Published: December 8th, 2021
The tavern isn't at all that bad. They're serving hazelnut soup, which is Rapunzel's favorite. She says it's a sign. Thinking of signs, she also says this tavern has the most brilliant name; "The Inane Papaya". You don't think any of you know what a papaya is, but it sounds fun.
The three of you are clustered around your table, chatting happily and dipping your bread in your soup. Rapunzel sees something and her eyes light up. Seconds later, she's dragged her new friend over.
"Guys, this is Rainy! She's training to be the first female palace guard," Rapunzel introduces excitedly.
"Really?" Eugene says warily. "How old are you?
"Fourteen," Rainy replies. She has a light yet raspy voice, you notice. "And my full name is Reina. I just like the sound of 'Rainy' better, y'know?"
"What made you wanna be a palace guard?" you ask, gesturing for her to sit. Rapunzel happily sits next to her.
"Um... I don't know. Ever since I was little, I've heard the stories about the lost princess. I've heard the ridiculous theories, like that she has magical powers and some evil witch wanted to harvest them," Reina says, brushing her dark hair out of her face. "I guess I want to be the one to find the princess. Is that selfish?"
"No, of course not," Rapunzel says softly. Reina offers her a small smile. They continue to talk about random things. Meanwhile, you're stuffing bread in your face happily. Eugene is watching them intently, looking over at you every so often.
"Excuse us," he says. "We're going to go pay for a room for the night." He practically drags you away from the bread. You grab another roll before he can stop you. He takes you to the counter, presumably to wait for assistance. He waits for you to finish chewing before saying, "They're totally flirting."
"What's that?" you say, swallowing and preparing to take another bite. He snatches the roll from you.
"Hey!"
"They like each other," he says, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Um... okay? I think they're gonna be great friends," you say, looking at him strangely.
"No, not friends. I don't know how to explain it. Oh! You know in The Tales of Flynnigan Rider, when Rider is talking to Emelia in the city? Like, before they end up together all happy and married," he tries.
"Oh. Oh! They're courting!" you say, looking over at them. Rapunzel playfully hits Rainy on the arm and they break out laughing.
"They've got that 'R' thing going for them, too," he says. "What would their ship name be?"
"What's that?" you ask again.
"I saw that coming. Okay, so, if you put their names together it's their ship name," he explains.
"Ooh! So Rapainy? No, that has 'pain' in it. Um... Rainpunzel!"
"Yes! You've got it."
"So you and me would be (Y/n)-gene?" you ask, thinking of other combinations of people.
He pauses, studying your face. "What?"
"Yeah, and then me and Rapunzel would be Ra-(y/n)!" you continue. His face falls.
"No, it's only for people who are interested in each other," he laughs awkwardly. From behind the bar/counter thing the innkeeper speaks.
"How can I help you kids today?" a short, plump man says excitedly.
"Hi!" you say.
"Hello," the man says, turning to you.
"We'd like one room with as many beds as possible," Eugene says. The man turns back to him.
"Hold on, who am I talking to here?" the innkeeper asks. You point to Eugene.
"Me," he says, laying his hands on the countertop. You copy him.
"Okay, great," the man says, taking a notepad from seemingly out of nowhere. "So, we can manage four beds. Is that okay with you?"
"Actually, we don't even need the fourth bed," Eugene says.
"Splendid! And how many nights?"
You try to do the math. What day was it? Rapunzel's birthday is the twelfth. You take a bite of bread.
"Three!" you mumble through the loaf.
"What?" the man asks, startled by your enthusiasm... and the amount of bread in your face.
"Three," Eugene repeats.
"And a name for the room?" the man asks.
"(Y/n)," Eugene says.
"You don't look like a (y/n)," the innkeeper says, giving Eugene a strange look.
"I get that a lot," he replies.
"That'll be thirty gold, friend," the man says cheerily. Surprisingly, Eugene comes up with the money. The man informs us that our room will be ready in a few hours.
As you walk back to the table, you say, "That was fun! Can we do it again?"
"Maybe later," Eugene says blandly.
You sit down again next to him.
"Guys," Rapunzel says solemnly, "Rainy is homeless."
"No, no. I've got a home. It's just currently falling down around me," Rainy corrects.
"What about your parents?" you ask.
"Oh, they're fighting in the war," she says simply.
"You don't have anyone?" Rapunzel prods.
"Not really," Reina answers sheepishly. "But then, you only met someone you're not related to two days ago."
You give Rapunzel a stern look. She must trust Rainy a lot if she told her that much.
Rapunzel's eyes light up. "Is your home livable?"
"Yes, if you ignore the roof caving in," Rainy laughs.
"Then stay with us! I insist," Rapunzel says. You exchange glances with Eugene. He wiggles his eyebrows.
Rainy hesitates before Rapunzel says, "You'll be cold."
"It's May!" Reina exclaims.
"May can be cold."
"Fine. I'll stay with you," Reina says, playfully swatting Rapunzel's arm.
That night, you and Rapunzel cram into the small bed while Eugene and Rainy each get their own. The bed is a bit stiffer than you're used to, but it's better than sleeping on the ground. It's becoming a theme that you can't sleep, however. You get up and walk through the dining room and outside. You remember your frying pan and look for the bush you stashed it in.
You startle when you feel someone walking by you. Thankfully, it's just Eugene.
"We have to stop meeting like this," you say.
"She knows who I am," he says hastily.
"Oh," you say. "What's happening now?"
"Now..." he sighs, raking his fingers through his hair. "Now she's probably getting the guards. We have to get Rapunzel and go, you've been seen with me."
"But... what about the lights?" you ask, looking at your feet.
"I'll take you back here the day of," he says. You can feel his eyes boring into your skull. "You'll see them. I promise." Together, with your frying pan in grasp you head back inside the inn. You find your room and reach for the door handle when Eugene pulls you back by your shoulders.
"Wh-" you start, but he shushes you.
"Listen," he hisses. You press your ear to the door, and he does the same.
"No!" Rapunzel shouts.
"No? Oh... I see. Rapunzel knows best," your mother's voice says coldly.
YOU ARE READING
Antigravity (Flynn Rider x Reader)
同人小说Your little sister, Rapunzel, has a gift. Her hair has healing powers. Yes, it sounds crazy, but it's true. It's such a sought-after power that your mother had to move you to a hidden tower to keep you safe from the thugs and ruffians that would exp...
