#Lance remains in Corona

[rendellstreet]

"Varian should've been at season 2" at best his reconciliation with Rapunzel in season 3 is moved up and then after maybe a couple of acknowledgements of his existence (i.e. Adira probably going like "oh yeah, Quirin has a kid") he probably would get shoved into the back to focus on Rapunzel and Cassandra's disintegrating relationship

[frozenwolftemplar]

Writer's Month Day 20: Different First Meeting

Fandom: Tangled: the Series

Rating: G

Word Count: 1,287

I had something longer planned, but quite honestly didn't feel up to editing something long. Then @twotangledsisters mentioned a favorite Eugene & Cassandra fic, which got me thinking about their dynamic. Somehow, that evolved into this, an AU where Eugene and Lance's orphanage was located in Corona and they meet Cass as kids.

Hope you enjoy!

+++

“Gotta say, Arnie:” Eugene Fitzherbert drew in a deep breath of air as he strode up Queen’s Avenue, sighing with satisfaction at the scents of baking bread, the thin wisps of smoke from morning fires, and various other aromatic hallmarks of a mildly-nice Corona city street. “The world just feels different when you’re ten.”

“Really?” Arnwaldo blinked over at him, eyes agog with nine-year-old wonder. “How?”

Eugene stopped to draw another breath, this time more thoughtful, chin high and arms akimbo. “Manlier.”

“Wow...” Arnwaldo gazed awestruck up at his friend, cutting an unprecedentedly mature figure against the backdrop of Walton’s Butchery. “And what’s *that* like?”

Eugene looked down at Arnwaldo with a patronizing grin, the kind he saw grown-ups directing at kids who were likable despite knowing nothing about the world. “Can’t really describe it, buddy, but you’ll understand when you’re older. Now come on.” He flipped a half-copper into the air, the consolation awarded to every orphanage kid when another year of their lives passed by at that dismal little building. “Hope the markets are ready for Eugene and Arnwaldo, the big spenders of the day!”

*************************

After much deliberation, the newly-minted ‘man’ and his year-younger buddy decided to spend their untold riches on the splendor that was a caramel apple (discounted, with a wink, down from the usual three coppers after Uncle Monty learned of then expressed his admiration for “Corona’s newest gentleman”). Sitting on a crate overlooking the square, the boys took turns savoring bites of the delicacy that was Eve’s temptation coated in sticky-sweet ambrosia until all that remained was the stick, which Eugene handed over to Arnwaldo without fuss (because men didn’t argue over who got to lick the stick. Plus Arnwaldo really liked doing that).

“Ah.” Eugene leaned back comfortably, sun-warmed brick against his back. “Manhood’s great.”

“I’ll say,” Arnwaldo concurred, licking the stick (because what could be better than having a generous ‘big spender’ man as you best buddy?).

Stomach comfortably filled with sugar, Eugene relaxed and let his gaze drift over the square, taking in the friendly bustle of before him.. Every inch of the square fluttered with activity, noise, and color, a thousand smaller stories playing out within that one larger one of Corona on Market Day. Housewives with baskets over their arms inspected turnips and pumpkins and other harvested goods, pressing their thumbs into them to check for the warning bell that was ‘give;’ men in country garb swapped stories and worked out barters as they sipped ale under a cafe awning (pity he didn’t have a second copper; he’d like to try that aspect of manhood); off to a side, Old Man Olson had set up his usual queek stand and was jovially taking bets from the crowd of onlookers that always assembled there; off to another, a fat woman with a basket over her arm (probably someone’s cook, judging by her garb and mien) inspected a pen full of milling, honking geese, trying to discern the unlucky plumpest of their lot. Sounds of industry and snippets of conversation flew like flushed birds from every which way, crashing into one another and forming an amalgam of voices and discourses that swelled to fill the space with a wonderful din. It wasn’t loud enough to be deafening, by far; just loud enough to make you feel not so alone in the world, and Eugene sighed.

Being an orphan sucked, but being an orphan in Corona, he was sure, sucked less than it would in other places, because life in Corona, he could admit was pretty sweet.

“Cut it out!”

...At least, he thought it was.

Eyes he hadn’t realized were drifting shut flew open, and Eugene searched for the source of the indignant voice. Off to a side, not terribly far from his crate, a girl with short black hair (short? Weird. Girls could have short hair?) and a brown dress peeled away from a knot of kids laughing uproariously and pelted down the alley the girl had disappeared down.

He frowned. He knew that kind of laughter.

“Where you going, Eugene?” Arnwaldo asked as Eugene leapt, deft and catlike, from the crate. He clambered down after him, tossing the licked-clean stick over his shoulder to make the leatherworker’s dog’s day.

Eugene didn’t answer, simply striding over to the knot of kids. “Hey!” He waited until he had the group’s attention, then tilted his head towards the girl’s alley in an indicating way. “What was that all about?”

One boy, tall with too-short sleeves and trouser legs, the obvious ringleader, stepped to the front with a vulpine grin. “Aw, nothing much. Just having a little fun.”

“That girl didn’t look like she was having fun,” Eugene tossed back with set expression.

“Pfft, Cassandra?” The boy waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry ‘bout her. She’s always that way about things. Can’t take a joke. Besides,” he leaned in closer, as if they were the only two kids in the world who were in on a mature-boys-only secret, and said with a waggish wink: “Cast-offs like her don’t really count for anything, you know?”

Oh, Eugene knew.

And he also knew that certain duties came with manhood.

The boy was taller than him and wiry to boot, the kind who would win fights if he chose to pick them, but Eugene didn’t think about that; you *didn’t* think when the world turned red before your eyes. Without a word, he stepped forward and shoved the boy, hard

A gasp, peppered with squeals, ripped through the assembled kids as their leader stumbled backwards, caught his heel on a rebelliously eleven cobblestone, failed to recapture his balance and- “OOF!” -landed hard on his rear in a murky, questionable-looking puddle.

Eugene smirked as a silence fell over the group. Judging by the stench of that puddle, a horse had as much a hand in it as as last night’s rain. Good. Served the turd right. Cast-offs had it hard enough without morons like whatever-his-name-was teasing them for no good reason. Satisfied at the comeuppance he’d dealt, he turned on his heel and marched, head high and self-assured, down the alley the girl- Cassandra- had disappeared down.

“Hey!” The boy shouted after dealing out his own shove at a boy who’d dared to snigger at his state. “Where do you think you’re going?” (No one made a fool of him and got away with it).

“What’s it to you?” Eugene spat over his shoulder. “Cast-offs don’t count, remember?”

There was a silent beat as Eugene’s words sunk in, then a scoff. “Suit yourself, bonehead!” The boy shouted back, unrepentant. “It’s your funeral!”

“Eugene?” Arnwaldo, conquering his awe at Eugene’s boldness in the face of kids with parents who could complain to the Sisters and earn you a whipping (gosh, he couldn’t wait until he was ten and a Man), whispered as he fell in step beside Eugene. “Are you sure ‘bout this? Going to see that girl? I mean, what if there’s a reason those kids don’t like her?” He didn’t mention ‘funeral’ lingering in the air after them.

Eugene’s eyes darkened int he dim light of the alley. Arnwaldo’s ma died after having him, and his pa got kicked in the head by a mad cow not long after. He didn’t know what it was to be burdened with that especial sort of pain, deep and aching, that being abandoned by your own parents left behind; could never understand the scar it left across your soul, so cold it burned, and that continued to pulse raw and angry *years* after it first bled. But Eugene...did.

And he wasn’t about to let this girl, this Cassandra, suffer through it alone like he did.

+++

Author's Note: Part two coming soon! 😊

[tangledbea]

That foreigner question got me thinking, where did Eugene live before Corona? I know he was raised in Varados and that he left eventually to become a thief, but where exactly did he stay. I thought he may have stayed around Varados for sometime, maybe on the streets. But he dated Stalyan when he was a teenager and I feel like the hostile takeover of Varados by the baron kinda implies he, by extension Stalyan aren't native to that area, so Eugene must have left Varados young. I think Eugene traveled a lot, I think its implied in the series he even went to italy. But even a traveler such as himself had to have stayed somewhere semi-permanently, some place he just kept coming back to, some sort of house or hideout. Heck, even Gothel had a house at one point, but she just abandoned it.

See, I don't agree with that, because Quaid already knew Eugene and Lance as thieves. I think the Baron kept a low profile for a long time, possibly even pretended to be a benefactor, until he knew that there was no one that could hope to stand in his way. At that point, he went from benefactor to iron-fisted ruler.

One thing about Vardaros that I never see anyone mention is that it clearly used to be on a river. There's remains of ships everywhere, and the buildings are elevated from the ground. But now, the whole place is like a dustbowl town. But the Baron's villa? Beautiful, lush green grass. He's got trees. He has a reflecting pool.

That means he's diverting and stealing all the water for himself. He's probably got the mouth of the river dammed up.

I suspect he made his move after Quaid retired, because no one else held a candle to his ability to keep law and order in that town.

As for Eugene, I think he was homeless after he left Vardaros. After all, in "No Time Like the Past," he and Lance are living in a cave. I bet it was a lot like that, a lot of the time. In "Queen For a Day," he makes mention of spending a lot of time up in the mountains (like when he robbed Arianna).

[twotangledsisters]

What are some of the favorite scenes you've written?

Oooh, love this question!

From Two Tangled sisters:

The final scene in Chapter 50: The Wishing Fountain (Part 4/5: An Unformed Heart and Unmeasurable Love) from Within the Walls of Corona.

In this arc, Cassandra wished for a normal childhood for her and Rapunzel resulting in them transforming into children. Arianna and Frederic finally get to hold their baby but when Cassandra falls ill they must return the girls to the fountain to return them to their normal age. It's very sad, and I love how it came out.

The third scene in Chapter 7: A Family Frostwork of The Frostwork Festival

This fic is a Holidays fic and this chapter is the day of the holiday. My fave scene specifically is the gift exchange, it's one of few moments that feature Rapunzel, Cass, Arianna, Frederic and Eugene all together, all enjoying themselves. There's bickering, there's love, and Eugene gets his first Frostwork gift in many years which I love.

The first scene in Chapter 30: The Gallows from The Princess, The Pirate and The Prosecutor 

Eugene's nearly executed for a crime he didn't commit and his pov as his taken to the gallows is a really good scene.

First scene from Chapter 16: Birds and Magic (Part 8/10: Anything) from Magic and Artefacts

Cass thinks Caine hates her and Caine comes out with an 'I love you'... What more is there to say?

First scene in Chapter 4: Let's Talk Relationships and Ships (Part 3/6: Girl who has a crush on you and who you very much like being around but haven’t yet decided on what those feelings mean) from High Tide Dream

Where Cass tries to put her feelings to Caine to words and with Eugene's help finally comes to understand them. It's just a really nice scene.

First scene from Chapter 14: No Detours, Just Romance and Shenanigans (Part 6/6: How Gentle?) from High Tide Dream

They finally get together! And the 'I can do gentle', the 'I want to be with you and I can do a relationship on your terms', the joy these two feels and the relief they feel and... I just love it.

and more... special mentions would be when Cass and Caine fight back to back in Vardaros, Eugene first meeting Amaris, Arianna gently reassuring Eugene on his first night in the castle of how he's a hero, Eugene's nightmare during Bad Luck Charm and the comfort of his friends after, Cassandra's using her magic despite her bad prior experiences to protect her girlfriend in the Great Tree... There are SO MANY scenes from this series I'd love to point at and talk more about but we could go on forever.

From outside Two Tangled Sisters:

From Chapter 1 of Three Thieves the final scene. Cassandra getting Eugene and Lance in trouble and they're proud because she's learning their ways. It's just so sweet.

From Chapter 8 of Always By Your Side. This is the chapter where Arianna babysits Cassandra and Eugene, and the finally scene specifically is my fave, the way Eugene stands up for himself, the way he shows to still be haunted by his past, and the way Cass doesn't understand, showing how those few years difference are huge, they're the reason Eugene remains haunted while Cass has forgotten everything before Captain.

From my fic Empty, the first few scenes depicting Cass' youngest years and how the pain lingered and dragged was very good.

Fourth scene from the end (sorry, too many scenes in this story) from Plus Forts Ensemble. Eugene is dead, Rapunzel is grieving, Cassandra takes responsibility for her actions. I loved the idea and loved how this scene came out!

Clumsy, Messy Disrespectful. The whole thing. It's only got like three scenes, the glass breaking, Eugene and the parents. And I love all three of them. I don't usually write Rapunzel focused fics, far less such an emotional one, yet I love this oneshot. I wouldn't change a thing about it!

From We Can't be Happy Every Day, the fourth scene where Arianna reassure Cap he's doing a good job, despite his fears and despite the fact Cassandra is crying. I love Cap here and I love Arianna too.

From Unfair, the first three scenes. Captain getting injured, Cassandra's feelings about it, her anger, and Captain coming to understand his new normal. I just really like how they came across.

And that's it! At least for Tangled fanfics :D

Thanks so much for the ask and i apologize if this was a long and not very interesting post, but it was a lot of fun for me to go through some of my old fics!

[bananaphone---t]

I just rewatched Be Very Afraid, and while there are some really good parts that I still enjoy, there are others that left me unsatisfied. (Under the cut)

To start, I'll say the parts that I can give credit where credit is due.

They did a really good job showing just how overwhelming and draining fear can be.

Fear really can stop you in your tracks, and can take over if you allow it to become you (as seen with the "frozen permanently" suggests, at least to me).

As someone who suffers from chronic anxiety (to the point of being treated and in therapy for it), the message of this episode hit me hard.

Speaking of this...

I love how the writers handled Varian.

I love that they showed the fact that he's still struggling with what happened to his father and the fact it made him turn evil. And that despite the fact it's all in the past and that everyone has seemingly forgiven him, the fear will remain, especially if he doesn't face it head-on.

On another note; LANCE. GETTING. A FUCKING. SOLO.

James Monroe Iglehart getting to show off his singing chops is one of my absolute favorite parts of this episode.

Whenever I watch this one and he begins singing, I'm just screaming happily that they finally just let him go off and show everyone why he belongs not only on this show but also as a freaking Broadway actor (*cough* kinda like Jeremy Jordan *cough*).

Okay... So here's where we run into where I was, and still am, dissatisfied with this episode...

While I enjoy most of this episode, I wasn't really happy with both Rapunzel and Eugene's fears... Specifically, Rapunzel's, as I've slowly started to make a bit more logical sense of Eugene's.

Throughout the entire episode (both watching it the first time and recently), I was expecting her fear to be of Gothel's return, sort of similar to her dream in What The Hair?!. Or her seeing Eugene's death again. Or some sad, heart-crushing combination of both.

Unfortunately for me, it was none of the above, and, instead, it was her losing Cass and seeing Corona in flames...

While I can see that to be a valid fear of Rapunzel's, I just can't see it as her worst fear.

This may just be me nitpicking at this point (and could also come across as me not liking Cass as a character, but that's a post for another time), but I also didn't like that they copied a lot of things from the movie, to be mirrored into being with Cass, in Rapunzel Day One.

Events like that, what happens in BVA, and her holding Cass in her arms while a tear falls in Plus Est En Vous, kind of annoy me... I feel like it affects the impact of what Eugene did for her, and the fact that those moments were supposed to be sort of... special between them, I guess?

With Flynnposter I can let it slide (sounds biased since I love said episode), because of the obvious implications of not only the name of the episode but the actual happenings in it as well; Brock is pretending to be Flynn Rider (and, in turn, pretending to be Eugene).

I just think that using Cass as Rapunzel's worst fear just because of their relationship at that point, and the fact that Cass essentially had the same fear, was just a cheap way of showing that Cass could still be saved.

Overall, despite all my nitpicking and dislike of certain parts, this episode is still one of my favorites. And even though I don't like certain parts, in a way, that's kind of a good thing. It leaves more room for freeform with fics. 💕

[pixiedust111]

Rapunzel into the Multiverse! (Part-8)

(continued)

Rapunzel returned to the castle with Eugene and Varian. While on the road, the three of them drew up a blueprint to make the necessary arrangements to send Rapunzel back to her universe.

*********************************************

"Uh, Lutz, could you please lead the rally to southern Corona today? I'm not feeling well... please?" Rapunzel tried to convince Prince Ludwig to leave the castle somehow.

"What happened, honey?" Rapunzel noticed genuine concern in Lutz's eyes.

"Oh, it's nothing serious, just feeling a little feverish, maybe due to the seasonal change? I think some rest could help me recover..." Rapunzel lied to Lutz. What else could she do? She couldn't exactly tell him about an alternate universe story and expect him to believe it so easily.

"Okay, darling, as you wish! Could you provide me with the agenda?" Lutz asked.

"Uh... yeah... about that, Nigel will provide everything you need. He'll be with you along with some guards," Rapunzel assured Ludwig with a fake smile.

********************************************

Ludwig left the castle at 3 after ensuring Rapunzel was resting, asking Cassandra and Faith to take care of her.

Meanwhile, Rapunzel had been trying to comprehend the situation in this 'realm'.

It seems like she never touched the black rocks here, and they never visited the Dark Kingdom. Cassandra is still here and never turned against her. She is married to a young prince named Ludwig from a kingdom named Hanover. He seems nice and has affections for her, apparently. Eugene is the captain of the guards just like in her original universe, albeit not married to her for obvious reasons. Lance is here too, almost the same. The king and the queen are almost the same, except Frederick had a heart attack, likely caused by her, and Arianna is a bit more 'active' regarding the past events.

"Okay, guys. What do we do?" Rapunzel asked eagerly, addressing Varian, Eugene, Cassandra, and Lance.

"Rapunzel needs to lie down on the bed next to Eugene and think about all the overwhelming stuff that has happened," Varian clarified.

"But, Varian, is it really necessary for me to lie next to her? What if someone finds out? I'm not worried about Lutz, though. He's never going to catch on; he's a minor compared to my intellect!" Eugene expressed his concern with a hint of brag.

"Compared to 'your' intellect," Cassandra added wryly.

"Why are you putting unnecessary emphasis on 'your'?" Eugene asked Cassandra.

"Eugene, I just want to make sure that Rapunzel has the exact same setting as when she first slipped into the alternate universe," Varian explained.

"I'm still not getting it!" Lance admitted, still puzzled about the whole situation.

"Alright, though I'm not sure if it's going to work... but at least it won't do any harm, right?" Rapunzel beckoned Eugene to join her in her bedroom.

*******************************************

"It's been a long time since I've been in this room," Eugene grinned.

"Oh... I'm so sorry, Eugene, I don't know how to..."

"It's okay, Sunshine," Eugene stopped her with an assuring look.

Rapunzel and Eugene rearranged some furniture to recreate her universe's bedroom, though Ludwig's belongings remained untouched.

"It's okay, just pretend they're mine!" Eugene suggested.

Rapunzel sighed as they both lay on her bed.

"Should I sleep?" Eugene asked.

"Uh... you can try," Rapunzel replied.

She attempted to recall all the exhausting memories from recent events.

It's difficult to believe that she's married to someone else while Eugene is still here. What about this universe's Rapunzel? Maybe she's wandering in 'her' (original Rapunzel's) universe now, enjoying her long-craved happily ever after. Would she try to return to this universe too? Probably not. Why would she? Returning would only lead to disappointment, feeling like she's lost everything again. And what about Eugene?

But what could 'she' (original Rapunzel) do? Rapunzel felt a blunt pain on the right side of her forehead.

Is the pain escalating? Concentrating on thinking is becoming challenging. Is Eugene already asleep? Rapunzel heard a soft snore and the sound of regular breathing. She struggled to fall asleep, tossing and turning...

*******************************************

"Rapunzel! Rapunzel!! Rapunzel, wake up! Are you alright?" Eugene asked anxiously, noticing Rapunzel mumbling in her sleep.

"Rapunzel!" Eugene shook her.

Rapunzel slowly opened her eyes to look at Eugene.

"Where am I?"

"Did it work? Did you find your universe?"

"No, Eugene... I... I think I saw another one!"

"What?"

"Yeah!" Rapunzel sat up.

"And... and it was horrible." Rapunzel seemed on the verge of tears.

"I suppose my mother didn't make it in that universe..." Rapunzel sniffled. "And so, I don't even exist there!"

"Oh, Sunshine, this is bad." Eugene grabbed Rapunzel's right hand.

"Yeah, and... my father married another woman and..."

"Sunshine, you don't have to tell it all... it's just an alternate universe. In every other universe, you do exist, and your mother is the queen. In your universe, you are the luckiest person," Eugene comforted Rapunzel, who was breathing rapidly.

"Rapunzel, deep breaths, maybe we can try again?" Eugene suggested.

"Yeah, you're right, I have to make it before Lutz arrives, but... Eugene, I don't know how..."

"Rapunzel, have you tried focusing on 'your' universe? If you concentrate specifically on it, it might lead you there!"

"Yes! I think I should try it. Thanks, Eugene... and in case I succeed this time... I want to bid you goodbye and... wish you a happily ever after. You deserve it." Rapunzel's voice broke.

"Thank you so much, Sunshine. I wish you shine brighter than the sun in every universe that exists! Goodbye."

Rapunzel smiled and lay back down; it was already 5 o'clock, and she had only about an hour left before Lutz arrived.

To be continued...

[xheartpages]

@towercursed​ asked: " I ---- I have to ask something. And I need you to be honest with me. "

Her eyes suddenly dart up to meet his, calm and serious like a jungle before a panther pounces. There's no trace of tears as she looks at him, but there is a small hesitation to allow him to prepare himself. A lance flickers to the guards standing watch who are no doubt listening to every word they utter to each other between steel bars, no way of fully revealing the secrets they bear.

But she has to know. She knows what her father has in store for him - Kaeya, the son of former Captain, the best guard in the service, the charming man everyone wishes their children would bring home, now the traitor of Corona? It's a heavy burden to hold so many titles on his shoulders, and she's watching them crash down on him with the recent revelations. This is only going to end badly for him or worse, so she needs to know what his thoughts are before she can plan her next steps.

No matter what he says, she'll help him get out of here alive. She promises.

" Before all this, I --- got the impression that you liked me. " That's hard enough to get out. She falters and swallows the lump in her throat, her gaze breaking with his for only a second while she does. " Was that real? Or was it some kind of act to get close to me? "

He supposed that it was only a matter of time before his luck in Corona has run out, even if he’s not exactly sure how it did. Diluc was the only person to have known of Kaeya’s true origins and how he ended up here so far from ‘home’, and while he had been angry and disgusted, he kept the secret to himself. Even his face had an expression of shock when the King had made his very public announcement about Kaeya’s so called ‘betrayal’. Someone must of overheard them somehow... and then reported back to King Fredrick with their findings.

... Not like it would do much for him to muse over this.

Fallen from grace so quickly... it was like someone splashed him with a bucket of ice cold water, and all the years he’s spent here washed away as a result. Knight Kaeya to Traitor Kaeya... to dangerous Kaeya, who came the land of the moon opal; and therefore must be a danger to the land of the sun’s freedom and happiness. Even with his reputation it didn’t take much for a lot of people to accept it as truth -- although, he supposed they were waiting for proof that he was truly a bad egg that had nothing to do with his... notable differences compared to his fellow knights.

Blue eye lifted up slowly as the sound of someone entering the dungeons, and he had to resist the urge to chuckle at the form of the princess herself. The one who had tried so hard to prove that the king was lying; that it was due to his own prejudices that he accused Kaeya of something so severe. The one whose expression crumbled when he had to tell her himself that it was all the truth.

Dark navy locks were tumbled around his shoulders, a mess outside of it’s usually neat updo, starkly different against the white of his undershirt, the only thing he was allowed to keep of his usual attire in here. There was the faint outline of bags under his eye, watching Rapunzel with the same calm that she used to study him. Did she take her father’s side, now that she knows the truth? Does she think that he was some monster, who truly wished to bring down Corona or steal the sun-drop -- her?

He wouldn’t be too surprised if she did. It seemed to be easy for people to attribute those motives on him.

Kaeya snorts slightly, closing his eye as he shook his head slightly; the faintest sound of a snicker escaping from him as he glanced away, releasing a long breath that remained the only sound between them for several moments. He could feel the guards glancing at them, listening and alert, as though he would lunge forward and try to bring her harm if she dared get too close to the ‘savage criminal’.

“... Seems like it’s easier than you probably thought to flip the switch on me, hm?” He glances back up at her, lips still curled in a weak slight smile, giving her a once over. Was this more of Fredrick’s words trying to twist her perspective? To try and hurt him? He wouldn’t put it past him, especially not with the ‘conditions’ that he set forth where one of the end results was freedom...

The fallen knight pushed himself up to his feet with a grunt, taking a few steps forward until he’s closer to the bars, eyes never leaving her; even if he could sense the guards tensing and letting their hands hover near their swords. He swallowed, smile falling back into a neutral expression, searching the princess’s face as though looking for something; an answer or a sign. Even he wasn’t sure what he was hoping to find.

“... I never pretended anything with you.” A small pause, as though - for the first time - Kaeya Alberich was carefully thinking of the words he was to say next. “However I acted, whatever i said... I never had to fabricate any of that. Believe me.” It was the best he could do with the guards so close and listening so close, the most he could allow himself to both answer her and not give them anymore ammo. He stared at her for another beat before glancing towards the guards again, releasing a low breath before he slides on one of his famous smiles; careful and nothing more than a slight curl of his lips.

“--- You can believe me or don’t. But you asked me to be honest with you, and I wish to honor that.” A small bow of his head towards her. “... If that’s all... then maybe you should leave. The dungeons is no place for the sun, princess.”

[polymathart]

My Cassarian Story Outline

Cassandra goes out adventuring across the world. She still kinda misses Rapunzel. She’s had many brief relationships with both men and women she’s met along her journey, but none of them were serious. She still had residual feelings for Rapunzel she still needed closure with.

Varian goes about his adventures across the Seven Kingdoms. Varian does try to start a relationship with Hugo, however Hugo ultimately isn’t ready to join the relationship. He thinks his betrayal of Varian has caused too much damage between them that they shouldn’t be together. They remain friends but Hugo eventually decides that they deserve to find other people.

Cass and Varian have had brief reunions in between whenever Cass came to visit, such as during Rapunzel and Eugene’s wedding, Christmas, and the christening of the royal couple’s baby.

The story begins five years after Plus Est En Vous. Varian is 22 and Cassandra is nearing 30 when she finally decides to return to Corona and settle.

Varian is one of the first people to meet Cass. He shows her around Corona and catches her up on things. Cass wants to talk to Rapunzel, so Varian, already on his way to a meeting with the Queen, invites Cass to accompany him.

Cass and Rapunzel and Eugene reunite. Rapunzel introduces Cass to her two children, mentioning a third one on the way. Later at dinner, Cass tells the whole gang (Varian, Lance, and Angry & Catalina included) tells about her adventures. While staying at the castle as a guest, Cass tries to find opportunities to hang out with Rapunzel like old times. However, while they do find some time together, it becomes apparent that Rapunzel and Cass have both changed, especially now that Rapunzel is Queen and Cass is no longer her lady-in-waiting.

Cass finally decides to confess her feelings for Rapunzel, or at least the feelings she used to have for her. She does this with Eugene present out of respect for their relationship. Rapunzel admits that she felt something between them when they were younger that she does miss. Eugene understands this and does not feel a hint of jealousy or bitterness. They all unanimously agree that perhaps Cass and Rapunzel possibly were supposed to and could have been together in another story. Cass and Rapunzel declare their love for each other. It is never confirmed whether this was platonic, romantic, or filial love. All that they know is that they love each other and will always be there for each other.

With all these secrets finally revealed, Cassandra is finally satisfied and feels ready to move on with her life. But she does not know what exactly is next for her.

Of all the people she goes to to talk about this, it’s Varian. They talk at the castle fountain, the same place they talked during “Great Expotations.” Here Varian explains how he felt when he confessed to Hugo but they ultimately never got together. And they bond over that feeling of finding the right person but at the wrong time. Varian notices Cassandra still wearing her Cassandrium necklace all these years later. That, in addition to where they’re sitting, gets the reminiscing how Varian used to have a crush on Cass.

Cassandra decides she needs something to do in Corona to help her settle down. She tries for jobs but she frequently bumps into people who still have left over mistrust of her after her attack on Corona. She also knows that she does not want to be a castle staff member anymore, even as Rapunzel’s lady-in-waiting. She also is cautious of spending so much time around Rapunzel following their last conversation. It just wouldn’t feel right—at least not yet. One day she finds Varian scrambling to fix another invention. The two of them team up to fix it. Once done, Varian tells Cass that he and Hugo usually works with him, but the two have gone down separate paths. (They’re still friends, and exchange scientific projects and findings together.) But Cassandra, not much for science but definitely more for action, would be a huge help. Just like old times. Cassandra agrees.

The two of them work on projects together. Beyond projects, Cass comes along with Varian on trips to science expos around the land, claiming that he needs her protection, Varian claiming that she’s be bored without him around. They become closer and closer through their adventures in and around Corona.

Varian asks Cassandra out one day. He doesn’t expect anything of it. He knows Cassandra has never felt the same way. But, to his surprise, Cass gives a shrug. She accepts, and they end up actually enjoying each other. A few more dates and they officially become a couple.

[inamindfarfaraway]

I’m wondering about Tangled: The Series AUs where the canon timeline diverges. I know someone’s probably already thought of at least one of these, but some that seem really interesting to me are:

Rapunzel takes Cassandra’s suggestion in the battle with Hector in the Great Tree and kills the magic of Zhan Tiri with the spear, rather than keep using the Decay Incantation. Emboldened by this show of trust, Cass initiates a talk with her afterward about their respective perceptions, desires and fears in their conflict. Rapunzel apologizes for dismissing her and tells her she doesn’t keep her around because she’s useful, she wants her in her life unconditionally as a dear friend; she then explains (perhaps realizing herself while doing so) how Cass writing her off as naive and deriding her judgment reminded her of Gothel, so she got extra defensive. Their bond and Cass’s self-esteem are not withered but strengthened. In the House of Yesterday’s Tomorrow Cass still gets targeted for manipulation by Zhan Tiri. But here, due to her lessened resentment of Raps and greater understanding of her and what Gothel did to her, all Zhan Tiri accomplishes is empowering Cass to care more for her own mental health now she recognizes the depth and extent of her trauma… and showing her she has more in common with Rapunzel than they thought. Once Tromus is defeated, she doesn’t hesitate to tell her friends about her experience and they help her deal with the wounds it reopened and salted. She and Rapunzel agree that they’re sisters - and would be whether or not Cass had any relation to Gothel. Come “Destinies Collide”, Cass is happy to let Rapunzel live out her destiny. She and Eugene watch proudly as the Sundrop and the Moonstone reunite… and must then return to Corona bearing news of its crown princess’s death. Only to find the king and queen don’t even remember they have a daughter to mourn.

Everything is the same up until the ending of “Destinies Collide”, when Cass moves to grab the Moonstone. But she’s a little too slow. Rapunzel touches it, barely if at all noticing Cass behind her, and dies. Poor Eugene is as well as in extreme shock, horror and grief, consumed with guilt that he allowed the love of his life to inadvertently kill herself despite knowing that was a risk. At least his weird, eccentric king father can empathize? The question remains of why Cass tried to take the damn rock, since she didn’t know it might have been dangerous to the Sundrop. Now in the very awkward position of being caught in the act of a dramatic, personal, emotionally charged betrayal of someone who ceased to exist before they could even register it, Cass puts together what Eugene and Edmund were saying and hastily claims she learned the truth about Rapunzel’s ‘destiny’ in the House of Yesterday’s Tommorows. So that’s why she wanted to beat Raps to it. To save her life. Like Eugene wanted. No other reason! Her feelings on Raps are not a smidge more complicated than love and loss, she’ll testify to that! The group lingers in the Dark Kingdom to mourn, adjust and plan. Eugene is the prince of a kingdom now liberated from the choking black rocks - one his father is excited to physically and societally reconstruct to atone for his mistakes - and the learning and work gives him something to do, and he finds Edmund isn’t that bad as his dad becomes a huge support, so he’s actually getting quite invested in it. He doesn’t know where he stands, who he is, in Corona without Rapunzel anyway. He resolves to permanently stay in the Dark Kingdom. Lance stays with him. (Shorty is sent back home.) Hector gets a proper redemption arc and rejoins Adira and Edmund. Meanwhile Cass is adrift, cracking under the pressure to hide her feelings and intentions before that fatal instant both for Eugene and Lance’s sake and to save her skin. It doesn’t help she begins to think Eugene is ignoring her just like Rapunzel did to bask in his new royal status. She decides she’s done with being a side character in her others’ stories and leaves. Where to? Anywhere besides Corona and the Dark Kingdom, never one place for long. But she can’t run from her past forever. Nor can Eugene lock his away in his castle vault. Zhan Tiri is still out there and she isn’t pleased the Sundrop and Moonstone are beyond her reach. Luckily, she has another potential pawn intelligent enough to literally build her a portal to freedom: Varian, recent traitor to and prisoner of the Separatists of Saporia, blaming himself for his country’s destruction, and desperate for the power to make amends - to make people listen to him.

An AU of the previous one, where Cass is unable to lie. Instead she just breaks down and confesses everything, and Eugene has take into account her emotional turmoil and attempted betrayal on top of everything else. Depending on his reaction, they might get closer in this version thanks to her honesty and vulnerability or he might disown her completely. In the latter timeline, this could lead to a different villain arc for her.

After Cass fuses with the Moonstone, her friends convince her they do care about her and she doesn’t abandon them. However, she’s far from okay and they all still have a lot to work through, not to mention she can’t control her volatile new powers and, oh yeah, Zhan Tiri keeps appearing to try to undermine her progress at every step. How would Season Three look with an antiheroic Moonsandra in Rapunzel’s party?

[rachelbethhines]

Tangled Salt Marathon - The King and Queen of Hearts

The existence of this episode just baffles me, as it undermines so much of what season three was trying to accomplish. 

Summary:  Rapunzel continues to try and restore the memories of her parents, King Frederic and Queen Arianna, and hopes to use the journal of Herz Der Sonne to remind them, but they do not understand the significance. Arianna still lusts for adventure, while Frederic cannot get over his obsession of egg collecting. Rapunzel recruits her friends to try and set up the perfect date for them and while they cannot find anything in common personality wise, they share a mutual love for Rapunzel. However, King Trevor arrives with the intent to woo Arianna using an ocean crystal he found.

So What Exactly Is the History Here? 

We have no context for this sudden love triangle. All we know is that Trevor hates Frederic because he’s still in love with Arianna who wound up marrying him instead. 

But like, I don't know why Arianna married Frederic. I don’t know why Trevor is still hung up on her years later. Did she actually choose Frederic or was it an arranged marriage cause that’s what royalty did back then? Was she having an affair with Trevor this whole time but couldn’t/wouldn’t leave because of duty? Was she and Trevor pining star crossed lovers, or is Trevor just an incel? 

I know what the story wants me to assume; that Arianna deeply loves Frederic and that Trevor is just a jackass loser; but the series has done such a poor job of making Frederic likable and giving him and Arianna any sort of chemistry that I’m inclined to side with Trevor. 

For all we know, he may be trying to rescue Arianna from both her memory loss and her abusive relationship while at it. Especially now that she’s no longer needed as a ruler and has no reason to stay in Corona. 

Why Not Just Use the Potion from Rapunzel: Day One? 

While any Varian cameo is appreciated, it doesn’t add thing to the story. In fact it only raises more questions. We already had a cure for the memory loss, why aren’t we using it? 

Even if we write it off as Rapunzel no longer having that particular Saporian spellbook on hand, she still has a whole dungeon full of actual Saporians who know magic that she could gain information from! There’s also Xavier, who already knows everything under the sun about Saporian/Coronian history and magic and owns spellbooks galore. You’re telling me he just has mood potions lying around but can’t brew up a cure for memory loss? 

Then there’s also the fact that the amnesia spell doesn’t work on Rapunzel’s parents the same as it did on Rapunzel and we’re never given a reason why. Like just some basic consistence is all I ask show. 

I also can’t figure out what Varian is even trying to do here. Where’s is the science to this? What does strawberry goop and lighting have to do with memory? It’s just a cheap reference to Frankenstein and nothing more.  

We’re Already Pass Seven Months Since Rapunzel’s Return. 

Ok, I have gotten into frequent debates with people about the timeline of season three. Many a story board artist and writer on the show have came forward and stated that season three was only one year. But the very existence of this episode disproves them! 

If you remember season one, Hearts Day took place after the Goodwill Festival, but before Queen for a Day. Even when putting episodes back into their intended production order that still remains true. 

Hearts Day has to be at least seven months past Rapunzel’s birthday, if not eight months, because the Goodwill Festival is six months past and her parent’s anniversary (QfaD) is nine months past. 

Now Rapunzel’s Return has to be Rapunzel’s 20th birthday because season two was a full year, and even if you say it’s not, then that still doesn’t explain Once a Handmaiden (the Goodwill Festival) coming after this episode.  

And no you can’t move the episodes around, Once a Handmaiden has be the second to last episode of the series and Under Raps always comes after Rapunzel’s Enemy in any order you watch the series in. 

No matter how you slice it, we’re missing a birthday episode for Rapunzel and season three has to be more than a year; a year and a half at the very least, if not two full years.  

Look I’m not trying to be disrespectful of the talented artists who worked on this show, but their word isn’t law. The very fact that they’ve had to tell us the timeline after the series was over with indicates bad writing, and the very fact that the show itself contradicts them indicates either a lack of communication behind the scenes or a lack of editorial oversight. Either option is just poor management. 

We Have Yet Another Failed Narrative Promise! 

Are we seeing a pattern yet? 

This is the third time in a row where the episode flat out states that Rapunzel needs to learn something and then, just, never has her learn it; four if you count her non-apology to Varian. Instead the show rewards her for her bad behavior by just giving her want she wants on a sliver platter for no adequate reason. 

In fact, one could argue that this episode is the worst offender in the show because divorce is a real thing real kids have to go through. Children that will undoubtedly watch the series. 

How upsetting would it be to such a child to watch Rapunzel force her parents back together  with zero consequences and realize that they can’t do that in real life? It can potentially feed into misplaced delusions or make them even more bitter, either way it’s unhealthy and super irresponsible to tackle such subject matter in this way. Even Sesame Street handled the topic of divorce better than this supposedly ‘mature’ show. 

It’s a Castle! Why Can’t Frederic Get His Own Room?

Frederic is the king. He still technically owns everything even if he’s not the one still in charge. He could have his pick of any room so why is he forcing himself on Eugene? Hell he doesn’t even have to stay in the castle. As pointed out during The Return of the King review, there’s other accommodations within the kingdom that’s suited for royalty. Why not head up to that mountain retreat?  

This is a Really Bad Message 

I understand that this is meant to be a joke, because of how ridiculously over the top it is, but because the series gives Rapunzel what she wants in the end without ever having her acknowledge how she is wrong here, it winds up validating her toxic world view anyways.

Divorce is not inherently a bad thing. We should be working towards both normalizing it and promoting healthy coping mechanisms for those that go through it, adult and child alike. What Rapunzel is doing here is just repeating puritanical fearmongering. And while I can understand why she might behave in this way, I don't understand why the show refuses to call her out on it. Or any of the other million bad behaviors she displays repeatedly through out the show... like the example below for instance... 

Why Am I Suppose to Like Rapunzel Again? 

It’s like the writers don’t understand that a joke can damage a character, especially if it’s overplayed. Super sweet upbeat Rapunzel snapping because she finally met someone who was annoying or a situation she couldn’t just solve with a positive attitude was funny maybe like the first time; but we’re three seasons in and this is supposedly her closest loved ones.  

Look at them! They’re fucking terrified of her! All they did was point out that she maybe should do her job and deal with real problems instead of poking her nose into her parents business where it doesn’t belong! And this brat is now the ruler of the whole kingdom!? No one can legally stand up to her. 

Like where’s the Eugene that stood up to her in Under Raps for trying this same bullshit? Why hasn’t she learned her lesson? She also pulled this same bullying tactic on young Lance and teen Eugene two episodes. Cass left her ass, supposedly, because of her bossy thoughtless ways. And this is also the same woman who abused a child back in season one and still has never acknowledged it. 

Yes characters should be flawed, but they should also face real consequences for their actions, and if they’re a protagonist they need to learn and grow past their flaws. 

I actively started to dislike Rapunzel after this scene. I already felt something was off way back in the season three opener, but this is the point where I stopped and went “What the fuck?” She used to be my second favorite character behind Varian. I didn’t go into this wanting to hate her, even after this episode I still held out hope that they were trying to purposefully lead up to some sort of falling out with everyone and with Rapunzel having to own up to her bullshit in order to win. You know like a classic third act “the hero is now alone due to their past mistakes” type story. But Nope! 

There’s no pay off for any of this. Rapunzel is just mean for the sake of being mean in season three, and no one is aloud to call her out on it. She’s now the same type person as Frederic, a tyrant. That’s not a good development! 

She’s Literally Bullying Her Own Parents Now, and I’m Suppose to Find that Funny? 

Yes, Frederic is her abuser, and yes some people might find this scene cathartic if they hate him. But this isn’t actually calling out his past abuse. It’s just Rapunzel treating a now powerless old man with that same abuse and denying him bodily autonomy. An old man who has both less political rights and less power within the relationship than her; since due to his memory loss he is now dependent upon her. 

In the real world it’s the equivalent of picking on an Alzheimer's patient who is in your care. I don’t give a shit how much of dick they were before the illness set in, you don’t fucking do that!  

Why Should I Want Arianna and Frederic To Be a Couple? 

The show has done nothing to sell this relationship. In fact one could argue that the show is trying to purposefully sabotage it. 

Before the memory loss Frederic was proven to be abusive, to the point where even his own wife was afraid of him and wouldn’t stand up to him. Meanwhile Arianna was shown to be a shell of her former self who’d all but given up upon the things she actually enjoyed in life. And now that they both have had a second chance they have even less motive to stay together. 

Look at Arianna up there? She’s clearly not enjoying her time with him. While he doesn’t want to engage in anything that she likes. I mean a couple doesn’t have to share their interests in everything, but there still has to be some sort of connection and the series just does not give us that connection. 

There’s no reason why they should stay together. They no longer have any commitment or duty to fulfill as rulers and their daughter is fully grown. Contrary to what Rapunzel says, the kingdom isn’t going to fall apart if they separate. It actually would probably better for everyone, including Rapunzel, if they got divorced. At least then she’d have to grow up somewhat and stop being a controlling asshat.  

Why is Attila Here?

I thought Attila got a job running his own bakery and that it was Lance who became the new cook at the Snuggly Duckling? Even if you argued that Attila was just doing Rapunzel a solid that still wouldn’t explain who is running the place when Lance isn’t there. 

If you’re going to set up developments like that then you need to either stick with them or give an on screen reason for why these previous developments are no longer relevant. Flat out ignoring them like this is just lazy. 

Lance’s New Outfit is the Best Thing About the Episode, and It’s Also a Complete Waste.

Lance deserved a new outfit because the team was too lazy to give him one for season two, even during the island arc. This however is a waste because it doesn’t add anything to the narrative. People were paid to make this thing for it to only show up for a few seconds of screen time. 

This Whole Exchange Is Gross. 

Oh let me count the ways in which this is so, so stupid. 

Neither Rapunzel nor Frederic has ever proven themselves “thoughtful and responsible.” In fact both of them being irresponsible is intentionally a plot point in the main story arc.

How would either Frederic or Arianna know any of this? Not only have they lost their memories, but they didn’t raise Rapunzel themselves and those traits aren’t inherited; they are taught. 

Gushing over your grown daughter isn’t a point of connection! 

Why would anyone be compelled to kiss a practical stranger, that they previously didn’t even like, just because they both admire some woman they also barely know and happen to be related to? What is the thought process behind this? “Oh we made that? Then lets make another one!” What the fuck show? I’m ace and even I know that’s not a normal thing to get titillated over. 

The Series Turns Frederic Into a Literal Baby In a Last Ditch Effort to Make Him Likable 

The whole point behind the amnesia plot was to absolve Frederic of his past wrong doings. You can’t call out an old man with Alzheimer's for being a dictator, I suppose. (not like that’s ever stopped me from criticizing Ronald Reagan, tho)  But from there the series then takes it one step further and actually infantilizes both Frederic and Arianna, because Chris assumes that if he makes Fredric as pathetic as possible the audience won't hate him any more. Well guess what, it didn’t work. Frederic isn’t suddenly a poor woobie just because he’s useless now. That’s not how that works.  

Rapunzel Literally Physically Assaults a Person, Kidnaps Them, Threatens Them With Even More Bodily Harm, and Causes an International Incident; All Because They Asked Her Mom Out On a Date! 

You can’t hear it in the screen shots, but there’s very clearly a clanging sound to indicate that Rapunzel just wacked Trevor upside the head and knocked him out. 

Let me repeat, a Disney protagonist just committed armed assault against a guy, simply because she doesn’t respect her own mother.

What the Fuck!!!???

Arianna is fully grown woman. She is perfectly capable of making her own choices and she agreed of her own volition to go out with him. In fact she’s the one who asked Trevor if she could come along on his sea voyage. It’s not Rapunzel’s place to interfere with that. 

Secondly, Rapunzel shouldn’t get a free pass to attack people just because she’s doesn’t like them. And she most assuredly shouldn’t get to write off her cruelty as justice because she's royalty! What the hell? You just turned one of your official princesses into a literal tyrant for the sake of a joke, Disney! 

Where the fuck was the oversight on this show!? 

And to top it all off, Trevor is a ruler of a competing kingdom. This could easily have been deemed an act of war. Thankfully for everyone involved Trevor has far more sense and compassion than Rapunzel and doesn’t push the matter. 

Yes that’s right! The intentionally annoying prat and comedic antagonist is a more upstanding person than the main heroine! Let that sink in! 

Wait, If Laws Don’t Apply Out In the Ocean, Then Why Did Eugene and Max Have Jurisdiction to Arrest Lady Caine in Peril on the High Seas? 

Max shoved this same rule book into Eugene’s face when Eugene rightfully questioned if it was his job to arrest the mutineers. This book said that it was not only his job, but that he was also legally required to stop any and all ‘wrongdoing’ no matter where he was at nor whether he was on duty or not. While also failing to specify what ‘wrongdoing’ entailed. 

Now that’s very problematic and ridiculous for a whole host of reasons that I’ve already covered back in my review of Peril on the High Seas, but this scene now adds a whole new layer of stupidity to the mix. 

If zero laws apply out in open waters than yes, Eugene and Max were acting out of their jurisdiction. Not only that, but the pervious dumb rule regarding their duties is also now null and void. So, Justice For Lady Caine! 

Oh, but were not done yet, cause it gets dumber. 

If laws, including marriage don't apply, then getting married while out at sea also would not apply. Thereby rendering Trevor’s plan useless, unless they got married back in Equis. Which if they did that, it would bypass the entire pointless rule book completely because Equis is not subject to Corona’s laws anyways. 

There’s not even any ‘inter-kingdom’ laws that they would be subject too because Equis isn’t a part of the seven kingdoms. Any treaty they did previously have with Corona would be something else entirely, and Trevor would be within his rights to end such an agreement.     

Also Trevor is a king. He can do whatever the fuck he wants. Same goes for Arianna.

Ummm, No You Don’t Rapunzel

Trevor can’t marry Arianna without her agreement to it. It’s already been established that she’s physically capable of taking care of herself and she’s also mature enough to make her own decisions. If she did wind up marrying him it’d be because it’s her fucking choice to and Rapunzel has zero right to interfere with that.  

There’s no one to rescue here. Rapunzel has no reason to go chasing after her mom. All this is doing is denying a grown woman agency over her own life. Why should I or anyone, root for Rapunzel here? 

You Do Know That Arianna Has More Than Just Two Choices Here, Don't Ya Show?

Arianna doesn’t have to be in any relationship. That’s also an option. While I personally like Trevor, this shouldn’t be a choice between him or Frederic. The show should be asking what Arianna, as a character, would want for her life, instead of just shoehorning her into just being a wife for someone else. 

I still don’t know what Arianna really wants in life, but I do know that being a domestic housewife and a queen does not suit her. She doesn’t actually like being tied down with commitments and responsibilities. She’s repeatedly indicated over and over again that she feels uncomfortable in her role. 

But the show reduces her into trophy to win and turns her into a damsel in distress multiple times. Then it further neuters her so that she complacently walks back into that life over and over again for no logical reason. She’s treated not as a person but as a prop.    

Really, Arianna? Are You Really Sure About That? 

These aren’t Arianna’s words. They’re Chris’s. 

Arianna has shown zero interest in Frederic up to this point. The closest they got was during that creepy boat scene where they just jumped to almost kissing for no real reason.  While before now Arianna was making actual goo-goo eyes at Trevor earlier, before Raps stepped in and broke them up.  

They actually do have things in common and had a genuine point of connection. They even almost kissed themselves until Raps started being a dick. No forced and icky conversations about their grown children needed here folks!

While I still firmly believe Arianna should just be single, the show does far more to convince me that she and Trevor should be together more so than her and Frederic. Everything about this scene on the boat feels forced and hollow because it doesn’t ring true to what was previously established. 

This just isn’t good writing. It’s the animation equivalent of a six year old smashing their Barbie dolls faces together and shouting “now kiss!”, all because a middle aged man couldn’t get over they fact people didn’t like his self insert. 

No, wait, I apologize. That’s being mean to six year olds. They usually have more interesting plots and established characterization than this.  

Hey, Remember When the Series Villainized an Orphan For Stealing This Stupid Book? 

Yeah, stealing the book was treason and the mains ruined a child’s life over it, but apparently it just doesn’t matter any more cause no one seems to give a shit about Trevor taking it. Like, yes, as the king of another kingdom, Trevor isn’t beholden to Frederic’s bullshit, but you would think that the characters would treat this as a bigger deal than what they do, given how they responded previously to it being taken.

Unless Rapunzel was just talking out of her ass back during The Alchemist Returns. That’s also quite possible.  

This Literally Has Nothing To Do With You Rapunzel 

Just because Rapunzel herself is a woman, doesn’t mean that stealing the agency of another female character isn’t misogynist. Especially when their both written by primarily men.  

Every guy who was involved with the writing of the episode, should be fucking ashamed of themselves!!! 

So What Exactly Has Trevor Done Wrong Up To This Point? 

Yes, the story board artists and voice actors do a lot of heavy lifting here to try and make Trevor seem like a creep. Arianna’s body language and tone of voice when dealing with him here will be very familiar to a lot of women, I’m sure. I know what it’s like to have a stalker and not know how to turn them down because you’ve been trained all your life to ‘be polite and nice” to people, and I’m not unique in that regard. 

But here’s the thing, it’s not set up properly. There’s nothing backing this sudden shift in the characters’ dynamic. Up till now Trevor has been a perfect gentlemen. Sure he was over the top as always, and you could call it an act when regarding his politeness to Frederic, but he seemed to genuinely respect and admire Arianna and clearly desires genuine affection in return from her. Why would he suddenly stop behaving in a way that worked for him and start talking over her instead? 

Also why wouldn’t Arianna just tell him no to begin with if that’s what she wants? She had no trouble speaking her mind before now. But that begs the question why she wouldn’t return his feelings as well, because as stated above, she clearly showed interest in him previously. 

This is So Fucking Forced

Yeah, okay, you’re daughter has no reason to be here to begin with, disrespected your wishes, and attacked Trevor first. At this point I’d argue he has a right to retaliate. Especially since, if Rapunzel was allowed to board, you know she’d just attack him again, because she knows no other way to resolve conflicts other than to hit people very hard.  

Arianna’s actions here only make sense if she’s kept in the dark about what an awful human being her daughter really is. That’s poor writing. 

Also, having a woman just punch people while denying them actually agency and choice within the plot is not ‘girl power.’ It’s fucking misogyny!

How Does Doing the Bare Minimum, and Just Showing Basic Human Decency Count As ‘True Love’? 

What was she suppose to do? Let him drown? I mean I wouldn’t, and I despise the man. Not to mention anyone else could have done the same thing. They’re all right there. If Lance had jumped to the rescue would Trevor have proclaim them lovers too? 

Trevor Is Still the Better Man Here

Here he is rescuing Rapunzel even after she treated him like shit. 

Best. King. Period. 

This Still Doesn’t Redeem Frederic 

So through out the episode Frederic has inexpiably shown an obsession for eggs. He now collects them even though this was never an established trait before now. But whatever. He’s just been through something traumatic and looking for something to ground himself.  Far be it from me to make fun of someone else’s special interest. If you like to collet eggs than good for you. Go live your life to fullest. 

That’s more respectful than how the show handles it, as everyone dismiss his interest and it’s treated like a joke through out the episode. Only to have said obsession save the day. But this isn’t here to teach the others about respecting other people’s hobbies, oh no, it’s here to try and give Frederic a big hero moment so you’ll cheer for him. 

Except one nice thing does not erase his past actions! I don’t care what your hobby is, if you deliberately try to cause grievous harm to people you’re and asshole! And you will continue to be an asshole until you can admit what you’ve done wrong and try your best to make up for it. 

I Hope You Made Back Up Copies of The Tunnel Maps 

A bunch of people are more upset over this development than I am, because it is a historical artifact and preserving the past is important. But the only story function the book held was a map to the tunnels, and said tunnels were never utilized properly through out the entire show. 

To this day people still don’t understand that they’re meant connect the island to Old Corona or that Herz Der Sonne is the one who built them into order to invade Saporia because the show is so bad at its world building. And come season three, they’re all but irrelevant anyways. Such a wasted concept. 

Once Again the Whole ‘Memory Loss’ Subplot Is a Copout 

Ok that’s not how the spell worked previously, but that’s not what I’m taking issue with here. 

If the whole point behind the amnesia plot twist was to sweep Frederic’s awfulness under the rug, then I expect his past actions to be addressed once he’s regained his memories. They are not. 

This episodes reverses the very thing that the season was trying to achieve and just hopes the audience is too stupid/attention deficient to notice. Well guess what, we noticed and we’re far smarter than you Chris. 

Conclusion

I don’t understand the point of this episode. It shoots everything season three is trying to do in the foot. It screws up the timeline, makes Rapunzel even more of an irredeemable dickhead while preventing her from learning yet another needed lesson, undermines Arianna as a character once again, and it puts Frederic back in the crosshairs of the audience’s scrutiny. 

Oh and look, it’s written by the same guy who wrote Rapunzel’s Return. Why am I not surprised.  

Anyways another one down and only 15 more to go. You can support my continued marathon by dropping a tip in my ko-fi if you wish. I’m currently back to job hunting yet again and anything you can give is appreciated. 

https://ko-fi.com/rachelbethhines

[birb-tangleblog]

The Rise of Flynn Rider - THOUGHTS

OHHH IT'S BEEN SO LONG SINCE I GOT TO DO A THOUGHTS POST ABOUT NEW CONTENT, MY HEART'S SINGIN

I agree w/ much of the sentiment I've been seeing on my dash, where the characterization of younger Lance (ARNIE) and Eugene is really enjoyable, but I'll still be picking and choosing what other elements I want to “keep” from the novel. Which is a good way to go abt it in general, I think!

I get the impression the author watched the series (or at least some key episodes) and I appreciate how the writing seems thoughtful, overall.

THE DK QUEEN HAVING LINES AND INTERACTIONS WITH EDMUND AND THEM BEING SWEETHEARTS AAAAA

Edmund’s POV was the highlight for me, and I really loved getting to see a glimpse of their lives together pre-series. The DK queen being Edmund's "true home".... sniffles...

Disappointed we STILL didn't get a name for the Queen, but I wonder if it might be revealed later in the book?? Not sure how but... maybe if there's a flash forward or if Eugene finds another letter?

The idea that the moonstone was previously... sealed? And not exposed to the world prior to Edmund attempting to destroy it is an interesting HC. I'm not necessarily opposed to this thought! The black rocks intensifying during the series as the result of a containment breach of sorts is neat.

Still loved seeing an official version of the events that led to Edmund losing his arm. Ed powering through an injury like that to get to his son is metal. PAPA BEAR-

I do wonder which episodes the author watched tho, and what she just chose to disregard. The sequence of events from the novel is very obviously different from the flashbacks in "Destinies Collide", but I assume the author just condensed the timing to make for a tighter prologue.

(The DK dying a slow death and the evacuation taking years/the citizens leaving in waves remains my pet theory js js) 

Same goes for the boys growing up in Corona instead of Vardaros, presumably b/c of the brand name recognition.

Despite the egress not really matching canon I did like Edmund's extended farewell to Eugene much more than in canon. Stronger emotion and sense of loss/grief to it.

"He let out a choked sob" this is the most fanficcy line in the entire thing I swear

Overall, seems like the author wanted to soften up Ed's choice to send Eugene away by giving him more of a reason to do so? And... mixed feelings. I like that it makes Ed seem more loving and tragic, and making that choice immediately after losing his wife exonerates him a bit, but I can see why other fans see it as one of those 'handwave away bad fathering/parenting' retcons.

Re. crits, there not being any allusions to the DK having female rulers in the past, despite them being spoken of by Edmund in the show and shown in the statues/stained glass was act was a bit disappointing for me. The novel only references past kings of the DK, no queens, and the line of "passed down from father to son and king to king" is... meh. It’s a small thing, but an easy fix too.

“His wife somehow knew the truth, as wives usually do" ???? I can kinda forgive this one if I think of it as being through the lens of Edmund as the POV char.

The stan in me rly jumped out for the entire opening with Edmund and the DK, but I enjoyed the parts with Eugene and Lance as kids way more than I thought I would too!! I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the book now, especially given how it’s (mostly) showing fidelity to the series.

The orphanage where Eugene + Lance grew up is written as surprisingly idyllic, and definitely not as scrappy or bleak of an upbringing as I'd have imagined- tbf it works tonally given the age group, but def takes some of the grit out of Eugene’s backstory. Either way I loved that the kids see each other as family, and the hints to both of their futures.

"But they were as close to brothers as two orphans could be" BUT BOY I SURE HOPE THIS LINE DOESN'T GET MISAPPROPRIATED AND USED AGAINST LANCE/EUGENE AS A M/M SHIP MMMMMM-

Lance was such a delight in general!! 2nd fav thing after the DK parts. All the little details about him liking to cook, having a taste for fine clothes, being a quiet kid, joking about how he might run the orphanage some day, etc. were just perf to me, I accept this characterization wholeheartedly so far.

Lance's namesake being a folk hero/Robin Hood-esque figure who may or may not exist is also kinda great?? I always assumed 'Lance Strongbow' was Flynn's sidekick from the books, but I think I like the idea that his identity developed separately more. It fits their different arcs as adults.

The letter bearing the DK symbol is obviously a plot hole, lol- but canon certainly would’ve progressed very interestingly if Eugene had recognized it earlier.

EUGENE BEING INSECURE ABT HIS NOSE BECAUSE OF AN OLD INJURY MIGHT'VE ACT BEEN MY FAV DETAIL TBH

Ofc there’s more to say (and I’m def enjoying the commentary/meta on choices like Ed actually passing the Flynn books to his son) but I’m just so excited to read something new and see all the new content hype in the fandom!!

[kingreywrites]

Tradition

Fandom: Tangled

Word Count: 2624

New Dream Appreciation Week Day One: The Day of Hearts

Summary: "Hey Blondie," Eugene said quietly. She looked down at him as he turned around a little to face her more comfortably. "What do you think about… You know, this whole tradition about signing Herz Der Sonne's diary to celebrate your love?"

Note: not my fav fic for this week, but I hope you’ll like it!!

Read on ao3

@gleamful-lanterns @autumn-ravenclaw

-1-

Sat cross-legged on Eugene's bed, Rapunzel was scribbling intensely on the list of activities she was making to convince Cass that a double date with her and Eugene was the best thing ever, adding little doodles everywhere to support her arguments. Eugene, for his part, was lying down lengthwise on his bed next to her, head and shoulders sticking out. He was tracing mindless patterns on the floorboards under him, looking thoroughly bored.

"Hey Eugene?" she asked suddenly, pencil in her mouth.

"Yes?"

"An activity of swimming together under the stars, yay or nay?"

"Nay," he grunted.

"Really? Why?"

"The water's cold, and Cassandra in it would make it freezing," he grumbled, looking up to see her frown. "Hey, the water really is cold. Plus, this Andrew guy and Cass only just met in person, maybe it's a little too soon to put on swimsuits in front of each other for them."

Rapunzel pondered on that for a second, before nodding. Swimming would have to wait for another double date. She hoped the fifty-six other activities she had planned would be enough to compensate. This was so exciting, she thought with a grin, already fantasising about how great it would be to do all of these things with Eugene, while Cassandra could do them with Andrew.

"Hey Blondie," Eugene said quietly. She looked down at him as he turned around a little to face her more comfortably. "What do you think about… You know, this whole tradition about signing Herz Der Sonne's diary to celebrate your love?"

She beamed at him, forgetting her list for a second as she thought back on the story Big Nose told them not so long ago. "It's so romantic! I love the idea that, for generations, couples signed this book, and that their love will forever live through it!"

"I do too," Eugene answered with a soft smile. He opened his mouth, about to say something, but she didn't notice because right at this instant, an idea struck her.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, lightening up visibly.

"Oh?" he parroted.

"Do you think Cass and Andrew are gonna sign the diary together? That would be adorable!" she squeaked, bending down to add book signing on the list. Oh, she was so impatient for this date - she just needed to get Cassandra's permission, but with so many fun things to do together, how could she say no?

When she looked back towards Eugene, he seemed to have deflated, and was looking at the ground again.

"Are you okay?"

He hummed, before grumbling: "You know, the Herz Der Sonne's diary is for really serious couples. Like, those that think that they're gonna spend their lives together, that kind of deal."

"Ah… And you think Cass isn't ready for that?"

"I- urgh," he groaned, "forget it."

She hesitated, sensing there was something more here, something she wasn't understanding. Gently, she put her hand in Eugene's hair and brushed it away, and he raised his head again to give her an honest and loving smile. She smiled back hesitantly, but he didn't add anything. After a few seconds, she decided to keep making her list of activities.

Just for Eugene, she added a couple manucure, knowing how much he loved these things.

-2-

There were a lot of cool things to do on the road - and a lot of less cool things too, like being in charge of the laundry day. Rapunzel had to admit, though there were plenty of tasks she actually enjoyed doing, laundry was… not one of them. It got her hair wet, and it took a long time to dry, and when she arrived in the castle, she had absolutely no trouble giving up on that.

On the road, though, there weren't many options. Thankfully, Eugene offered his help, so now they were both sitting near the river early in the morning, scrubbing clothes together in peaceful silence.

"Sunshine?"

"Mmh?"

"Do you know what today is?" he asked, meeting her eyes quickly before focusing back on the pants in his hands.

"Monday?"

"No I mean- the day today is, it's special."

Rapunzel frowned, trying to remember what Eugene was talking about. She knew it wasn't anyone's birthday, because if there was one thing she learned religiously, it was birthdays. It wasn't any day significant for their relationship either, she knew those by heart too. If Eugene thought she knew it, it had to be from Corona, so…

"Oh! You're right, it's Corona's annual pie eating contest!"

"Ah… no I think that's next week actually."

"Hmm." She put her hand on her chin, trying to think. "Is it 'share with your neighbour' day?"

"Uh… I think that was last week?" he answered hesitantly.

"... are you talking about the day of the snakes? Pascal's really not a fan of this one."

"We have a-- Corona really does have too many celebrations, doesn't it?" he groaned, but he seemed amused anyway, so she laughed.

They did have a day for everything, it felt. She didn't take part in all of them, but she loved learning about these traditions, and she loved even more seeing people enjoy themselves and having fun. Her favourite celebrations were the ones that were beloved by all of Corona, like the Gopher Grab, or-

"The Day of Hearts!" she exclaimed triumphantly, beaming when Eugene nodded. "Today is the Day of Hearts! Aww, I can't believe we're missing it, I'm sure people are having so much fun today!"

"I'm sure they are," Eugene agreed easily, looking back down at the clothing he was still washing. "And, uh, I-"

"I hope my parents are having a good day," Rapunzel said, a little quieter. She knew how much they loved that day, and thinking about it made her miss them more than usual.

Eugene cleared his voice, bringing back her attention to him. "Blondie, I was thinking… Maybe we could organise our own Day of Hearts? Here? Of course it won't be the same but-"

"Eugene, you are a GENIUS!" she jumped to her feet, too full of excitement all of the sudden. "This is the best idea ever, this is gonna be so fun!"

"I have my moments," he grinned, looking proud of himself. "So, what do you wanna do for our Day of Hearts?"

"Apple bobbing," Rapunzel announced without an ounce of hesitation.

"Of c- wait, what? Apple bobbing?"

She nodded eagerly. "I didn’t get to do it last year, what with Andrew turning out to be… Well, you know. I really wanted to, though, and I swore to myself that I would do it next year, which is today!"

"But you played that game in Corona already."

"Not on the Day of Hearts! It wasn't the full experience. Ah, and I'm sure Lance and Hookfoot will find it fun too, plus you know how Max is with apples," she said with amusement.

"Ah." Eugene seemed a lot quieter. "You want everyone to participate."

"Of course!" she sat down again to finish the laundry, a new energy in her actions. The quicker they did that, the quicker they could start. "That's really an amazing idea Eugene, I can't wait!"

He smiled, but it looked a little weird to her. It wasn't the proud and happy smile he had only minutes earlier. "I'm glad you like it, Sunshine."

"I love it, really," she insisted.

Eugene's smile seemed a little more genuine after that. And he actually had fun too during the apple bobbing - Rapunzel wasn't sure what he had been disappointed about at first, but she hoped it was resolved.

-3-

Oh, Rapunzel thought one year later, I am an idiot.

She… She had never really considered the idea that Eugene might want to spend the Day of Hearts with her only. She knew it was a day for romance, and couples, but- but she had always seen it as a day for other couples, for some reason.

Even these last days, when Eugene had asked again and again about signing Herz Der Sonne's diary together, she had been more focused on her parents' relationship than anything else. She didn't mind the idea at all, she even wanted to do it, but she didn't feel like it was that important in the grand scheme of things.

Then, King Trevor destroyed the diary. And she had decided to make a new book, thinking that it would be enough, but even now as she was painting the cover, she understood it would never be the same. All these names, these signatures written by people who wanted their love committed to memory, sometimes hundreds of years before today… All of that was gone. And though she liked to think that their love was eternal, and wouldn't be affected by it, she couldn’t help but mourn these lost memories. Corona was what it was now because of these people, and the love they had shared. They didn't deserve to be forgotten.

That line of thought led her to Eugene's insistence that they sign the diary, and suddenly she understood it more - understood the desire for their love to be part of a shared history, a shared tradition. They didn’t need it, but the gesture held a certain significance she hadn’t realised before. With this fact in mind, his behaviour from the previous years made much more sense all of the sudden. The propositions he hadn’t been able to voice, his frustration that he was quick to hide when she mentioned spending the day with other people… Eugene obviously cared about this celebration, and about the meaning it held for their love, and he had wanted… He had wanted to spend time with her, and she hadn’t even noticed. Surveilling her work on the new Book of Hearts, Rapunzel felt a pinch of guilt, but squashed it quickly. She knew Eugene would not blame her for not reading his mind, and instead of wallowing, she could make sure that this time, their love would be her entire focus for the remaining time.

Starting with the Book.

Smiling, she turned the still blank pages, imagining all the new names that would soon fill it. As much as she wished the ancient diary hadn’t been destroyed, she knew that love in Corona still had a bright future, and that these pages would soon be entirely covered by the signatures of couples old and young.

But there was one page she wanted to keep. One page that was for Eugene and her only. There was no hesitation in her mind when she chose the page in the exact middle of the book, because their love was the center of her own universe. Eugene was neither her beginning or her end; he was her entire life, the one holding her pages together. She hoped it was how he saw her too.

Going by the beaming smile he gave her when she gave him a quill, and made them sign the new Book of Hearts together, she’d say she got it right. He held her tightly against himself when they embraced, glowing with a joy she wished she had given him earlier.

She got distracted, after that, by her parents starting to recover their memories. They stayed together all evening, all four of them, just chatting together like they used to do when she first came to the castle - Rapunzel loved it.

When night fell, and her parents retired for the evening, Rapunzel and Eugene went to hang out in her bedroom. His bedroom was full of eggs anyway and, she reasoned, and it was easier for him to sleep in her room than to find an empty one.

This was a logical decision, see, not simply her wanting to cuddle with him all night.

"Hey Eugene? Can I tell you something?" she asked, once she had gotten in her more comfortable nightgown, and he had foregone his jacket and his boots.

"Of course," he smiled, shifting so she could sit next to him. "What's up Blondie?"

"I… I wanted to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't understand how much the Day of Hearts meant to you before, and I'm sorry you felt like you couldn't tell me."

"What? Hey, there's absolutely nothing to be sorry about," he immediately answered, hand going to her cheek.

"Let me explain?" she asked gently, and after a short hesitation, he nodded. "I don't think I did something awful, but I think I didn't pay attention to your feelings on this subject, and I'm sorry for that. The Day of Hearts is…" she paused, trying to find her words. "I think it's an adorable celebration, and I love how much people love it, you know? But I never really- I never related it to our relationship. I care so much more about… the day we met! Or our birthdays, or the day you first gave me flowers, or the day you let me paint on you, or- i think you get it," she chuckled, grabbing a strand of her hair to play with. "I didn’t think you wanted to celebrate the Day of Hearts with me, and only me, and I should have… asked you, instead of assuming."

She grew silent, and Eugene took it at his cue to resume stroking her cheek, eyes soft and somewhat amused.

"Again, I don't feel like you have to say sorry. I never asked you either, and you can't read minds, even mine. I… To be honest, I felt a little bad for caring so much about a day like this one," he chuckled, looking embarrassed. "I didn’t want to admit I'm a sap, I guess."

"That's part of why I love you," Rapunzel grinned. Eugene looked cute when he blushed.

"But also, you're right," Eugene added, an intense honesty to his words. "These moments we shared, they're all so much more important to me than this day will ever be. It's okay, if you prefer to spend the day uh… apple bobbing."

Rapunzel snorted at that, surprised. It wasn't long before they were both laughing, remembering the mess that their "homemade" Day of Hearts had been. Hey, at least it had been a fun day. Maximus had fallen into the river because he had been so excited to grab an apple.

"You know what?" she exclaimed. "Last time, I was the one to choose the activity, so now it's your turn! What do you want to do Eugene?"

"It's nearly midnight," he laughed.

"And? There's still a lot of things we can do at midnight! Oh, we could finally go swimming under the stars-"

"The water will be freezing!"

"You have a point." She put her hands on his knees, bringing her face close to his. "Come on Eugene, there has to be something you want to do!"

"I…" He took a second to think, seriously think, before he said hesitantly: "I wanna dance with you?"

"Oh!" Warmth spread in her chest, and she couldn't contain her excitement at this. "Eugene, I'd love to dance with you!"

She grabbed his hands and made them both stand up next to the bed quickly, linking her fingers with his as they stood close enough for her to hear his soft breathing.

"There's no music, though," he whispered.

As if summoned, Pascal popped his head out of his bed, and played with the little guitar he had on him all day. Just like that, they were laughing, and taking stumbling steps together as they swirled around the room. They were both barefoot, only illuminated by some candles and the moonlight, but they didn't need anything else.

Rapunzel went on her tiptoes to kiss Eugene, and he eagerly returned it, holding onto her waist as they slowly swayed together.

[akizumy]

Plus est en vous

This One Shot is part of my Impersonator!AU, which is Varian-centric and whose basic plot is this : everything is the same as in the show except that Cassandra refuses to team up with Zhan Tiri. There are not a few changes, mainly that Cassandra gets her redemption faster (because she isn’t manipulated by Zhan Tiri in staying angry at Raps) and that Zhan Tiri has to find another way to get the Ultimate Power. This takes place during the finale, and yes the title is both an indication and a pun. I hope you’ll like it ! Trigger Warnings for possession and threats to use violence (which of course remain threats, no violence shown here) -----

Rapunzel was silent as she walked down the corridor, letting her steps guide her through the castle. Her mother whom she just left had told her that king Edmund was on his way and would reach Corona in a matter of hours. Hours, and he would take the Moonstone back to the Dark Kingdom it should never have left in the first place. She should feel relieved. After all these months of trying to get through to Cassandra, things were finally about to get back to normal : Rapunzel and her friends -her family- right by her side, having their happily ever after at long last. She should feel relieved, yet she wasn’t. She couldn’t help the bad feeling gnawing at her insides, warning her to be on her guard, whispering that there was more coming. And there was. When Cassandra handed her the Moonstone, she told her about that mysterious ghost girl who had appeared to her. The warrior had of course been wary, refusing to listen to the spectre and feeling that there may be more going on than what she was letting on. Truthfully, Cassandra had hesitated to turn to the ghost, but her suspicion had been too strong; she didn’t know who she was, but that girl gave her the same impression that the servants of Zhan Tiri had -something ancient and powerful-. Cassandra had sent her away and the ghost had no choice but to do as told : before she disappeared however, she had made the threat to get her hands on the Ultimate power one way or the other. Rapunzel was no fool : she knew that threat was not to be taken lightly. That ghost girl, whoever she was, had almost gotten through to Cassandra of all people. Although she had fortunately not revealed herself for now, Rapunzel knew it was just a matter of time. She had to be lurking around, watching them at any time, waiting for them to make even the slightest misstep : and when one of them irremediably would, spiraling into dangerous thoughts, indulging in the wrong feeling for a little too long, then she would be there. No one was safe. No one but Edmund could be fully trusted, King Edmund who had already endured the Moonstone’s tricks for decades. That was why the princess had not taken any risk- she couldn’t take any risk, not with magic that could quite literally destroy the world as they knew it. Ever since Cassandra had given the Moonstone back, it had been locked away in a chest- a piece of ancient Corona metallurgy whose only key was guarded at all time by Rapunzel, and Rapunzel only. But the princess was only one person, and so it had been decided that a tag-team of sort would be formed so as to have at least one person watching over the chest at all time. Rapunzel had of course chosen people she trusted with her life : Eugene, Lance, Varian and Cassandra. She had gotten a lot of reproaches for this choice, but the princess had stood her ground : they were all redeemed, good people who wanted to do what was right- to protect the world. All of them were. A faint sizzling sound caught her attention, so subtle she almost missed it, soon followed by the muffled sound of glass breaking. But- there wasn’t anyone else in the empty corridors, just like there was no glass nor fire. In the span of a second, Rapunzel became extremely aware of her surroundings. Without her noticing it, her steps had led her near the royal vault, where no one was ever wandering and where the Moonstone had been hidden for that exact reason. Rapunzel didn’t think. She couldn’t think as she ran to the vault’s door and threw it open. Someone had to be in there, one of her friends as they had intended and surely they were the cause of that sound although there was no glass or fire in the vault, nothing but a chest and someone watching over it- There was indeed someone in here. There was one of her friends. That’s what she should think. That’s what she would think, if the chest was closed. Instead, the chest was wide open, its lock completely melted; if Rapunzel had to guess, she’d say it was because of whatever had been inside the small vial, now mere shards of glass on the floor. The room was bathed in a soft blue glow, illuminating the walls, the ceiling and the face of the person towering over the chest- over the opal. Varian. For a second, Rapunzel thought she was mistaken. The room was oddly dark, except for the blue glow : surely this wasn’t her friend, it had to be someone else, and even if that would be far more alarming it would be better in a way. Everything would be better than seeing Varian’s blue eyes staring at the opal gently floating in front of him, seemingly mesmerized. But then she heard Pascal croak in her ear, and she knew this was reality. This was actually happening -being betrayed, the Moonstone getting stolen- and she had to do something. She had to protect the Moonstone and stop Varian now before it was too late. She shared a look with Pascal, and the chameleon on her shoulder immediately understood, going invisible before climbing down. With that out of her mind, Rapunzel took a deep breath, air finally filling her lungs again : as she exhaled, evacuating both air and bad thoughts, Varian turned his attention towards her, finally noticing her presence. "Varian. What are you doing ?" The moment their eyes met, the moment she spoke these words, a race against time started. The clock was ticking now, and it was up to Rapunzel to buy as much time as she possibly could in order to avoid the worst case scenario. "Nothing to worry about, princess : simply what I must." Varian's voice was calm, too calm in a situation like this, and Rapunzel hated it. She wanted him to be scared, to be regretful, to be sorrowful : she wanted a proof that he was acting against his will, that he didn't want to betray her once again. She wanted to trust him. So she did. "Varian, you don’t have to do anything. Whatever this ghost girl has told you, it's all lies : she's only using you as a tool.” Chancing a small step forward, she extended her hand, “Please, let me help you." She had been expecting many responses -denial, lashing out, pleading-, but the chuckle that escaped Varian was not one of them. The sound of it wasn't malicious or condescending, but genuinely amused instead : it reminded the princess of the afternoons they would spend together, exchanging jokes and funny memories. "Oh no- you've got it all wrong, princess. Well, except for one point," He replied with a smirk, "I am afraid I have indeed been using him as a tool." Rapunzel's brain stopped completely. Him ? What...? All this time, she had been afraid the ghost would use one of them to reach the Moonstone. All this time, the princess had been so sure their enemy was trying to divide and conquer. She had never thought she would only conquer, never thought she would use one of her friends that way. But as realization crashed into her, Rapunzel had to face the horrible truth that the person right in front of her had not betrayed her, for the sole reason that they had never been her friend. "Who- are you ?" She whispered, her voice gone because of the shock. This- this couldn't be. Varian was- he was- "What have you done to him ?" "Don't look at me that way. I needed a body, and your little friend here appeared to be needing some sort of break. It is an arrangement, if you please." 'Varian' replied, and Rapunzel wasn't sure if she was more horrified by the fact that a child -her friend- was being possessed or by the casualty with which the ghost had told her the news. "As for my name, it would be rather difficult to provide you with an answer : you see, I was given many names throughout the centuries, tales or even forms I have taken." She waved Varian's hand -no, her hand because Varian was no longer in control of his own body, if he was even there- with a knowing smile. "A warlock. A demon. Even a blizzard. But I think most of your kind knows me as-" "Zhan Tiri." Rapunzel whispered. "Indeed." The demon replied with glee, as if Rapunzel's heart wasn't sinking in her chest, as if her whole worldview wasn't being shattered. Zhan Tiri was real- she was there. She had taken over Varian's body, and was using her friend to take the Ultimate Power for herself. What was she supposed to do...? "Now, if you'll excuse me-" Rapunzel felt her heart stop as the demon outstretched her arm, reaching for the floating opal. At that exact moment, Pascal reappeared next to the chest, sending his tongue right into Zhan Tiri's left eye : the demon stumbled back, more surprised than actually hurt, and Rapunzel didn't waste a second. Throwing her air, she caught one of Zhan Tiri’s wrist, restraining her and keeping her from going anywhere near the Moonstone. The demon was however quick to respond, grabbing one of her alchemy ball and throwing it at the princess. Rapunzel heard Pascal shriek in fear but she was quick to step aside, avoiding the pink goo as it expanded on the floor. When she brought her eyes back to the demon however, it was to see that Zhan Tiri had managed to get ahold of Pascal during their short fight, holding the chameleon with her free hand. "I advise you stand down, Sundrop." The demon laughed, and Rapunzel quickly thought of her options. She was all alone with a demon who was possessing one of her friends and wouldn't hesitate to hurt the other; no one ever went to the vault and the next shift, which was Cassandra's, wasn't before another ten minutes. Could she hold on that long without getting any of her friends hurt ? As if she had read her mind, Zhan Tiri's grip on Pascal tightened, urging the princess to make her choice. "Well ? What will it be, Sundrop ?" Rapunzel watched in horror as Pascal let out small croaks of pain and terror in Zhan Tiri's vicious grip, the demon threatening to hit him on the sharp side of the chest. "Let him go, please !!" Rapunzel blurted out, unable to stand the thought of her best friend getting severely hurt, or worse. "Let both of them go." Zhan Tiri only loosened a bit her grip on Pascal, eyeing Rapunzel in an insistent and impatient kind of way. With a defeated sigh, the princess released the demon's wrist : the latter immediately opened her hand, freeing the chameleon who ran out of reach of Zhan Tiri. "And Varian ?" The princess insisted, staring at the demon as she waited for her to complete her part of the deal. She couldn't really attack her as long as she was hiding under Varian's skin like a human shield, but once he was free she could- "I can't let the alchemist go for now, I'm afraid : as long as I don't have a body of my own, I will need to use his. I have been doing so for some time now after all, and I don't see the point in fixing something that isn't broken." The demon raised one of her hands to her head, brushing the raven bangs back in place as if she was merely taking care of something that was hers; Rapunzel was fuming, feeling an unfamiliar, unbridled anger surge through her, making her see red. "No- you can't just-" She cried in anger, gripping her hair more firmly : she wanted to fight, had to fight, but- could she do so without hurting Varian ? "Give him back !!" "Oh, don't worry your Heigness," In a smooth gesture, Zhan Tiri took Varian's goggles off of her head and let them fall to the ground, a gleeful smirk appearing at her lips at the sound of the lens breaking on impact. Finally, with all of her enemies rendered powerless, the demon could get rid of her disguise : no more pretending to be this pathetic alchemist. She would show them all who she really was, and they would fear her. "Your friend won't suffer nearly as much as the rest of Corona." Zhan Tiri finished, outstretching her arm and closing her hand around the Moonstone; Rapunzel let out a cry of terror as power exploded, filling the room before everything was drowned in a sea of blue and white.

[tangledbea]

Ok so can you please tell me what in the world is this vampire Rapunzel, weird goggle science Eugene and bat Varian thing all about!? I'm so lost XD

Did you start at page 1? XD

Okay, so three years ago, the concept of "Vamparian" got popular. I honestly don't remember where the first one came from. Possibly Kait Ritter. Possibly just a fandom thing. But at any rate, due to its popularity, Tom Caulfield drew Andrew as "Andrew Van Helsing: Vampire Hunter"  to which Kait replied, “Oh, it is on!”

Wait, let me back up a little.

Tom's favorite character from Tangled is Andrew. Kait's favorite is Varian. The two, more than once, drew fanart comics of Andrew and Varian antagonizing each other, which they posted on Twitter. I shared them all here on Tumblr, with permission.

SO!

The story goes like this:

From Tom: Andrew Van Helsing goes to the Corona prison to stake Vamparian.

From Kait: Vamparian wakes up and sics RuddiGRRRRRRR (aka vampire Ruddiger) on Andrew.

From Tom: Andrew throws a bunch of garlic in RuddiGRRRRRRR's mouth, giving him an allergic reaction.

From Kait: Seeing this, Vamparian summons his entire undead/Halloween army consisting of: Cassandraaaugh (zombie Cassandra), Eugenius (mad scientist Eugene), Lanced (ghost Lance, who died by being pierced by a lance, who Eugenius resurrected in ghost form), and Vapunzel (vampire Rapunzel).

From Tom: Andrew tells Vapunzel that she hurts and needs to sing to fix it. Vapuzel begins to sing the Healing Incantation, but GUESS WHAT! It's SUNLIGHT! So Vapunzel starts to melt from contact with the sun. Vamparian shields himself from the sunlight with his cape.

From Kait: As Vapunzel continues to melt, Vamparian turns into his bat form and grabs Andrew by his man bun, lifting him into the air! Meanwhile, Eugenius has wrapped Vapunzel's remains in her own hair and resurrected her as a sort of mummy/Frankenstein hybrid named Wraps!

And that's where it ended because the two stopped drawing continuations of the battle. And if you click the link at the top of this post, it'll take you to the first installment, which has links to all the other parts.

[twotangledsisters]

I would love to know more about:

Loves in a Tower, Islands Together, Mother Kmows Best, Firsts, Silent Screams and Loud Memories, Vardaros' New Fossil Exhibit and Lost at the Gallows.

Sorry for asking about so many.

Oh, please don't apologize! I love to talk about my WIPs and I have soo many!

Sorry I took so long to answer, had a lot of fics to update today!

Anyway, getting into it:

Love in a Tower

This is a Tangled AU where Gothel hires the Stabbington to steal Rapunzel (similar to the movie) but rather than them dispose of Eugene like in the movie Eugene is witness to Gothel rescuing Rapunzel. This leads to Gothel manipulating Eugene by telling him of the horrors she witnesses people do to try and hurt a baby Rapunzel and stal her magic. The horrors Rapunzel is in danger of facing if she remains outside the tower!

So Eugene comes to live in the tower with Rapunzel, because he loves her and wishes to protect her. But used to the wide open world Eugene is anxious, he's also somewhat suspicious of Gothel despite what he witnessed.

A snippet:

Eugene hadn’t left the circular room in far too long. He’d never realised how much he loved to move. Whether it was scaling castles and houses to get the valuables inside, running through forests from guards or the art of battle, Eugene was never still. He’d also never known how to stay in one place, running away from home was almost a hobby of Eugene and Lance back in the day. The orphanages soon learnt of the boy’s knack for trouble and would try to make their life more difficult by locking them in their rooms, but Eugene and Lance just packed and left and found a new place to settle. A new town with people who didn’t look at the two innocent young boys with suspect but rather pity. An emotion which didn’t get in the way of their thieving. Eugene thought he could do this though, he could remain in one place for Rapunzel, he could settle down for her. But his limbs were trembling, he wanted to move. He wasn’t sure if what he was feeling could be classified as claustrophobia, he just knew he hated it and wanted it gone. “Eugene,” Rapunzel whispered, her gentle fingers moving the locks of brown hair from his face as she bowed down to get a better view of his expression. “Are you alright?” Eugene shook his head. “I don’t understand… How did you do it?” “Do what?” “How can you live like this!” he shouted gesturing tot he stone walls, the too small rooms, the limited things to do. “For eighteen years…” “Well… I… I did a lot of things? I read and I dance… And I sing!” She twirled around. “Oooh, so I’ll read a book or maybe two or three, I’ll add a few new painting to my gallery…” she started to sing but started quickly when she saw Eugene’s eyes widening further. “You don’t like my singing…” Eugene swallowed. He looked down at his hands. “The first time I heard you break into song, I thought you were insane…” Rapunzel sat next to him, shoulders somewhat tense and hugging herself. “Now I realise you just learnt to do anything to stop yourself going insane…” He whispered looking at her, his brown eyes were gentle. “I love your voice,” his hand cupped her face and her shoulder relaxed as she smiled back at him. “I love that you’re able to find all the beauty in even such a small space. I just… I don’t know if I’m as strong as you.” His eyes raised to the stone wall before quickly moving back down to his hands.

Some anxiety, Gothel being manipulative and lots of New Dream! Sometimes you just gotta lock your ship in a tower and watch and see what they do, right? No...? Huh...

Islands Together

What if Islands Apart didn't happen quite the same way? Owl never went to get Rapunzel and Eugene. Rather Captain found a way to escape the island with his new ward and returned to Corona a proud new (new?) father!

(Try not to think what happened to Tirapai island...)

Most citizens of Corona are at least a little creeped out by this but eventually accept that the four-year-old seems harmless, Captains seems happy and what's the harm?

Until a certain moonstone holder comes back to Corona and does not take the sight of this new child well...

A snippet:

Cassandra went back to Corona for Rapunzel. Perhaps it wasn’t right for Cassandra to go to Rapunzel first and not her dad. But Cassandra was already terrified that Rapunzel would not forgive her. If Captain didn’t want Cassandra back, she thought she could just drop dead then and there. So she decided to face the fears in order. But on her way to find Rapunzel she caught sight of something she couldn’t understand. Captain, her dad, was sitting by the town’s fountain, a child sitting on his lap no older than four, a familiar child, one she’d seen through visions granted by a demonic entity. Said four-year-old giggle and threw her hands at the water, making splashed. Captain flinched as the cold water hit his face and Cassandra tensed up, expecting Captain to scold the child for such behaviour. Captain loved Cassandra, but he’d always been very strict. There was no room for childish behaviour in the palace. But this old Captain laughed and wiped his face dry, looking at this baby with all the love and affection in the world. Cassandra didn’t understand. She hid in the shadows of the alley, her grip on the cloak tightening. “That’s you Dad!” the child pointed at Cap’s reflection. Captain chuckled and nodded. “Yes, it is.” He kissed her once more. Cassandra looked at the four-year-old child, it was her but it couldn’t be. Cassandra was hiding in the alley! All grown up… “Daddy.” The not-Cassandra moved from Captain’s lap to stand on the fountain. Captain held onto the child’s waist so she could not fall into the water or worst onto the stone ground on the other side. “Yes?” “Do you love me?” “Of course!” “How much?” “More than anybody in the world,” the Captain smiled. Cassandra fell to her knees, her grip on the cloak loosening as tears filled her eyes.

Sorry the explanation was a bit meh, but hopefully the snipper does a better job explaining!

Mother Knows Best

What if Corona prosecuted magic very heavily? Gothel rescues a blonde baby with glowing hair from quite the fate. But then a thief brought Rapunzel back to Corona...

Basically Gothel is actually right. Eugene doesn't know Rapunzel's magic until she heals his hand, but by that point Rapunzel's too determined and thinks he's just trying to scare her again like at the Snuggly Duckling, so she escaped Eugene who is forced to team up with Gothel to save Rapunzel before she meets a gruesome fate.

A Snippet:

Eugene’s eyes widened at the golden glow, but that shock became horror as he understood what was going on. “You’re magic…” Rapunzel smiled gently, and she nodded. “Well… I have magic hair, magic healing hair!” She moved some hair from her face. “It’s always been that way. Mother says it’s a beautiful gift! But that the world won’t see it that way but… You’ve showed me so much of the world today Eugene I… I don’t think that’s right… People… They’re good, they have dreams and…” She ran her fingers through her hair. “I think I like it out here.” Eugene stood up and started pacing. “This is bad… This is really bad…” Rapunzel frowned. “Eugene?” “You’re magic!” he repeated before nearly biting his tongue as he closed his mouth forcefully, shaking his head. “You’re magic…” he whispered, staring at her with wide eyes. “Do you know what Corona does to people with magic?” Rapunzel glared. “Let me guess… They burn you alive?” Eugene nodded. Rapunzel shook her head. “My mother told me that a million times. Said if she hadn’t rescued me, they’d have placed me still wrapped in my baby blanket in a pile of hay and burnt me alive.” Eugene nodded. “Probably.” Rapunzel stood up. “Really? Or are you just saying that so I’ll want to go back to the tower and you can have that stupid crown without first taking me to see the lights?” Eugene blinked, then shook his head. “Rapunzel—” “I don’t want to hear it!” Rapunzel shouted. “I… I can’t do this anymore.” “Do what?” “First mother, now you… I… No. The world isn’t a horrible place. It isn’t.” “It… Isn’t…” Eugene whispered, reaching out a cautious hand for the girl. “Not all of it at least. But there are horrible people and horrible parts of this world and unfortunately what your mother says is true. You are in danger Rapunzel, we need to get you back to that tower—” The word tower caused something to snap in Rapunzel and Eugene felt something trip him, he fell back and saw it was the girl’s long hair, he also saw her running away from him, deeper into the woods. He swore and tried to take chase, but somehow she’d vanished. “How is she that fast?” he complained, looking around in a panic for a sign of which way she’d gone. But it was dark, and he was still groggy from nearly drowning. But he couldn’t rest. Rapunzel was in grave danger if she dares to step foot in Corona. Eugene wouldn’t be able to live with himself if she was burnt alive because of him.

I clearly love my AUs...

Firsts

New Dreams fans know that Rapunzel and Eugene's first kiss happened in the tower, after Eugene cut her hair and she brought him back to life!

I love that first kiss, it's so beautiful but one day while chatting with @the-writer1988 I came to the startling realisation that in Two Tangled Sisters, it's Cassandra who cuts Rapunzel's hair and with all that is going on there's not time for romance or relief...

WE DIDN'T GET A NEW DREAM FIRST KISS!!!

An honestly unforgivable crime on my behalf for which I hold much regret.

Hopefully though I will make up for this heinous act when 'Firsts' comes out. A series of short stories where we get to see Rapunzel and Eugene go through some 'firsts' including that much deserved first kiss. (First time calling her Girlfriend, first time asking her on a date, first romantic dinner, first kiss..)

A snippet:

Eugene watched Rapunzel as she entered her new room for the first time. The princess tower was big and luminous. It had beautiful views of Corona that one could see either from the large window or the spacious balcony. Rapunzel hadn’t wanted to leave the infirmary or her sister’s side as Cassandra was not taking well to the new environment, but Eugene had managed to draw her away from her sister’s bedside while Cassandra slept with the excuse that Rapunzel needed to check the room was ready for them both. “It’s… It’s so pretty…” Rapunzel held herself, her eyes darting around the walls. “And so much new space to paint!” Eugene smiled as Rapunzel twirled around her dress, swooshing as her bare feet dance around the stone floor. “Oh, Cassandra’s going to love it too! I can’t believe this room has been waiting for all these years.” She grabbed Eugene’s hand, dragging him towards the window. “Look at this view, Eugene!” He looked up, and the view was beautiful but when his eyes moved back to the princess, seeing her brown hair framing her perfectly face, her bright smile, her sparkling green eyes, he could think of one view which was so much better. “Do you think I’ll be allowed to go there,” she asked. “Where?” Rapunzel pointed out the window. “Everywhere.” Eugene chuckled. “I can’t see why not.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “We could go together?” Rapunzel looked up at him. “I’d like that a lot.” Eugene smiled. His hand moved to cup her face, and he thought she was so very beautiful. Her eyes were looking right back up at him, and he couldn’t help but linger on her lips. He wanted to kiss her, but… They hadn’t kissed yet. She was looking up at him perhaps expectantly. Eugene wanted to kiss her, and he believed she wanted him to kiss her too. But at the same time… Shouldn’t a first kiss be something special? Was escaping her injured sister’s bedside for a few moments to check out a new room special? No… Not with an entirely new world out there to be seen! Eugene could take Rapunzel some place beautiful, some place she’d never seen before and that would be so much more special. “Anywhere you want to go,” he took her hands in his. “I’ll take you there.” Rapunzel smiled and threw her arms around him. “Thank you Eugene! Thank you for everything…” She pressed her forehead against his and he smiled. Today they didn’t share their first kiss but it was the first time they held each other with her forehead pressed together just enjoying the other’s closeness.

New Dream Fluff all the way!

Silent Screams and Loud Memories

This fic actually follows Lance, Keira and Catalina!

Soon after Lance decides he's going to be giving these girls a new home, he is made painfully aware of how much they've been through and how much they need him. When he's woken in the middle of the night by screams and rushes to their side only to find out it was all just nightmares, nightmares about The Barron and nightmares about their past.

Lance sits and listens and tries to help, he even opens up about his own experience with The Barron and promises he'll always be there for them.

A snippet:

The sound of screams was never a good way to be woken up. But it was far worst when you were a new parent who’s promised both themselves they were going to keep their wards safe. It took less than ten seconds for Lance to get out of bed, locate and arm himself, crash into the girls’ room with weapons at the ready and realise they were safe. The scream had come from Keira who was trembling, Catalina had moved from her own bed to her sister’s hold the girl protectively, she looked shocked to see Lance but as soon as Lance lowered the weapons she smiled. “Bad dreams?” he whispered. Catalina nodded and Keira pressed her face to her sister’s shoulder, not wishing for her new dad to see the tear-stained face. Lance left the swords on top of some furniture as he moved to the bedside. “I have those too,” he reassured. “Thankfully, my screams are just as high pitched, so none of the neighbours ever suspect it’s me!” The joke got Catalina to giggle and Keira actually let out a laugh between sniffling. “Do you want to talk about it?” he whispered, a hand slowly and gently moving to Keira’s back. A small shake of her head. Lance nodded. “That’s fine. You know I’m always here for you to talk? I promise I won’t judge.” There was a small pause. She looked up at Lance. “What are your bad dreams about?” Lance rubbed comforting circled along Keira’s back. “Usually it’s either The Barron or prison.” Keira nodded. “Mine too… The Barron… I’ve never been to prison.” “Course not! You two are too cute for prison,” he pulled them both onto his lap. Not pushing, asking any more question and instead waiting to see if Keira would say more. Keira hesitated, but after a moment she did say more. “They weren’t really nightmares, they were memories.” Lance knew everything Keira was going to say was going to make him angry. Lance already hated The Barron but these precious bundles of joy that both fit on his lap from how small they were had set that hatred in stone. “I know,” Lance whispered as he kissed Keira on the top of her head to show he loved her. “Go on.”

Vardaros' New Fossil Exhibit

Funnily enough this one started with just me forgetting to include the scene where the Old Lady from the "A Revolution Can't Start With One Man" Arc in the Vardaros fic told her mother about how she'd sold of her mother's fossils and fossilized a cat... Anybody who hasn't read that fic is very confused right now, I'm sure.

So upon realising my mistake I decided, I don't have enough Lance and his daughters fics! So it's a fic of them visiting that new museum, and a few other places in Vardaros, just cute family fluff cause they deserve it!

A snippet:

Lance couldn’t bring his daughter to the fossil and mineral exhibit he’d gotten to visit as a kid. Like so many good things The Barron had ruined that, even if it was not so directly as other stuff he’d ruined. The fossils and mineral that once littered the room were now some place else, sold off to pay for silence. But this new exhibit, though unusual, had it’s audience. And Vardaros being so rough around the edges was just the place for it. Tables littered with different insects, and rodents were now trapped in amber. There were signs talking about the animals but there were also signs explaining the science behind the quick fossilisation process and the difference between these fossils and the fossils one saw more typically which were centuries old. The main attraction to this little exhibit was a round table at the centre, there was the fossilised cat which had brought so much pain, but around it were a bunch of house flies. Lance thought they looked like hard candy in the orange amber but the signs clearly explained what they were. Children and adults alike were encouraged to take a fossilised fly that they could either try to free inside the exhibit itself using a series of tools, or take home. The idea was that with the help of many little hands, perhaps they’d eventually find a way to free the cat! Lance chuckled, thinking of Eugene’s face if either him or one of his daughter managed to finally free Scrubby from his current prison.

Lost at the Gallows

This one exists to further traumatise anybody already affected by the Gallows scene in 'The Princess, The Pirate and the Prosecutor', spoilers for that fic, but basically in that fic Eugene is nearly hung after being frame for Cassandra's 'death'.

This is an AU where he actually is hung.

It's dark, it's miserable, if Rapunzel hasn't yet forgiven Frederic in the main fic imagine how things go down here!

A snippet (two actually, though warning, it's very dark):

The guards forced Eugene to his knees; he closed his eyes when he saw the noose once more being brought towards him. “No!” Rapunzel’s desperate plea was loud enough it could be heard over every struggle taking place in the courtyard. “I’m sorry Blondie,” Eugene managed as the noose was once more tightened around his neck, the rope’s texture far too raw against his delicate skin, tears fell down his cheek and he tried to open his eyes, he needed to see Rapunzel one last time but also the idea of it being the last stopped him. “Noo!” Rapunzel screamed louder, she tried to reach for the rocks, she didn’t know what would happen if she touched them but anything, anything was better than idly watching the love of her life die. But the guards were holding her down tightly, they pushed her against the ground and there were too many of them, their larger bodies were stronger than her. “No!” “I love you…” Eugene managed, he opened his eyes to see Rapunzel, see how she fought for him, but he wasn’t able to think too much about that as he was pushed forward, through the wooden door that had opened earlier with the pulling of the level. The fall felt both instant and slow, the tightening of the rope around his neck was perhaps the worst feeling he’d ever felt, the way his breathing stopped, it wasn’t as painful as he’d expected at first. He couldn’t breathe, his neck ached, but he’d expected a harsher more sudden pain. He realised as he hung there it should have been that way. Had he been standing on the door as it had opened his neck would have snapped. Instead the death before him was slow as he suffocated. This realisation caused him to struggle, that made the pain worse but it didn’t help. He was vaguely aware of Rapunzel’s screaming, her crying, her desperate pleas. But far more urgent he was aware of the fact eh couldn’t breathe, the fact he was dangling in the air with rope around his throat that wouldn’t let him breathe.

The rocks glow blue, they hum and flicker in sync with Rapunzel’s broke voice. “Flower gleam and glow…” her voice echoed from within the cluster of rocks she’d used to surround herself and the body of the man she loved. Though the rocks were aware of her power and they seemed intent of hearing her out, they could not heal, they could do nothing to bring back the life of the man who’d been unfairly executed for a crime he didn’t commit. They could do nothing to heal the broken heart of the Sundrop, who couldn’t stop trying, not yet. It had been several days and nobody had seen Rapunzel. They knew she remained in the cocoon of black rocks as her voice echoed out of it, and so did the sound of her crying, but she refused to leave.

Anyway, I hope some of these interest you!

And thank you so much for asking! This post was long but amazingly fun to answer and I loved taking a look through my WIPs and picking out the perfect snippets to share!

[theangrycomet]

“No. Shut Up. You don’t get to talk.” Wilbur snapped. 

Blinking at the accusational finger in her face. It was as well kept as Eugene’s, if but for the tucked away bits of dirt and grease. Words drying on her tongue, her gaze flicked back to Wilbur’s, incredulity meeting fury in a staring contest of wills. Taking a step back, her brow furrowed at the sudden shift in tone, both vocal and physical. Pascal tucked himself behind her hair, peeking through the strands as he waited to see what would happen. “Wilbur don’t waste your breath. She’s not worth it.” A gloved hand, notable bare at the tips, gripped said boy’s shoulder reassuringly. “Besides, I’ve already contacted security and, more importantly, Professor Granville. She can handle her.” “Varian!” Wilbur’s lip curled as she had the nerve to use a chatising tone with his friend, as though Varian was in the wrong here instead of her. “Why would you do that?” “You’re kidding me, right?” He drawled, raising an eyebrow. “Alright, Wilbur go ahead.”

Wilbur telling off Rapunzel. Only putting up a snippet cause the full things pretty salty. Let’s just say Wilbur has some very strong opinions on how Varian was treated while he was recovering. 

This Image takes place after D-Crew Au’s Cassandra’s Revenge

Explanations below: Warning, Salty and Anti-Rapunzel, so if you don’t want to read that, just scroll along your merry way.

Info Pertaining to D-Crew AU below

Varian and Rapunzel DO NOT make up in the D-Crew AU.

He does however make up with Eugene and Lance, as they actually apologized for not realizing what was going on.

Additionally, Varian has a friends outside of Corona that are appalled by what happened (between the Lucky Cat Cafe employees and the Sutdent/Staff of SFIT there’s kind of a Varian Protection Squad going on, with Wilbur as president, Professor Granville as general, and Hiro as Head of Defense, and Aunt Cass as Supervisor)

Additionally, BOTH King Senator Frederick Der Sonne and Queen Judge Arianna Arendelle are facing long term prison terms for abuse in power, as well as many other officials for the Der Sonne Scandal

The entire police force (excluding Maximus who was serving as Rapunzel’s body gaurd with Cass during this) was terminated from their positionas and most were arrested and imprisoned as well, including Captain of the Guards Chief Rogers Capiton.

Additionally, Wilbur helped pay for a team to help Varian with studying the Rocks and the amber, dubbed Project Obsidian

The Team included members of Robinson Industries’ mysterious Building 13:

Dr. Mason Pines 

Luz Noceda

Tom Lucitor

as well a few outside specialists

Dr. Karmi Khan

Dr. Tadashi Hamada 

Dr. Wyatt “Wasabi” No’Ginger

They had figured out a way to gradually remove the amber without hurting Quirin using Karmi’s electricity conducting plants to break down the Amber when Rapunzel and Co. came back.

Rapunzel, needing Varian to decipher the now Entire Demanitus Scroll Laptop, decides to drop on in, thinking that the place would be abandoned and that she could explain everything to Quirin on the way to the Detention center (as where else would Varian BE but in prison?)

She had not heard of the Der Sonne Scandal yet as she hadn’t really been focusing on the news. 

She’s shocked to see Varian, not only free, but working with a bunch of other people on Quirin. 

He’s shocked to see her in his house. 

All the others are trying to remove her from the building, as she is not certified to be there and they could lose their jobs. 

She insists and evades until she’s actually at Quirin and does her hair of death trick

Dipper recognizes the magic as people drop and tries to preform a counter spell (doesn’t work as his energy’s drained)

She’s only broken out of her Trance when Varian, who was completely unaffected, punched her square in the nose

Quirin is extremely weakend by the Decay Incantation and is brought over to the hospital where he remains in a comatose state

Varian blames her, as everything had been finally working out until she burst in doing as she pleased

Rapunzels tries to profer the laptop as an offereing to get them to be friends again

He takes it back and points out that since it was his in the first place he’s not obligated to do a damn thing for her, 

flat out refuses to tell her anything about the files on the laptop or return it to her, claiming since it since she too most of the pieces from his family, it was far more his than hers

Project Obisidian’s Team sue Rapunzel for damages (both to themselves nad the local environment. 

As her parents assets are frozen and she never registered for the Government’s Metahuman Benefits program (think insurance for supers), she’s f*****. 

Aunt Willow bails her out on the condition Rapunzel fixes her mistakes

Spoiler Aler: she doesn’t and it bites her in the a***

 Let’s just say Rapunzel’s actions have some SEVERE long-term consequences, ranging from her being expelled from SFAI (so that the school doesn’t get affiliated with the Der Sonne Scandal) to Eugene breaking up with her (Rough Explanation below)

what with how she’s treating her and Cassandra like a break up gone wrong and finding out about the incidents of Rapunzel day 1, he realizes that she only fell in love with him because he happened to be the guy who got her out of the tower

Additionally her insisting that Cass isn’t the enemy, when Cass cearly wants nothing more to do with Rapunzel makes him start to believe that it wasn’t just friendship between the two

over time, he realizes that she’s not the person he fell in love with anymore

the catalyst was Cassandra’s Revenge, where Rapunzel was more worried about Eugene’s birthday party that about either Varian or the Demanitus Laptop

Breaks up with her when she’s about to propose, as they clearly want different things (him wanting to have an equal relationship where he’s not the doormat and her clearly pining for Cass)

Also, really recommend @rachelbethhines Tangled Salt Marathon if you want an in depth analysis on the Tangled the Series writing. Despite it being called a salt marathon, I find her analysis’s to be balanced and fair given the writing.