Siblings of Corona-B3:Life On the Road

Chapter 11

"This is the library! And yes, I've read all these books, if you're wondering," Calliope said.

Varian looked at the books in awe, but reminded himself why they were there.

"I just had to grab the vault's map. The Spire's vault holds hundreds of the rarest, most abstruse artifacts from all over the globe. I noticed you were eyeing my linking rings. I am something of a master illusionist! Ha ha. Tada!" She pulled out linked rings from her sleeve.

Rapunzel gave a polite, but slow clap.

"Oh, no..." Eugene muttered.

"Thank you. Did I hear someone say encore?"

"You most certainly did not," Cassandra butted in.

"Cass! It's just one more trick. What's the harm?"

Apparently, it was hours worth of time. "Behold the magic of flight! Yes! And now...for my next trick..."

"No! No more tricks! uh--no more tricks, because these tricks blew my mind! We need some time to process all the spectacle and wonderment," Eugene said.

"Yes! Yes, in fact, Rapunzel, would you care to join us in processing? Outside? Now?" Cassandra took her sister and the others outside. "Let's make her give us the scroll, and let's get out of here. She's the most annoying person I've ever met, and look who I am friends with!" She pointed a thumb to Lance.

"Wait, we're friends?" He perked up by that revelation.

"Yeah, you were kinda half the reason I first left that tower, sooooooo..." Cassandra said.

"Cassandra, relax. Now I know Calliope is insanely irritating, but we're talking about Rapunzel here. She doesn't even know how to get annoyed with people! I mean look at that fa-" Eugene paused. "Oh no, she's annoying you, isn't she?"

"No! No, she's not annoying, she's just different. Besides, it doesn't matter what I think. She's gonna give us the scroll soon, and we will be on our way," Rapunzel said.

"Okay! We're all set! I can get you that third piece," Calliope called.

"Great!" Rapunzel said. Varian crossed his arms. "What?" she said.

He shrugged. "It's just, you do realize it's ok that you don't like someone, right?"

"Of course! Let's go." Rapunzel quickly followed after Calliope.

"Come on, come on, come on, come on! Like this! Left, right, left, right, left, right! If we're gonna get to the top of that Spire, we have to pick up the pace! Let's go, we're burning daylight, people!"

"You guys go ahead, I'm-I'm gonna stay here for a while..." Lance said.

"Come on, guys! Give Calliope a chance," Rapunzel called to them.

"Let's go, maggots!" Calliope shouted.

Lance quickly caught up to Rapunzel. "Hold up, hold up, hold up. I think I got something that just might help. This is socky. My stress reliever. Whenever I feel pressure, I just squeeze old socky, and woop! Cool as a cucumber."

"No thanks, Lance. I'm good."

"Does it really work?" Cassandra asked.

"It's why you see this free, easy spirit standing before you today," he said.

"Let me try it."

Lance handed Socky to her.

"Where's my hustle, people?"

Cassandra growled, squeezing the sock so hard it's head popped off. Varian winced. She stared blankly at it as Lance gave a shrill cry of shock.."Socky! Nooo!"