AN: We reached over 100 reviews last chapter! Yipee! Thank you, so much, to everyone who has been following and reviewing my story. You all play a big a part in making this tale as I do.
A big thank you to LilRockerStar for suggesting this chapter's first song. Would never have found it without you, and it fit marveously.
Links:
Song#1- youtube at .com/watch?v=Idtl6XpAioc
Song#2- youtube at .com/watch?v=LcxYwwIL5zQ
Disclaimer: Don't own Tangled, any of its elements, or the songs I base mine off of (in this chapter), which are all property of Disney.
The room was tenebrous. Every wall seemed to be painted with shadows and monsters. Sinister faces faded in and out of the darkness all around her. The planet seemed to be shaking. She heard a million murmurings outside, the volume of which banged on her ear drums painfully. The scents of blood and flowers bombarded her nostrils. Everything was completely normal and as it should be.
"You just never learn, do you Rapunzel?" an intimidating voice spoke from behind.
Rapunzel turned, but no one was there. She was all alone in her spacious tower, just as she usually was. The loneliness sent a weird chill through her; like old man winter was breathing down her neck.
"I am getting so sick of her." the Queen stated. Rapunzel spun towards the voice, and was met with a window. Beyond the glass portal were her parents conversing, unknowing of their daughter's presence.
"I know dear, I know. It seems we have to do everything for her; she's just so weak and helpless. Let's just hope these tutors can salvage what little brain she has." the King cruelly consoled.
"I don't think even they can save her. They'll probably get really tired of her really, really fast. And then there's her coronation coming up; I just know it's going to be a disaster." the Queen ranted angrily.
"Now even Roseanne is getting sick of her. Did you see how depressed she was? It's obviously all Rapunzel's fault. Poor Roseanne. It's so sad too; Roseanne is so much more intelligent and lady like. She actually knows how to act like a princess; she has been here for all her life, she is actually our daughter! Not like Rapunzel. It feels like she doesn't really belong to us."
"I know what you mean. It just doesn't feel like she is ours; she doesn't really belong here. It would have been better if she had stayed in that tower. She would have stayed warm, safe, and loved. She just can't handle this lifestyle."
"Do you see now, flower? They don't want you." Suddenly the scene around Rapunzel dissolved, and Rapunzel could no longer breathe. She was drowning. Lost in an endless ocean of darkness. Rapunzel struggled against the currents, but they were too strong. They pushed and pulled her, roughly yanking her everywhere. With every tug, it seemed, a voice whispered in her ear something horrible.
"You are an awful princess."
"He doesn't really love you."
"You are so retarded."
"Everyone hates you. You are just so annoying."
"Why don't you just leave us alone?"
"Go die."
Rapunzel kept fighting, but the water seemed to grow heavier with each passing second. All of her guilt and insecurities increased the level of gravity, and Rapunzel found herself sinking. She was sure she was going to die; but then a hand grabbed hers.
The scene shifted, and now Rapunzel lay on a bright and sunny beach, coughing the gray gunk out of her. She lay down, exhausted. Her forest eyes were met with the sight of her real mother in her youthful glory, her red dress soaked from her successful rescue. Gothel smiled down with nothing but caring crafted upon her face.
"Are you OK dear?" Gothel inquired softly.
"How...how did you...?" was all Rapunzel could manage before a wave of exhaustion claimed her consciousness.
The entrances to her sight caverns opened as her mind was half fetched from the realms of dreams. She felt so sweaty...everything was so uncomfortable all of a sudden. Drops of sadness leaked from Rapuzel's eyes. She pulled herself up and tried to chase the nightmares away from her vision. Pascal, turning a blue color to match the mood, placed a comforting hand upon hers.
She had struggled to submit to slumber, Eugene now being banned from her room. ("I made an exception once, but it is not proper for two unwed people to sleep with each other," the Queen had said.) This had the unfortunate side affect of Rapunzel battling her dreams again. For some reason, she just couldn't sleep peacefully without Eugene being nearby.
"What's wrong, dear? Do you want to talk about it?" Gothel asked, embracing her daughter. Rapunzel, half asleep, found nothing odd about her real mother being there.
"Mother..." Rapunzel sighed happily. Pascal squeaked his protest, before Rapunzel put a pillow on top of him in a daze. She wanted to silence reality.
"You're still very scared, aren't you Rapunzel?" Gothel said comfortingly.
"Yes mother." It seemed positively foolish to disagree with anything her mother said.
"Have you thought at all about what I suggested?"
"Yes mother. It's just...I don't want to." Rapunzel managed to say, fighting desperately through the morose haze around her.
"You don't want to?" Gothel asked with more menacing, puling out of the embrace. "You don't want to avenge your poor mother's death? You want to stay here and be trapped the rest of your life?"
"I...don't know." Rapunzel admitted. Gothel sighed, putting her hand to her face in annoyance. She was starting to lose their patience; breaking Rapunzel was taking far too long. Gothel decided to try and fast forward the process.
"I guess we'll just have to start off small." Gothel removed the pillow over Pascal. Pascal had fallen unconscious from the lack of air under the large obstruction. Gothel roughly picked him up and put him in Rapunzel's hands. Rapunzel cradled the chameleon softly; far too softly for Gothel's liking.
"Kill the frog."
"What?"
"Kill the frog. Strangle the little devil. He helped kill your poor old mother; he tripped me out of the tower. He needs to pay. He has been trying to trap you in here, he has been making you suffer. Murder him now." Gothel voiced, rising in ferocity. To help her along, Gothel grabbed Rapunzel's hands and squeezed, in turn strangling the air from the small creature.
Rapunzel looked down at her long time best friend. After Gothel released, Rapunzel continued the pressure on him for a short while, not being fully aware of her actions. She battled against her inner demons; warred against the last bit of her heart that belonged to Gothel. "No...this is wrong. I...I won't do it." Rapunzel gently placed Pascal back onto the mattress.
Gothel tried to reign her fury in. With a snap of her fingers, Rapunzel fell back to sleep. "More nightmares now, flower. You'll be mine soon enough." Gothel faded away from the dimension of the living once more.
"Now, now, dear, it will be alright. You can still be good friends." the Queen comforted her grieving daughter.
"But...I really thought...it could be something more." Roseanne whimpered from her her mother's lap. Before bedtime, the Queen had come up to her youngest daughter's room to confront her about her moodiness. After much arguing, Roseanne had explained her feelings towards the former thief. Now the Queen did her best to console the grieving girl.
"It is for the best, darling. Someday, you will find someone who will love and cherish you for you. Just feel happy that your sister has found that, and that you have found a friend." the Queen attempted, not realizing her error in her words.
"Is that all I'm supposed to do now? Feel good for my sister?" Roseanne asked quietly, the sadness leaving her voice to be replaced by an icy blizzard.
The Queen tried to recover, seeing the monster of envy rising within the small princess. "Of course not. We just can not be selfish with either of them. Roseanne, I can see you're feeling jealous, but-"
"I'm not jealous. I just don't see why she can get everything she's always dreamed of and I can't." Roseanne defended poorly.
"You will accomplish your dreams, Roseanne. You've just go to keep working on them in a healthy way, without hurting others. And no matter what, dear, we love you just as much as we do Rapunzel." the Queen sighed, grabbing the sad girl by the shoulders and gently pulling Roseanne out of her lap. "It's getting late. Why don't you get some rest and we can talk more in the morning. Does that sound alright, or do you want me to stay here a while longer?"
"I think I'll be all right now, mommy. Thank you." Roseanne hugged her parent with a lot less enthusiasm than she normally would, overcome with tiredness. The Queen returned the embrace, kissing her beloved child on the forehead.
After her mother had left the room and Roseanne was left with a single candle as her source of light in the engulfing darkness. Rosanne closed her eyes, and as visions attacked her, she sung in reflection:
I've always dreamed
That my life could be
Like a fairy-tale
A perfect fantasy
As she said this, her mind produced images of her desires. She was meeting a faceless man who cherished her like no one had before. She was dancing with him at a royal ball. He was proposing to her. She finally had someone that fully understood her, that was never too busy to be with her. Someone that could always have fun with her, that was her age, that was not stuffy and boring. He was handsome and awesome and perfect. Suddenly, the faceless man became Eugene.
And one day I'd find my true love,
He'd come riding to my door She dreamed of Eugene riding a white stallion, knocking on her bedroom door and whisking her off her feet as she squealed in glee.
Is it nothing more
Than a dream? She opened her eyes, ending the vision, returning to the freezing and dark reality.
Then one magic day,
With a single glance,
I thought I found my storybook romance, Rosanne turned and small, recalling her first walk with Eugene and the fun filled day they spent together out in the gardens.
And for once my life was perfect,
I felt warmed right to my core
And it was so much more Roseanne recalled Eugene's words earlier that evening, and her momentary feeling as to what their relationship was.
So much more than a dream
I could say that it was nothing, Roseanne's mind flew to her converse with her mother, encouraging her to drop any romance with the claimed Eugene.
Just a dream from the start, Rosanne buried her head into her pillow before proceeding:
But then I'd live my life,
Live against my heart. She softly placed a hand against her chest, struggling to side with her rebellious love pumper.
Follow my dreams...why can't I just keep following them to Eugene? Why should Rapunzel be the only one who can win the prince's heart? Maybe Eugene and Rapunzel aren't meant to be together. Maybe it's me that Eugene is supposed to be with. Rosanne took on new conviction suddenly, finding strength within herself. She did not know whether Eugene and her could be together, but she was never the type to just give up so easily. She sprung up from her bed in her new found energy, singing much more loudly to reinforce herself:
Cause in Eugene's dear smile The handsome smiling face of Eugene Rider filled her mind.
I found a love I can't deny
If there's any chance I'll claim romance,
I simply have to try
So I'll trust my heart, Roseanne grinned as she felt said organ working overdrive now that it knew it had her full support.
What else can I do?
I can't live in dreams
If my dreams are to come true
Rosanne fell down into bed, her vocal cords becoming exhausted. She closed her eyes and began to dream again, whilst singing more softly:
There's my destiny that's waiting, Eugene and her were standing at the altar, both saying "I do."
And it would be such a crime
To not take this chance on love,
to get my happy ending time
Roseanne's fists balled together.. Rage rose inside her as she again recalled what Eugene had said earlier. She sung the last lines with some added fierceness, meaning them as she had never meant anything before:
And we'll be so much more,
So much more
Than a dream
"Just a little longer now, my darling. Soon, I will correct my mistakes." Vincent said as he flew across his medical office, preparing it for the guest of honor that would be coming shortly. After dreaming of it his entire life, he would finally get a chance to examine the flower up close.
Vincent had come to the conclusion that just because her hair was no longer blonde, did not mean the power had left her body. He figured that the flower in question was now ingrained in her genetics, and would never actually leave her, even if some of the flower-indicating characteristics changed. Something that would require more proof, no doubt, but he was about to get the chance now.
After finishing his set up, Vincent turned to the picture of his lost lover, who was still smiling down at him. But there was something in her eyes. Something...critical. She was not pleased with his actions.
"Stop looking at me like that." Vincent mumbled.
Vincent...What are you doing? a whisper in the winds of his brain.
"What I have to do!"
Vincent...you need to stop and think.
"I'm tired of stopping and thinking! I've been waiting so long Maria," a tear went down Vincent's cheek "Suffering for so long. After everything...you don't know what it's been like, having to wait, unable to do anything about this guilt. I can't pause now; I can't, I just can't."
She is not an object...she has feelings, dreams like you.
"She has to sacrifice her life to this! It is sad, but the needs of one do not outweigh the needs of millions! She will do what I say whether she likes it or not!" Silence. Cruel, murdering, silence. Vincent realized he was talking to nothing, yet talking to everything.
She is also a patient.
Vincent sighed and collapsed into his chair. "Alright. Fine. You win, Maria. I know, I know. It's just so hard to stay good...you were always my better half. I'll consider her feelings. I'll be good. I'll take things slow. She will do this because she wants to, not because I do. And if she does not want to do this..." Vincent gulped. "...I'll leave her alone." he barely managed.
Maximus had been having a rough couple of days. Though the guards had stopped their poor treatment of him after learning that he had really had been escorting the lost princess, that didn't stop the other horses from laughing at him every chance they got. They didn't want to believe anything he had to say on his adventure. He had aided a wanted thief, and thus he now had less than a quarter of the respect he once commanded. No matter how Maximus pleaded with his fellows, they just would not listen.
What got under his skin the most was the taunting of that damn temptress black mare, Maia. Maia was another royal horse who always seemed to go out of her way to ignore Maximus. "You found the lost princess? Neigh! You wish, fleabag." She'd say as she walked by him in the stables, strutting her rear. Maximus would respond with a low growl, but be unable to act, considering Maia's rather high ranking amongst the pecking order of the horses. She was...
"Hi Maximus. Sorry I haven't come to see you before now." Maximus was shaken from his morning contemplation as Rapunzel walked into the royal stables, apple in hand. Maximus would normally be delighted, but Rapunzel looked absolutely awful. Messy bed hair, deep bags under her eyes, and a distinctly gloomy expression. He neighed in concern, before accepting her apple timidly.
"I'm fine Maximus," Rapunzel answered. "I'm just a little-," Rapunzel's lie was interrupted with a wide yawn. "-tired, that's all."
Maximus snuffed his disapproval of the matter, trying to encourage her to go rest or get help on this.
"It's fine, really. If it makes you feel any better, I'm going to see a doctor today, alright?" Maximus gave her distrusting look. "I promise." Rapunzel reassured, causing Maximus to snort a "Fine."
"So has everyone been treating you well?" Rapunzel asked concernedly, hugging his neck and stroking it.
Maximus, unable to resist the temptation of having someone listen to his problems, shook his head, neighing a "No."
"Aww. Who's been bullying you?" Rapunzel pressed, stroking his neck a bit harder in comfort.
"Who's the girl, fleabag?" neighed Maia, the first horse in the stable to awaken at their early-morning visitor. It was mostly incomprehensible to Rapunzel (who could only detect a questioning), but it rang loud and clear to Maximus.
Maximus smirked suddenly, seeing a glorious opportunity to one-up Maia. "She is the lost princess." Maximus responded in a loud chain of neighing. Maia just laughed that away, causing Maximus to growl lowly.
"Who is that horse, Max?" Rapunzel asked, sensing a lot of tension between the two. Her question was answered by a thoroughly unexpected source.
"Heya sis. What are you doing here?" Roseanne inquired, walking in. She was a mirror reflection of her sister; looking quite clean and pretty, as she always did. It did well to hide her tumultuous feelings beneath the surface.
Maia, meanwhile, grew a wide-eyed look. Sis? Maximus laughed harshly at her as the truth in his words were proven.
"I could ask you the same question." Rapunzel stated, managing a small smile. "I'm here to see my good friend Maximus." Rapunzel emphasized her point by patting the happy horse.
"Well, I'm here to see a friend too." Roseanne answered, as she fed the rather perturbed horse Maia an apple. "This is my horse, Maia." Roseanne stated, petting the beautiful black horse's neck softly.
Maia snorted an arrogant "That's right." Maximus and Maia had a glaring contest over the shoulders of the two princesses.
"She's beautiful." Rapunzel complimented, before noticing the looks Maia and Maximus were giving each other. "Calm down, Max." Rapunzel tried to soothe the angry beast to little avail."
"Maia, stop glaring." Roseanne ordered. Maia snorted and turned her head away from Maximus, before grabbing the apple from Roseanne's hand and chewing it slowly.
Maximus growled angrily, turning his head away as well, leaving two somewhat confused royals alone to talk.
"You look kind of down, sister. What's wrong?" Roseanne enquired.
"Couldn't get a lot of sleep last night. Bad dreams." Rapunzel muttered quietly. She didn't really want to elaborate on them; in fact she could barely remember what she had dreamed last night. Just that horrifying things kept happening, and her mother had always been there to save her.
Roseanne was conflicted on how to respond to this. On the one hand, the sisterly and caring side of her demanded that she go and comfort Rapunzel. The more bitter side, however, said that Rapunzel was a rival now, and was taking away the attention from Roseanne.
The angel in her mind barely managing to overcome the devil, Roseanne approached Rapunzel and timidly placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Do you want to talk about it?" Roseanne said without much enthusiasm. Rapunzel gently shook her head, not wishing to summon up her inner demons again. Maximus whinnied sadly from behind the pair.
A strange awkwardness settled between them. Jealousy and bitterness was creating a wall that was difficult to overcome. "I...should get going. Lots to do." Roseanne simply said, not desiring to stay in the strange new air. Without another word, Roseanne ran out of the stables, the awakened inhabitants looking at the girl oddly.
Rapunzel merely stood there, the Gothel within her grinning.
"Hello?" Rapunzel asked nervously as she entered the room, Pascal reflecting her fear atop her shoulder. This doctor was a rather intimidating presence, and Rapunzel had no idea what a doctor's appointment entailed. It was oddly spacious, empty, and grim; various book shelves pushed to one end, a few desks, chairs, and a bench pushes to another. A fireplace roared in one corner of the room. The only color seemed to come from a single painting of a woman, hanging in the very center of the wall opposite to the door.
"Aaa, Rapunzel. Come, have a seat here." Vincent said as he arose from his chair, the back of which had been facing Rapunzel. He gestured towards a small padded bench. He looked very happy, with an oddly warm smile on his face. It reminded Rapunzel of a bright, sunny day. It looked oddly out of place in the largely gray room.
Rapunzel gingerly took a a seat on the bench. It was actually pretty comfortable. As Vincent placed a chair in front of the bench, sat down, and dug into a small bag, Pascal glared at him from atop Rapunzel's shoulder. Vincent sat up straight, surprisingly lifting nothing from his bag, before analyzing the patient. He was at first drawn to the green thing growing out of the shoulder. "And who is that little chameleon?" Vincent inquired calmly.
"Oh, uh, this is Pascal. My best friend." Rapunzel stated. Pascal made a squeaking noise as if to say "That's right."
"He's rather cute. Reminds me of a friend I had once. He seems quote protective," Rapunzel and Pascal were shocked at his collected and friendly reaction. "Well, as long as he doesn't interfere with this appointment, I don't mind him around. I take medical care very seriously. Tell me; have you ever had a doctor's appointment before?"
"No. I never really needed it, I guess." Rapunzel didn't elaborate on how her magic hair had been the reason for that, now knowing it would be unwise.
"That simply doesn't do. Everyone needs to see a doctor once in a while. Oh well. I'll say this won't be a complicated affair; just a simple inspection for your first visit. Now, you are looking pretty run down, I must say. Much worse than yesterday. Something happen? Nightmares perhaps?" Vincent pressed.
Rapunzel blinked her surprise at how perceptive this doctor was. "Yeah, I just had some bad dreams. I'm alright." Rapunzel squeaked out. Vincent just shook his head.
"I believe nightmares are never a good sign. Too few doctors care much for a patient's dreams, but I find them fascinating and a good indicator of mental health." Vincent crouched down and rummaged through his bag, pulling out a a scroll of parchment and a small quill dipped with ink. He began writing on the parchment rapidly, hand zooming across the page. "Have you been feeling any bad symptoms lately? Headaches? Too hot? Too cold? Sneezing? Coughing? Sore throat?" Vincent bombarded.
Rapunzel was further taken aback. "Erm...I...no." Vincent could see that he was being too forward again, and sighed, trying to calm himself down.
"My apologies again, princess. I just get a bit too passionate when I'm doing what I'm love; which is trying to help others with their health. Can you sympathize with that?"
Rapunzel, who had been told off by her mother many times when she got over exuberant with her hobbies, nodded.
"We'll take this slow, alright?" Vincent said, reaching into his bag again. Over the next few half hour Vincent did all sorts of various poking and tests Rapunzel didn't really understand, utilizing a variety of strange metal instruments. She could not deny the effectiveness of it however; he identified sore spots she hadn't even realized were there, and even found a small skin infection on her arm where she had been cut in her battle with William.
After rubbing the infection with some herbal remedies and prescribing some more herbs to help Rapunzel get some sleep, Vincent sat back in his chair and finished writing in his scroll, checking off a few things. Whilst he did this, Rapunzel absentmindedly stared around the room, becoming fixated on its one source of color again; the painting of the beautiful woman. Rapunzel could not help her natural curiosity and spoke up: "Who's that girl in the painting?"
Vincent visibly paled at the question. "She was my wife. She's gone now." Vincent answered, so quietly Rapunzel had to strain her ears to hear. Rapunzel wanted to press, but stopped herself at seeing how anguished Vincent looked. Even Pascal looked sad from atop Rapunzel's shoulder. "I think it's best you go now. Your examination is about done; you've got a clean bill of health. Congratulations." Vincent somewhat forcefully ushered Rapunzel out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her. He just couldn't stand it...couldn't stand the cure talking about the woman it was too late to save.
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, the man walked in a strut down the castle halls.
Zip-A-Dee-A
My, oh my, what a stupendous day,
I am quite happy, I got to say The man winked at a passing young maid, who got rather flustered.
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah
Zip-A-Dee-A
I think things are fine'ly changing
Find it true,
It's certain,
Nothing about me is hurtin'
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah
Zip-A-Dee-A
Such a great feeling,
On this great day
Flynn just couldn't help but feel buoyant after a decent night's rest and the sunshine around him. He was in such a good mood he couldn't help but sing and whistle a tune. Now that things seemed to be slowing down, he could stop and appreciate just how up his life was looking up. He had the girl of his previously unknown dreams, he was getting saddled with good community service for his mountain of crimes, and for the first time in what seemed like ages he was no longer worried about people chasing after him and/or trying to kill him (He still got some murderous looks from the guards, but he knew they would never act out in such a way against the royalty of Corona. Now they had to actually had to stop anyne from trying to murder him, instead of help them). Sure, he'd have to deal with a few boring lessons, but he was confident in his ability to get through them; it would probably be amusing to knock his likely pompous teachers down a peg.
Eugene managed to find his way to the royal dining room for lunch for his first meal of the day (he had slept in and missed breakfast). He burst through the doors with a shout of "Good morning, royal family!" Rather than seeing smiling faces, however, he was met largely with an emotionless table already partaking in their meal. The Queen and King both gave him a reserved smile, but their emotions were rather dragged down by Roseanne and Rapunzel, who looked rather down. Both did brighten as they realized who had just stepped into the room.
Deciding to ignore the less-than-adequate reactions of the family, Eugene walked right in and prepared to took a seat next to Rapunzel, across from Roseanne. Roseanne beamed at him, and Eugene flashed her a smile. Rapunzel, however, had gone back to a rather melancholy state. To try and break the ice, Eugene spoke up: "So...how was your morning, Rapunzel?" Out of the corner of his eye he could see Roseanne frown at his question.
"It was...alright. I got a clean bill of health from the doctor." Rapunzel flashed a smile. Pascal was rubbing her neck soothingly on her shoulder. Rapunzel knew she should be feeling happy, yet she just could not get that image of Vincent out of her mind; she had never seen someone look that sad before. On top of that, Roseanne was being rather distant, and she had her lessons after lunch which grew more menacing as time went by. Everything in the castle just seemed so much more awful since last night.
"That's great!" Eugene stated, beginning to dig into his lunch. "I never liked doctors much myself; all the weird poking they do...bleh. Was he good?" Eugene attempted to brighten things by putting a high energy into his voice, but he cold see it was not working very well.
"I guess you could say that." Rapunzel shrugged. "He's just kind of scary."
"Vincent can be overbearing at times." the Queen piped in. "But he's the best doctor in all of Corona. He has an incredible mind for the field, and he's very passionate. He truly cares for everyone put under his care."
"I think he's really weird." Roseanne added in. "He's always muttering himself and he's creepy."
"Yes, well, I suppose that's just the way he is. Anyways-," the King interjected, wanting to end the converse. He did not much like discussing the eccentric doctor he kept on staff. "You each have your lessons after lunch. Roseanne, you can expect the usual. As for you, Rapunzel and Eugene, we'll be starting off with the basics of proper manners. We just want to get you ready for the coronation ceremony in a couple of days."
Roseanne largely ignored the comment. Rapunzel looked rather uneasy. Eugene tried to brush it off, but the smirk had become wiped off his face at the approaching reality of the lessons. After a relatively quiet meal, the family adjourned to meet the multitude of new pleasures and horrors that awaited them.
Roseanne led Rapunzel to the first lesson room of the day. It was a large, square room with a few tables and dressers here and there. Some tea was set up at one table, with three chairs waiting to bare weight. Standing in the center of the room, arms folded across her front, was Mrs. Gibbs.
"Hello, dearies. Are you ready for today's lesson?" asked the aging woman.
"Yes." Roseanne muttered, before taking a seat at the table with tea ready.
"I guess so." Rapunzel managed, less sure of herself, trying to follow Roseanne's lead. At times like this she really wished she could have Roseanne's natural ease with this sort of thing.
The King led Eugene in a walk through the gardens. Why this lesson had to have the pair of them come outside, Eugene had no idea. Though Eugene admitted he rather liked getting some fresh air for this; he didn't envy Rapunzel and Roseanne, who were cooped up inside.
"Now, Eugene, I figured out where you're more comfortable would be best to try to adjust you to our lessons. Plus, out here, people are less likely to hear you scream." the King joked and laughed. Eugene tried to join in, but he detected some sincerity in the King's words.
"Back straight, Rapunzel." Mrs. Gibbs ordered forcefully. Rapunzel's lip quivered at the familiar words as she complied. In a much nicer tone, Mrs. Gibbs continued: "Now, Roseanne, Rapunzel is a first time student so I'm going to be focusing more on her. We'll be going over the basics, but it'll be good review for you. Is that alright?"
"Fine." Roseanne said miserably at the continued increased attention on Rapunzel.
"Very good." Mrs. Gibbs smiled, before deadpanning and become very serious. "Now, Rapunzel, I am very sad to say that you are rather lacking in the mannerisms of a princess department. Not your fault, but we've got a lot of ground to cover. In these lessons, I expect you to be a charming, complient, and enthuiastic, yet reserved. So let us begin." Mrs. Gibbs ranted as Rapunzel stayed still and quiet, too frightened by the suddenly harsh tone of Mrs. Gibbs to do anything.
"Eugene, I'm starting to like you, but no doubt you've got a long way to go. You have little idea of the kind of things expected of you as an escort to a princess. I'm going to try to fill you in on that. It won't be easy, and I'll have to be forceful here to drill it in, but I hope we can get past that and we won't have an harsh feeling. OK?"
"OK. But I doubt this will be much; I think I can handle it. I mean, what's this compared to getting chased around for half my life?"
"Glad you've got the right attitude spirit. Well, then let us begin..."
Mrs. Gibbs and the King said it in unison, channeling the energy of drill sergeants.
"Lesson number one!"
AN: Would love to hear the views of the developing Gothel, Vincent, and Roseanne plotlines, as well as our new horse, Maia.
Also, new poll up on my profile! (Last poll was a resounding win for "Learn to do it") Would like to get a reader opinion of me branching out from Disney-only musicals (I've done Anastasia, but though not Disney, it is very much Disney-style.) Disney will always be the main musical source, but I'd like to know how ok you guys would be of me including a few songs from non-Disney works, including non-Disney broadway. Be sure to vote!
