Tangled: Stardust and the 12 Zodiacs (Varian Fanfiction)

Chapter 7: The Silly Debate

((This chapter would be rewritten soon))

"WHEN DID THESE ROCKS APPEAR?" A scream reverberated outside the caravan. Rubbing her eyes as she was awakened by the scream, Soul went outside to see what the commotion is.

"Eugene, what in the world of sun and moon are you screaming about?" Soul muttered sleepily, swaying a little on her feet.

"THIS!" Eugene screamed once again, Soul covering her ears to block the sound, as he pointed towards the cliff who had a bridge connecting it to the other side.

"Woah. Phenomenal." A voice whispered beside Soul, causing the poor girl to jump in surprise placing a hand on her chest near her heart.

"Please don't sneak up on me again like that." Soul said to the boy next to her. Varian just shrugged, and muttered a small good morning while yawning and stretching his arms out.

"You should grow some muscles. It might save you from potential enemies. " Soul commented as she unconsciously checked the alchemist up and down.

"First of all, I do have muscles. It's just not evident with the clothes I'm wearing. And second, I thought it was rude to stare at someone?" Varian remarked, quoting what Soul said yesterday. Blushing in embarrassment, the girl huffed, and left the boy's side as she went back inside the caravan. The alchemist let out a victory smirk as he watched the girl leave.

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"Are you sure it's safe to cross?" Rapunzel asked as she sat next to Eugene.

"I tried crossing it earlier, and jumped around on it as well."

"I wished you fell." Soul muttered, still angry at him because of what happened yesterday.

 Eugene glared at the girl from the window before continuing what he said. "It can hold us. Probably. Hyaa!" The ex-thief replied hesitantly as he tugged on the reins making Max and Oren move.

Meanwhile, inside the caravan, Varian was in his nerd - his science mode, and was going on and on about how it was not scientifically possible for rocks to magically sprout overnight. Ruddiger, Flick, and Hoots were watching the alchemist pacing back and forth.

"Can't you just be thankful that we can now cross the cliff?" Soul asked annoyed at the loud footsteps the boy is making, distracting her from reading.

"But it just doesn't make sense! You're a man of science -" The girl gave him a harsh glare, rolling his eyes as he corrected himself, "WOMAN of science. You're supposed to be questioning this too!"

"Yeeaah, but I live in a forest that has mythical creatures, friends who can use magic, and all those fantasy stuff. Things like these are nothing new for me." The girl explained as she flipped to the next page in her book.

"How can you accept it just like that? Normally, scientists would take the chance to study these kinds of phenomena. " Varian stated as he sat down across from the girl, Ruddiger instantly leaped in his owner's arms, snuggling in his hold.

"I just don't mess with nature, or rather, I was taught not to mess with nature. That's why the creatures never bother me. It's all about mutual respect. I don't bother them, they don't bother me. Plus, nature can give you nasty karma." The astrologer replied, her eyes scanning the words in the book she's reading.

Varian didn't talk anymore after that, he just stared at the window, watching as the caravan crossed the supernatural bridge of rocks that sprouted overnight.

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Days have passed, and the group is now closer to their destination. Not forgetting his goal, Varian still tried to befriend Soul, only ending up having a frienemy relationship with the girl. Well, he wouldn't call them friends yet, but it was getting there. Throughout the travel towards The Jungle of Lion, the alchemist successfully made a conversation with the astrologer about some things, like their favorite food, some failed experiments, and experiences in alchemy which ended with them debating about which branch of science was better; Alchemy or Astrology. Thus, their small rivalry began.