"Oh, Lance! We got ourselves a win today! The Princess's crown is right here, can you imagine it? We'll pay the Baron off and still be living like kings!" Flynn Rider exclaimed.
"And we can start celebrating by going to the Glass Slipper!" Lance Strongbow exclaimed.
"And then we'll go straight to the Baron," Rider agreed as they walked through the streets. "You know, I heard that Baron was doing some renovations, he sure did change the place up."
"I guess that means that he owns the Glass Slipper," Lance sighed.
"Meh, what's the difference? A pub's a pub," Flynn replied.
"You know, you're absolutely right!" Strongbow exclaimed.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Rider smirked. He swung the door open. "You guys home? Your finest table please!" Lance and Flynn laughed as they sat on the counter. "Hey, kid, you know our order still, right?" Rider asked.
The seventeen year old pushed two mugs across the counter. He slung a towel over his shoulder, giving the two an unamused look. "Your tab is full."
"And we pay it in full!" Lance set the money down.
The boy raised a brow and counted it. He smirked. "Good haul?"
"Oh, yeah."
"I'll hand it to the manager then," the boy said.
"Hey, Hairstripe, mind giving us the specials as well?"
"Another two silver coins." The boy, Varian, set his hands on his hips.
Rider tossed two over and the boy caught it. "Nice, you picked up some more coordination skills while we gone, huh?"
Varian shrugged. "You learn a thing or two after working in the pub after a while." He turned around and put the money in the safe box.
It had been about three years since he ran away and this was his life now. Although he actually enjoyed it at times, it wasn't the most convenient life style. He was only working there long enough to save money for a boat to Bayangor, a place where alchemy and science was their foundation. A place where his skills will be taken and used for good. Not letting himself waste away as a bar tender.
The first year was the hardest. Running from bounty hunters, unable to get a job. He was reduced to stealing in order to survive. Then he ended up pickpocketing the most famous two theives in all the Seven Kingdoms without realizing it. Of course Flynn Rider and Lance hunted him down to get their wallets back. They had been impressed by his performance and they teamed up for a while.
Then, after the Baron incident, Varian ended up remaining in Vardaros to because he had hurt his leg. As promised, Rider and Lance returned with a fortune apparently. They didn't forget about him. He had worried that maybe he was being naive putting faith and trust in theives, but he was glad he did, even if it was a dishonest job. But now they didn't have to worry about stealing now if their haul was that good.
Later, Varian sat down with them. "My shift is over. Let's get the heck out of here when you're done."
"Sounds good to me, little man," Lance replied.
They pushed their plates and mugs away and the trio went outside.
"How big was your haul?" Varian asked once they were out of ear shot.
"Big!" Rider whispered.
"What did you get?" Varian asked excitedly.
"Let's get to the hang out and we'll show you," Flynn answered.
"Fine," Varian muttered, but he knew Tider was being cautious and smart. Once they reached the old shack that Varian was staying in, he closed and locked all the doors and shutters.
"How's your leg, by the way?" Flynn asked.
"Much better."
"You still limp even after all this time?"
"You know there aren't that many good doctors around of I could even afford them. I guess it didn't heal exactly how it was supposed to, but from the sound of things, I'm not going to have to worry about that anymore," Varian explained. "How much is it?"
"Alright, alright. I'll show you," Flynn laughed. He pulled the crown out of his satchel. "Ta-da!"
Varian's world froze as the familiar crown came into view. It wasn't just any crown. It was Rapunzel's. There was no mistake about it.
