001. (v1) [audio]

[snowtop]

[The audio clips on to some panicked breathing.]

I-I thought-- I--

Th-this place, it, i-it's su--s-supposed to be a s-sa-- sanctu-- safe p--place! A-And I--

F-First I ff--find a-a guy i-in the--the c-cold room, then I-- there--

Th-there's ink i-in m-- my-- my s--skin!

[Letters are crawling onto his fingers and they won't scrub out.]

Comments

[snowtop]

I'll-- b-be there.

[It takes him a little while, considering Rapunzel is two floors above him, but he's there. He knocks twice on the door. If only they could be self-assured knocks or loud confident ones - instead, they're jittery and quiet. Just like the rest of him.]

He-- h-hello?

[70ftandcounting]

[It occurs to her as he makes his way up that she doesn't...know his name. Whoops.

She tugs the door open at the knock, smiling hesitantly. She's got no idea who to expect, really.]

H-hi. I'm...Rapunzel.

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[What Rapunzel gets is a gangly teenager with white hair, a facial tattoo, and a nervous demeanor. He comes to the realization she did just as she introduces himself and lets out a nervous laugh.]

O-Oh, uh, I'm-- X-Xanth. A p--p-pleasure.

[Sort of. Xanth shifts his weight from one foot to the other uncomfortably.]

[70ftandcounting]

[Well, the white hair was kind of unexpected.]

Oh - I'm so sorry, come in, please...

[A boy is in her room. A boy.

In her ROOM.

Her mother would KILL HER]

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[That's right! A boy! But don't worry - this one is harmless like a rabbit.

Xanth steps inside Rapunzel's room. It's now that it hits him: he is in a girl's room. A strange girl's room! Oh, dear...]

S-So, you-- you said-- s-something about, uh, y-your... h--hair?

[70ftandcounting]

Uum...

[She shakes herself out of her thoughts and nods, and beckons.]

Here...just, sit down. And...

[She winces a little.]

Try not to freak out. Okay?

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Um. O--Okay.

[Xanth walks over and takes a seat on the edge of her bed. His eyes go a little wide as he realizes exactly how much hair she has. What is that, ten feet? Twenty? But then, realizing it's rude to stare, he blinks and looks away.

He offers her a slight smile and holds up his hand. He can't promise no freak-outs, but he can certainly try.]

[70ftandcounting]

[The ONLY reason she's trying this (and showing someone her secret) is because she's panicked and terrified, and sees few other options.

She took a deep breath before taking his hand and wrapping the end of her hair around it.

Then, she starts to sing.]

Flower gleam and glow,
Let your power shine.
Make the clock reverse;
bring back what once was mine.

[And all...70 feet starts to glow while she sings.]

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[Now Xanth can't help but stare. His eyes go wide, his posture stiffens, and he very nearly pulls back his hand.]

Uh-- um-- wh-- uh--

[Okay, he's freaking out a little.]

[70ftandcounting]

[Wiiiiiince]

Pleasedontfreakout!

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[Xanth's eyes flick up to meet Rapunzel's. He swallows hard and bites his lip, but he forces himself to stop pulling away.]

I-Is it-- o--over?

[70ftandcounting]

[She unwinds her hair, hands a little shaky.]

Y-yes. It's over.

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[Xanth looks down at his hand, holding his breath... and then he lets it out in a disappointed sigh.

There has been no change. Xanth clenches his inked hand into a fist.]

I-It... didn't w-work on y--you, e-either, d--did it?

[70ftandcounting]

No...

I thought...I thought maybe it was worth a try though.

I'm really sorry.

[snowtop]

N-No, it-- it's okay.

[Xanth offers Rapunzel a smile. He hopes it's comforting and not just awkward.]

You... Y-You tried. Th--thank you.