Just to be clear (for all you religious people out there), it's a bit strange for me to be writing about this whole soul mate, soul keeper, and stuff because I totally don't believe it. I'm a big time firm believer in God, Heaven, and all that jazz. I just didn't want to be a preacher over fanfiction, so I made up the whole concept of the Soul Keepers and their Spirit Clans (also, it makes it easier for me to twist the story in all different directions because I'm making it up entirely). Just FYI :)
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"Once filled, holding a handled teacup correctly insures grace while avoiding spilling hot tea. One's fingers are placed to the front and back of the handle with the pinkie finger tilted slightly up for balance. It is rude to loop fingers through the handle or to hold the body of the cup with the palm of the hand." Rapunzel's etiquette tutor displayed her explanation of how to properly hold a tea cup.
Rapunzel pretended to be deeply interested in the lecture, but her thoughts were elsewhere as the tutor droned on. She hated lessons on tea. Her mind kept wandering back to her 'conversation' with Maximus earlier that day, just before she came for her etiquette lessons. Now she was still sitting in some room utilized for teaching with the etiquette tutor and it was almost dinner time.
"...It is considered rude to stir one's tea in wide circular motions. Proper etiquette requires the teaspoon to be held at the six o'clock position to begin. Then, any added liquid is folded lightly towards the twelve o'clock position two or three times."
Rapunzel wondered why she felt like she was being watched. The feeling had just suddenly come over her a short time ago. She could have sworn there was someone else in the room, but every time she looked around, she saw no one except for the round, purple-faced etiquette tutor. Why was her face purple? Rapunzel had never seen a purple face before and it still puzzled her as much as it did when she first met the tutor.
"The teaspoon should never be left in the teacup. When not in use, the small teaspoon is placed on the right side of the tea saucer."
There was that feeling again. Someone was watching her. She glanced over her shoulder, but saw nothing.
"Now that we are finished with your tea lessons, let us move on to posture improvement," the tutor said.
It was then that Rapunzel noticed that she was slumping in her chair, just as she had been instructed so many times not to do at any time. It was 'bad for her back' and would probably 'cripple her in the near future.' She couldn't help slouching though, and her miserable attitude only made it worse. Even the slightest thought of Eugene made her hunch over and hang her head.
"Stand up, please," the tutor ordered as she picked up some books from a nearby table.
Rapunzel begrudgingly got to her feet and straightened her back. She hated posture lessons even more than she hated tea lessons. She was already in pain emotionally, why add on some physical pain?
The tutor placed the stack of books on Rapunzel's head and pointed forward. "Now walk to that wall and back again without even moving the books."
Rapunzel gingerly took a step forward, doing her best to keep the books on her head. She remained frozen for a second until she was sure that none would fall, then she took another step. Unlike her other etiquette lessons, she could not daydream or brood during this one. This one required full concentration. She continued taking slow steps, moving closer and closer to the wall her tutor had pointed at.
She was just a few steps from the wall when she got that feeling again, of being watched. She did not move her head, but she allowed her eyes to turn to the side and look at a bookshelf. She saw something... or someone. She allowed her head to turn ever so slightly and she she saw... oh my!
Her legs suddenly turned to jelly and she toppled over, sending the books flying in all directions. She opened her eyes and saw her etiquette tutor standing over her, her purple face scrunched into a disapproving frown. "That was possibly the worst balancing I have ever seen," she scolded, "For that faux pas, I will make you do this over and over until you..."
Rapunzel didn't hear the rest of her tutor's reprimand. She looked back over by the bookshelf. There was no one there. Was she going crazy? Did she really see-? No. It wasn't possible.
But she could have sworn she saw Eugene standing beside the bookshelf.
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Eugene remained huddled behind the bookshelf. He had not planned on Rapunzel spotting him when he moved from his old hiding spot behind the tea table. She obviously had seen him which is why she had stumbled over her own feet and fallen flat on her back. Eugene had ducked behind the bookshelf before she had even hit the ground and there he remained.
He had just found her a short while ago. After searching the entire castle, he finally found the room that Rapunzel occupied. He had remained hidden in the room, stealing peeks when he could, but had stayed still for the most part. That is until he decided to change hiding spots and Rapunzel saw him.
Suddenly he remembered why he had been seeking out Rapunzel in the first place. He had gotten so distracted with watching her that he had almost forgotten. He decided to risk a peek over the bookshelf. He carefully peered over the shelf and saw that Rapunzel had her back to him, trying to balance the books on her head.
He searched the room and spotted Rapunzel's etiquette book sitting on the tea table she had just been sitting at. Perfect.
Rapunzel was being scolded by the tutor again and still had her back to him and the table. Taking advantage of the moment, Eugene rushed over to the book and opened the cover. He picked up Rapunzel's quill and quickly scribbled on the inside. He glanced over his shoulder, Rapunzel still was not facing him. He closed the book and ducked back behind the bookcase just before Rapunzel resumed her balancing act.
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Eugene paced around under the bright moonlight in the garden. Maybe she hadn't understood the message. No, he had been clear: "Come to the garden after midnight and wait for me. Urgent. From, a friend." Maybe she was too scared to come out and meet a stranger. Or maybe she didn't even get the message.
His worries were put to rest as he heard approaching footsteps. He was almost surprised that she would have done what his note had instructed. Why had he thought that would work in the first place? Stupid! But he reminded himself that it hardly mattered at the moment, because she was coming to the garden just like he wanted.
Rapunzel came into view at the garden gate. She wore a periwinkle night gown and was wrapped tightly in a matching robe. Her feet were bare... like they usually were and her chestnut hair whisked around her face in the light breeze. Her eyes darted around anxiously as if asking what am I doing here?
She moved further into the garden, arms folded over her chest. She was softly humming to herself as she nervously shuffled her feet beneath her. Eugene recognized the tune. It was the same one she had sang when she had healed his hand.
Eugene shook his head, pushing the memories of happier times away. Rapunzel plopped down on one of the garden walls with a sigh. "Why am I out here? Who would want to see me at such a time?" she asked herself in reprimanding mumble.
It was now or never. Eugene stepped into her line of vision and she froze, her green eyes locked on him. "I would," he said quietly.
Rapunzel began to teeter slightly. Eugene rushed forward with his arms outstretched, ready to catch her, but she didn't fall over. She shook her head and looked at him again. "Eugene?" she asked in a hushed whisper.
Eugene nodded. Rapunzel put a hand to her cheek in shock. "I... I thought you were dead."
"Well actually..." He didn't finished because Rapunzel suddenly jumped off the wall and threw her arms around him. Eugene was met with the disappointment of not being able to feel her embrace.
She pulled away from him, her eyes full of hurt and confusion. "What just happened?"
"Rapunzel, I can explain-"
"I just touched you! I know I did!"
"I know, but-"
"Then how come I couldn't feel it? What's going on?"
"I'm not real, Rapunzel!" Eugene practically shouted, "I was brought back, but I couldn't be reunited with my body. I'm just a Paranormal."
Rapunzel was staring at him like he had just grown two heads. "A what?"
Eugene sighed and proceeded to fill her in on everything he had learned and been through. She listened intently, her mouth hanging open slightly. Once he finished his explanation, Rapunzel leaned forward.
"So how are you going to get back in your body?" she asked.
Eugene stared at the ground. "That's the problem. The Soul Keeper said that I was given a second chance to redeem myself, not necessarily to get back in my body. I'm beginning to think that I won't get back into it because I don't have the slightest idea of how to even begin to look for a solution."
Rapunzel reached out a hand and brushed some hair from his face. He couldn't feel her fingers against his forehead and he wished he could. He longed to just feel her touch again. Still his biggest regret was not being able to kiss her before he died.
"Don't give up," Rapunzel said tenderly, "You still have time."
Eugene sighed. "I don't know, Rapunzel. I think I might... just want to be here with you until I run out of time."
Rapunzel took a breath and nodded. "Whatever you choose."
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Kind of lame and sloppy writing for a rather important scene. Oh well. Tell me what you think! Reviews are love! :D