readterrier

[frederickkreibug]

Modern AU but Varian actually owns a raccoon

[rocksandrobots]

Of Rocks and Robots Ch. 39 - Finale (Part 1)

(note: This is only the season one finale, not the end of the series)

A fast yellow blur sped along its way; knocking out cars, smashing through brick walls, and plowing down trees as the mysterious speeding streak caused destruction in its wake. Though it was not out of any intentional malice that the human wrecking ball caused such vast property damage, it's just that the superhuman speedster didn't know how to control his powers fully.

The muscle bound hulk finally came to a screeching stop right outside of the maximum security facility, causing a trench to form as he slammed on the breaks of his high powered roller skates.

"Ok Stu, you got this! You're dressed to impress! You smell great! And everyone says you're as smart as a bag of hammers! So what could possibly go wrong?"

The villain finished hyping himself up as he looked towards the jail. He then punched his fists together and took off like a flash, barreling towards the concrete walls at breakneck speeds. He crashed through the barricade and kept on going; smashing through walls as if they were cardboard. He didn't stop until he reached the cell he was looking for.

"Hi Nana!" He loudly proclaimed in a childlike manner as he busted down the wall and saw the elderly lady dressed in an orange jumpsuit laying on the cell bunk.

"Stu!" The woman gave a large smile and came over to give the overgrown galoot a hug. "My what a good grandson you are, bustin' your poor old granny out of jail."

"Awe, I try." Stu said as he blushed and sheepishly grinned. "Anything for you Nana."

He handed his grandmother the knapsack on his back. She eagerly opened it and pulled out a pair of rocket skates same as the ones he was wearing.

"Oh yeah! Supersonic Sue is back in business, baby!" The woman laughed and then sweetly asked of her grandchild as she put on the stakes, "Oh, however did you come up with such a clever escape plan, sugar plum?"

"Well, I wish I could claim all the credit, but I kinda got help from one of your old supervillain buddies. They gave me the new gear." He handed her a note and then quickly added, "But I'm the one who thought to smash the walls with my noggin!" He knocked on the top of his helmet with his knuckles.

Sue gave him an encouraging smile and a pat on the cheek before reading the note. "Dear Sue, hope you're doing well. Do you mind picking up for me a certain prisoner on your way out? He's being kept in the solitary detention block…."

"Welp, looks like we need to make a little detour before finishing our escape, Pookie." She chirped as she finished strapping on her own helmet. "After all, I'd hate to disappoint an old friend."

                                                 -------------------------

"Ok, bathing suit, sandals, change of clothes, uh… Am I forgetting anything?" Aunt Cass asked as she gathered up her suitcases.

"Don't forget your sunblock." Varian helpfully said handing her the bottle of coconut smelling cream.

"Oh thank you. Yes."

"Hey, Tracy just pulled up." Hiro shouted from the other room, and as if to confirm this a car horn sounded from below, blaring out La Cucaracha.

Aunt Cass half heartedly rolled her eyes at her friend's over eagerness and tried to carry everything out of the room and down the stairs in one go. Varian followed behind her picking up whatever she dropped and stuffing it back into pockets of her purse.

"Now you both know what to do while I'm gone." She instructed the boys as she scurried out into the currently empty cafe. "No wild parties, no sneaking out past midnight, no tinkering with the appliances...The café is only open for breakfast tomorrow and Wasabi will be over to help with that, oh and there's dinners already made up in the fridge if you don't want to cook later. And if anything goes wrong…"

"Call Officer Cruz or Professor Granville," Hiro finished for her. "We know Aunt Cass."

"Right, and Krei's promised to bring over pizza later tonight and check up on you two, so no giving him a hard time. He's been very gracious in giving me this trip and for helping out wherever he can. Okay?"

"Don't worry about a thing, Aunt Cass." Varian assured her. "We got everything under control."

Just then the car horn sounded out again reminding Cass to hurry up. She ran to the coat rack where the keys hung up and took one pair for herself and handed another to Varian.

"You're in charge of opening up at six," she told him, "and making sure the doors are all locked before going to bed. Have the café closed by noon. Also don't forget the upstairs dishes, make sure to feed Mochi and Ruddiger, and if you can get around to vacuuming that'll be great."

"Got it." He nodded and then Aunt Cass turned her attention to her other child.

"Hiro, I know you're already helping Varian and Wasabi tomorrow, but I also need you to take out the trash, clean your room, and do the laundry before I get back."

Hiro protested this. "The laundry?" He whined. "Oh please Aunt Cass I'll do anything else. Let me clean out the rain gutters instead."

"Okay, you can clean the gutters, and do the laundry." Aunt Cass said with a tone to her voice that told him this wasn't a matter up for discussion. She slipped on her jacket and put the keys in her pocket before stopping and staring out at the middle distance as she tried to remember what it was she was forgetting.

"You left your phone on the charger upstairs." Hiro answered for her.

"Oh, right." She exclaimed as she ran up to get it.

"I don't get you man," Varian said as she ran off. "You have a machine that literally washes clothes for you. What's so bad about doing laundry?"

"Have you smelled your socks?! A person needs a gas mask just to get near them."

Varian screwed up his face, fully offended. "Please, you're just looking for any excuse to get out of doing house work. You got it easy here, and you don't even know it. Try milking a goat every morning for ten years and then come complaining to me about washing socks."

"Boys, boys," Aunt Cass soothed as she reentered the room and placed an arm around each of her kids' shoulders. "Can you please, more than anything, just get along? For my sake hun? I'll only be gone for three days and I would very much prefer it if I didn't have to come home early because you two decided to start world war three in my house."

Both teens looked away sheepishly at that request, before mumbling their agreement apologetically.

"Thank you." She said before getting misty eyed and wrapping them into a group hug. "Oooh I'm going to miss you both so much."

The car horn sounded a third time interrupting the family moment.

"You better get going before Trace leaves without you." Hiro joked.

"Okay, Okay." She gave them each a kiss on the cheek before grabbing her things and heading out the door.

"I love you! I'll bring you both back souvenirs." She called after them as she loaded up the car.

"We love you too Aunt Cass." Hiro said as he and Varian stood at the door and waved goodbye to her.

She stuck her head out the car window and shouted, "I'll call you when I get there!" As the vehicle sped away.

"Bye, have a safe trip!" Varian shouted back and continued to wave until she and the car were out of sight.

Once their aunt was gone Hiro gave Varian a confused look and asked, "Did you really have to milk a goat?"

Varian rolled his eyes and walked back inside instead of dignifying the question with an answer.

                                                -------------------------

The rest of the day went by uneventfully. Hiro went ahead and finished up his list of chores with Baymax's help, while Varian made sure everything in the cafe was stocked and ready to open for tomorrow. He baked a coffee cake, some blueberry muffins, and a batch of biscotti for the breakfast rush.

"That way I don't have to wake up before sunrise to make donuts." He explained to Hiro as he fixed them a couple of tuna fish sandwiches for lunch.

Aunt Cass called soon after to let them know she had made it safe to the spa. She was full of nervous questions about what they were up to and how things were going at the Luck Cat without her. The boys reassured her everything was fine for what felt like the bajillionth time that day. However she was still reluctant to let them go and it took Tracy threatening her with a dunk in the pool to get her to hang up.

"I swear Cass you're going to lighten up and have fun on this trip even if I have to force you!" The boys heard the nasally woman yell over the phone.

Finally free to their own devices they spent the rest of the day lazing about. With the finals done both teens had to find new things to take up their free time. Hiro tried to reach the leaderboards on his video game, Mind Smith Turbo 3, while Varian read a new book that Karmi had given him; A Crease in Time.

Krei did show up at around nine as promised, pizza boxes in tow.

"Sorry I'm late, the pizzas might be cold, but I just couldn't get the Maharaja off the phone. I'm trying to get new investors and trade deals don't make themselves, am I right?" He chuckled at his own joke even though both boys knew nothing about stocks and trade.

Hiro grabbed the pizza boxes from the tycoon only to turn his nose up at the pineapple and anchovy pizza within. Fortunately for him there was also plain cheese in the second box.

Keri stuck around for dinner and they watched a movie together. As they finished watching an old western that Keri had picked out, one that admittedly turned out to be more engaging than Hiro thought it would be, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it." Hiro said as he walked backwards from the room, his eyes never leaving the tv. It was at the climax and the hero was about to face down his sworn enemy in a shootout. Hiro's steps instinctively timed to the actors own as the sidekick counted down the paces, "10, 9, 8,... "

Hiro tilted his head around the corner of the banister as he made his way down stairs, then he heard the bang of the gun shots. Only no one fell down. The villain hugged his wounded hand as the hero stood there, gun still raised.

"Well what are you waiting for?!" The scoundrel bitterly yelled back, "End it!"

The camera hovered over the stone faced marshal and his still raised gun, only Hiro never got to see the protagonist's final decision as the person at the door took to banging on it instead  finally gaining his attention.

It was Chief Cruz at the door.

"Hi Hiro, is your aunt here?" He asked. He tried to sound nonchalant but Hiro could tell that the man was on edge.

"Sorry no, she's on vacation to that spa remember?"

"Oh right… then who is here watching you two?"

Hiro tried to suppress an eye roll. Officer Cruz was just as bad as Aunt Cass was sometimes with being over protective, arguably even more so. "Krei is "babysitting" tonight."

Cruz raised a skeptic eyebrow but declined to comment on his rival being in his crush's home. "Then can I speak with him then?"

"Sure." Hiro hesitantly said and ran back upstairs to get the businessman, wondering all the while what was going on.

                                                -------------------------

Both Hiro and Varian huddled in the kitchen by the swinging door of the café as they listened in on Cruz and Krei's conversation.

"You wanted to see me?" Krei asked.

"Yes, I came by to inform Cass of the news but this probably concerns you as well." Chief sighed before cutting to the case. "Callaghan escaped prison today."

There was an awkward silence as the news sunk in. Hiro felt his own heart race as his grip on the door tightened.

"How?" Was all Keri asked.

"He had help. Two other villains, a grandmother and kid team up, also busted out at the same time. They're called the Supersonic Skaters; thieving speedsters, the pair of them."

"That doesn't sound like Callaghan." Krei said matter-of-factly. "I've known the man for years. When would he have ever befriended common thieves?"

"Yet you didn't know about his half a decade long revenge plot to murder you." Cruz pointed out.

Krei huffed and Hiro could see the billionaire fold his arms across his chest.

"I have lots of former employees who want to kill me. It's not like most of them actually follow through with." Krei mumbled.

"Speaking of which, do you have any bodyguards you can call?" Cruz asked.

"You know, I've gotten in the habit of tasking Big Hero Six as my usual bodyguards."

"You've been employing vigilantes as your personal security?" The frown was evident in Cruz's voice.

Krei snorted. "That would imply that I pay them. No, they volunteer their services. I told them they could make a killing as a private security taskforce but they wouldn't hear of it."

"Well maybe you ought to call them cause my men will be too busy tracking Callaghan and his accomplices down to provide you with any personal escort." Cruz spat, though Krei seemed unfazed by the police officer's irritation.

"So why did you come here first instead of calling my office?" Krei asked in an unusual display of seriousness.

"Gerson already called your secretary. I guess she just hadn't given you the message yet."

"You know she might have," Krei interrupted off handedly, "I need to get more into the habit of reading Judy's memos."

"Uh-hun, well anyways I thought Cass should know too. Seeing as how Callaghan is.. well is responsible for what happened to her nephew." Hiro heard the police chief heavy a weary sigh before changing the subject. "You know, Cass told me she was going on a trip, I just didn't know she asked you to babysit?"

"Well I volunteered. I just figured I do something nice for a change, as unbelievable that may sound to you."

You could have cut a knife through the unspoken tension in the air as each man eyed the other.

"So, you, what, put everything on hold to play the responsible parent for a day?"

"Well, seeing as how Hiro and Varian are teenagers, Cass and I figured they were old enough to handle themselves for a day while I worked, and then I came over after I was done at the office to check up on them. Why, do you have a problem with that Chief Cruz?"

Peering through the small crack in the door, Hiro watched Cruz close the distance between himself and Krei. He stopped just inches from the other man's face.

"I don't know what she sees in you, or why on earth anyone would entrust you with children, but mark my words if anything happens to those two boys…"

"Nothing is going to happen." Krei said eveningly. "And you may not trust me, but you could try trusting Cass and the boys just a little bit more."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Did you have any plans of telling Hiro what was going on?"

Cruz seemed taken aback by that question.

"No." He admitted reluctantly. "He's just a school boy. He shouldn't have to worry about things like, escape convicts and murderers.."

"And yet he does." Krei interrupted. "This concerns him just as much as it does myself. You can't just hide things from him just because he's young."

Cruz casted Krei a searing glare. "Last time I checked you weren't the boys' father."

"And neither are you." Krei shot back. There was another awkward pause as both men sized each other up, until Krei added, "Ten to one both teens are eavesdropping behind that door."

Keri shrugged and nodded his head towards the kitchen. Cruz casted a bewildered look at Krei before walking towards the swinging doors. Both teens scattered and ran out the back door in a rush.

Chief Cruz walked into the empty kitchen and looked around for the two boys. He then noticed the back door was opened just a crack and went out into the alley to check. He found nothing but a blonde raccoon running out from behind a trash can, followed by Varian's own pet racoon scurrying out and climbing up the fire escape into his owner's bedroom.

"Gee, I could have sworn they'd be out here." Krei cheekily commented as he pulled out a ten dollar bill and vaguely waved it towards Cruz.

Cruz snatched it out of his hand in annoyance. "Just because you're an overgrown kid yourself doesn't mean you know anything about them."

"Ouch." Krei said.

Cruz rolled his eyes. "Look can I just trust you keep an eye on the boys for tonight and then I'll watch them tomorrow. Call Big Hero Six to keep lookout if you have too, but don't let Hiro know about Callaghan."

"Yeeeah, those two things might not be possible toge-"

"I mean it. He's been through enough. Him and Varian both. They don't need this."

Krei sighed. "Alright. You're the boss here. You'll let me know as soon as you found out anything about Callaghan's whereabouts."

"Of course." And with that Cruz left.

                                                -------------------------

Hiro and Varian sat under Varian's bedroom window. They were breathing heavily from their hasty retreat up the fire escape and from the rush of just barely avoiding being discovered by the adults. As they heard the chief of police's car drive away, Varian let out a sigh of relief and then nuzzled the pet raccoon in his arms.

"That was close." He breathed only to stop when Krei opened the door, flooding light into the little bedroom and casting a spotlight on the two teens.

"I knew you two were snooping." Krei said.

                                                -------------------------

There was a big debate over what to do next. Hiro wanted to suit up and go investigate the breakout himself.

Krei wouldn't have it though. "Look I promised both Chief Cruz and your Aunt Cass. I'm trying to be the responsible one here."

"Cruz also told you to call Big Hero Six and that's us."

"Yeah, you seem to be missing five other members there Hiro." Krei pointed out.

"I've already texted Wasabi." Varian interrupted the argument. "He said Fred and Gogo were already on patrol tonight and that they would swing by the jail to investigate."

"There, ya see?" Krei said. "You already got two members out there on the case, and Baymax is here to keep watch for the night. Besides didn't you and Varian promise your aunt to mind the café in the morning?"

Hiro let out a defeated sigh as he slouched back down into the kitchen chair, but he gave no further protest.

Krei rubbed his eyes and gave a yawn. "I'll take the couch tonight. I got to be up by five and at the office by six. Please don't do anything dangerous until after leave. I would prefer it if I didn't have to listen to Cruz lecturing me on proper parenting, thanks."

"Oh don't worry," Varian said, "he'll just find something else to lecture you on."

"Prefect." Krei said as he got up from the table, walked into the living room, and flopped onto the couch for the night.

                                                -------------------------

Hiro thought noon would never come. He had barely slept through the night and working the café this morning had been torture. It hadn't been especially busy today, but time seemed to crawl along at a snail's pace as he waited till time to close up shop. The whole while keeping his eyes glued to the tv that was in the café, just in case the news announcer brought up Callaghan.

He didn't. Though he did mention Supersonic Sue breaking out. The long time super villain was apparently more noteworthy to the masses than his brother's murder going free.

"Aaaand done." Wasabi said as he topped the last cappuccino of the day with whip cream. "There you go sir."

The customer took the coffee and Hiro rushed him to the door with a plastered smile on his face. He waved goodbye to the man before slamming the door close and locking it with a sigh of relief.

"Hey, thanks for helping out today." Varian told Wasabi, as he finished sweeping up.

"No, problem. I like working here now and then. It's peaceful." As if to counteract this statement, Ruddiger snuck up onto the counter beside Wasabi and tried to grab the can of cool whip out of his hand.

"Hey! Oh no you don't!"

Hiro ignored his friends' tug-a-war with the pesky raccoon as he ran upstairs to get Baymax and his armor. Only for Aunt Cass to call while he tried to snap on the chest plate. He fiddled with the phone through his gloves and juggle it while suiting up.

"Hey, how's things going?" He heard his aunt say over the phone.

"Fine." He grunted as he buckled his utility belt. "We just closed up shop for the day."

"So, no problems then?"

"No." Hiro said distractedly as he looked for shurikens he hid under the bed.

Aunt Cass heaved a sigh. "I talked to Chief Cruz this morning, he told me some news that was a little upsetting…. Did he or Krei tell you?"

Hiro paused, he didn't know what answer to give that would be the least disastrous. Aunt Cass plowed on thorough though.

"He said that, Professor Callaghan broke out of jail yesterday."

There was a long and awkward silence between the two.

"Hiro? Are you still there?"

"Yeah.."

"Do you want to… to talk about it?"

Another uncomfortable pause.

Aunt Cass sighed again, "Look, I can come home early. It's not a problem-"

"No! I, mean, no. You shouldn't let some bad news ruin your vacation. It's not like Callaghan is going to come over here or anything, and whether or not the police find him has nothing to do with you being here at the Lucky Cat or not."

"I know, I just, I'm worried about you. You and Varian. If you need me, then I'll hop in the car right now and I'll be there, lickity split."

"We're fine Aunt Cass. I'm fine." Hiro lied. "You don't need to drop everything and rush over. Everything is under control and Varian and I are just going to hang out with Wasabi for the rest of the day."

"Ooh, fun. Whatcha got planned?"

"Uhhh, the park?"

"Okay, well, text me if you need anything. I'll call later to make sure you're still alright, oh and before I forget, Cruz and Megan are coming over tonight for dinner. Just put the frozen casserole in the oven at say, eight?"

"Alright. Bye Aunt Cass."

"Bye, I love you."

"I love you too." Hiro ended the call as he leaned against his desk in silence. He glanced over at Tadashi's side of the room. It was relatively neat compared to his own side which was already a mess of dirty clothes and papers despite having cleaned it just yesterday. All that is, save for the visible dust that was beginning to collect on Tadashi's things; a disturbing reminder of how much time had passed since the other teen had slept there.

Hiro blinked back tears as he pulled himself out of reprieve, put on his helmet, and pressed the on switch on top of Baymax's charging case.

                                                -------------------------

Big Hero Six, plus Varian, sat around the desk at their headquarters as they watched the security footage of the prison-break up on their viewing screen.

Roddy had done a great job on the briefing room and it's connected laboratory, and was finishing up the training room next door. After that, all that would be left would be to add the bedrooms so that the team could crash there of need be.

"Yeah that's Sue alright." Rodney said as he walked in on them carrying his tool box.

"Yeah we kind of figured that." Gogo said deadpan. "Who's the new guy though?" Roddy peered at the screen, "Oh hey, it's that dimwit of a grandson of hers. Boy he sure grew up. I remember when he was yay high."

"I wish there was sound on this." Fred said. "That note she's reading is probably a clue."

Then the scene on screen changed. Callaghan was shown reading in his cell, then the two speedsters burst in, grabbed him, and then skated away before the screen went to black.

"He doesn't look like he was expecting that." Honey Lemon hesitantly said.

"Almost, like he wasn't in on the plan" Wasabi confirmed her suspicions.

"Roddy, you know Supersonic Sue, do you know of any connection she might have to Callaghan?" Hiro asked.

The red-bearded construction worker just shook his head. "I mean, he's not one of the old villains that Boss Awesome used to face. I'll tell ya that much. Buuut I don't make it a habit to know all of my customers' personal lives. I'm just here to build lairs; not gossip."

"Says the one other guy who knew that mom was a former supervillain," Fred said as he eyed Roddy suspiciously. "You know, besides my dad, and Heathcliff apparently..."

"Dude, someday you're going to, like, have to have a big family therapy session or something." Wasabi butted in.

Fred ignored him and marched over to Roddy. "Spill it." He ordered as he poked the larger man in the chest.

"What's to tell? So maybe the word on the super lair forums is that Sue got busted out by an old buddy of hers. One of the old gang, you know. I've know idea how Challagan figures into that though."

"Old buddy?" Hiro asked.

"They go by Kensei. They're a master thief and assassin. Never been caught. Used to be real active back in the old days for a few years but then went quiet for decades. Most thought they was dead or retired until just a few months ago."

"Why? What happened a few months ago?" Gogo asked.

"Back in April, was it, this new crime lord started filling in the power vacuum in the city. I got approached by Yama to build a lair for the new big boss, but I turned it down to do yous guys headquarters. Anyways the business card he gave had Kensei's old logo on it, the samurai's sword."

Hiro's eyes went wide. "We need to know everything about this Kensei guy."

Roddy rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "I don't know much. In fact no one knows much. Like I said the guy never got caught. No one knows who they really are or what they even look like. Unless you were one of the very few supervillains working the circuit back then and happened to team up with them."

"Wait, if this Kensei guy and the new Bosu are one the same person then..." Honey Lemon mused.

"Portals." Varian said, startling everyone. They had forgotten he was even there. "They'd paid off Supersonic Sue to kidnap Callaghan, same as Yama kidnapped me."

                                                -------------------------

"Well ain't this nice and cozy?" Sue said with a smug smile as she sat on top of the desk and peered down at tied up Callaghan. "Lot better than that nasty old jail cell wouldn't you say?"

Callaghan just glared daggers at her. The three convicts were inside a dimly lit, dingy office, in some old abandoned warehouse. As the elderly lady tried to persuade the former school teacher to join them, her beefy grandson kept watch by the door.

"Lets just cut to the chase shall we? You're the top in your field when it comes to portals and a friend of mine is willing to pay you handsomely to build one, on top of helping to smuggle you out of the country. Think of it, a fresh start! Whatta say?"  She slapped a wad of cash onto the table along with a fake passport.

Callaghan starred at the tempting offer on display before shutting eyes tightly and kicking over the desk with a snarl.

Sue jumped back in surprise and Stu covered his mouth with a gasp.

"Hey that's not very nice. No one treats my nana that way."

He stalked towards the other man but Sue stopped him with a hand. "Now, now, snookum, let's give Callaghan a chance to explain himself."  

"If you think I'm going to help the likes of you, then you're crazy." Callaghan spat.

Sue only turned up her nose at the rebuff. "My, my, aren't we all high and mighty all of a sudden, mister "I was in solitary confinement". You think the police are going to care that you suddenly grew a conscience? It ain't even like we're asking you to hurt anybody."

"Those portals are dangerous." Callaghan said through gritted teeth.

"So," Sue shrugged, "that's your benefactor's problem not ours."

"It's a problem for everyone, and I wouldn't debase myself to working for a has-been hack and her dunce of a kid no matter how much you paid me."

"I'm not a dunce." Stu said. "I got in A in penmanship. Tell him nana."

"Of course you're not sweetums." Sue patted her grandson on the head before turning to Callaghan with a scowl on her face. "You know, you gotta pretty smart mouth to go with that big brain of yours. But of the two of us, I'm not the one wanted for manslaughter and attempted murder, so I'd be awfully careful about who I'd go insulting here if n' I was you. I'm liable to turn you back into the police myself.``

Callaghan didn't rise to the bait but met her gaze steadily. After this staring contest Supersonic Sue sighed and turned to walk away.

"Come on Stu, let's let the man wallow in his self pity for a while. We can come back and try this again later. But mark my words Callaghan, we got other ways of making you cooperate. Ways that aren't so nice." And with that the two speedsters left the room leaving Professor Callaghan alone with his guilt and misery.

[polymathart]

Cassarian Dump #3

(Platonic, Varian is still 14) Between “Great Expotations” and “Queen for a Day,” Cassandra gives Varian lessons on how to ride on horseback. Varian is cautious around Fidella. He fumbles awkwardly trying to put the saddle on her back. Cass does so with ease. Varian gets his hands tangled in the reigns. Cass rolls her eyes and mounts behind Varian while taking the reigns in her hands. She slowly demonstrates to Varian how to control the reigns. Eventually the two of them make progress. Varian starts to blush because Cass is holding his hands. Seeing that Varian is getting the hang of things, Cass jumps off while Varian keeps riding. When his little test ride is over, she helps him carefully dismount. “Thank you, m’lady,” he says with a slight bow. “Don’t thank me.” She points to Fidella who nudges Varian’s shoulder. He chuckles and shyly pets her head. He grows fond of her, noting the beautiful braids of her mane. “Th-thank you, Fidella.” Cass offers to give Varian another lesson next week. “It’s a date, then!” laughs Varian. “It’s a what?” Cass asks. “I’ll, uh, save the date! I’ll save the date on my schedule! That’s what I said.”

“Varian,” Cass asks sadly, “why are you always so patient with me? Even when I lose my temper?” “It’s simple,” Varian answers with loving eyes, “you’re completely worth it all.”

While Rapunzel and Eugene paint Easter Eggs, Cass and Varian celebrate by just throwing normal eggs at each other.

Cassandra is pregnant. While reading in bed, Varian comes in with an armful of plush animals. Cass is flattered but says it isn’t necessary, only to be cut off by Varian calling in Lance and Eugene to haul in the rest of the plushies. Eugene is very unenthusiastic about it.

Pregnant Cass lying down in bed with Varian gently brushing his hand along her baby bump. He starts singing lullabies as “practice.”

Cass cuts herself on some alchemy glassware. Varian dashes to her side and tends to her wound. While she sits down to rest, Varian makes her feel-better cookies. He then covers her in a blanket and fluffs her pillow and everything to help her relax. Ruddiger curls up on her lap like a cat.

Cass not so secretly loves to give their kids baby talk and funny faces. She tries to cover it up but Varian knows

Cassandra just gives birth. Rapunzel is first to hold the baby. “Congratulations, guys! It’s a boy. Cmon,” Rapunzel softly cheers, “let’s go meet Mom and Dad!” Rapunzel hands the newborn to Cass and Varian. “...hi,” Cass whispers. Baby opens eyes and makes little noises. Cass laughs and begins to cry. Varian holds her. “You did it, Cassie.” “No, Varian. We did.” She kisses him on the cheek before resting her head on his shoulder.

Cass is always on her guard right? Even when she sleeps. So she sleeps pretty tensely. But when she feels safe and comfortable, she relaxes. And that’s how she sleeps when she’s near Varian. Soundly. Happily. Probably even sores and drools a bit. Only when she’s with her VariBear.

Varian trips while serving Cass the wedding cake. It lands on her face. “Cassie! I’m so so—” Cass holds her hand up and removes the cake from her face with a scowl. Suddenly she smiles and pulls her arm back before chucking the cake back at Varian. Varian ducks and it hits Eugene. Varian throws cake and it hits Rapunzel. “Alright!” Rapunzel yells. “The Queen’s in on this!” And the whole reception becomes a food fight. During the fight, Varian feeds a bit of cake to Cass before throwing it over her.

The Assassin’s shoots his bow at Eugene and Rapunzel’s daughter. Varian throws himself in line to shield her. He collapses. Lance disarms and pins the Assassin while Cass runs to Varian. “C-Cass-an-dra,” Varian groans, “You’re my hero...” Cass presses his hand to her lips. “And you’re my hero, Varian.” There’s no healing incantation. Varian’s eyes close. Varian breathes his last. Cass gives him one last kiss. She weeps into his chest. Rapunzel, Eugene, Lance, Angry, and Catalina and all the animals arrive too. Cass slowly looks up. Filled with fury, she rises up, wrenches the elixir from the shooter, and pours it down Varian’s throat. “Please bring my hero back,” she whimpers. Varian coughs.

New Dream: Watching the sunset on the beach. / Cassarian: Sword fighting on the beach.

Varian checking up on Cass resting in bed after getting injured. Her back is turned so he thinks she’s fast asleep. He whispers that he loves her. Camera pans down to reveal that Cass was awake.

“Cass!” Varian calls, “guess how many kittens I can hold at once!” Cass shrugs. “I don’t know. Three?” “Varian, covered in kittens, responds, “Fifteen! I would say sixteen but I can’t lift you up like this.” Cass blushes.

(Platonic, Varian is around 20) While listening to Cassandra’s recollections of all her daring adventures, Varian’s eyes light up. “Cassie! You’re like a real life Flynn Rider!” “Don’t liken me to that fictional crook!” Varian nods. “You’re right... you’re definitely way cooler!” “I,” Cass stutters. She pouts, reluctantly flattered by the compliment.

Angst where one of Varian’s inventions seriously hurts Cass—a cut or a burn or something—and Cass is livid. At first she tells Varian off and not to try to help. She calls his inventions stupid and and dangerous and him inconsiderate and oblivious to just how much danger he keeps putting everyone into for his own success. Varian makes an antidote nevertheless. He gives it to Rapunzel to hand to Cass. Cass wants nothing to do with any more of Varian’s inventions. But eventually she has no other choice but to try the antidote and it heals her. Cass realizes just how much Varian cares about her even after what she said. She finds Varian the next day tearing down his invention solemnly. He admits that she was right and that maybe it was time he took a break from his work. It’d be safer for everyone. Cass apologizes for insulting Varian. And she says that, yes, maybe he should take a break, it doesn’t mean he should give up entirely. And that it’s okay for him to keep doing what he loves so long as he exercises more caution. Varian thanks Cass and puts away his equipment. Now that he is on “vacation,” he wants something new to do. Next day he arrives to Cass while she is training and he shyly asks if he could join her in training...

Hi, everyone! It’s me, Rapunzel. Eugene and I just wanted to take this time to say a few words for the newly weds. Varian, when we first met you, you were a short, clumsy, excited ball of curiosity. Cass, when we first met, you were stubborn, quick-tongued, and just roaring to fight. I know in the past we’ve had our differences. I know that there were times that really tested our friendships. But even then we were so happy to have you back. You’ve both become such a big part of our lives. You are both courageous, sincere, and total inspirations to everyone you meet. You’ve both grown so much as people that we love, respect, and cherish. You two complete each other. You’ve both experienced similar struggles and pains before and have come out on top. Your cleverness and fearlessness go unmatched. We believe that you two are capable of so many great things. You two were made for each other. We are so proud you, Cass and Varian, and love you more than you can ever imagine.

Varian begging Cass to trust him when he wants her to take a flight with him in his new flying machine. How to Train Your Dragon style.

For Cass’ birthday, Varian will make her a sword. Like his nerdy Flynn Rider sword. Because you know there’s no way he just bought that from somewhere.

“I would never date anyone who is loud, obnoxious, and annoying,” Cass proclaims. “So,” asks Rapunzel, “who would you date?” “Gosh, I don’t know. Probably someone soft spoken and patient, I guess.” Varian runs in with a smile on his face. “Guys! I just found a whole litter of kittens under my house! Come on! They’re so fuzzy and small! “Like him?” Rapunzel teases Cass. Cass blushes. “Shut it.”

Varian runs up to Cass with one of the kittens. “Cass, look! This one is all dark and grumpy! Just like you!” Varian proceeds to play with the kitten before Cass, imitating Cass and making the kitten play-sword fight. “...I don’t sound like that,” she blushes. “You do,” cuts Eugene. “Get out, Fitzherbert.”

Cass chilling with her hand on the table. Varian walks up and just puts his hand on hers like a cat. No exchanges. Just bap.

AU where Cass is foreign and Varian has trouble communicating his love to Cass since she doesn’t speak English. Rapunzel translates. And Eugene who speaks many languages casually talks to her.

BoxingAU. Cass is a boxer Varian meets and has a crush on during a match. He’s a nerdy dorky guy who’s never been in a fight. But one day Cass is jumped by a gang of crooks and Varian KOs one of them.

Hacksaw Ridge AU where Varian is a conscientious objector and Cass is his rough and tough fiancé waiting for him to come back. Eugene is the top dog in his platoon and constantly berates Varian. Quirin is Varian’s WWI veteran father. Ulla has long since passed away.

Angst AU where Varian is smitten over Cass and isn’t afraid to show it. Cass is aware of it but is herself not sure if she’s ready to enter a relationship with him. And at some point Cass begs Varian to quit loving her because she feels guilty for repeatedly rejecting him.

[gaamagirl565]

Matters of the heart S3 ep 2

Matters of the heart Season 3 Ep 2 A question of faith

{OPENING CREDITS} {Open to early morning and everyone sleeping in their respective tents or by the fire; fade to Eugene sleeping in his tent with Rapunzel on his chest; A whinny from a horse sounds out and Eugene opens his eyes and sits up} Rapunzel: What’s wrong? Eugene: shhh… {He grabs his sword and steps out of his tent; he keeps his eye on the treeline; a few people wake up around the fire and stay still; Varian peeks out of his tent with Zapada} Zapada: What happens here? Varian: I don’t know… {Isaiah walks out of the tent with his sword and a smirk before Varian and Zapada yank him back by the collar of his shirt} Varian: Boy I swear-! {Eugene hides behind one of the trees and waits as a person walks out of the treeline with a sword in hand} Stoica: o, mulțumesc lui dumnezeu! Te-am găsit! {Eugene Jumps out at him and swings his sword; Stoica blocks the blow with his own sword} Eugene: urrghh… {Zapada runs out of the tent towards them} Varian: Zapada, NO! {She runs in between them and pushes Eugene off} Zapada: Your majesty! Please stop! Stoica: Zăpadă! Zapada: Stoica! { She jumps on him and hugs him} Zapada: what are you doing here!? Stoica: I heard of terrible things in Corona! I had to return and see that you were okay! Zapada: oh, fratele meu … i’m more than okay. {Pan over to Varian and Rapunzel walking up to Eugene} Eugene: um..Var? Am I missing something? Varian: Everyone can rest easy he's not an intruder he's a friend! {Everyone in the camp relaxes and some go back to sleep} Varian:  Eugene,  Rapunzel,  this is my brother-in-law. Stoica. Rapunzel:  great to meet you! Stoica: likewise your majesty. Eugene:  yeah sorry about the whole almost cutting your head off thing. Zapada: Where is the rest of us? Stoica:  they're coming along as well.  I went along ahead.   I was so filled with worry after I saw the city. Rapunzel:  you saw it!? Stoica:  your majesty I tried to enter.  there were some new guards in Black armor. they looked hostile. Varian: any citizens? {Stoica shakes his head somberly} Stoica: I apologize but... the city was covered in these strange stones and they... they were wheeling out a cart of dead. {Rapunzel gasps and runs of in horror; Eugene follows her} Eugene: Sunshine wait! {Pan to Isaiah listening from his tent and sadly closing the flap; Cut to Isaiah sitting by a tree as the other kids play; Lily notices and walks and sits next to him} Lily: You okay? Isaiah: people died... Lily:  yeah people do that. Isaiah: Lily! Lily:  sorry I'm just trying to lighten the mood.  I get it. it sucks. Isaiah: it more than sucks!  the cult took our home!  they're killing the people of Corona! Lily: I get that! They’re my subjects! How do you think I feel!? how do you say my family feels!?  but there's nothing we can do about it right now... {they both sigh in frustration; Lily lays her back across his lap} Isaiah: You know my dream is to always be a guard. Lily: huh? Isaiah: protect the citizens of Corona and serve my country. go off on glorious Adventures.  now when my country is actually in danger of being wiped off the map I'm just sitting here. Juniper: and for good reason little guy. Both: AHH! Juniper: sorry I didn't mean to scare you. hehe, I guess I can be pretty scary at times. Isaiah:  no kidding! Lily:  I think my heart just went into my throat and I just had to swallow it down again. Juniper:  look.. Isaiah right?  bottom of the line you're still just a little kid. {Isaiah stands up knocking Lily off his lap in the process} Isaiah:  I'm 13 and I'm about to be 14 in a few months! Juniper: sit down little man! you're a baby. Isaiah: A BABY!? Juniper:  yes a baby.  there's a reason you're not doing anything.  first of all we barely have any food or supplies that's the first thing we have to worry about.  the Caravan coming into Camp will help with some of the supplies problems but in the end those are just more mouths to feed as well.  on top of everything, we have all those sick victims from your village. Isaiah: Bu- Juniper:  secondly we don't know anything.  we don't know their numbers or strengths or weaknesses.  the only thing we know is everything your dad knows about them.  the next item on our list would be to find out more about them.  the only way to do that would be to infiltrate the city without being spotted which ended up itself is an incredibly Dangerous Mission not something for a young teenager. {Isaiah stares at her with rage and looks away} Juniper:  look kid I'm not trying to offend you or anything I'm just giving you the hard facts.  to put it bluntly kid we just don't have the resources. {Juniper walks away; Lily looks over at a beet red Isaiah} Lily:  ok... Isaiah breathe in and breathe out Isaiah: RRAAHHH!!! Lily: that is not breathing… Isaiah: what does she know!?  I've seen tons of battles I know how they work! {Akina and Benny walk up} Benny:  what is stinky screaming about this time? Lily:  someone told him he couldn't do something. Benny : oh so the usual… Akina:  I'm sure she didn't mean anything personal Isaiah… Isaiah: she called me a little kid! Akina:  but... we are kids… {Isaiah stuffs his head into a nearby hollow tree and screams before going limp} Lily: it's okay guys I've seen this many times before we just have to let him rage himself out. {Cut to Varian chopping wood; Ruddiger climbs on his shoulder} Varian: oh hi bud! {Stoica walks up} Stoica: Varian...may we speak? Varian: huh? Oh, yeah sure! What’s on your mind? Stoica: I’ve been talking to others and trying to fill in the blanks of what I’m missed since last here...You thought your son had perished? {Varian flinches} Varian: Y-yeah...he was...pushed off of a cliff.  we thought he was dead. Stoica:  and you became violent. Varian: what!? Stoica:  some of your villagers admit that you became a bit hostile after the supposed death of your son. I want to be sure that you didn't do anything to my sister. Varian: Stoica,  whatever you've heard I'm sure is highly exaggerated. yes, I'm not proud of some of my actions but I never would lay a hand on Zapada! Stoica: and that's why I'm coming to you.  I want to hear your side of it. Varian:...  you have to understand something first. I had a wife before Zapada.  she's been gone for a long time. all I had left of her was our son. When I thought Isaiah was dead I felt like my entire world fell apart.  so yes I lashed out at a lot of people.  but I want to make something clear... I would never hurt her. Stoica:  life comes in waves Varian. sometimes it's happy and sometimes it's laced with tragedy.  whenever the tragedy comes around I need to know that you are able to keep yourself in check.  I need to know that you're not a violent man. Varian:  a violent man? Stoica:  do you lash out every time something bad happens? Varian: No! of course not I've been through many horrible things in my life but I didn't lash out at those who cared for me every single time! Stoica: I want you to understand I'm not trying to be a bad guy here. I'm just trying to protect my own.  I know you can be a good man.  I just hope that you can remember to be one. {He walks away leaving Varian looking fearful; cut to Isaiah sneaking over to the supply station; he hides as a person walks away from it; he smirks as he notices the supply chart} Lily: What are you doing? Isaiah: Gyah! What is wrong with volume people and scaring me do you want me to have a heart attack!? Lily:  answer my question… Isaiah:  I can't just sit by and do nothing.  especially with wild man’s daughter telling me that I'm only a little kid and can't do much to help Lily: that's...not what she said.  well I mean it's partially what she said but it's not all of what she said! Isaiah:  I'm going to get the list of supplies that we need... it's still early afternoon.  if I can find out what we need and use the tunnels  I might be able to sneak into the main city unnoticed. Lily:  How are you supposed to get all of the supplies we need back here without a cart.  secondly, how would you put a cart in the tunnels to begin with. Isaiah: uhhh… Lily:  exactly thank goodness you have me… {She walks up and grabs the supply list} Isaiah: Lily! Lily:  come on let's go. Isaiah:  no I can't risk taking you! Lily: why not?  We’ve gone on adventures that were just as dangerous if not more. Isaiah:  I can't risk losing you! {Isaiah blushes at what he said and Lily blushes as well; he realizes he grabbed her hand and he lets go sheepishly} Lily: umm..right.. but I know Wayne to the city that nobody else knows about! We’d be able to fit a cart there! Isaiah: where is it? Lily:  there's a hole in the wall that the guard were supposed to fix up the day that everything happened. Isaiah:  are you telling me you guys were just overlooking a giant gaping hole in Corona's main wall? Lily: NO!... the bricks were old and weak and it totally wasn't because me and my siblings were messing around and caused part of the wall to collapse… Isaiah: ... I would question him but we really don't have the time... you think we can get in without being noticed? {Lily strikes a confident pose} Lily: Totally!  the collapse happened behind some houses in the main village so it's totally hidden! we'd be able to hide in the alleyways and sneak into the backsides of businesses and get the supplies we need. Isaiah: You’re a genius! C’mon! Lets get my horse and set him up on a cart! {He takes her hand and pulls her out of frame; cut to Varian as he walks over to his and Zapada’s tent; He stands for a moment in the entranceway and watches Zapada tuck in Sterling; he smiles softly}

Zapada: Iubirea mea? every thing al-!?

{He abruptly pulls her into a hug}

Zapada: Varian? what is this?

Varian: I...Seeing you with your brother again..and how happy you were...You gave up a lot to be with me. To be with us. I haven’t been the best of husbands. I just wanted to let you know I love you and...And I’m sorry...

Zapada: oh, Iubirea mea...what happened? Varian:I just..got to thinking...After we thought Isaiah.. ya know... I wasn't exactly the best person to be around.  and I keep recalling things that I could have done better. things I could have said better. Zapada: Varian- Varian:  no you can't just say you've already forgiven me or it's okay because in truth it's really not.  I shouldn't have been taking things out on you and the ones that I cared about. {He turns away from her and looks out at the camp} Varian: I've noticed that whenever I experienced some sort of loss or something particularly bad... tend to take it out on people that are only trying to make it better for me. maybe I am a violent man. {Zapada hugs him from behind} Zapada: Iubirea mea..you were frightened and you had just lost your son... our son.  you were under intense pressure. I have come to understand this and have already forgiven you. so please try to forgive yourself.  you're not a violent man. You’re a good man. {Varian turns around and kisses her before hearing Sterling squeal} Varian: There’s my little man! {He picks Sterling up and holds him} Varian: Getting bigger every day! Sterling: eiii! {Sterling gurgles and pulls on his hair} Varian: ha! What is it with every child I have and pulling my hair? Zapada: Easy to grab, no? {She leans up and kisses him; Eugene runs up to the tent} Eugene: Varian Th-... am I interrupting something? Varian: uh..ahem..no of course not. what's going on? Eugene:  Lily and Isaiah are missing! Varian: son of a-  seriously I leave that kid alone for 5 minutes. {He hands Sterling back over to Zapada} Varian: Don’t worry we’ll find them. {He runs out of frame with Eugene; Cut to Isaiah and Lily with cloaks and hoods pulled up as they pull up to the side of Corona’s side wall} Isaiah: it’s so quiet...where is this hole? Lily: A little further down… {Once they come upon it Isaiah pulls the wagon to a stop and gazes at the hole} Isaiah: How did you even accomplish this? Lily:  all the business district was having some competitive problems and mama trying to solve them so me and my siblings went behind the business and start chucking rocks at the wall... we were bored okay? Isaiah: and the result was a giant gaping hole probably big enough to fit a small elephant? Lily:  I hit a weak spot on the wall apparently and it just came tumbling down… Isaiah:....oh my god… { he gets off the driver's seat it makes his way through the hole} Isaiah: and you're sure nobody will notice us? {Lily climbs through} Lily:  nobody comes to the side of the wall... the only reason they would have known that the hole was here was that Mom heard it collapse and we had to tell her…  as long as we're quiet and don't draw attention to ourselves we should be okay. What’s first on the list? Isaiah: we need food.  Like you said before as long as we use the alleyways and the back entrances we should be able to grab whatever we need without being noticed. Lily:  well for the food I'm sure the bread inside the bakery is still good. Isaiah: I probably steer clear of the butcher shop...blech… Lily:  that poor man is going to come back to such a stench when this is all over. {They start moving through the back alley towards the bakery; cut back to camp with everyone on the look out for Isaiah and Lily} Rapunzel: Lily!? Cyrus: Lily answer us! Eugene: Lilianna Fitzherbert you answer us now! Eddard and Rosie: Liiiilllyyy~! Varian: Isaiah? Where are you, buddy? {Hector walks up to him with his son and daughter} Varian: find anything? Bjørn: We found some tracks that we think might belong to them where the horses are kept.  one of the horses is missing and so is a wagon we also found wagon tracks leading out of camp. Hector:  we checked and everybody in Camp has accounted for other than those two so they must have taken the horse and wagon and went somewhere. but the question is where and why. Juniper:  oh for the sake of all things good… Hector: Little bird?  something to say? Juniper:  I know where they are… Varian: You do!? Hector: Where!? Juniper: They...those kids went “shopping”... {She facepalms and everyone looks at her with either a shocked or confused face} Hector: ...eh? {Cut back to Corona where Isaiah and Lily are about to turn the corner and enter the bakery; Just as their about to enter the shop Isaiah grabs Lily and ducks behind some barrels; cult members walk past the alleyway and look down it} Cult member 1: come on we have to get this car unloaded... they're going to start stinking soon.. Cult member 2:  I know but doesn't this seem a bit undignified? {Isaiah looks at Lily and sneaks to the entrance of the alleyway and peeks out to listen;  however, when he peeks out he sees four bodies loaded in a cart and immediately ducks back behind the wall in horror} Cult member 2:  think about it don't you think they deserve a proper burial I mean they're still people. {Isaiah takes a breath and peeks back out at the cart of deceased people with purplish spots on their skin} Cult member 1:  look I get your concerns but at the same time it's not our problem these people opposed larkspur's Rule and you know the punishment for that. Cult member 2:  wouldn't it have been more humane to just...I don't know use a sword? Cult member: ... probably. {Isaiah goes back into the alleyway taking deep breaths trying to calm himself} Lily:  what did you see? what's going on? Isaiah:  it was another cart of dead bodies… Lily: *gasp* Isaiah:  it looks like there was some sort of resistance within the city.  they didn't last very long.  also it turns out whatever biological component was in that gas is fatal. Lily: what!? Isaiah:  all of the victims in the cart had the same skin markings. I'm guessing they used the gas on the resistance. Lily:  I think I'm going to be sick… Isaiah:  This is all the more reason to just get what we need and get out. We need food medicine and weapons.  we can find all of that in the nearby stores. we just have to stick to our original plan and not get caught. Lily: o-okay… {he moves her face to look at him} Isaiah: It's going to be okay... I'm not going to let anything happen to you okay? { she smiles and nods} Lily: mmhmm {Start montage of the two entering businesses, taking what they need, maneuvering around Alleyways, and evading cult members; They throw some weapons from the blacksmith shop into a bag and tie off the bag} Isaiah: is that everything? Lily: yeah I think this was our last stop. Isaiah:  all right just like before out the back.. { they sneak back out into the alleyway and start making their way back towards where the hole in the wall was;  Lily turns around and notices a cloaked figure following them} Lily: Isaiah! Isaiah: Crap! we've been spotted get moving! { they start running down the Alleyways trying to avoid the figure following them.} Lily: he's gaining on us! Isaiah:  just keep running when we get to the horse we'll easily be able to outrun him! {Lily trips on a loose stone and hurts herself} Lily: Ah! My leg! {Isaiah stops and turns around; The cloaked figure stops by Lily and bends down} Lily: AHH! Isaiah: NO! {Isaiah  grabs his sword from his belt and charges the cloaked figure preparing to swing his sword down on its head;  just to see swings downward the cloaked figure grabs his wrist and pulls back it’s hood to reveal a very angry Varian} Isaiah: oh..hi dad... Lily:  is it bad that I prefer it just being a cult member… Varian: you are in a sea of trouble buddy… {He picks Lily up} Isaiah: B-but dad-! Varian: Move it! Isaiah:...yes sir. {Cut to Varian with Hector in their own wagon as Isaiah drives his cart with Lily in back with a bandaged leg; they drive up to camp and Rapunzel and Eugen run up} Rapunzel: Lily! Eugene: Lily! You’re hurt! {They hug her and look her over} Rapunzel: where on Earth were you!? {Varian hops off the wagon} Varian:  they were in Corona. Eugene: What!?  what were you doing there!?  Lily do you know how dangerous it is it right now!? you could have been killed! Rapunzel:  what were you thinking!? Isaiah: it's my fault your Majesties. Rapunzel: Isaiah? Isaiah:  I just... it's my fault.  Princess Lily had nothing to do with this. please don't be mad at her. Varian:  come on young man we need to have a talk. {He pulls Isaiah off to the side and crosses his arms} Varian: …. well? are you going to tell me why you did this? Isaiah: I..umm… Varian:  yeah I'm waiting… Isaiah:   someone had to do something!  we needed supplies!  we needed information! Varian:  we were already working on a plan to get both!  do you realize how much danger you just put yourself in!?  what if you had been caught!? Isaiah: I had my sword! Varian:  Isaiah Cadáin Stein, you are a 13 year old boy with minimal fighting experience you would have been slaughtered! Isaiah:  I'm not a child to stop talking and treating me like I'm one! {Varian’s eyes dilate in anger} Varian:   Isaiah regardless of what you believe you are a child!  I lost you once already because of these people and I am not going to lose you again!  you were to stay within the camp's perimeter at all times if you wish to go somewhere you will be escorted from here on out am I understood!? Isaiah: What!?   dad that’s not fair! Varian:  I don't care what is fair!  am I understood? {They stare angrily at each other before Isaiah turns away} Isaiah:...fine. { cut to later at night;  a cauldron of stew sits on top the fire; Eugene walks over with a bowl and hands it to Rapunzel} Rapunzel: Thanks… so umm...How did the talk with Lily go? Eugene: I did what we agreed on she's grounded for 2 weeks. Rapunzel:  good... I really hate to admit it but they really did help our supply. Eugene:  and we did get some valuable information about the disease that our sick have.  but we still agree what they did was incredibly stupid right? Rapunzel:  oh yes 100%!  don't even worry about it!... how's her injury? Eugene:  deep cut down her shin.. required some stitches but other than that she should be good. {rapunzel sighs} Eugene: sunshine? you okay? Rapunzel:  I just can't believe we almost lost her today... and I never thought that my rule is Queen would be like this. {Eugene wraps and arm around her} Eugene:... life sucks. {he takes a sip from his soup as Rapunzel chuckles} Rapunzel:  that it does sometimes… Eugene:  and to be honest sunshine... I think you're doing a pretty good job.  I mean yeah things could be better but let's look at the positives.  we're together,  we have five amazing children, for the most part, everyone's here and doing okay, and even those things could be better we're not throwing a pity party. we're sticking together as a real Kingdom should {Camera pans around the camp as Eugene speaks; Hector leans against a tree with his son; Adira and lance watch as Akina plays with her brother; Stoica being flirted with by various women in camp; Varian sits on a log by the fire and rests his head on Zapada’s shoulder smiling as she feeds Sterling; Cut back to Eugene} Rapunzel: You really think we're doing a good job? Eugene: yeah... Yeah, I do. {Cut to Isaiah sitting under a tree watching the fire; Juniper walks up with two bowls} Juniper: hey kid…hungry? Isaiah:... *venomously* hey… Juniper: Euggh, still mad at me huh? Isaiah: What do you think!? Juniper:  to be fair I didn't really do anything I just told you the facts. I wasn't telling you to go into town and put yourself in danger. Isaiah: if this is an apology you're pretty crap at it. Juniper:  fine I'm sorry if I made you feel inadequate. you have to understand where I'm coming from though. I grew up in a house with a brother and a dad who's whole world is battle and survival.   I know a thing or two of what I'm talking about.  you may not like me but I'm not trying to look for friends. {Isaiah keeps looking away from her; she hands him his bowl; Isaiah takes it with a grumble} Juniper:  I know you're mad at me because you got in trouble but at the same time you should be glad that you have a dad that cares so much about you that he's willing to get that angry. {Isaiah glances at her} Isaiah:  does your dad get mad a lot? Juniper: oh you don't even know the half of it. {She takes a sip of her stew and sits down} Juniper:  never me and my brother would do something stupid when we were younger dad would get furious.  the dark kingdom is in nice place now back when we were young...I mean really young,  it was still pretty dangerous.  even just wondering off for a few minutes would get us yelled at. Isaiah: geez. sounds kind of harsh. Juniper:  yeah I guess... to someone else it would sound harsh.  but then when I started growing older I started realizing the reason he would yell at us so much.  It’s because he loves us. he wants to keep us safe. Isaiah: ... I'm starting to feel a lesson coming out of this or something… Juniper:  what I'm trying to say is don't be too hard on your dad.  the fact that he freaked out so bad means that he loves you a lot. He just doesn't want to see you get hurt.  all I'm asking is for you to see it from his perspective, okay kid? {Isaiah looks over at his dad and Zapada; he groans and get up, walking over to them; Varian looks over at him and they star at each other for a moment before Isaiah sits down and leans his head on Varian; Varian smiles and wraps an arm around him} Isaiah: I’m...uh..s-sorry… Varian: I know bud...I know. {END CREDITS}

[space--butterflies]

ok so i just watch beetlejuice 4 the 1st time and that was a poor idea bc oh no now the tangled beetlejuice au is living in my brain which is bad bc i have like 5 other AUs my brain keeps shoving in my face. So: varian has this feral trash panda that his aunt and uncle hate, mostly bc ruddiger goes out of his way to make their lives hell. but?? he actually likes new dream?? and like eugene pretends not 2 care(great now we got this racoon messing the place up not just ur aunt & uncle) but does-💙

It’s okay, I have so many au’s living in my brain rent free. You get used to it lol.

That is the content I like to see! I wasn’t sure how to include Ruddiger in the AU, and was debating on having him be a stuffed animal from when V was little, but I like your idea much more!

Now the question is, does Ruddiger come with Varian and his aunt and uncle or do they meet once they moved? Hmmmmm If I were to go with the latter, I imagine that he hung around the house because Rapunzel would feed him and he just stuck around because, you know, free food.

Or if he came with Varian, then his aunt and uncle only let him keep him because he was the only thing that hadn’t changed since his dad died, and taking away his primary source of comfort would be Very Bad and V’s counselor advised against it for that very reason. But hey, Ruddiger’s tame(ish) and has had all his shots so he’s basically a cat that can open doors and junk.

[gaamagirl565]

Matters of the heart S3 ep1

Matters of the heart Season 3 Episode 1 Outrun the shadow {OPENING CREDITS}

Narration: As winter draws near and the green of summer fades the world enters a time of sacrifice. The leaves release their grasp on branches and flutter to the ground to feed the soil of the earth. In return, the earth produces plants to feed the animals. Everything in our world sacrifices every day. And although Humans may be at the top of nature’s chain, We are not exempt from sacrifice. {Fade down to Isaiah looking conflicted as he watches men working in Old Corona’s graveyard with Gaia next to him} Lily: Isaiah? Isaiah: Oh! Hey guys… Akina: You okay? Isaiah:  what? yeah, I'm fine why? Nathaniel:  not going to lie... You look like you just watched a group full of Orphans get hit by a carriage. Isaiah:  that's a lovely image... but no really I'm fine it's just... a little weird to be watching people remove a tombstone from the graveyard with my name on it. Nathaniel:  at least we're prepared for the real deal now!  we have the stone and everything! {Akina kicks him} Nathaniel: Ow! Lily:  what we’re trying to say is we're glad to have you back. Isaiah:  I'm glad to have you guys back too… Akina: Awww! {lily blushes and Nathaniel gags; cut to Varian’s house where Zapada is attempting to feed her son with Verbena next to her} Zapada: Sterling, please do not fuss! Verbena: hehe! Fussy baby! Eugene: At least you know he’s truly Varian’s kid...Stubborn to the end! Varian: har har...can we get back to business? Rapunzel: Sorry Varian but he’s sooo cute! Lance: he really is! Adira can we have another baby? {Pan to Adira having her earring pulled by her 1-year-old son} Adira:....no. Varian: ….okay yes my son is incredibly cute but we have a serious issue here. Eugene: alright fine...you were saying? {Varian lays out a map on the dining room table} Varian: We know that the cult’s hideout was near the mountains in an abandoned mine.  the entrance to the mine collapsed when we were leaving but I doubt that'll hold them. they could be on their way here right now we need to make a battle plan. Rapunzel:  I'm not normally one to be negative but what are we going to do?  I don't have my hair anymore and you told me that they basically made a corrupt version of the Moonstone using only a Shard from its remains.  do we even know the full extent of their power now? Varian:  that's the tricky part... we don't. my family and I hightailed it out of there before they could do anything. Lancel: What does this mean for Cassandra? {Varian bites his lip and looks at Eugene who nods} Varian:  Cassandra... her mind has completely been taken over by the power she possesses...Her original conscience is gone. {Rapunzel gasps and tears up} Eugene: oh no...Sunshine c’mere… {he holds her close} Varian: i’m sorry Rapunzel… {Isaiah rushes in with the others and accidentally hits Ruddiger with the door} Isaiah: Dad! Do you Smell that!? {Varian sniffs the air and his eyes widen} Varian: sulfur... Eugene: cannons...something’s coming... {Zapada instinctively clutches Benny and Sterling; Varian and Eugene run out to the road; at the entrance, Larkspur stands with a cold staring purple-eyed Cassandra and an army of cult members behind her} Larkspur: Hi! Hope you don’t mind but I thought I’d just drop in...and take what’s mine. {Rapunzel stands in front of them} Rapunzel: You aren’t taking anything from us! Larkspur: AWWW! That’s so cute! Like you have a choice. Oh, sweet Vessel! Show them we mean business. {Cassandra steps forward} Rapunzel: Cass! Wait! It’s me! fi-AHH! {Rapunzel is pulled out of the way as Cass Forces a contorted discolored rock from the ground} Eugene: oh no… Isaiah: Dad w-what is that? {Varian’s eyes dilate in horror} Larkspur: Like I said...We’re not taking no for an answer… {She turns to her army} Larkspur: Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to Corona! Some of you have been here before but- {She gasps as an arrow zips past her and hits a cult member killing him; She turns around and sees Adira with her bow at the ready} Larkspur:...ya know what? Screw the speech! ATTACK! DESTROY ANYONE YOU SEE! {The army cheers and charges; People begin running screaming} Isaiah: Dad!? Nathaniel: MOM! {Everyone runs to gather their families; The cult starts throwing small orbs; once they hit the ground a gas flows out choking various people; Isaiah watches his father fight with the king and queen and out of the corner of his he sees an orb head for Nathaniel’s family} Isaiah: NATHANIEL! {He is hit directly and begins coughing and sputtering; Isaiah covers his nose and mouth and runs out to help him to his house; in the confusion they here people grunting and shouting in pain; The cult have begun targeting civilians with their swords} Rapunzel: We have to get everyone out of here! {Varian, Eugene, and Rapunzel help various villagers to run into Varian’s house and barricade the door} Varaian: Zapada Grab the kids!  Lets get everyone to the escape route! Zapada: come on children! {Varian leads them to a hole in his office} Eugene: seriously? Varian: It leads to the underground tunnels of old Corona!  we can escape to the forest through here! Isaiah: but we'll be leaving everything! Rapunzel: We have to… Varian: Women & Children First! {Isaiah helps Lily and the royal siblings into the hole and then helps Nathaniel} Varian:  you next buddy! {Isaiah climbs down into the dark dirt tunnels; he slowly helps people into them; Once everyone is inside Varian himself climbs into the hole taking one last look at his home before the main door starts cracking open; he grabs the lid to the hole and covers it as he descends into the tunnel.} Akina: it’s really dark down here Benny:  clearly you've never been to the dark Kingdom. Villagers:  what do we do now?  how do we get back to the surface? our home is gone!  what about everybody else in the Kingdom!? Rapunzel:  everyone calm down!  I'm sure our Royal engineer has a plan! Right? Varian:  of course I do I didn't just build this thing for kicks.  the tunnel itself is about 5 miles long and at least out into the forest.  the exit is in a campsite that I have spent time creating in case the should ever happen.  when we get there we can set up camp as for the rest of the people in Corona... we can only pray for their safety. Perhaps at a future date we can save them. {the small crowd murmurs to each other; Varian takes out small glowing orbs and passes them around} Eugene:  everyone Stay Together!  Varian will lead the way. {They begin walking in the direction they’re being lead} Benny: ‘Saiah?  are we going to be okay? Isaiah:.... yeah totally!  there's one thing I know about my dad is he has a plan for everything. even the worst-case scenario. Akina: Mama I’m frightened… Adira: we’re alright small one Lance: yeah... the important thing is we're all here together. {As they walk small rumbles shake the tunnels but Rapunzel encourages them to keep moving; Varian looks over a map with his glowing orb before pointing down a corridor; Everyone follows; Cut to Lily’s brother Cyrus running a hand along the dirt wall} Cyrus: I'm simply amazed Mr.Varian... how did you manage to carve these? Varian:  there were already tunnels here from when I was younger I just simply expanded them so that they would run into the forest. I figured it was a good idea to have an Escape Route.  especially one that they wouldn't be able to find. Cyrus:  still this must have taken years! Varian:  I began Construction once I returned to Corona shortly before Isaiah was born.   I figured if I was going to stay in Old Corona they would end up coming for me at some point.  I wanted a safe way for my villagers to escape. {A thud and is heard followed by a shattering of glass and a scream; Eugene whips around to see a woman on the ground; he runs over} Eugene:  what's going on!? Child: My mother! S-she fell! She isn’t saying anything! {Varian runs over and kneels next to her} Varian: ... flip her over! {They do so and reveal reddish-purple dots on her skin} Varian:...was your mother sick before!?  did anything happen during The Invasion I could have injured her in any way? Child: no! She was fine! She wasn’t even injured in The Invasion!  we only got hit by one of those weird ball thingies! Isaiah:... those gas bombs! If she was near one when it blew then, you don't think that maybe… Varian:  those bombs must have been filled with some sort of biological compound... it's making anybody who came into contact with the gas sick. Rapunzel:  a lot of people here were exposed to those. Eugene:  everyone check yourselves for reddish-purple spots! {The people look at themselves and several shout in fear as they look at their spotted skin; Nathaniel looks at his wrist in fear and dots cover his arm} Rapunzel: okay calm down!  if you were sick we will find a way to get you treated we just have to find out what exactly this is! Varian:  Rapunzel that's easier said than done without a lab.  in the time being we have to make it to the campsite we use whatever medicine we have to try and get you better until then we'll have to observe your symptoms. Villager 1:  how much longer to this campsite? my wife is very sick! Varian:  we just passed the north corridor  so I'm guessing we should be there within the next 10 minutes. in the meantime everybody please try and stay calm. {everyone moves on} Lily:  Nathaniel are you okay? {he holds up his wrist; Akina gasps} Isaiah:  don't be scared, Akina... I don't think it's contagious otherwise we'd all have it by now. Lily:  what about you you ran to the gas cloud that he was in! Isaiah: Nathaniel and everybody else experiencing symptoms had a direct hit or breathed in a lot of the gas. I had my mouth and nose covered when I went to go grab him. Nathaniel: Stop!  let's do what they told us and stay calm.  I don't know what this stuff is going to do to me but we shouldn't focus on that. we have bigger fish to fry. come on… {He walks ahead of them} Benny: Isaiah? Can I have a ride? Isaiah: you tired? Okay… {He bends down and lets her climb on his back; they keep walking to they see a light peering through the top of the tunnel} Varian: Angry? Cat? {a rope is dropped down} Varian:  again Women & Children First! { everyone begins climbing up the Rope one by one;  finally Varian pulls himself up} Keira: welcome to the upper world! Varian: you've been waiting for years to say that haven't you? Cat:  she really has you have no idea… Keira:  we did exactly as you said we saw the commotion from our treehouse and opened up the tunnel. Lance: thats my girls! Eugene:  is everything secure? Cat: yeah Varian: and how is...he doing? { Cat looks distressed for a moment and kiera puts an arm around her} Kiera:  he's not doing good to say the least… Cat:  we have him in the camp right now resting but his wound recently got infected.  The Physician helped some with the internal damage... but he said ultimately there's not much you can do. we just have to hope he makes it through this. Kiera:  nevermind! we have some visitors in the camp… Varian: Visitors!? WHO!? {Cut to the camp with Varian walking in; pan to hector sitting with his daughter Juniper and son Bjørn} Varian: Uncle? Adira: Hector!? Hector: hello sister… Adira: what are you doing here? Juniper:  it was so weird!  dad said he had to come here! Hector:  something happened... and judging from what I'm seeing something big.  I felt a familiar feeling... but this time..it was evil. Adira:  they took The Shard of the Moonstone and they corrupted it into a new stone. trust me I felt it too. Bjørn: What happened to all these people? Varian: we don't exactly know yet. Eugene:  okay attention everyone!  all those who are sick please rest until we can find a designated area for you everybody else start helping set up camp Villager 1:  but what about us!? are you sure they won't find us here!? Varian: as of right now all the cult knows is that we disappeared inside my house. They have no knowledge of the underground tunnels nor do they have any knowledge of this campsite.  soon strict rules are going to be enforced in order to assure everyone safety.  I know the situation isn't ideal and I prayed that it would never happen. Villager 2:  isn't this basically your fault!?  you should have been protecting us from these people! {The crowd shouts in anger; Isaiah puts Benny down and runs over} Isaiah:  knock it off! Varian: Isaiah? Isaiah:  there was no way my Dad could have stopped the cult from doing this!  with or without the Moonstone Shard they would have attacked eventually just as they have before.  instead of blaming other people for what happened, we should focus on Surviving! Rapunzel:  Isaiah is right. getting angry will solve nothing.   please everyone just started helping set up camp once we get a new sense of normal it won't seem so bad I promise. {The crowd disperses} Isaiah: phew… Varian: Thats my boy! Zapada: Copilul meu, that was so brave! Isaiah:  I couldn't just stand there and let them bad-mouths my family. the cult members are insane plain and simple once they have something in their head it can't be stopped. Zapada:  I'm going to go help the other women set up. Isaiah, would you mind taking your brother for a bit? {she hands Sterling to Isaiah} Isaiah:  what do you say little guy? you ready to spend some time with your awesome big bro? Sterling: ppthh! Lily: Ha! Isaiah:  I'm choosing to take that as a compliment… {Isaiah walks around camp watching the sick be tended to and tents being set up} Isaiah:  and I got so used to sleeping in a bed again as well… Benny:  speak for yourself! this is my element! {They look over and see Cat walk into a ten that was already set up} Isaiah: what is she doing? Benny: ooohh spy time! Lets go.. {They sneak up to the tent and look in; Noremoth lies on a makeshift bed with bandages wrapped around his torso; Cat dips a cloth in water and puts it on his head} Noremoth: ghh...h-hey.. Cat: hi..just rest okay? Noremoth:..you got it..boss. {She chuckles} Cat: just sleep okay? {Start the song “twisting trees} {Catalina} Deep in the forest, the flowers bloom Don’t fear the dark The moon will rise soon Let the breeze caress your face And fall into the branches embrace Twisting trees keep me safe Twisting trees I fear not this place As they cast their shadows below The moon it rises ever so slow It’s face of Ivory glowing above It bathes the land its pure white love fall into the branches embrace Twisting trees keep me safe And fear not this place. Oh, fear not this place. {end song; Isaiah walks away with Benny and Sterling} Isaiah: He's not looking good… Benny:  well that wasn't fun that was just straight-up depressing... {Isaiah sits up against a tree with Sterling} Akina: you okay? Isaiah: Oh...hi Akina... yeah I'm fine just... rough way to start a day. Akina: yeah... never thought I'd see Uncle Hector here. What do you think they meant by saying they sensed something? Isaiah: promote my grandpa told me your mom and…” uncle” Hector used to be part of a group called the Brotherhood. from what he told me they were loyal to the moonstone given that this new corruption is made from A Shard of the Moonstone I'm guessing they felt a disturbance or something when it was corrupted. it's the only thing I can think of. Akina: We're going to take back Corona right? I like it there! Isaiah:  don't you worry we're not just going to sit back and let this happen.  we're going to take back our Kingdom… Lily:  good luck with that we’ll need a small army. Akina:  I heard the grown-up saying that too!  something about we're going to have to go around asking other kingdoms to join the fight! Isaiah:  well yeah... you think they're just going to stop at our kingdom? we're going to need to ask for help from a lot of peo-... wait...I GOT IT! { everyone in the camp jumps out of surprise} Isaiah:... oops!  sorry!... anyway I need a piece of paper and a quill. Lily:  one second I saw some by the supplies! {She runs over and grabs the items before handing them to Isaiah;  Isaiah leans against the tree and begins writing his letter} Isaiah: S.O.S...Corona compromised.  please help.  your former Cabin Boy Isaiah... okay it's written!  but how do we send it? Lily: I... I have an idea… {Cut to Hamuel hanging  upside down from a tree branch} Isaiah: you can't be serious… Lily:  hey my grandfather and Dad have been exchanging letters for ages using this bird. Isaiah:  this bird has to be at least 15 years old! maybe more! on top of that look at him! {Hamuel falls to the ground with a pained caw} Isaiah: HMM!? *points at him* Lily:  I know it's not ideal but he's gotten the messages there every single time. Benny:  I'm surprised he hasn't taken the messages to the north pole rather than the dark Kingdom. {Lily attaches the letter to Hamuel’s leg} Isaiah:... I can't believe I'm doing this I'm talking to a bird...Hamuel  listen very closely to me I need you to find a ship called the SS. Salvador. Take this note to the captain.  and if you fail...uh...Draki will eat you. {Draki hisses and wiggles his tail} Lily: Isaiah no! Isaiah: Isaiah yes! { He lets Hamuel go; cut to Corona Castle; Larkspur walks into the throne room} Larkspur:  I can't believe I'm finally here… Vergus:  yes mistress you finally made it.  Corona is destroyed and at our feet.  and soon we will find The Alchemist and where he is hiding. Larkspur:  look at this place... such power wasted. {She goes up and sits on the throne} Larkspur: hehe!!  I've waited for years to sit on this chair!  I was kind of hoping that the king and queens heads would be under my feet as well but you take what you can get. Vergus: shall we start moving on to the other kingdoms as well mistress? now that we've taken down Corona we can move on to others and spread our message! Larkspur:  everything is finally coming together… Vergus: Mistress? {begin song “i don’t care”} {Larkspur} You know some time ago I was just a little girl I was hopeless, aimless, nameless But then a dream had struck my mind It was brighter than any kind And now that dream is mine Just look now where I walk A hall of Kings and Queens And all it took was some blood and a bit of screams! Well, I don’t care, If it isn’t fair! This land is mine Let’s not waste our time! Let’s make them bleed! Oh let’s make them bleed! Ohhh...he chose his path and ran away Even when welcome to stay… He chose...to Betray~! But I don’t care! I’ve let down my hair! This land is mine! Oh, finally mine! Now to make them bleed Oh let’s make them (x3) Let’s make them bleed! {End song} {END CREDITS}

[rocksandrobots]

Of Rocks and Robots Ch. 3 - The First Day (part 1)

Wasabi awoke to little tiny hands patting his face. He opened his eyes and saw the raccoon, Ruddiger, perched on top of his chest and staring intensely back at him, snout inches from his face. He yelled and bolted upright at the sight; startling the creature and awaking the sleeping boy on the couch. 

Last night Wasabi had come back from the laundry room and found Varian already asleep curled up on the sofa. The raccoon was digging into the box of pizza on the table. Annoyed that his dinner was now contaminated by raccoon germs he placed the critter and the rest of the pizza inside the bathroom, along with a makeshift bed out of the wet towels that the stranger had used to shower with. Feeling he had fulfilled his promise of making the raccoon comfortable he then securely shut the door to the bathroom, covered the sleeping boy with a blanket, scarfed down a cream cheese bagel, and then went to bed. 

It would have appeared that he didn’t close the door tightly enough because at some point during the night the raccoon had managed to open it and escape.

Wasabi groaned in frustration and looked at the clock next to his bed. Nine in the morning; the gang would be meeting soon at the Lucky Cat for breakfast, if they hurried they could be there at around ten thirty or eleven at the latest. 

He threw on a sweater and some pants on top of his sleepwear and went down to retrieve the laundry from last night. Varian asked to come along and see the machines that cleaned the clothes. He was all questions, just like the night before. Wasabi tried to patiently answer them all as he folded the laundry before carrying the now clean clothes back upstairs. 

While the kid went into the bathroom to change back into his old attire; Wasabi looked up a number for a local veterinarian office.

                                                     -------------------

Varian came out of the washroom to find Wasabi talking into a thin black box that he held to one ear. 

“Are you sure Monday is the earliest you have available?”, he heard the taller man say with a bit of desperation in his voice. Wasabi then paused, as if listening to another voice coming from the box, before continuing on. “Alright then I’ll bring the raccoon by, at around nine, see you then. Thank you and have a nice day.” He then removed the box from his ear and pressed his thumb to its screen, apparently turning it off and ending the conversation. That’s when he noticed Varian. 

“It’s like seventy degrees out today. Are you sure you want to be wearing a heavy coat and gloves?” He asked, taking note of Varian’s full Saporian garb. 

“I find it completes the aesthetic.” Varian said, cupping his chin with his finger and thumb and raising his eyebrow and giving a crooked smile. Desperately trying to come off as suave and smooth as he said it. 

“What aesthetic? Steampunk pirate?” Wasabi responded back with deadpan sarcasm.

“What’s steampunk?” Varian sincerely asked, ignoring the other man’s snark. 

“Nevermind, we’re taking you clothes shopping today anyways.” He said with a shake of his head. 

“Umm, not to sound ungrateful but, why?”

“Because there’s no telling how long you’re going to be here and I’m not washing your dirty clothes every single day.” 

“You don’t need to wash clothes every day.” Varian half laughed while rolling his eyes. 

“Uh-uh! We don’t do that here! You ain’t wearing the same clothes day in and day out without cleaning them. You need at least seven outfits, one for each day of the week, probably even more than that if I’m being honest” Wasabi retorted back in all seriousness. 

“Sounds excessive, but okay.” Varian replied skeptically. He couldn’t understand why anyone would need more than two or three different sets of clothes, some made due with only one set. Only royals and other insanely wealthy individuals had wardrobes that large. But Varian wasn’t going to argue, after all Wasabi had done so much for him already, who was he to complain about receiving new clothes?  

“Before that we gotta make a stop at the pet shop and find that raccoon of yours some new sleeping arrangements. He somehow broke out last night and we can’t have that happening again. After that we’re meeting the rest of the guys at Aunt Cass’s for breakfast.”  

Varian didn’t know who “Aunt Cass” was, but he didn’t ask anymore questions as the thought of a good breakfast started to override his normal curiosity. 

“Come here buddy” Varian gently coaxed his pet. He picked the raccoon up in his arms and followed Wasabi out the door and down the stairs back to the car. 

                                                    -------------------

If Varian had thought the city was impressive at night it was even more overwhelming during the day. Cars and people were everywhere. San Fansokyo bustled and teemed with life. Never had Varian seen so many crowds of people,so many buildings, nor so many new inventions all at once. Not even in Corona’s capital. 

Wasabi pulled to a stop next to a squat brick building on the side of the street. It had a sign above the top of the building that in big large letters read, “PET TENPO”, and underneath those, in smaller type, were symbols from a language Varian didn’t recognized.   

“Here we are.” Wasabi said cheerfully, he turned the car off and got out. Varian followed suit.

The pet store was a small establishment packed full with shelves stuffed with various merchandise. Towards the front counter there were cages with exotic birds and at the back of the store were large tanks full of colorful fish. Ruddiger took a particular interest in these and tried to escape Varian’s grasp and climb the tanks in order to get at the tasty morsels swimming about. 

“Ruddiger get down!” Varian snatched the raccoon off the top aquarium in embarrassment, before any harm could be done.

Wasabi didn’t notice. He was already gathering up the items they would need; pet bed, cat carrier, a cat leash, one that went around the animal’s waist so as not to choke it, a large dog kennel to sleep in, litter box with litter to go with it, flea powder, and finally both a bag of dog food and a can of cat food; as Wasabi had no idea what to feed the thing. He figured they would just try both and see what would come of it.

“See anything else we might need?” Wasabi asked as they went to the counter to pay for the items.

“Hmmm..” Varian gave a last glance around the store, not entirely sure what he was looking for but he couldn’t help feeling like something was missing. Then he spied a large sawed off tree branch next to the caged birds. He placed Ruddgier on the counter and went to pick it up. It was a lot lighter than he expected and hollow but it seemed sturdy. 

Wasabi gave him a curious look. “He likes to climb trees,” Varian explained, “Maybe we can put this up somewhere for him to play on.” 

“Ok.” Wasabi shrugged and added it to the pile of other stuff. Once everything was paid for they carried it back to the car and placed it all into a compartment at the back of the vehicle. All but the leash, that is, which Wasabi handed to him to put on the raccoon. Then they hopped back into the car and were off again.   

                                                    -------------------

They arrived at the cafe fashionably late.The others no doubt were already in the middle of eating. Wasabi paralleled parked in front of the three story house turned eatery. No sooner did he push the gear into park then did Ruddiger scurry across the dash over to him to look out the driver side window. 

Wasabi turned his head to see what had caught the raccoon’s interest. Sitting on the roof was yet another raccoon. This one with a lighter brown coat. It looked at the newcomers for a bit before turning around and running off. 

Great more vermin. Wasabi thought to himself as he rolled his eyes. Out loud though he only said. “Why don’t you take him for a walk before bringing him inside? Let him blow off some energy. Just keep to the sidewalk and don’t go too far.” 

Varian nodded his head in agreement and grabbed the raccoon and pulled him away from the window. Once outside the car he put the pet down and held on to the other end of the leash, allowing the critter to pull him along any way it chose. Wasabi took this as an opportunity to forewarn his friends. 

He found the gang inside all sitting together around a table eating breakfast. 

“Hey, Wasabi. Where’s the new kid, Varian, wasn’t it?” Fred greeted him, waving at him from where he sat as Wasabi made his way over to them.

“Guys you won’t believe the night I’ve had.” He vented.”This kid; he doesn’t know anything about electricity, indoor plumbing, cars, has never had a vaccine….” Wasabi rattled off all the weirdness he had to put up with since the stranger had arrived, visibly counting down the number of offensives to good hygiene and common sense he had had to deal with. “ But that’s not the worst part. The worst part is, he has a pet ra–” 

“A raccoon!” Honey Lemon squealed with joy, cutting Wasabi off. He stopped to look at her but she was already out of her chair and bounding away to the front entrance where Varian had just walked in carrying his pet in his arms. 

                                                    -------------------

“Oh, a raccoon! He’s so adorable. Can I hold him?” The tall girl breathlessly said in wonderous delight while reaching her hand out to pet Ruddiger. It took a moment for Varain to recognize her as the pink suited knight from last night, but her cheery voice gave her away. 

“Sure” Varian agreed and handed his pet to her. She giggled and cradled the raccoon in her arms like a baby, all the while cooing compliments and scratching under his chin and behind his ears. Ruddiger seemed very pleased with the attention and Varian couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight. Few people wanted anything to do with his pet, let alone cuddle him. 

Varian then looked past her to Wasabi and the other knights sitting around the table. Only without their armor, they looked less like warriors and more like regular teenagers like himself. All, that is, save for the large white pillowy creature beside them. 

The creature stood as tall as a man and only had two black coal eyes, no nose or visible mouth, and a large bulging body with stubby legs. It was completely white and the impression it gave Varian was that of a snowman come to life. He walked towards the creature transfixed, curious as to what it was.  

“Say hello to Baymax. You met him last night, but he looks a little different out of his armor.” The boy named Hiro said bemusingly. 

“Baymax? The knight? Oh, I’m… I’m sorry I didn’t mean to stare.” Varian stammered out this apology, embarrassed once again that he didn’t understand the inner workings of this world. He knew staring at people was rude and he no doubt just offended the being before him. 

“No need to apologize. I am a robot and therefore can not get offended.”  The creature said in his usual clipped voice. It strangely sounded human and yet somehow artificial and emotionless at the same time. Varian found it a little off putting. 

“A robot?”

“It’s artificial intelligence, a machine made to perform human-like tasks.” Hiro explained.

“Ooooh…Like an automaton!” Varian said as realization dawned on him. “I’ve never seen one that can talk before! That’s amazing!”  

���Wait! You don’t have electricity or indoor plumbing but you have robots in your world?” Wasabi said, not believing what he was hearing. 

“Yeah, we call them automatons.” 

“Well, ok then,” Wasabi said with a shrug of resignation, officially giving up trying to make sense of Varian and his world. 

“But if you don’t have electricity then what do the robots run on?” The tall girl joined in on the conversation, taking a seat at the table once more while still holding Ruddigger.  

“Well originally they ran on clockwork. They had a wind up mechanism like a music box,” Varian excitedly explained, “But I improved the design with Flynomium!” He paused for dramatic effect.

“What’s that?” the blonde boy, Fred said, giving Varian just the very question he was looking for.  

“It’s a chemical compound of my own design. It generates steam when it comes into contact with water.” He proudly proclaimed. 

“Sooo they’re steam powered. Then how does the compound work?” The short girl, Gogo asked. 

“Well, when Flynnolium comes in contact with water it quickly dilutes creating an exothermic reaction caused by the dissociation of ions.” 

“Oh, like sodium hydroxide!” The tall girl, Honey Lemon, cheerily chimed in.

“Exactly, in fact lye is one of the components in Flynnolium along with…with..” Varian stopped and stared at the red-headed girl as what she had just said sunk in. She not only had kept up with his scientific explanation but even was able to pinpoint one of its main components just from his description alone. Varian had never met anyone who could do that. In fact most people got bored, irritated, or confused by his scientific ramblings. He then looked around at the other teens sitting at the table. They all were intently looking at him, completely engrossed by what he had to say, not giving any indication they were lost or annoyed by his lecture. 

“Go on, we’re listening.” Gogo encouraged him, noting the sudden silence from him. 

“You..you’re all scientists?” Varian asked. 

“Well I’m not. I’m just a science enthusiast, but all these guys are” Fred happily pointed out. 

“We all attend the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology; we also call it the nerd school.” Hiro explained. “I’m a robotics major, Honey Lemon is a chemical engineer, Wasabi is an expert in quantum optics, and Gogo is a double major in mechanical engineering and industrial design.” 

“And I’m the school’s mascot!” Fred shouted enthusiastically. 

“So you’re all scientists and knights?” 

“Ooooooh knights, I like it! Honorable warriors defending their home from outside threats, only to discover that the real threats are from the inside.” Fred said with an air of mysterious ominousness, as if about to launch into a story. 

“Yeah something like that,” Hiro said, waving off the older teen’s over-eagerness. “We use our scientific knowledge to build our armor and weapons in order to protect the city from criminals that the regular police can’t handle. But we try to keep it on the down low. Not many people know what we do, especially my aunt, so I have to ask you to not tell her or anyone else about our knightly escapades, please.” 

Varian promised his secrecy. 

“Thanks, if Aunt Cass ever found out, she’d never let me out of the house again. Also you might not want to tell everyone that you’re from another world while we’re at it.” 

Just then a petite woman with short brown hair walked in carrying two plates of pancakes, interrupting their conversation. She smiled widely at the sight of Varian and set the plates down at the table.

“Oh who’s this? A new friend?” 

“This is Varian, he’s a new foreign exchange student at SFIT.” Hiro explained, already giving Varian a cover story. “Varian, this is my Aunt Cass. He starts this new semester and we’re showing him around.”

“Oooh exciting! So you’re new to America then?” 

Varian nodded. 

“Well let me treat you to an all American breakfast, make you feel at home.” She clasped her hands in excitement. “ How do you feel about pancakes with blueberries?” 

“That sounds great, thank you.” Varian replied awkwardly. He wasn’t used to people being genuinely nice to him and the enthusiasm with which the woman greeted him, while appreciated, made Varian feel self-conscious.    

“Splendid! Do you want any coffee to go with it, or would you prefer orange juice?”

“Coffee sounds nice.” 

“Sugar, cream? How would you like it?” She was slipping into customer service mode which made Varian feel even more awkward as the questions kept coming.   

“Black?” 

“Ok. I’ll go get that for you.” She sailed away to the counter to grab a coffee pot and cup and Varian sat down at the table next to Honey Lemon. When the woman returned she placed the cup next to him and began to pour the coffee while continuing with what she thought was more small talk. 

“So where are you from?” 

“Old Corona” Varian said unthinkingly, feeling even more uneasy as the woman began to serve him. He wasn’t used to people doing things for him either. However he realized his mistake as soon as he noticed the apprehension in Hiro’s eyes. 

“Old Corona?” Aunt Cass repeated the words back in confusion, “Oh, where’s that?”  

“Europe.” Varian hoped that would be explanation enough, but he feared he was digging himself into even more of hole. 

“Oh what part of Europe, near France or Italy?”  

Varian at least had heard of those places so he tried formulating an answer based on that. “It’s northeast of France, near the sea,” hoping a vague truth would ease the questioning. 

“Oh so like near Poland and the Ukraine, one of those old Soviet countries? I’m afraid I was never good at geography. It doesn’t help that everything keeps changing, I still remember when there were two Gremanys on the map at school.” She said, trying to laugh off her lack of knowledge on the subject.  

Now Varian was completely lost, most of those places he had never heard of before and, another world or no, he couldn’t for the life of him think of any reason why there would be two countries with the same name. He just simply couldn’t think of anything to respond with and silence fell over the group as Aunt Cass and he blankly stared at each other. 

Hiro swooped in to end the awkwardness, “You made yourself feel old again didn’t you?” He said to his aunt in a gently teasing manner, a sly smile creeping across his face.  

“Yep,” Aunt Cass responded; now starring pass Varian as if looking at her own mortality.

“Do you wanna go get those pancakes and exit this awkward conversation?” He suggested.      

“Yep,” Aunt Cass gave a brief nod of agreement and promptly twirled around and headed back into the kitchen. 

Everyone visibly relaxed after she left, having narrowly avoided any more awkward questions and explanations. Everyone but Varian who now felt both embarrassed and guilty. He took a sip of the coffee she had just given him, hoping no one would notice his face turning red. At least it was good coffee though. Something Varian hadn’t had in ages. 

Fortunately everyone seemed to be eager to move on from the whole affair, and Honey Lemon was the first to change the subject. 

“Your pet is adorable. What’s his name?” 

“Ruddgier,” Varian said, relieved that no one was focusing on his latest screw up.

 “Where did you even get him?” Gogo asked. 

“Oh I rescued him from a rabbit snare. Poor thing got his paw snagged trying to steal apples from our orchard. He hasn’t stopped following me around or breaking into our food stores since.”  

Honey Lemon looked at him disquieted, “A rabbit snare? That’s awful.”  

“I know, right? I mean they’re fine for catching rabbits but anything could get caught in them if you aren’t careful. That’s why I tried creating a chemical compound that could more humanely trap pests.” He was now getting excited again. He wanted to talk more about science with the pretty girl who understood chemistry as well as he did, but she unfortunately couldn’t move on from the snare traps. 

“But why would you want to catch bunny rabbits?” Honey Lemon bemoaned in confusion. 

“To stop them from getting to our crops. My village is a farming town.” Varian explained. To him it was just natural. A part of everyday life. He could understand her displeasure over using snares, he didn’t like them either, but not her objections to the act of catching the animals themselves. She just stared at him wide-eyed in response though. Perhaps she needed more clarification as to what was done with the rabbits.

“And we also eat them afterwards.” He hoped that would be enough to quail her concerns; that they weren’t just killing small creatures for no reason at all. He was wrong. 

“You eat rabbits!?” She asked, horrified. 

“A lot of people eat rabbits.” Gogo interjected in his defense. “They even sell frozen rabbit meat at the grocery store.” 

“Yeah, it’s what hossenfeffer is made from.” Fred pitched in. 

“You’ve had hossenfeffer before?” Wasabi asked in disbelief. 

“Yeah, once. Remember my mom likes to take us to those fancy dinners with all the weird food.” 

Honey Lemon however looked like she was about to cry at this new information and Varian was simply trying to make sense of her discomfort and why this might not be common knowledge. 

“Oh, I guess living in a big city like this you can just go to the market and pick up your dinner?” Varian guessed, trying to ease the tension and offer understanding. “That must be nice. It’s no fun having to butcher your own meat…that’s… that’s just.. unpleasant ….” He trailed off and began to stare into the middle distance as if haunted by bad memories. Awkward silence fell upon the group once more as they all stared back at him in concern, unsure of how to proceed. He really was from a different world from their own.    

Fortunately Aunt Cass returned with more pancakes dispersing the disquiet that had befallen the group. She placed a plate of pancakes in front of Varian who began eating almost immediately to distract from the growing embarrassment he felt. They were delicious, a lot fluffier and buttery than the ones he used to make when he was still living in Old Corona. They were also topped with blueberries and a sweet cream. Along with the hot coffee; it was the best meal Varian had had since leaving prison.

“You want some maple syrup?” Hiro asked, sliding a little glass dispenser with a metal top over to him.  

“Maple?” Varian quizzed. The syrup was dark and thick, similar to molasses or treacle, and every bit as sweet. Almost too sweet for Varian, but he poured just a little onto the top of the stack of flat cakes so as not to seem rude. He had caused enough awkwardness for the day. 

After a time, Aunt Cass came over to refill everyone’s drinks and to see if they needed anything. While there she tried to strike up yet another conversation with Varian. She wanted to know more about who her nephew was hanging out with. 

“So Varian, you don’t look much older than Hiro. Did you also get accepted into college early?” She asked as she poured him more coffee. 

Varian wasn’t sure how to respond, he didn’t know that there was an accepted time frame for universities here nor what the qualifications for that time frame would normally be. However he saw Hiro sitting across from him, nodding his head vigorously while his aunt’s back was turned to him. 

“Yeah,” Varian hoped he sounded more confident then he felt.

“Oh, your parents must be so proud then.” She cheerfully said. 

Those words, as kind as they were, sent Varian’s stomach plummeting to the ground. For the briefest of moments he was right back in that cold laboratory next to the dimly glowing amber. Crying on the floor while the snow fell outside. 

Varian swallowed hard and tried to force those images out of his head. It wouldn’t do to start tearing up in front of a bunch of strangers, nor to say anything that could lead to awkward questions about his past. 

“It’s.. It’s just me and my dad, and I..I would hope he is.” Varian explained, hoping that would be an acceptable answer for the woman.

“I’m sure he is.” Aunt Cass told him reassuringly. “I’m guessing he’s still in, Corona, was it?” She continued. 

Varian nodded and then looked down at the plate of pancakes the woman had given him. He’d eaten a little over half of them, but the reminder of his father had left him with little appetite. 

“Thank you for breakfast. It was delicious.” He said, hoping to either change the conversation or excuse himself altogether. 

He stood up and grabbed the plate. “Where do I wash this at?" 

Aunt Cass gently laughed at that question. "Oh that’s very sweet of you, but you don’t have to do the dishes. You just go on and enjoy your day." 

"Yeah we’re about to head out,” Hiro chimed in.“We’re going to go to the mall today." 

"Ok. Y'all have fun.” His aunt said and began to gather up the plates. 

Varian felt a little guilty leaving her with all the work of cleaning up, but she had insisted otherwise and the others were already starting to leave. Varian told her thank you once more and waved goodbye. She flashed him a warm smile in return as he left. 

[gaamagirl565]

Matters of the heart ep 10

Matters of the heart

Episode 10

First impressions

{OPENING CREDITS}

{open to morning in old corona; rooster crows and pans to Isaiah waking up; start reprise of “when will my life begin”} {Isaiah} Ugh. 7:15 it’s morning once again time to get up Go downstairs and eat whatever dad has made Go outside and get started on my chores Feed the pigs, milk the cows and now it’s 8;45 Time to get the eggs from all the mother hens Let sheep all out of their tiny pen Pick some fruit, and read, and just basically Wonder when will my life begin And I’ll keep wonderin’ and wonderin’ 

and wonderin’ and wonderin’ Just when will my life begin… Ugh… {end song with Isaiah kicking a bucket then promptly grabbing his foot} Isaiah: Ow! {cut to the edge of the forest and noremoth is looking over at old Corona} Noremoth: Corona...ick...The name always leaves a bad taste in my mouth… Cassandra: I would ask why but I feel like you're going to tell me even if I don't… Noremoth: a kingdom full of self-righteous people... too high and mighty to even care about helping those less fortunate.  they speak as if there's some sort of Heaven on earth and then they turn around and ignore your existence when you truly need them… Cassandra: that's not completely true… Noremoth:  and yet your past begs to differ sweet vessel… Cassandra: call me that again we will have problems. Noremoth:  temper temper... you know your mission correct? Cassandra:... yes… Noremoth:  good girl... repeat it, please. Cassandra:... infiltrate Corona get the Moonstone shard and leave. Noremoth:  that's a right and remember we're not here to diddle daddle... get it and go. Cassandra: You told me about the person who has it and let me just say I knew this person at one point and he's not going to give it up easily so how do you expect me to get it? {Noremoth unsheathes his sword} Noremoth: by any means necessary of course!  and don't forget if you try and tell anyone of what's going on... let's just say you won't want that. {Cassandra’s eyes flicker in color for a second; Cut to Isaiah in the orchard with a basket and a book} Isaiah: ughhh!  I'm never going to get this right!  it says to keep my knees leveled and balance but how am I supposed to do that when I can't even pick up the sword! {Ruddiger yawns and Isaiah walks over to a tree with a long sword resting on it; not to far away from him is a stump with a log on it} Isaiah: Okay... hold sword firmly in hands and swing forcefully down...Ruddiger,  if this kills me I want roses at my funeral, thank you! { he closes the book and picks up the sword; Cassandra appears from behind a tree that immediately Retreats behind it upon seeing him; Isaiah attempts to lift the sword} Cassandra: what on Earth is he doing? { Isaiah lifts the sword over his head but the weight causes him to fall  onto his back and drop it} Isaiah: Whoa!!...owwww…. { Cassandra cringes and walks over to him} Cassandra: what are you doing kid? { Isaiah immediately jumps up and tries listing The Sword in the defensive position} Isaiah: who are you!? I've never seen you around here before! are you a threat!? Cassandra: Okay first of all… { she sweeps out her leg knocking Isaiah's legs out from under him making him fall back to the ground} Cassandra: your stance was all wrong... secondly the sword is way too heavy for you you wouldn't be able to lift it further than your head if you tried I'm surprised you were even able to do that... this is a claymore kid… Isaiah:... it's my family's Greatsword... Cassandra: uh-huh... you do realize greatswords nowadays are practically decorative right? not actually used for fighting anymore. Isaiah:.. that would explain why it was so dull… { Cassandra helps him up and pulls out her own sword which is much thinner and medium-sized; she hands it over to him} Cassandra: there.  Better? Isaiah: yeah I'm actually kind of surprised at how much lighter this one feels. Cassandra:  your stance was all wrong your legs were crooked. don't Point them inward.  Point your knees outward and lift with your knees only curl your back when you're going to swing.  as for your aim might be a little more difficult for you considering your eye... your depth perception must be crap. Isaiah: hey! Cassandra:  I'm just speaking the truth kid… { she moves behind him and Maneuvers him into the correct position} Cassandra: there... Try it now. { Isaiah eyes her curiously before going to swing;  he cuts the log in half perfectly} Isaiah: I..I did it..I DID IT! Cassandra:  you sure did kid. Isaiah: thank you,  Miss... I didn't catch your name Cassandra:  my name is Cassandra but you can call me Cass. Isaiah:  I'm Isaiah... {cut to them sitting under a tree and having lunch together laughing} Cassandra: wow.. that is... quite the way to get a scar… Isaiah: yeah I probably should have thought that one through… Cassandra:  when I was younger I knew a kid not too much older than you and he almost crashed me with this giant robot thing… Isaiah:  geez that kid sounds unstable! Haha! Cassandra: yeah... haven't seen him in years... so do your parents know you want to be part of the royal guard or… Isaiah: my dad knows he tries not to show up but I know he's nervous about me joining... I never got to tell Mum… Cassandra: Why is that? Isaiah: I lost my mom when I was really little.  she was killed by Bandits… Cassandra: I'm really sorry about that kid… but you still got your dad right? what does he do? Isaiah: he's an alchemist mostly… {Cassandra looks shell shocked} Isaiah:  apparently he used to do a lot of traveling before I was born and he's best friends with the queen. Apparently she got him out of a lot of trouble when he was younger he won't talk about that though. brings up bad memories you know?  Miss Cass? {cut to Cassandra crying and looking shocked} Isaiah: Miss Cass? what's wrong? are you okay? { Cassandra looks over at him and wipes her tears away} Cassandra: Yeah... just something in my eye… Isaiah: I can tell you're lying trust me that's a line I always use. {Cassandra looks away from him} Cassandra: look all I'm going to say is... I know your dad... or rather I knew him. we were good friends once. Isaiah: really!? Cassandra: let me guess your dad's name is Varian? Isaiah: Yes!  my dad is Varian! when was the last time you two saw each other!? { Cassandra Shuffle uncomfortably} Cassandra: look kid...I’m kinda here for a reason...and it’s not... Isaiah: no yeah I totally get it!  hey you know what we're supposed to be visiting the capitol tomorrow!  why don't you come with me! you guys could see each other again! Cassandra: um kid I… Isaiah: please miss Cassandra? I'm sure it would make my dad really happy to see you again! {Cassandra look sadly at him and then back at the forest where the cult is waiting then back at him; Isaiah is looking up at her with hopeful eyes} Cassandra: alright... I'll meet you at the castle tomorrow…. 

Isaiah: that sounds great! I'll see you there tomorrow! I better return the Greatsword to my family's house before Grandpa realizes it's missing! Cassandra: *Chuckles*  yeah that would probably be a good idea… Isaiah: see you tomorrow miss Cass! and thank you! {her eyes flicker in color and pink magic crackles around her for a moment} Cassandra: Sorry little guy... you're not going to enjoy this at all... { cut to a giant barn where men are loading heavy sacks of grain  to store for the winter} Varian: If we follow this plan we should be able to keep enough grain to last us through winter... I've also put aside some seedlings to test on to see if we can come up with a better Harvest next year. Quirin:  good idea... and maybe we could…. Varian: dad? something wrong? Quirin:  slowly look over towards the northern border of the field... try not to make it obvious… { Varian does as he's told and sees a small group of people in armor trying to hide amongst the trees} Varian: I know those people... I know that armor...Noremoth... it's the cult… Quirin: you mean...that group you were fighting all those years ago? Varian: I thought they died out...they hadn’t made a move in years… Quirin:....I’ll gather the men. Tell them to gather their swords. Varian: don’t make any moves yet...Wheres my son? Quirin: he was out in the orchard. Varian: By himself!? They could have him already! Gather a search party! We need to-ah! {He turns around and Isaiah is right behind him} Varian: Isaiah! Oh, thank goodness! {he grabs him and checks him over} Varian: Isaiah did you see anyone? Did you speak to anyone? Isaiah: uhhh...no...why? Varian: We need to go to the castle! C’mon! Isaiah: Wait what!? Why!? Varian: Isaiah there are things I need to discuss with the queen and I want to keep an eye on you Isaiah: b-but dad- Varian: no buts Isaiah! In the wagon, now! Isaiah:...y-yes, sir... {Cassandra watches from the orchard and walks away with a sad but determined look; cut to Varian keeping the horse at a gallop through Corona’s main roads making people dodge} Isaiah: Ah!...D-dad slow down! You’re gonna hit, someone! Varian: sorry buddy no can do! {He gallops past the guard at the gate} Guard: what the-!? {he pulls the reins to stop the horse; he rushes out and grabs Isaiah and runs carrying him into the castle;  when he reaches the throne room he sets Isaiah down} Varian: Go find princess lily! Find her and both of you go to her room and lock the door! Don’t come out until I or the king or Queen come for you understand!? {Isaiah nods and runs away as Varian runs into the throne room; cut to the royal gardens} Isaiah: Lily? Lily!? Where are you? Lily: hmm? Isaiah: LILY!? {Lily gets up and jogs over from the bench she was reading on} Lily: what? Stop shouting! Isaiah: C’mon! We gotta go! {He pulls her hand} Lily: What why? What’s going on? Isaiah: I don’t know but I think the kingdom is under attack Lily: What!? Isaiah: my dad rushed us here and told me to protect you so come on! {They run through the garden heading to the main door but they hear running from behind} Isaiah: Quick into the bushes Lily! {He puts her in the bushes and picks up a thorned branch and hides; he waits for the person to get close enough before he jumps out and knocks their legs out from under them and points the branch at the once their down} Cassandra: nice job, kid... Isaiah: miss Cass? How did... how did you get here without the guards…? Cassandra: that doesn’t matter now...do you know where your dad is? Isaiah:... why? I thought we agreed we'd meet here tomorrow…? miss Cassandra what's going on? Cassandra: look Isaiah I don't have time!  I know I promised you before but things change… Isaiah:... what are you talking about? Why do you want to see my dad now if you were going to see him tomorrow? Cassandra:... just tell me where he is…I don’t want anyone to get hurt... Isaiah: I…!? {Varian, Eugene, Rapunzel, Lance, and Various guards burst into the courtyard pointing their weapons} Rapunzel: C-Cass? Varian: Cassandra? What? Eugene: Okay I'm confused I thought you said there was a threat… Varian: there was.. I'm sure of it I saw them on the northern border of old Corona! {Cassandra suddenly looks like she's in pain as she holds herself slightly; Noremoth watches from a ways away} Isaiah: M-Miss Cass? Are you okay? {Pink crackles of magic surround her and she grips under her head} Cassandra: please... no... not now… Rapunzel: Cass? { suddenly everything is deathly quiet and Cassandra looks up with pink irises and green scleras;  Varian’s eyes dilate in fear} Varian: no... {Cassandra grabs Isaiah and presses a dagger to his throat; cut to Noremoth and he looks visibly disturbed; cut back to cassandra} Isaiah: AH!...M-miss...Cass? I...I don’t Cassandra:  like I said kid plans change. {Varian begins to panic} Varian: Cassandra please don’t! Cassandra: listen here Varian... you have something that we need... and I think you know exactly what I'm talking about… { Varian puts his hand over one of his vest pockets} Cassandra: Bingo... and let me make this perfectly clear if you want your kid to live I’d just hand it over. Varian: Please Cassandra...he’s just a child...let him go… Rapunzel: Cassandra you don't understand what you've missed in the last couple of years Isaiah is a literally all that Varian has please let him go! Cassandra: Oh Thank you Rapunzel! you reminded me of something!  Here Varian!  I've been meaning to return this to you! { she tosses over Estelles necklace and burying catches it;  he begins visibly shaking} Varian: H-how did...how did you…? Cassandra:  let me ask you something there and did you lie to your son or did you seriously not know? Isaiah: Daddy what’s she talking about? Cassandra: Oh my gosh you really didn't know, did you?   let me tell you it wasn't easy especially that Duke... barreling out of the carriage like that attempting to protect her... it was actually kind of romantic that brings me to a question.  what was she doing with a necklace with your name on it and such a romantic message on the back? wasn't she already married to that Duke? oh my do I sense a scandal? {Varian looks up at her filled with rage} Varian: you...you killed her… {Isaiah looks shell shocked and confused} Isaiah: W-what? Cassandra:  yes indeed I did... we've been calling it a practice round if you will... I was quite new to this power that I now possess.  I needed to learn to control it however it appears I'm “unstable”  however I would have never been able to find that out if it weren't for the lovely duchess so thank you!  thank you for sending them my way. Varian: I’LL KILL YOU! Eugene: Varian trust me I get it but... Rapunzel: We need to keep our heads. Varian: She killed Estelle! I’ll destroy her! {Isaiah begins shaking and whimpering} Cassandra:  tell you what I'll make you a little deal... you give me the moonstone shard and I'll give you back your boy do we have a deal?

{Varian looks Isaiah in the eyes} Isaiah:...Daddy… {Varian reaches into his pocket and takes out a small vial with a glowing shard} Cassandra: Perfect...AH! {Cassandra lets go of Isaiah and falls in pain letting Isaiah run over to his father; it’s revealed an arrow has pierced her shoulder} Cassandra: What in the hell… {Cassandra looks over to see Adira with Princess Lily behind her} Cassandra: you know there are some people that are nice to see you again and then there's you… Lance: that’s my Lady! Woohoo! {Noremoth rushes in and stands between them} Eugene: Now who is this guy!? Varian: Noremoth… Noremoth: Varian you wretch… {he holds up a vial of something} Noremoth: Backup all of you!  if I drop this we all go up in smoke! Rapunzel: what do you want… Noremoth: I want to leave in peace rather than pieces... and I'm taking our vessel with me… Rapunzel:  her name is Cassandra! {Eugene holds her back} Noremoth: eh, tomato...tomato... The point is we are leaving and you will not stop us... understood {Everyone is silent as Noremoth helps Cassandra up and waves his glove, making a portal; the walk through it and leave} Varian: Isaiah are you okay!? {Isaiah sobs loudly into his Father’s chest} Rapunzel: Is he okay!? {Adira walks over and examines his neck} Adira: ...He has a slight cut on his neck but nothing that can't easily be healed. Varian: shhhh...Isaiah...I’m here...it’s okay. I’m here. Isaiah: D-daddy… Varian: shhh..oh baby boy….it’s okay… {Varian looks at the necklace in his hand and down at his son then at his friends before shedding a few tears himself} Varian:...It’s okay...We’re okay… {END CREDITS}

[gaamagirl565]

Matters of the heart Ep 5

Matters of the heart Episode 5 Love is blind {OPENING CREDITS} {cut to morning in Old Corona; a rooster crow is heard and pans to Varian working in his lab; in the background we see Isaiah poking his head around the corner} Isaiah: heh..gotta do this right..2 minutes and I’ll come back in… {He starts sneaking over to the door making sure not to alert his father} Ruddiger: *spots him and chitters alarmed* Varian: *turns around* Isaiah! Just what do you think you’re doing? Isaiah: I was just...ya know it’s...kinda stuffy in here sooo.. {Varian gives a dad glare} Isaiah: Okay! Okay! Fine! You caught me… I was trying to go outside… Varian: Isaiah we’ve been over this! Isaiah: I know but- Varian: No! You’re still injured! I mean for pete’s sake you’re still wearing bandages! You can’t just go roughhousing outside like you always do! Isaiah: I’m not gonna do that! I swear! Varian: Ya know I wish I could trust you not to but what you did was reckless enough! I’m not taking any chances! Isaiah: ughh!.... {He looks at Ruddiger} Isaiah: hmph! Tattle tail… Varian: No he’s a good boy… {Isaiah walks over to the window and looks out at the other kids playing} Isaiah: please? Just for a little bit? Varian: *sigh* no Isaiah i’m sorry… Isaiah: but- Quirin: I don’t know what’s going on here but i’d listen to your dad Isaiah… Isaiah: Grandpa! {Isaiah runs over to hug him and Quirin lifts him, tossing him in the air} Quirin: haha! There’s my boy! Now, what’s the trouble? Isaiah: I really wanna play outside but Dad says I can’t. Varian: Not yet Isaiah… you just got over a fever… Quirin: sorry Isaiah, but your Dad is right. Isaiah: What? Varian: What? I mean….yeah… Isaiah: Graaanndpaaa you’re supposed to be on my side!

{Both Varian and Quirin chuckle; yelling is heard outside} Quirin: Now what on earth? {They all go to the door and people are rushing to the main road} Varian: What’s going on? Villager: I don’t know! Apparently, there are a lot of horses coming our way! {Quirin and Varian look at each other} Varian: Isaiah take Ruddiger and go to your room! Lock the door and don’t come out until I say so! {With fear in his eye Isaiah nods grabbing ruddiger and rushing up the stairs; Quirin had his sword at the ready and Varian grabs his alchemy bag; cut to Both making their way through the crowd and to the front where a man stands in front of the crowd} Varian: A...Caravan? Quirin: phew… Stoica: Hello...My name is Stoica… Quirin: And how may I help you, travelers? Joseph: by sending them away if you ask me Varian: *rolls eyes* Seriously, is there anything about you that is likable? Joseph: oh shut it… Quirin: ahem...please let him speak. Stoica: My people have been on the road for a long time. We wish to set up in Corona for a time before moving on. We are willing to pay for food and supplies as well. If you’ll have us. Quirin: hmm...I see no issue with this… Joseph: Eh-wha-Quirin!? Are you kidding!? We don’t know these people! Varian: oh for the love of....Joseph shut up! My father has made the call. Leave them be. Quirin: If you desire there is a field we are currently not using. You may set up camp there. Stoica: You are too kind. Thank you for your hospitality. {He gives the caravan the signal to move when Joseph’s eyes widen} Joseph: Wait! {Everyone stops and Joseph walks over to a wagon and pulls a woman from it} Woman: AH! Stoica: LET HER GO! *unsheaths dagger* Joseph: You see!? This one is wearing a cloak! In the middle of a sunny day! Awful suspicious! And Stoica here dares to pull a knife on me! Quirin: you grabbed a woman from her wagon Joseph! Of course, he’s going to do that! Joseph: That still doesn’t explain the cloak! I bet she’s a criminal...hiding her face. We’ll soon see. Woman: No! I beg you! Stoica: Leave my sister be! You’ll harm her! {Joseph grips the hood} Woman: Please no! Varian: ENOUGH! {Varian runs out and stands between Joseph and the woman} Varian: Are you normally this stupid or is today a special occasion? Joseph: What are you saying, traitor? Varian: If you had taken a minute to look at her you’d know by now! She’s albino! Joseph:..A what? {varian rolls his eyes} Varian: Seriously am I the only one that reads? An albino. A rare skin condition that causes a lack of pigment. That’s skin color, eyes, and hair. The sun can physically hurt them! You take off that cloak and you’ll be causing her great pain. {they stare each other down} Quirin:...Stand down, Joseph… Joseph:...*spits* this town is going to the bloody dogs… {he leaves} Varian: Let me help you m’lady… *he helps her back onto the wagon* Woman: thank you...how may I repay you? Varian: I’d settle for your name {Stoica narrows his eyes} Woman:...Zapada...and I’m sure you’ve met my brother Stoica… Varian: I’m Varian… Zapada: well Mr.Varian...hopefully we meet again. {Stoica signals the caravan to move.} Varian: Yeah...so do I… {cut to later in the Village; Isaiah is looking excitedly at everything} Isaiah: Never thought I’d miss the outdoors so much! Oh, look! The stinky fish merchant! Merchant: Hey! Varian: The queen spent 18 years in a tower you only spent 2 weeks inside! Isaiah: Felt like 18 years… {Varian sees Zapada walking and reading} Varian: *gasp*...hey uh Isaiah...here’s some coins go explore a bit I have...errands to run… Isaiah:...free money and time to myself? I’m gone… {he takes the money and leaves; Varian takes a deep breath and goes to talk to her} Varian:...M’lady..no..uhh..hey ther-NO!...ZA-PA-DA hows it going? That’s stupid… ok Relax...ahem..Hello, my little snow an- {He’s hit in the face by the baker’s door; Zapada jumps and turns around with a yelp} Baker: huh? Oh. Watch it, Varian!... Zapada: *gasps and drops her book running over* Mr.Varian! Are you alright!? What on earth was his problem? You have done nothing to him! Varian: well hows that for an entrance? {They stare at one another for a second before Zapada hands him a cloth} Zapada: y-your nose is bleeding...I...I must go!... Varian: Hey wait! {She runs off} Varian: smooth Varian...Smooth… {Cut to Isaiah walking around the Caravan camp} Isaiah: Wow...this place is amazing...so much cool stuff… {As he’s walking he stops and sees an animal trader feeding his animals} Isaiah: Oh cool! Look at all of these! No way! Is that an alligator from the new world!? Trader: Indeed it is! I’ve gotten many offers on her. Isaiah: WWOOOWW! It’s so big and scaly! Just like in my books! {he walks around looking at all the creatures but stops at a wooden box} Isaiah: Hmm? {he goes to open the box} Trader: Ah! Boy, I wouldn’t-... {A golden cobra with red accents slides out hissing with its folds up} Trader: ah! Okay boy...just back away slowly… Isaiah: A Saporian Jeweled Cobra… Trader: Back away child! Isaiah: why are you so freaked out? Just relax...if you respect the snake...he’ll respect you… {he cautiously puts out a hand; the cobra sniffs it then slithers up his arm and around his shoulders} Isaiah: hehe! Hey! That-haha! That tickles!...you’re not evil, you’re a little noodle…

Trader: *practically shaking* Isaiah:...i have 5 gold pieces will that be enough? Trader: child, as far as I am aware he’s yours… Isaiah: Really!? Thanks! Do you hear that bud? Hmm..what to call you...I know..Draki...my serpent. {he pets his cobra; cut to late at night at Varians house; Varian and Quirin sit at the table drinking tea whilst Isaiah plays with Draki} Quirin: ...is it a good idea to have a cobra as a pet? Varian: *head in hands* is it a good idea to have a raccoon as a pet? Quirin: Fair point. Ruddiger: *chitters angrily* Varian: I’m just kidding bud… Quirin: Something wrong son? Varian: well...you know when you see someone and...you...can’t help but get curious about them? Quirin: mmhmm...are we talking about Stoica’s sister? *smirk* Varian:...there’s something about her...she’s so shy and...almost mysterious...I want to get to know her...have a least one conversation! But anytime we make eye contact she flinches or runs away! Quirin: *sips tea* well… the way I see it..she might be afraid...and I’m sure Joseph didn’t help...and anytime you’ve talked its been in a crowded public place. Varian: Then what am I supposed to do? Quirin: it’s dark now...she’s probably taken off her cloak. She’s probably more comfortable now that people are in their houses for the night...go..talk to her in a setting that’s comfortable for her. {Varian smiles at his dad and hugs him} Varian: Thanks dad… Quirin: you got this..and don’t worry i’ll watch uh..serpent boy here… {pan to Varian walking through the Caravan camp} Varian: her wagon had an emblem on it...of a hawk… {he looks around and spots it} Varian: there… {he walks up taking a deep breath and knocks on the door; after a few seconds Zapada answers and gasps; the moonlight shines off her white hair and she is in full view without her cloak} Zapada: M-Mr.Varian what are you…? Varian: I know it’s late and I’m sorry for this afternoon but I was wondering since the sun is down maybe you’d like to go on a stroll? Zapada:...me? Wit...with you? Alone? Varian: y-you’re not afraid are you? Zapada: well I… Varian: you don’t have to be afraid...not of me...I promise… {he takes her hand; she’s hesitant at first but nods and grabs her shawl before leaving; cut to later they’re walking in the orchard laughing} Zapada: so...you made a machine that almost literally blew away the entire expo? Varian: yeah not exactly the best idea in the world...so tell me about you… what’s your story? Zapada: well… Varian: well? Zapada: I was born into the Caravan...after our father Patrin died my brother Stoica took over. You know what people think of us...and with my...condition it doesn’t help...some see me as a curse...sometimes I think they’re right.. Varian: what? Zapada: My brother works so hard to protect me… I feel like a burden sometimes...my Caravan cares so deeply for me but...I don’t feel as if..I deserve it… Varian: But you’re so kind. And generous, and beautiful an- Zapada: what? Varian: You’re beautiful {Begin song “give yourself a chance”} {varian} You say people hate then so be it You say you’re not beautiful well I don’t see it People might judge at first glance But who cares what they think Give yourself a chance. How do I describe you to make you see All the things you do to me Your hair, your eyes, make my heart want to sing and dance It has me wondering… Is this romance? Even when the world looks down on you Look back at them with your eyes of rosey hue Stand up to them and tell them that despite your flaws You are perfect and no one can say anything because You made the choice to give Yourself a chance {end song} {Zapada cups his face with her hand and embraces him; Varian returns the embrace; they walk off into the orchard together; Later it shows them lying by a tree with the sun beginning to rise} Varian: Hey...Zapada? Zapada: hmm? Varian: I know the sunlight hurts your eyes...but have you ever watched the sunrise before? Zapada: I cannot say I’ve had the pleasure… {Varian takes off his goggles} Varian: put these on and look to the east… {Zapada puts them on and looks; she gasps and stares in wonder} Zapada: Varian...it is beautiful… Varian: yeah...the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen… {she looks back at him and smiles} Zapada: thank you, Varian… {Cut to the HQ of the cult; Cassandra is tied up with vines and screaming as magic surges through her} Cult leader: soon...the power will be coursing through her veins and take hold of her conscious. She’ll be strong enough to plan our next move after all these years… Noremoth: several if I’m not mistaken m’lady...but must the process of infusion be so..eck..hostile? {The cult leader glares at him} Noremoth: I’m only saying Zhan tiri’s power can only hold her so long before her true conscious breaks through every now and again. She is only a vessel we cannot completely erase...her true self. Cult leader: that maybe, however...that alchemist has something we need that will complete her transformation. When they destroyed the moonstone a singular shard was left. And it was placed in this alchemist’s care. Noremoth: so? Cult leader: ugh so naive...If we get the stone shard the infusion will be stabilized and Zhan tiri will become anew in a new body.  And with the device that we are building combined with our sweet vessel’s power, all of the seven kingdoms will kneel before us. Noremoth: ooohhh I like that plan m’lady… Cult leader: of course you do Noremoth… Noremoth: so then what is our next move? Cult leader: simple… {she takes out a newspaper page from Corona; it has a picture of Isaiah and reads “Boy destroys marketplace} Cult leader: ..Ransom.. {She crushes the paper} {END CREDITS}