Chapter 3
From the Tales of Flynnagan Rider
Upon Leaving and Other Things
I guess it really does hurt to leave someone or something you love very much. Such was the case with Clarissa.
I met this lovely woman with the green eyes and auburn hair at the Green Chameleon where I was staying on Corsa. When she worked behind the counter, serving drinks and waiting tables, she always gave me a bit more than the others. She did the same after hours as well. She never let on that she actually was engaged to be married, but she did not, I repeat, did not want to marry, and to a Lord yet. Lord Lawrence Greymore who walked into the Chameleon and fell head over heels for her. She wanted me. She wanted to sail away with me to a private island where we could live together in peace and quiet, spending my money as if it were water.
But as usual, Flynn Rider resurfaced, after being dead for a few weeks, and once again, there was a duel for the fair hand of Clarissa Martin. Needless to say, this time I didn't show up. What's the old saying? He who fights and runs away will live to fight another day? Well, call me a coward, but I'm still around.
One thing though, Clarissa didn't marry the Lord Greymore, she's here with me as I jot down these passages. What happened to Lord Greymore is another story.
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"Excuse me, is that the Tales of Flynnagan Rider you're holding in your hand?"
Rapunzel looked up. She looked into the biggest brown eyes she's ever seen. She must have gotten absorbed in the book she book she just bought at the airport terminal. She needed to have a little bit of Eugene Fitzherbert around her at the moment. The book was now published in the large trade paperback version and on sale for half the price.
For a limited time only, mind you.
"Yes, it is," she said smiling into his handsome face. He was about her age, but already Rapunzel could tell that he would grow into a beautiful young man. Not as good looking as Eugene of course, no one could EVER compare to him, but who knew?
The boy smiled back. "I see that there's an extra seat next to you. Do you mind if I sit with you a while? Maybe we can read the book together."
Rapunzel nodded. "Sure why not? But won't you're parents miss you?"
The boy shook his head. "Nah, I'm going home to Charon." He held out his hand. "The name is Eric Carver."
"Rapunzel Gothel," she said, her eyes opened wide. She grabbed his hand to shake it. "Like in "The Winters of Wellington Street? I loved that show. I used to watch it all the time before they cancelled it. My mother is very strict though. I had to sneak it in when she wasn't home, which was a lot of the time."
Eric frowned. "If she is so strict, then why are you here on this plane alone?"
Rapunzel smiled. "Let's just say she sent me to boarding school. I'm studying to be a Healer and a painter. And someday, I'll be as well known as you, Eric Carver." She watched as he climbed into the seat next to her. "And besides, I'm not alone now."
Eric laughed. "A great answer and I see that you're also very quick, Rapunzel Gothel. By the way, I've heard that name before. Maybe you're already famous."
Rapunzel shook her head. "I don't think so, Eric. I'm just a ten year old girl heading to Caledonia for a one day sightseeing tour, then on to Charon. "
Now Eric's eyes opened wide and twinkled with excitement. "What a coincidence. I'm heading over to Caledonia as well, I have an audition, and then I'm also returning home the next day."
Rapunzel was getting excited. "Maybe we're on the same flight,"
"Could be, never know." He looked into her large green eyes. "Now how about we share that book?"
Maybe we could share more than the book; she thought almost forgetting about Eugene Fitzherbert altogether. This boy was a star, a real tv star. She had read that he was born on her birthday and was older by three years, making him 13.
"Sure," she answered, opening it up to where her finger had marked the place, but little Eric wasn't looking at the book, he was watching her eyes. He could actually get lost in them.
XXXXX
Eugene hadn't even been told that Rapunzel was gone. He waited for her all the next day, his older hard cover copy in his hands. He sat there most of morning waiting until his butler, Manfred, called him inside and explained that Rapunzel had been sent off by Greta during the early morning hours. She wasn't home at the moment, it was a working day after all.
"Why did she go away?" Eugene said, wondering. "She was the only friend I ever had."
Manfred shook his head. "Yes, we know that, Eugene. I believe that your parents didn't leave Ms. Gothel any choice. They thought that you might be…"
Eugene frowned. "She's only 10, Manny. How serious can I get? Besides I'm already engaged."
Manfred smiled and shook his head. Donna King is only 12, Eugene, This was only to ensure that you'd marry…"
"Yeah, I know. Is it so that I wouldn't have to marry a lowly commoner like Rapunzel?"
Now where did that come from? He was reading too much Flynnagan Rider.
"I have to take you back, Eugene. You've got to get your education, where would you be without one."
"Alright, Manny, I'll come with you, but I want to talk to my parents and quickly too."
Without another word, he brushed Manny away and headed toward his house. It wasn't going to be a good night.
From now on, he was going to become his favorite character and alter ego, Flynn Rider. There were no ifs, ands or butts about it.