Fifth Strand * Action -- Mallynap Return

[paintsthewalls]

[When Rapunzel appears in the Plaza by the Fountain, it is in the company of two Malnosso Droids. Both droids are wearing flowers on their heads. The trio are dancing to this song---well, Rapunzel is singing and dancing: the droids are moving jerkily about, clearly not designed for dance. Apparently, the long-haired princess can charm anyone with a

Comments

[risingwinds]

[Ven happened to stumble on by sometime near the end of the performance. But once the droids are gone, he'll give her a round of applause!]

Wow, Rapunzel! You're a good singer.

[paintsthewalls]

Ven! Hi! Thanks. [She smiles and takes a seat on the fountain.] It passed the time while the Malnosso had me. How are you?

[risingwinds]

Wait, you were with the Malnosso?

[Oh, that doesn't sound good. Forget how he's doing! Now Ven looks worried.]

[paintsthewalls]

Yes? But---what's wrong, Ven?

[risingwinds]

They weren't too hard on you, right?

[Concerned friend is very concerned.]

[paintsthewalls]

[She is so used to being imprisoned. It is something that approaches normality for Rapunzel, even if she doesn't always like it.] Kind. They were kind to me---gave me plenty to eat, and lots of things to do. Please don't worry!

[risingwinds]

Whew.

[He heaves a sigh of relief.]

I'm glad to hear it, Rapunzel. Wouldn't want anything bad to happen to a friend.

[paintsthewalls]

Awww--Ven. That...that means a lot. Thank you. I overheard two of them talking about me, you know---I don't think they'll take me again anytime soon. So there's that.

[risingwinds]

That's good, though! Means you don't have to get dragged away again, even if they weren't too hard on you.

[paintsthewalls]

It was a little weird when they came; they didn't drag me. They just kind of...escorted me? Of course, I didn't put up much of a fuss.

[risingwinds]

That's it?

[Wow, that's insane. Ven looks legitimately shocked here.]

Wow, that's really weird. Normally they drag people off kicking and screaming.

[paintsthewalls]

[And Rapunzel just shrugs.] Maybe...maybe I should have kicked and screamed?

[risingwinds]

[...Aww, Rapunzel. Ven laughs.]

Nah. It sounds like they were pretty easy on you! No need to fuss if everything was okay.

[paintsthewalls]

OH. Good. I don't think there's much to fuss over anyway. They kept me very safe. Have they ever taken you, Ven?

[risingwinds]

[He shakes his head.]

Not me, but some of my friends have been taken before. It's never easy when they're gone, 'cause you never know what the Malnosso will do to 'em.

[paintsthewalls]

Were they...were they harmed? [She wasn't harmed. She WASN'T. She will keep insisting that to herself, anyway.]