[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]

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.