[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]

You're allowed to do that? Paint the walls, I mean?

[If so, he definitely has something in mind.]

[70ftandcounting]

I used to do it back home. The entire tower's inside walls were covered with murals. It was very pretty.

[yolonceler]

That doesn't answer my question about painting them here.

[STOP. Stop. Do NOT be condescending.]

Whatever. Uh, I'd really... appreciate it, if you'd paint my room. Or at least help me do it.

[It's been a long time since he painted anything!]

[70ftandcounting]

[Meep.]

Um...sure. I'd be happy to. Is there anything specific you'd want, or...?

[yolonceler]

Yeah, I can draw it up. It's just a landscape and some trees. [Pause.] Probably the most beautiful place I'd ever seen. [UH] Shouldn't be too difficult, I don't think.

[70ftandcounting]

Alright, that sounds great. When do you want to work on this?

[yolonceler]

Uhhh, sooner rather than later, if that's alright. But... whenever. I guess. It's not like we don't have a long time. Apparently.

[70ftandcounting]

Alright...well is now all right?

[yolonceler]

Now?

[Oncie looks at his room. It's not so bad. You know, except for the tobacco smoke everywhere.]

Yeah, gimme like, ten minutes? Roooooom 4119?

[How the fuck does he get rid of all this smoke?]

[70ftandcounting]

Okay! Great! That's perfect, I can get everything together in the meantime.

[Paints and brushes and all the fixings.]

[yolonceler]

Great! See you in ten.

[Alright. So, smoke. For starters, he opens the window in his room and tries to fan it outside with his pillow. That does loads of help, but not enough. So, he opens the door and uses his trusty pillow to fan some smoke into the landing. Okay, the smoke is thinning, but the heavy scent of tobacco remains. Everywhere. You know what? You can't please everyone. The Once-ler decides that he's done all he can and waits in his room, door open.]

[70ftandcounting]

[She shows up pretty quickly, a minute or two early, knocks on the door, and immediately bursts into a coughing fit.]

[yolonceler]

[The Once-ler winces. He totally expected that. He leans around the door with an apologetic smile.]

Um, haha, yeah... sorry.

[70ftandcounting]

[She fans her face, panting as she sucks in a few breaths.]

What -- what is that? Did you set fire to something? Is everything alright?!

[yolonceler]

What? No, nothing's on fire! I mean, yes, sort of! Uh, bottom line is, everything's fine.

[What, does this girl not know what tobacco is? Ugh, he feels like a dick. He should have waited. He moves to take her by the arm gently.]

Here, stand by the window.

[70ftandcounting]

[She lets him guide her, then leans over to stick her head out.]

...Are you sure? It smells -- [She wrinkles her nose.] Like a burned shoe in here. Did you burn your shoes?

[yolonceler]

No, no, it's tobacco. You know... cigars? Cigarettes? Pipes?

[Does she really not know?]

[70ftandcounting]

...Oh.

[Nope. Not a clue.]

[yolonceler]

[Wow. You know what, they'll cover that some other time.]

I don't think I ever got your name?

[70ftandcounting]

Oh, it's -- Rapunzel. I'm sorry, that was awfully rude of me not even to introduce myself.

[BLUSH.]

[yolonceler]

[Adjhfgkd she is adorable. Now he feels like a huge dick leaving all this smoke around. More of a dick, that is.]

What? No, it's fine. I'm the Once-ler. [Pause. He seems to be doing this a lot.] That's my name.

[70ftandcounting]

The Once-ler?

[She blinks, but smiles anyway, even if she's unsure.]

Well. It's very nice to meet you, The um...Once-Ler.

[yolonceler]

It works like a title. So, Once-ler. Or Oncie, if you prefer. Hey, how about that painting?

[He scoops up some papers from his nightstand and flips through them to find a rather detailed drawing of truffula valley - or, what he remembers.]

Do you think you can paint this?

[70ftandcounting]

[...Okay, she might be giggling a little now.]

Once-ler. Oncie. Got it.

[She leans to look at the paper, eyes widening a little.]

That's so pretty! Yes, yes of course I can!

[yolonceler]

Great!

[Real enthusiasm. That's new. The Once-ler has been putting up with bogus movie magic since the moment he arrived - but painting isn't something you can fake. Oncie figures that if it's definitely real, he's allowed to feel genuine emotions.]

How many brushes did you bring? And colors?