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Chapter 33 -
What The Hair?!
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It was dark. Well not completely. The glass containers of all sizes held some chemicals inside that radiated different colors.

Varian wore a thick leather coat and had a protective welding mask while working. He poured chemicals that were highly sensitive to light, so he kept it dark.

You WERE watching, but you decided to “Rest Your Eyes” for awhile. That turned into a nap and you lay resting your head on the table with Varian next to you.

You shifted slightly and you clenched your fists. Images flashed in your mind as you slept. It all felt like déjà vu. You forced yourself awake after the last image of Varian being put in cuffs.

You jolted, looking around in panic and caused Varian to jump too at your sudden movement.

A loud poof had caused a lot of purple fog to form and fill the room. “(____), are you okay?” Varian asked, but you couldn't really spot him.

You cough, waving a hand in front of you, “Yes. I'm alright!” You feel in front of you, making sure not to fall over things and try to make your way to the windows.

The door to Varian’s lab had opened and you thought Varian had went out, but you also heard the trap by the door activate. That meant a stranger had came in.

“Where is that window?” You ask a bit frustrated.

Varian was talking to someone, but you couldn't tell who since this fog blocked some of the sound from traveling. Finally your hand touches glass and you push open the window.

All the fog immediately disappears and you sigh at the fresh air. Outside, you spot someone by two familiar horses. “Eugene?”

“I mean, technically, it's not magic. It's Alchemy, but I mean, y-ya you know, don't sweat it.” Varian says in reassurance.

You turn around to see he was talking to Cassandra and Rapunzel, who were also caught in Varian's trap.

Rapunzel chuckles a bit, “Got it. So….what is this?”

You walk over and grin, “It's a chemical compound of his OWN design.”

Rapunzel smiles happily, “(____)! Hi!”

You wave at both of them and look to Varian.

Varian grins, “Thank you. They thought I work with magic.” He takes off the coat and mask, while take it from him to put away.

“I wonder why.” You say, giggling.

Varian rolls his eyes and nudges you playfully. He walks over to Rudiger, “You see, we have a bit of a critter problem out here and through the miracle of modern alchemy.”

He takes the raccoon out of the sticky trap, “I have found a humane way to solve the problem.”

Rudiger chitters happily and reaches his arms out to you when Varian holds him out to you. You chuckle softly and take him before gently shooing Rudiger out of the door.

“This is riveting, but could you get us out of here.” Cass asks a bit impatient.

Varian lets out a quick laugh and pats around, “Where is that neutralizing particle?”

You hear Rudiger chittering and see him about to cheerfully stroll back in. You laugh in your hands, “Varian.”

He takes out the salt shaker from his pant pocket then laughs slightly, picking up Rudiger by the tail, “Oh, get out of here.” He puts him outside and closes the door.

You snicker and wonder if Varian noticed that he had caught Rudiger two times without a problem. He shakes the neutralizing particle onto pink goo as it quickly disappears like cotton candy.

“I am so sorry, your Highness.” Varian says a bit formally and still on one knee in apology.

“Your Highness? You know who I am?” Rapunzel asks a bit surprised.

Varian raised brow and laughs, “Uh, how could I not. I mean, look at your hair!” He calms down after a slight excitement that the Princess was here. He clears his throat and became slightly coy, “Your Highness.”

You laugh and help Varian up, “Varian. Just call her Rapunzel, she wouldn't mind.” You smile and at Rapunzel.

“Nope. Rapunzel is fine.” She says happily.

“Wow, really?” He rubs the back of his neck then walks around to Rapunzel hair, “Okay, so fantastic stories of your hair returning have spread throughout Corona.” He holds her hair, “People say it's magic, but personally I don't really believe that.”

“Typical Varian.” You whisper after Cass gave him a look and look to you in confusion. You smiles, “As you may have guessed, my friend here, is a ‘Man’ of Science.”

Varian nods, “Exactly. Specifically Alche-”

“Alchemy, I know!” Cass spoke in annoyance and leaned close to Varian, “Now listen, Kid. We need your help, but let me make something clear. What happens here, stays here.” Cass glares and puts a hand on him.

Immediately, your sudden instinct kicked in and you took her hand off. “He gets it and I'll make sure of that.”

The three of them look at you in surprise at your defensive behavior. Cass sighs, “Fine. I trust you.”

Varian grins, “Don't worry. It'll all stay between us. Now, this way.” He has Rapunzel lay on a table and you help by moving her hair to lay out by its length.

Pascal had crawled up on your shoulder as Varian began to examine in Rapunzel’s hair closely with a big magnifying glass.

“Oh yes. This….this…” Varian laughs a bit, “...it's very….” He goes all the way down her hair then frowns, moving away to look at Rapunzel, “......Long.”

Rapunzel seems a bit subconscious and you nudge Varian. “Oh! Don't worry, Your Hi-” He catches himself and grins, “I mean, Rapunzel.”

Now he has a determined expression and you knew that he was going to be dramatic. “I, Varian, can unlock the mystery of your hair with the POWER OF SCIENCE!” He pushes the magnifying glass away with his hands on his hips proudly.

You facepalm, but he was cute for trying.

There was a loud bang and you jumped. “OW!” Varian cried out and you see the magnifying glass swing away from him.

“Oh my god! Varian, are you alright?” You said in shock, especially how loud that thing had hit is head.

Varian puts a hand to his hand and chuckles sheepishly, “Keh, no sweat.” He pulls away and you see blood on his glove. “It's just a little bl-aaa-” He smiles in a daze and passes out.

“VARIAN!” You kneel down next to him and hold his face in your hands, “Varian, hey, you're not dying on me today.”

He groans and he looked out of it as his eyes look up to you, grinning while speaking in a daze, “(____).....did you know you're so spellbinding?”

You stare at him and sigh in relief, “Yeeeah…. You're alright.” You help him up and bring him over to a chair.

“Let's see if your hair still works, Rapunzel. Which I highly doubt.” You say and bring a chair for her.

Rapunzel wraps her hair around Varian’s head and he finally comes to. He looks at the hair in confusion and Pascal points to his head.

You wait as Rapunzel sang the healing incantation. Though, the weird thing was that her hair was glowing, but from under your gloves.

A faint golden glow was showing were your palms should be and you put your hands behind your back to hide it.

“Better?” Rapunzel asks Varian.

He takes off her hair and check, “Oh yeah.” Blood was still on his hand and he panics, “Nooo!”

“Huh. That used to work.” Rapunzel looks at her hair in confusion.

You look at your gloved hands and see the glowing had stopped, making you sigh in relief. Cass narrows her eyes slightly then pulls you a bit away from Rapunzel and Varian.

“What's up with the gloves?” She asked.

You shift nervously and smile, “It's just gloves, besides, I kinda got hurt from...you know that night, a week ago and I don't want and anyone to see the ugly wound.” You chuckle a bit.

Cass hums, “Okay, then I guess you don't mind if I take a look to make sure it isn't bad.” She reaches for your arms and you move back.

“This machine-”

Cass turns at Varian’s words and holds up a finger to your face, “Later.”

You sigh in relief and see the machine that had broken down when you tried it. Hopefully it doesn't do that while Rapunzel uses it.

“Nice!” Rapunzel grins at the machine as you walk over to next to Varian.

“If I'm right, this should tell all to know about your hair.” Varian and you blink in surprise as Rapunzel goes up to strap herself to the machine.

“Let's do this.” She says in determination and smirks.

Varian grins, “Okay, Rapunzel!” He rubs his head and seems unsure, glancing to you, “Now, um…..this may get a little-”

“Exciting?” Rapunzel sounded excited, smiling while bouncing a bit with energy.

You and Varian look to each other before smiling sheepishly, “Um! Sure! Yeah, that's a good word for it.”

He pulls the levers down and the machine starts up. You go over to put Pascal on the test number clock. It dings after Rapunzel stops from being spun everywhere.

“And there we are!” Varian says happily.

“Alright, not super fun, but it’s over.” Rapunzel smiles a bit at you and you give her a nervous chuckle.

Varian lets out a breathless laugh and nervously rubs his neck. “I-I meant done with the first test.”

“But don't worry, just 86 more tests to go!” You try to reassure her and Cass.

Varian nods, “86 more to go.” He pushes a lever with a finger and the tests start. “AMAZING!” Varian yells in excitement as the blade doesn't saw through Rapunzel's hair.

You yell a bit as Varian pulls you down when the blade flies off toward you two. “Amazing! Your hair is unbreakable!”

“I'm betting you're not! Let her go!” Eugene comes in.