted that satchel too badly to over think it all.
"I get back my satchel," I paused at the thought; I wanted, no, needed my satchel so badly it hurt.
If I didn't get it I would be back on the streets bartering for food. My entire life depended on Rapunzel.
"You get back a mother daughter relationship based on mutual trust." I told her with a smile, it wasn't a terrible deal. She had taken the satchel from me, so it wasn't like I was ripping her off.
"And voila!" I gestured outwards as if selling the perfect future. "We part ways as unlikely friends."
That part was the most important; she couldn't get wrapped up in my messes.
Rapunzel pushed away from me now full on glaring at my smiling face, so much for her buying it.
"No," she said slowly, as if I actually didn't understand
"I am seeing those lanterns." She insisted staring at me annoyed.
"Oh come on!" I whined exasperated. "What is it going to take for me to get my satchel back?!" I put my hand on my hip and leaned in at her irritated.
The frog and she both were looking at me with looks of resentment. She leaned in threateningly.
"I will use this." She warned swinging her frying pan forward so that it was pointed towards my face, I leaned back from the thing my head throbbing at the thought of being hit again.
Suddenly there was a large rustling in the bushes I tilted my head to the side in curiosity, usually animals didn't come this close to people, especially when they were being as loud as we had been. Unlike me, Rapunzel didn't respond with idle curiosity.
About five seconds after we heard the sound she gasped jumping onto my back, I almost fell over as she scrambled to place me in front of her for protection, really she was over reacting.
"Is it ruffians?" she asked her voice trembling in fear. "Thugs? Have they come for me?!"
She was now panicking and had thrust the hand that wasn't clinging to me outwards with the frying pan aloft. It was one of the most awkward and strange piggy backs I had ever had.
The rustling paused for a second and then it grew louder in one moment the source of the sound... hopped out into our view. It was a bunny rabbit, an adorable fluffy tailed little bunny rabbit.
"Stay calm," I drawled. "They can probably smell fear." My sarcasm was thick, mostly because of the many bruises I would probably have in my sides from her sharp elbows.
"Oh," she breathed out the relief and embarrassment heavy in her voice. She carefully disentangled herself from my back. She was clearly flustered.
"Sorry," she said almost like she was tired, happy and yet on the brink of tears, it was a girl emotion, I had seen it before.
I didn't understand it.
"I guess I'm just a little bit jumpy." She said almost like she was going to laugh, there were still tears in her eyes yet she smiled, the scare must have made her forget about her mom, for at least a little while.
I looked at her, her naivety shocking me again, she was so sweet and unaware and yet so... understanding.
"Probably be best if we avoid ruffians and thugs though." I said slowly, stating the obvious.
"Ya..." She said smiling, laughing a little at herself. "That'd probably be best."
Suddenly an idea popped into my head, I almost laughed aloud. My face lit up; I had a new plan.
"Are you hungry? I know a great place for lunch!" My smile, which had been lost before from using her sadness and then being denied and practically assaulted now returned from my ingeniousness.
"Where?" She asked curious.
"Oh don't worry," I told her cheerily, "You'll know it when you smell it."