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Chapter 38 -
Fitzherbert P.I.
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Today wasn't so bad because right now, you were hanging with your ruffians. This is when you meet Hook Foot and he was nice even though he was slightly quiet sometimes. It was peaceful as Big Nose, Ulf, Hook Foot, Shorty played cards.

You sat on a barrel, watching them, but a few minutes ago Eugene had come in. He paced back and forth, complaining about Cassandra.

“She acts like I'm too good at lying, cheating, and stealing. Which in fairness, I am good at.” He says proudly.

The guys hum in thought and Eugene seems hurt, “So you guys agree with Cassandra?”

You didn't want to get caught up in this, especially when you wanted to relax with your ruffians.

“No, no, no. We don't agree with her. We've simply arrived at a...well….um...nearly identical assessment is all.” Big Nose says sheepishly.

“Ooooh, okay, okay. I see how it is. You know, I am capable of being more than a handsome devil, may care, rouge.” Eugene points, “In fact, I can be a handsome devil, may care, anything I want.” He thinks and smirks, “Maybe, I'll just have to find a way to prove it.”

“Boys, Eugene Fitzherbert is going to find a new colleague.” You notice the guys went back to playing cards and you felt bad for Eugene.

“Does anyone in this kingdom have an attention span, come on! (____)! I need your help.”

You mentally groan, but follow Eugene out, “So basically, you want to find a job you're good at?”

“Yes.”

“Did Cass say something that you're determined to prove her wrong?”

“Yes.”

The two of you are in town now and you roll your eyes, “Alright.” You pull him to a news board, “If you want my help…”

Eugene looks at all the jobs. “....then here are your options.”

“Okay! Now to prove to Cassandra that I can be more than a thief.” Eugene takes a flyer.

You tilt your head, “But being a thief is what makes you…..YOU.”

Eugene walks off and you sigh, following him again to Baker’s Shop. You waited outside and not 30 minutes later, smoke comes out of the window and Eugene walks out in a pout.

“He said bake a pie for 300 degrees for an hour, so to save time, I put it in for 600 degrees for half an hour. Come on! Its math!”

Your look at him weirdly, “Eugene. Math doesn't work like that for baking.”

“Whatever.”

Another flyer is pulled off by Eugene and it read Cab Driver. “This seems easy enough.” You say, smiling.

A fancy carriage and a horse is given to Eugene after applying and you sit next to him. Going down the road, an elderly woman waves and Eugene stops.

He was doing amazing and being a gentleman, helping the old woman into the carriage. “Thank you.” She gets comfy.

“Heya!!” Eugene yells.

You yell, clinging to the seat as the horse takes off at full speed. Maybe you were wrong about Eugene doing amazing.

“Record time!”

Somehow, you end up in front of Varian’s house. You don't think Eugene knows where he was suppose to go because he didn't ask the old woman.

You quickly hop off just as the old woman gets off. Suddenly, Eugene takes off again and you facepalm.

“But this isn't even my house.” The elderly woman said.

“Sorry, this is new for him.” You reassure her and yell, “EUGENE! GET BACK HERE!”

“(____)!” Varian yells excitedly and jumps over the stairs of the front door. He yelps and rolls over his head once.

You kneel beside him in worry, “Varian, I swear, you're so clumsy sometimes.” You help him up and he dusts himself off.

“Yeah. Anyway, what brings you here?” Right when Varian asked, Eugene pulls up in front of you two.

“That…..brought me here.”

Eugene laughs awkwardly and helps the woman back in the carriage. “Sorry.”

You rub your temples, “I have to get going now. I'm helping Eugene today, possibly tomorrow.”

Varian's eyes on light up and he bounces enthusiastically, “Can I please come with you? I'll even sleep on the floor if I have to stay overnight!”

“Mm….” You think, only to give in, “Fine, but you have to ask-”

“Done!” He hops on the carriage and you sit next to him confused, “Done?”

“I left a note before I came out here.”

You didn't question it, so you just hold onto the seat along with the elderly woman. Varian looks at you two on confusion, “Why are you- AH!”

The carriage takes off again and you're now al screaming except for Eugene who seems to be having fun. To be honest, everything Eugene has done today has been showing his abilities has a thief. Especially always wanting to get things done faster.

Varian followed beside you and you pull of the only flyer, “Well, this the only one here, Eugene. A cobbler.”

“A cobbler? Flynn Rider a cobbler. To be honest, you're better at thieving and being such a charmer.” Varian says.

“It's Eugene.” Eugene stops and turns to you and Varian in confusion, “When did Varatos get here?”

“Varian.” Varian corrected him happily.

“When you took the Cab to his house.” You say.

“Huh. That's where I stopped?”

You don't even answer him and pull Varian along.

At the shoe shop, you have Varian to keep you company this time and you pat Eugene's arm in good luck. He leans on the wall and glances in the window.

“Why is Fly- EUGENE looking for a job?”

You chuckle, “Because he wants to prove to Cassandra that he can be more than a thief. I think she said something since Rapunzel is going to get her Royal Portrait painted in two day.”

Varian laughs lightly, “Cassandra. She is something.”

You look at him and silently huff, “Yeah. She is.”

Eugene gets shoved out. “Your shoe makin is impressive, but I can't tolerate the one who stole a crate of boots!” The door is slammed.

You and Varian stare at Eugene, “What happened?”

“I got fired.”

Varian waves his arms, “How does anyone get fired in 15 minutes of work?!”

“Varian. This here is Eugene, ‘Flynn Rider, Fitzherbert. That's how.” You shake your head and Eugene frowns at you.

“I'm too tired to deal with you. Who knew having a job could be so much work.” Eugene slouches and sighs tiredly, “So I mean with all those rules and responsibilities.”

You hold back a laugh and blink as Eugene holds your shoulders, “You should have heard some of those guys I worked for! It's like, ‘Hey, Buddy. Who died and made you boss?”

Varian slides off Eugene's hands, “Sorry, Mr. Rider, but hands off my friend, please.”

You and Eugene glance at each other then shrug.

“Maybe Cassandra was right. Ugh, just saying those four words send bile into my mouth down the throat.” Eugene grimaces in disgust, “Oh that- oh yeah.” He shakes his head and sighs, “but it is true.”

You felt saddened that Eugene looked defeated, “Maybe the only thing I was meant to be was a-”

“THIEF!”

The three of you turn to see someone in dark clothing run with a big bag. Eugene's eyes widen, “I know where he's headed.” He turns to shake you and Varian, “I know where he's headed!”

You're about to say something when Eugene takes off and suddenly Varian yells, falling forward.

Rudiger chittered happily, clinging to Varian's head. “Oookay.” You pull Varian up. “Let's go to the castle. It's getting late anyway.”

Down the castle hallways, Varian stays close to you with Rudiger resting around his neck. The guards stare at Varian intimately.

“So, is this what goes on here in the kingdom?” Varian asks and steps after you when a Royal Guard opens your bedroom door.

“Uh…..occasionally…….and randomly.” You chuckle, throwing your satchel onto your big bed.

Varian wanders around and Rudiger jumps off him to scurry over to your handmade bed for him. Varian raises a brow, “You made a bed for him?”

“Yes. Sometimes he ends up here and by the way, his name is Rudiger.” You smile and sit on your couch, throwing your boots off in a random direction.

Varian hums and takes a framed drawing you did of Rapunzel and her mom. “At least I don't have to call him Raccoon anymore.” He laughs softly and puts the picture back.

“What do you want for dinner? Know you, you didn't eat.” You smirk lightly.

Varian waves a hand and speaks a bit high, “Of course I ate, I'm human.”

You laugh, “And you're also a prodigy, which means you forget to do things other than your work.”

Varian notices your desk that you do your studies on and quickly goes over to look at the books, grinning excitedly. “Anything would be fine. Hey, you mind if I borrow one of these?”

You head to the door and hum, “Well….I guess Xavier wouldn't mind if you'd borrow one of his books. Just one, okay?”

The guard outside was gone, but now it was Pete and Stan. “Pete! Stan! You're back!” You give them a hug and they grin happily.

“Yeah, we just got done chasing a thief!” Pete said.

“And Eugene helped us!” Stan smiled, “He was actually amazing!”

Pete then laughs, “Its kinda funny how Eugene is going to try out for a Royal Guard.”

You laugh, “What?”

“Exactly what we said.” They both said.

You shake your head and roll your eyes, “Can you guys tell someone I want dinner for two?”

They salute and start walking away from the door. “Wow. (____) must be hungry today.” Pete stated.

You giggle at them and head back into your room. Varian sat on floor, leaning his back against the couch and flipping through a book of Ancient Technology.

“Why are you studying this?”

You sit next to him, shrugging, “I'm not. I just found it interesting and mainly to look at the pictures.”

Varian chuckles, “Well, I'm not going to lie, but these designs in here are very detailed and just extraordinary!”

A maid comes in with a small cart with two dinner trays and you thank her before she goes out. You place a plate in front of Varian with Lasagna and slice of toasted bread.

“Whoa. This is a lot.” Varian picks up his food but eats it any and melts at the flavor.

You giggle, “The Royal Chef's Lasagna.” You eat yours. “You know, Eugene is trying out to be a Royal Guard tomorrow.”

Varian nearly chokes on his food, “What?” He thinks then grins, “I've gotta see that tomorrow! See my hero in action!”

Tomorrow is going to be another long day……

On the training grounds for the Royal Guards.

With Eugene.

Captain, who will highly make this hard for Eugene.

And Cassandra.

The fork in your hands had grow extremely hot before immediately freezing.

There's a snap and you look down at you fork.

“(____), is something wrong?” Varian asked a bit shocked and in worry.

You gulp and laugh it off, “Of course, I just wanted to see if the guards pulled a prank on me. This fork is fake.” You grin at Varian.

He chuckles a bit, “Okay.” He reads while eating.

You use the now broken fork and wonder what had happened. Yet you didn't bother to check that your mark, which had now dimmed.