[1st orb]

[70ftandcounting]

[ It...took Rapunzel some time to figure out how to work the orb; her hands were trembling so much that she'd dropped it several times before she'd even managed to get a good look at it.

When her message comes through, her voice is shaky and her eyes are narrowed in frustration and a bit of fear. What a way to start her birthday… ]

I--I need to know where I really am, what's going on. Please. It's...it's really important that I go home right away. [ A deep breath. ]

F-Flynn? Are you here?

...

Oh my gosh, Mother really is going to kill me...

Comments

[70ftandcounting]

[She blinks - obviously confused, but nods dumbly as she pretends to understand.]

I...yes. [She looks around, and glances up.]

I am. Should I not be? I'm...not sure where else to go.

[golden_moon]

Of course you're welcome there. They're the ones who brought us into this world, aren't they? Least they can do is offer you a place to sleep, darling.

I asked because it is that much easier for me to find you, knowing where you are, Sugar. If you want some help finding yourself a room and meeting some of the ladies who dote on the princesses.

[70ftandcounting]

Oh!

[ well now she feels silly. ]

Yes. Yes -- that would be wonderful, thank you.

...But I'm not a princess.

[golden_moon]

Neither am I, but the people around here don't seem to care. After all, you're a pretty young lady, seem to be very sweet, and concerned about others. Are you telling me that the locals didn't start calling you a princess the moment you showed up?

[70ftandcounting]

They--they did, but that's not right.

[ sob how is she a princess :c ]

[golden_moon]

Oh, ignore them, dear. They get something in their heads, and it won't go away. Back home, I run a little shop in a very poor part of town to live in, but here, well. They call me a princess anyway.

Now, then. Do you need someone to come and show you around?

[70ftandcounting]

I...I lived away from the city.

[ she's still clutching a small brown satchel as she nods. ]

Y-yes. Please, if you don't mind...

[golden_moon]

A country girl, then~

Well, I've spent time away from the masses, myself, so I certainly don't think any less of you for it.

Where are you, darling? If you're not sure, try describing it. I'm sure I can get close enough to find you.

[70ftandcounting]

[ she smiles timidly. ]

Y-yes. I suppose you could call me that.

[ FIDGET. ]

Oh, I -- in the castle. I -- I think. Here--

[ trying to show the room, looks like she's just -- in the castle, probably in one of the grand ballrooms. ]

[golden_moon]

Mmm.

[Well, Selene can work with that.]

What kind of wood is the biggest door, sweetie? And what does the handle look like? Do you see any blue rugs, by chance? And is there any kind of window, or is inside?

[Because wandering the castle is what counts for fun around here.]

[70ftandcounting]

[ THIS IS A LOT OF QUESTIONS D8 ]

Um--

[ she pauses and looks down. she can't tell her the kind of wood because she doesn't really know, but the handle she can show her, and the window. ]

I can try and come to you...?

[golden_moon]

Oh, nonsense. I'm halfway there already.

[Selene pushed her hair back out of her face.]

Rapunzel, darling, I know things are a bit overwhelming. There ain't many here who'd ever dream of hurting you, however, and you'll be just fine until we can get everything sorted out so everyone can go home.

Are you hungry? I can grab a maid to fetch something.

[70ftandcounting]

[ yes very overwhelming. ]

I'm -- well, I guess I'm a little hungry...

[golden_moon]

Alright, dear. I'll have them bring some to a sitting room for us.

Ahh, here we are.

[Her orb vanishes about the time she opens the door.]

[70ftandcounting]

Oh!

[ well look at that. they've found one another after all. ]

H-hello, Princess.

[ trying to bow or something awkward here ]

[golden_moon]

Oh, stop it. I'm an American, and believe me, we don't bow to anyone. Especially princesses, so I won't have none of that from you.

[She smiled, though, to show she wasn't mad.]

Besides, ain't you supposed to be as much a princess as I am?

[70ftandcounting]

[ Rapunzel blinks warily at her. ]

American?

[ the word feels funny coming out of her mouth. ]

W-well...I suppose. Though I'm -- not really one, after all.

[golden_moon]

Just where I'm from is all.

And I ain't either, so we're just fine.

[Selene grins.]

C'mon, let's claim ourselves a room before the maids think we're going to eat in here.

[70ftandcounting]

[ she giggles at that. ]

Alright. Is it...required we stay here? In the castle, I mean.

[golden_moon]

[There, see? Things aren't all that bad.]

Nonsense, of course we don't! Of course, American or not, I'm still going to. What girl never dreamed of living in a castle at least once, right?

[She points down a hallway.]

And such lovely rooms, too! But there's the Hero's Mansion or Manor or House or whatever it's called. They basically gave it to us, so of course you can stay there. Mm. Peeta lives over or under or behind his bakery, when we had a smith, he lived at the Smithy with a few people, but now only the kid's left.

[For a moment, her face falls, then she buries the look with a smile, and indicates a door.]

Do you like dolphins? This room is full of them, all blue and bronze and what have you. And I ain't never seen anyone else use it, so I'm sure it'll be fine if we slip in for lunch.

[70ftandcounting]

[ sdlsdjf info dump - but Rapunzel is soaking it all up like a sponge, thrilled beyond thrilled to be talking. ]

I've never seen a dolphin! What are they like?

[golden_moon]

[Selene...does that. Especially about stuff that doesn't matter.]

Hmm? Not once? They are kind of like fish, only they are really mammals. They are grey, usually, sleek, no hair. Playful. Live in the ocean? Nothing?

[70ftandcounting]

[ duuuurrrr what ]

Um...

[golden_moon]

Alright, c'mere. This is a dolphin, well, what one looks like anyhow.

[She leads the way into the room, pointing out a rather elaborate tapestry with a dozen emerald-and-gold dolphins all over it.]

Sort of.