[voice]

[70ftandcounting]

[Rapunzel's voice comes across the journals, fairly cheerful but just as last time, there's hints of maturity and somberness mixed in.]

Tammy, I've got everything ready that I need to paint your room. Is there a good time that you'd like me to come?

[A pause.]

I extend the offer to anyone else, as well. I'm...pretty good at painting, so if anyone would like their room brightened up a bit, please -- let me know. I'd be more than happy to help. Just let me know what you'd like, and I will do the best I can to make sure that it's what you want.

Comments

[yolonceler]

[The Once-ler can't imagine being here for over a year. What a nightmare (but would it really be a nightmare?).]

... How long have you been here?

[70ftandcounting]

[She draws in a slow breath.]

Over...a year.

[yolonceler]

That long.

[Gulp. It seems like everyone he asks has been here an obscene amount of time. He can't imagine being trapped in this castle for more than a fucking year.]

Has... anybody been here longer than a year?

[70ftandcounting]

Besides me? [She smiles faintly.]

A few have been here a few months longer than me. If -- you wanted to talk to someone from the beginning, you'd need to speak with -- with Kevas. Or, there's -- Megamind. I don't really know him well, though.

[yolonceler]

[Months more than a year. The Once-ler does not have time to dick around in a castle for more than a year. He has a business to run, money to make, Loraxes to ignore. A vacation can be nice, but a year is ridiculous.]

That... is depressing in so many ways.

[70ftandcounting]

[.......She looks down at her paintbrush.]

I--I know.

[yolonceler]

[Alright, Oncie, enough of this! I know you love to brood and mope and angst, but now is not the time.]

Well, uh, we can't possibly be here forever. So, hey, look to the future. I guess.

[70ftandcounting]

[She perks up a little.]

Of course -- you're right. [Even if she had more freedom here, it was as she had said -- if she went home, she'd...know what to do.]

[yolonceler]

Darn right I'm right. In the meantime, we've got painting to do.

[Pause. He steps back and admires their handiwork.]

... Not much left, but some.

[70ftandcounting]

Just a little bit, here and there.

[She gets on her tip toes, so she can reach the very last bits and pieces of it.]

[yolonceler]

[The Once-ler goes back to fixing those clouds he totally fucked up, then fills in some blue near the top corner. He pulls the picture he drew out of his pocket and compares it to the mural. They're practically the same, down to the last stroke. Perfect. Absolutely perfect.]

I think I'm done over here.

[70ftandcounting]

Me too. Let's take a good look at it.

[She gets down, and reaches for his hand -- come on, back here. You can't see it so good up close like that.]

...Pretty impressive.

[yolonceler]

[Oh, she is definitely holding his hand right now. Alright.]

Insanely impressive, more like it. See, check it out. [He holds up the drawing so Rapunzel can see.] Almost exact.

[70ftandcounting]

[Definitely is a thing that's happening.]

It is, I think -- ooh.

[She eyes the picture, then the mural, eyes widening as she nods.]

It is. You're right -- it's perfect.

[yolonceler]

Yeah! Just how I wanted it.

[He gets to look at this every single day. The Once-ler isn't sure if that's a good thing or not. He'll figure that out later. For now, he's just going to smile.]

Thanks a million.

[70ftandcounting]

Of course. I'm so happy that you like it.

[More than happy. It's -- really nice, to help make someone else smile.]

If it needs any touchups, just let me know, alright?

[yolonceler]

Will do. And again, seriously, if you need anything, just ask. Anything. I can do a lot of things.

[He WILL repay you, Rapunzel, and you're going to have to DEAL WITH IT.]

[70ftandcounting]

Of course I will.

[She smiles at him, and starts to gather her paints up. She doesn't want to linger, and be a bother.

Plus, she needs a bath. She's covered in paint and smells like tobacco.]

[yolonceler]

[They both need baths, really. Paint, literally everywhere. The Once-ler was careful to keep his suit clean, but there are some splatters here and there, and he is not looking forward to scraping them off. He rubs his hands together in an attempt to dry any wet paint, then opens the door for her.]

Not gonna lie, you've got some skill.

[70ftandcounting]

[The dress she's wearing is also spackled with paint, but she's less worried. She can make another one.]

So do you!

[They did it together, and all. His side looks just as nice as hers does.]

[yolonceler]

Hey, thanks.

[He leans on the door, watching her clean up. It's really strange, that this girl he's never met before was more than willing to spend, like, a while painting a huge thing on his wall. People don't do that, people aren't like that. This place is so weird.

The Once-ler is looking at Rapunzel with thinly-veiled suspicion. There has to be a catch now that the painting is done.]

[70ftandcounting]

[The last paint container is carefully tucked away, and she stands and straightens.]

You're very welcome. I'll see you soon, alright?

[Nope, sorry Oncie -- she wants nothing in return. In fact, she's headed for the door.]

[yolonceler]

[He steps back to let her pass, drumming his fingers on the door as he does. Tap-tap-taptaptaptap. Taptap-tap-tap. The Once-ler's eyes constantly drift to the wall. Damn. It's really perfect, isn't it.]

What? Yeah, see you. Soon. Definitely.

[70ftandcounting]

[She smiles to herself as she slips out of the room, satisfied with his reaction, and his answer.]