The Alchemist And The Beast

Chapter 12

This is where I start adding story.

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Varian wandered around the halls the next morning.  The sun was streaming in through the windows as he opened and tied all the drapes.  He wondered why they hadn't been opened yet, but he thought he'd help them out and do it for them.  He was going to be sticking around, so he minus well just make himself useful.

"You're opening the drapes?"

He looked at who had spoken.  He recognized her to be Rapunzel.  "Uh-huh."

"Thank you.  We rarely open them most of the time.  It's too hard for some of us to open them, and the ones who can... they've given up on hope of changing already.  So they just gave up on trying."

"Well, no wonder you're all giving up.  This place is dark.  It needs a little work and it'll lift your spirits," Varian said.

"Breakfast is ready whenever you are.  I'm going to get Cass," Rapunzel replied.

"Thanks."

He tied the curtains and she went on her way.  Then he moved over to the next and then the next.

"What are you doing."

"Letting in some light.  What does it look like I'm do-"  Varian caught sight of who spoke.  He stopped.  "Oh.  It's you..."

Cassandra was standing behind him.  He didn't even turn to look at her.

"I... I want to apologize for last night..."

"Oh, really?"  He turned and rested his back against the wall.

"I was unfair.  You're in a new place.  You don't have to eat with me.  Eat whenever you want," she said.

"That's what you're sorry about?  Not the fact that you kidnapped my father and now keeping me locked up?" Varian scoffed.

"You agreed to that last part, not me," she shot back.

"Well, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had to agree to it in the first place.  That was my father.  Did you really think I could leave him?  Let him stay here?  He's the only family I have left."

"Look, the agreement was made," she muttered as she walked away.

"Bon á rien," Varian hissed under his breath, storming in the opposite direction down the hall.  He clenched his fists.

"Are you coming for breakfast?"  Lance asked as Varian walked past him.

Varian stopped and looked at Lance.  He sighed.  "Well, I don't have anything better to do...  minus well."

"I'll be around if you ever need me, but I have some things I gotta do this morning."

"Thank you." Varian passed him a smile.  He then made his way to the dining hall and he sat down at the foot at the tables where Catalina and Keira were.

"Good morning!"  Catalina greeted.  She poured coffee into Keira.

"Morning," Varian returned.  He took a sip of coffee. Then a hat rack walked over and set pancakes on his plate.  "Thank you."

He had only taken one bite when the door on the opposite side swung open and Cassandra came storming in.  She froze when she made eye contact with Varian.  "What?" She said at last.  "You want me to leave?"

"I'm not making you do anything," he retorted.

She sat down at the head of the table and they gave her pancakes and coffee.  They ate in awkward silence, both refusing to look the other in the eyes.

"What do you like to do," she asked.

"Why are you interested?" Varian huffed.

"Well, you're here, minus well know what makes you occupied."

"I like alchemy.  I invent things.  I also like to read," he answered at last.

"We have a really big library," she offered.

"So I've heard.  I haven't run into it yet."

"Perhaps someone will show you," she said.  She stood up.  "I have a feeling I'm not quite welcome to that yet."  With that, she left, leaving Varian with Kiera and Catalina.