×××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××
Chapter 15-
The Snuggly Duckling
×××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××

“I've been hearing a lot about this Varian. Who is he anyway?” Cassandra asks while sewing up a dress as Freidborg held a fabric in place.

You lay on the couch in the fitting room, drawing in a journal, “He's Varian.”

Cass stops then laughs sarcastically, smiling, “Ha ha. Funny. What I meant is what does he do, why are you friends, just tell something about him. Because I've heard rumors that he's a bit…. Dangerous?”

You raise a brow and frown, “He works with dangerous chemicals, of course he's gonna be a risk taker, but that doesn't mean he should be feared. If that's what you're implying.”

Cass hums, “Well I think, you should be a bit careful.”

You slam your journal shut, “You're the one playing on dangerous grounds, Cassandra.” You glance at her as her eyes widen, not expecting you to get mad. “Let's think about this, YOU know everything there is to know about the castle, its guards, secret passageways in, and you're greatly skilled in fighting.” You cross your arms, “See if someone who didn't like you, could use that to tell rumors that you might one day betray the kingdom.”

Cass glares, “Whoa, slow down there. I would never do that. I put my whole life work into this so I could protect the kingdom and make my dad proud to be his daughter.”

You cross your arms, “And do you think someone who doesn't know you will believe what you said? They'll believe the one who doesn't like you because they think they knew you well.”

Cass sighs, a bit irritated, “Okay. I walked right into that one.” She smirks at you, “Who knew you could be intimidating.”

You shrug, smiling sheepishly, “Sorry. I just…” You sigh, “...I get tired of people looking down on my friend. He's trying and he wants to do this for his village, you know make his dad proud.”

Cass is now listening especially since you look like your head is in the clouds. You smile softly, “They all don't see that what he does is something you don't see everyday. It's different and sure it's dangerous, but he fixes it with the best of his ability.” You trace your finger on your journal, “Varian makes things that just appear from his head into real life.”

“More of like a wizard? The way you're describing everything, seems so magical in your eyes.” She rolls her eyes.

You feel your cheeks warm up, “Uh, in a sense, I guess it is.”

Freidborg holds up a plates of cookies to you which you take one, “Thank you, Freidborg.” She grins and eats half of the cookies. Cass gets done with the dress and groans, “Now we've got to set up for Princess’s 18th Birthday.”

The three of you walk down the halls toward the Great Hall. You decided to help Cass since Freidborg silently left like always and most likely to help the Queen. As you place the silver utensils on the sides of the plates, you hear guards yelling outside. Cass runs out and you follow her.

“Dad, what's going on?” Cassandra asked the Captain of the Royal Guards.

Cass told me his name is Oliver and he hates his name so everyone just calls him Cap or Captain. Anyway, he turns to Cass, “Rider stole the Princess Crown.”

You stand back when Cass grins, “Let me get him. I've been training for this.”

“No, stay here.”

“But Dad, I'm ready-”

“Cassandra, that is an order, STAY here.” With that Cap took off on Maximus and leaving an upset Cass behind.

You were going to say something to her, but she held up hand and you knew she needed alone time. Well this kinda put you down. You glance around then stop in front of the mural of the King, Queen, and the Baby Princess. The color coded tiles were done well.

People place flowers in front of it and you head to the floral shop. You buy a sunflower and write a note, tying it to the flower with a purple ribbon.

You're now walking across the bridge and pick up a wanted poster from the side. “Flynn Rider.Thief. The one Varian has looks better.” You say and crumble the paper. “Cassandra needs to hold back a little on telling the painter to draw his nose weird.”

Soon you're on the road that heads to the Snuggly Duckling. Some guards walk by, scanning around before continuing on. Before you touch the door to go inside, you stop and rub your temples. A blurred image of a blonde putting on the royal crown flashed across your mind. “Ugh…...not this again. I need to do something before I think too much.”

You slam open the door, “FREEDOM!”

The thugs all turn to you and all grin, holding up their drinks, “HOORAH!”

You laugh and close the door as Shorty stumbles off the counter. “(____)! Heyyyy! Youuuu look like….” He burps and for some reason he's wearing a cupid outfit, “...you need a drink.” A mug of wine is placed in your hands and you smile sheepishly, “Thanks?”

Hook-Hand glances over and laughs, “Just one mug then that's it, Shorty. Can't have our Little Lady out of it.” Shorty salutes and stumbles to fall asleep in a corner.

You sit on a barrel near the door and shrug at the drink before sipping it. You laughed when Big Nose started rough housing with Attila. Your mug drops when the door is slammed open.

“Garcon, your finest table please!”

There's a fearful gasp, almost like a girl? You turn to see, Flynn Rider. Wasn't he supposed to be on the run? And a girl with loads of blonde hair in her arms. Everyone has their malicious expression when the girl looks around in slight fear.

Flynn pushes her as everyone makes a path and she holds up a pan in defense. “You smell that? Take a deep breath through the nose.” You hear him sniff, “Really let that seep in.” Why was he so cheerful about this?

The girl keeps gasping and you just stared at her hair that was still coming through the door. You snap out of it when the door is closed by Vlad. It looked like Flynn and the girl were going to leave. “Is this you?” Vlad asked and Flynn moved his finger.

Flynn’s nose was very long and now Cassandra was just being mean.

“Aw. Now they're just being mean.”

Hook-Hand smirks, “Ho, Ho! It's him alright. Greno, go find some guards! That reward's going to buy me a new hook.”

Attila pulls Flynn close, “I could use the money!”

“What about me? I'm broke!” Vlad yanks Flynn. “Get back! He's mine!”

You facepalm and groan as everyone clamours together and basically playing tug a war with Rider. You rub your temples since this is all too much. You hear a strained creak and look up to see blonde hair wrapped around the large branch above you. There's a loud thump and you grimace when the branch hit Hook-Hand’s head.

“Put him down!”

You look at her in surprise then turn to see the same look on everyone except Hook-Hand. Your eyes meet Flynn's and he furrows his brows, “Uh, does anyone else notice there's a kid in here?”

The girl looks at you, but shakes her head, “Okay, I don't know where I am, and I need him to take me to see the lanterns because I've been dreaming about them my ENTIRE life!”

Well this is a sense of déjà vu. A painful thud hurts your head and you rub it softly. “Find your humanity! Haven't any of you had a dream?”

Hook-Hand pulled out his weapon and stalked toward the girl in a menacing behavior. Now there's that feeling of a musical number coming on.

“Seriously, does ANYONE see the kid that’s right-” Flynn had his mouth covered by Vladimir.