Secrets of an Alchemist

Varian and the Great Tree: Part 6

(And thus, we plant the first seeds of betrayal.)
(...is it more ominous if my author's notes are shorter?)

(Chapter warnings: arguinggg, intense self-blaming for something that was NOT fully your fault due to bottling up any negative feelings towards the other person for a long time and pushing them all on yourself instead (look at me projecting again :,D), me poking a bit of subtle fun at the impossible aspects of musical numbers)

"ENOUGH, Cassandra!" Rapunzel snapped. Cassandra immediately looked shocked, searching the Princess' face. Varian's mouth dropped open, though he hid it with his ungloved hand. The rest of the group collectively recoiled, feeling the tension in the air finally snap. Ruddiger leapt off Varian and scampered to perch on Max's back, trying to get further away from the girls.

Cassandra finally drew away from Rapunzel, taking a step backwards. Rapunzel took a deep, steadying breath before continuing.

"No one is getting rid of anyone." She gestured in an X. "Is that clear?"

Varian, despite himself, flinched inward. In that moment, Rapunzel had seemed all too like her father.

Cassandra blinked, a hurt expression coming to her face. She glanced at the rest of the group - momentarily locking eyes with Varian with a pleading gaze - before looking back to the princess, then to the ground.

Her expression fell neutral, as best as she could muster. "Yes, your Highness," she spat.

Cassandra walked past Rapunzel, not making eye contact even as the Princess' face softened.

"I'll keep first watch," Cassandra said defeatedly, gently holding herself. Once she had walked almost to the edge of the platform, Rapunzel's face fell, and she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear worriedly. Varian met her eyes as she looked back towards the rest of the group. Her eyes were distant, seemingly lost in some faraway place.

"...Princess?"

🧪

Rapunzel sat near the edge of the circle of light emanating from the fire, legs tucked up to her chest. Varian sat nearby, gaze ever-so-often wandering to Cassandra - who sat on the edge of the cliff, alone - or Ruddiger - who slept next to Max and Fidella.

He looked up, however, and scooted out of the way to make room as Eugene walked over. Eugene shot him a grateful look before plopping down between him and Rapunzel.

"I don't get it, guys," Rapunzel murmured, staring in Cassandra's direction. "I've never seen Cass act like this before." Her eyes seemed to momentarily dart to Varian, though he swore it was a trick of the light.

"Yeah," Eugene began, a bit of sarcasm lacing his voice. "Angry, brooding, impatient, I'm stunned." With a backhand swing, Varian whacked Eugene's arm playfully, causing the man to give a mock yelp of pain. The two of them broke into a short round of laughter before Rapunzel continued.

"Ha ha, very funny, you guys," Rapunzel said. "But I'm serious. You know what I mean." Rapunzel looked down, deep in thought. "Ever since we left Corona she's been... different." Eugene's face suddenly lit up, as if having a realization.

"Because she is," he replied. "We all are, Blondie." He shot a sly look at Varian, who rolled his eyes playfully before nodding in agreement. "We've all had to make some adjustments since leaving Corona," Eugene continued, gazing around the group. "We're not the same people we were six months ago."

"Six months, huh," Varian murmured under his breath, bringing a hand up to his chin in thought. Eugene's eyes darted to Varian.

"Or... three-four-five-ish for you, Goggles," Eugene added, ruffling the boy's hair and knocking his goggles sideways. Varian grumbled, fixing his head gear, though he was grateful for the inclusion. "Well," Eugene continued, turning back to the topic at hand. "Why would Cass be any different?"