[open/action!]

[70ftandcounting]

[Today is Rapunzel’s birthday, but she’s not…feeling particularly excited about it. Not like she had been before she’d arrived, when her birthday was supposed to have been the next day. Everything got a little weird when she found out the dates didn’t correlate and…after the things that have happened and the things she’s seen she just can’t bring herself to get all that excited.  

She can’t even follow through on her original plan to see the floating lights, and she continually wonders about Flynn, and her mother. What was happening? Did they know she was missing? Was it really true and her world had been…unmade? If that was the case…should she be grieving?  

She didn’t know.  

Instead of announcing to the world it was her birthday as she may have done at one time, she’s in the clothier’s tower – there’s plenty to do, and Rapunzel finds some small comfort in menial tasks like washing dishes and sewing gowns. It helps to take her mind off of her situation, and the loneliness she feels despite being in a castle full of people.  

Bother her?]

Comments

[bloodtothebest.livejournal.com]

[His smile spreads to a grin.]

Well then...

[And Dos sweeps into a low, exaggerated bow.]

Happy birthday to you, miss..?

[He can't help but wonder why she's up here on her own. That just doesn't sit well with him.]

[70ftandcounting]

Thank you.
 
[She blushed a little at the bow, and finally smiles genuinely and clumsily mimics the motion.]
 
Oh! I’m sorry. I’m Rapunzel.
 
[A few reasons, actually.]
 
What’s your name, sir?

[bloodtothebest.livejournal.com]

Coen Dostre, call me Dos. I run the stables around here.

[He steps a little more inside the doorway, casually folds his arms and leans against the wall.]

Now what I wanna know, is why a sweet young lady like yourself is up here on her own for her birthday...

[70ftandcounting]

Oh! It’s nice to meet you, Dos.
 
[She glances down at her dress, touching the material and gathering it in her arms with a sigh.]
 
I just…I miss home. My mother, and…and Flynn. [Even Flynn she barely knew. At least he would be a familiar face.]
 
I was supposed to see the floating lights today, but…

[bloodtothebest.livejournal.com]

[Baww. Poor kid. Dos makes a sound of acknowledgement and is moments away from asking about her family and 'Flynn' when she mentions floating lights. His first thought is UFO's.]

Ah, yeah. It's always tough, but we'll get you home soon enough.

[He tilts his head from side to side, idly stretching his neck.]

What kinda floating lights?

[70ftandcounting]

[She finally smiles at him, toying with a strand of hair.]

Right, of course.

[Mending worlds. Or...something like that.]

Oh! They're...well.

Flynn said they were floating lanterns. They only come once a year, but it's always on my birthday.

she is so freaking cute.

[bloodtothebest.livejournal.com]

[Now that gets his attention.]

Floating lanterns? You mean like... a whole bunch of them all lighting up the sky at once?

[Dos has fond memories of similar, from home. His real home. He smiles.]

Now that sounds like a sight to see.

she breaks brains with the cute 8D

[70ftandcounting]

Yes! Yes, exactly like that! I thought they were stars at first, but see, I've charted stars and the lights only appeared once a year and didn't follow the right patterns!

[She gestures excitedly with her hands.]

And then Flynn told me that they were lanterns. I knew they weren't stars! They're so beautiful, I've been dreaming my whole life to see them up close and in person!

[bloodtothebest.livejournal.com]

[Now that's more like it. Dos is pleased to have the girl talking about something and looking happy to do so. It's a definite improvement from the sitting alone.]

Alright Rapunzel... I'm gonna tell you a secret. But you gotta swear that you're gonna keep it quiet.

[He starts towards her, crouching a few feet away so as not to invade her space. His expression is positively mischievous. It's a good secret!]

Promise to keep it quiet?

[70ftandcounting]

Rapunzel's eyes are wide, and she edges closer from her position hands planted on the floor as she leeeeeans forward.]

Really?

Of...of course! I promise.

[alackofscales.livejournal.com]

In the next few days, you're gonna get a chance to make a wish. It's uh... kind of a big thing around here, but we haven't told anyone that hasn't already seen it yet.

[He shrugs, still smiling to himself.]

I bet if you wish to see these lights, you'll get to see 'em. Or at least something like 'em.

[70ftandcounting]

Really? [She twisted her hands together, contemplating this. What a secret!]

Then...I'll...I'll do it! That's....that's so wonderful!