Babysitting Ruddiger
The day was sunny and clear, perfect for Rapunzel to go to Old Corona and check back in on Varian who looked a little rundown the other day. She asked Eugene to come with her, knowing how well 'Team Awesome' was getting along and approving of the friendship whole-heartedly. Yesterday there had been explosions coming from the lab, but as they arrived that morning she saw the lab was quiet.
"Varian's been so hard at work lately, I'm surprised he's not in the lab now." said Rapunzel.
"Well, even the most diligent people need a break now and then." Eugene shrugged.
"Then he'll love going on a picnic with us!" Rapunzel predicted. She knocked at Varian's house and was met by Quirin.
"Oh, hello Princess." Quirin greeted her.
"Hi, Quirin. We were wondering if Varian could come on a picnic with us." Rapunzel chirped.
Quirin shook his head. "I'm afraid not. He's caught a cold and is resting today." replied Quirin.
"That's a shame." said Eugene.
"I thought he seemed tired yesterday." Rapunzel recalled. "I hope he gets better soon."
"I'm sure he will, I've made honey tea for him and-" Quirin turned, having heard a son from Varian's bedroom. "Excuse me. I'll be right back." Quirin said. He went to Varian's room and poked his head in the door. Varian was sitting up and petting Ruddiger, but his face was flushed and there were bags under his eyes indicating all was not well.
"Dad, who's at the door?" Varian rasped.
"It's Rapunzel and Eugene. They wanted you to join them on a picnic, but I told them you're staying in today." answered Quirin. The stern look he gave Varian indicated there would be no arguing this point.
"Oh." Varian frowned. He patted Ruddiger absently, and then he got an idea. "Maybe Ruddiger could play with them instead? He usually goes out about this time anyway." Varian coughed.
"Yes, the little fella could use some exercise, and I'm sure your friends would be glad to have him as company. Alright, then. Ruddiger, come with me." Quirin instructed.
Varian nodded. "Go on, boy." he urged. Ruddiger rubbed up against Varian and got his chin scratched, then he turned and waddled after Quirin.
Quirin and Ruddiger went back to the front door, where Rapunzel and Eugene stood waiting. "Here. Varian says Ruddiger can go with you today. He's not too much trouble, he just eats a lot." Quirin said.
"Well, we have plenty of food and Ruddiger is welcome to join our picnic." Rapunzel laughed. "Tell Varian we'll see him when he feels better."
"I will." Quirin promised and he closed the door.
"Every day is something new around here! I was just getting used to lunch with a frog, now we have a raccoon to deal with too!" marveled Eugene. Pascal flicked his tongue near Eugene's ear, not pleased to be called a frog again. And he could have sworn Ruddiger was enjoying Pascal's reaction, the plump raccoon was grinning widely.
Rapunzel laid out sandwiches, cookies, and fruit. "Eat whatever you like, Ruddiger." she offered. Ruddiger immediately grabbed an apple and ate it.
Rapunzel smiled and picked up a sandwich. She and Eugene ate together, talking idly about the weather, how her parents were trying to get their memories back, how Nigel was getting frantic filling out proclamations in their place. They didn't talk about Cass stealing the Moonstone or how her absence was weighing on the Captain but it was in the back of their minds, regardless. When they finished eating, Rapunzel put the dishes back in the basket and tidied up. Ruddiger 'helped' by tugging on the picnic blanket.
"Did you want to play, Ruddiger? I brought a chess set with me hoping Varian and Pascal could get a rematch." Rapunzel told him. Pascal shook his head sadly, he'd been looking forward to it. Varian was his best opponent and they often stalemated.
Ruddiger merely whacked a knight aside when Rapunzel tried to set up the board, and then yawned, indicating he found it dull.
"I agree, buddy. Chess is boring. ...Don't tell the kid I said that, though!" Eugene whispered.
"Okay, so you're not a chess player. Maybe some other game will appeal to you." Rapunzel walked over to a tree and picked an apple. This got Ruddiger's attention immediately. "Fetch, boy!" she called out, tossing the apple. Ruddiger ran to retrieve it, picked it up in his mouth, and then ate it.
"Maybe try something that's not edible next time." Eugene judged.
"I should have brought a ball with me." Rapunzel murmured. She turned to Ruddiger. "What do you and Varian like to do?" she asked.
Ruddiger sat up and mimed stirring something with his paws.
"Ooh, charades! I love that game. Okay, you're stirring... no mixing something... mixing something in the lab." she guessed. Ruddiger nodded.
"Is it safe to have a raccoon as a lab partner?" Eugene wondered.
Rapunzel shrugged. "I guess it's alright. I have Pascal as my painting partner and confidante. He just loves making art with me! And Varian is sharing his passion with Ruddiger." Rapunzel concluded.
Now Ruddiger looked up at them with sad eyes.
"More charades? Okay, you're sad." Rapunzel said. Ruddiger pretended to mix things again, then cupped his hands over his eyes resembling binoculars or goggles. "You're sad because you can't mix things with Varian today." she realized. Ruddiger chittered. She'd guessed right.
"I'm sure Varian misses that, too. That kid's a workaholic, I'm not surprised it's finally caught up with him." said Eugene.
"Since we've finished our picnic, it might be a good idea to head home. Would you feel happier if you went back to Varian?" Rapunzel asked. Ruddiger chittered and ran in a circle, hinting he wanted them to circle back to Varian's house. "Okay, Ruddiger. We had fun being with you, but we know you love Varian best, and he loves you too." Rapunzel told the raccoon. Ruddiger agreed and they began walking back.
"I have to say, he's a pretty nice animal. Not what I'd have chosen for a pet, but not bad either." Eugene said.
"He's good to Varian, that's what matters most." Rapunzel replied. They knocked at the door again, saying their goodbyes to Quirin. Ruddiger didn't stick around, he ran straight towards Varian's room in the middle of the farewell, causing the adults to laugh.
"I guess that's his way of saying we don't compare to Varian." Eugene quipped.
"Varian's an exceptional kid, and Ruddiger knows it." Quirin stated with pride.
"We're proud of him, too. He's really trying to do the right thing. Rapunzel told me he wants to translate that scroll as fast as possible so he can help us." Eugene said.
"I'm sure he'll figure it out. Varian's good with languages. It's not in straight Latin, or he would have finished by now. He's made some progress, at any rate." Quirin said.
"We'll come back in a few days, and Varian can show us what he's learned then. Thank you for taking care of him." Rapunzel bowed. Quirin, who had never had a Princess bow before him, was a little taken aback at first, but he returned the gesture.
"Bye, Quirin. Tell Hairstripe we said hi!" Eugene waved. Quirin nodded and shut the door. He went to check up on Varian, and saw that Varian and Ruddiger were both curled up together, sleeping soundly.
The End
This was a request. Thank you for reading the stories and suggesting ideas!