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Varian getting supplies, but not really

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*-*-With Varian-*-*

After breakfast, Varian had decided to head out for a walk. He needed some fresh air and a little time for himself to think. Besides, he was in need of some supplies for his work anyway, so it was two birds with one stone. 

His best bud, Rudiger had decided to tag along. The raccoon sat comfortably on his shoulder, resting its head on his. Varian had gotten used to walk this way, with a grey and black tail sometimes blocking his vision, and it didn't really bother him.  

Rapunzel had led you to your room, which was right next to the one he was borrowing for the week. She had chosen to not put guards, guarding your door and following you around. For Rapunzel, it was a sign of trust and loyalty - and then she hoped that you would return those very same traits on the mission tomorrow.  

Varian wasn't sure if it was a choice he would've made, to have a criminal walk freely around the castle, but he understood the Queen's point of view. Sometimes he just worried that Rapunzel's forgiving and optimistic nature, would make her blind for what was actually happening, and then someone would end up turning their back on her.  Just like what happened with Cassandra. And even himself.

Varian took a deep breath. Every time he thought of who he had once been, what he would have done, if Rapunzel hadn't stopped him, a strange feeling appeared inside of him. He had learned to forgive himself a long time ago, and he had learned from his mistakes, but it was still... Weird to think about it. 

Rudiger licked Varian's cheek, which caused Varian to giggle. It was like the raccoon could always feel whenever Varian was thinking of something 'heavy', and Rudiger would always start licking him. As annoying it might be at times, Varian thought it was very sweet. 

"You're right, Rudiger." Varian smiled, narrowing his eyes, due to the strong sunlight. "What do you say buddy, should we start at the blacksmith or our favorite local chemical store?"

As an answer, Rudiger jumped off the boy's shoulder, running straight into Monty's sweet shop, to the right.

"Okay. Monty's sweet shop, then." Varian groaned, following his friend.

-

The sweet shop smelled like the perfect mixture of candy, and chocolate, as always. Varian ran past a few shelves, before finding his little grey friend at the lollipop section. Varian took the raccoon up in his arms and looked at all of the lollipops, which were in every possible color. He smiled.  He used to love those when he was little. His dad would always buy him one, whenever he brought him along to Corona for work. 

Varian sighed sadly. He missed his dad, even though it had only been a couple of days he had been gone. His father had gone out on a business trip to Ingarr. He would be away for a few more days or so, and Varian really didn't like being separated from him. 

But at second thought, it turned out to be for the best, that his dad had left town for a while. If Quirin knew what Varian would be doing tomorrow, and who he would be doing it with, he'd kill him. 

"Oh, if it isn't Varian." A friendly voice spoke up, and Varian let out a squeak, before clearing his throat and turn around. 

"Oh, uh, hi Uncle Monty!" Varian greeted sheepishly.

"Rudiger brought you here once again, huh?" The old man laughed, heading to the shop's counter. "Come, I think I have some apples in the back.".He took out a bowl of apples, and before he could throw one to Varian, Rudiger already took off from Varian's shoulder and buried his head in the bowl. 

"Rudiger!" Varian scolded, but Monty just chuckled. Varian smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Monty. You didn't have to." 

Monty shook his hand, waving it off. "Oh please, It's nothing. It's not every day I get to see the two of you." He looked at Varian with a smile. Then suddenly his eyes turned serious. He bowed down behind the counter, so Varian was only able to see his red hat. Varian didn't know what to say, so he just awkwardly looked around the shop, to the sound of Rudiger's chewing. Then the short man popped back up from the counter, with a paper in his hands. 

He placed it on the desk, and Varian's eyes winded a little, when he saw who was on it. The paper showed your smirking, mischievous face. There was bold text above and under the picture.  It was your wanted-poster. 

"I heard the famous criminal, (Y/n), came to pay Corona a little visit," Monty spoke grumpily. If there was something the short, old man hated, it was criminals. And Rapunzel. 

"Wow, rumors do spread quickly in Corona." Varian murmured, before returning the shop owner's serious look. "But yeah. She did." 

"I also heard..." Monty began, folding his hands, right above your paper-eyes. "-That she demanded you to join her on some kind of trip. Is that true, son?"

Varian gulped, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. "Y-yeah it is."

Monty slammed his fists onto the counter. Then he placed his other hand, on top of your paper-ears, as if he were afraid you could hear what he was about to say.  "Urgh, Queen Rapunzel. Something like that would've never been allowed when Frederic or Ariana was in charge. To let you alone with a criminal. You're a child!" Monty ranted, clearly annoyed. 

Varian waved his hands. "Oh no, don't get the wrong Idea. I-, eh, the Queen is doing this too protect the kingdom. It's the only way, and- and I'm honestly fine with it. We're going on that trip, for a very good cause." Varian assured him.

Monty narrowed his eyes, waiting for Varian to elaborate. But he didn't. After all, Varian didn't understand the situation that well, either. 

For some time, the two males discussed back and forth. Monty kept saying that he thought the Queen was being irresponsible, and Varian kept assuring him that it was for the best and so on. Then Monty asked what all of this was for, and why the kingdom was suddenly working with criminals, but Varian couldn't really answer that. 

At last, Monty just sighed, shrugging. He knew he couldn't argue with something, the royal staff had already set their mind upon. "Fine. I can't really talk you out of it can I? But I can give you this, son."

Once again he bowed down, and when he got up, he had a little, red box in his hand. It had a white ribbon wrapped around it. He held it out for Varian to take, and Varian reached his hand out. "What is it?" he asked. 

"It's a little something I made for the two of you, on your trip. It's two little pieces of chocolate. It's my best recipe, and it will fill you with energy. Eat them tomorrow. For me, will ya'? And be sure to share one of them with your friend." Monty smiled. 

Varian glipped his eyes. What was with the sudden mood change?

Varian's cheeks got dusted with pink. He wasn't hinting anything romantically between you and him, was he?... No. He couldn't. He didn't like criminals. But then why would he do something like this?

"If you are going out on a mission, you might as well have something sweet to bring along." Monty chuckled, patting Rudiger, who had already eaten all of the apples.  

Varian managed to put up a smile, deciding to shake it off. Monty was just being kind like always. "Thanks Monty. I'll be sure to share with (Y/n)."

Varian put the little box in his pocket, reaching a straight arm out, for Rudiger to jump on it. The Raccoon did, and soon the two were beginning to head out of the shop. Varian then stopped in his tracks, turning around. "Monty?"

The old man looked up. "What is it kid?"

Varian gulped. "Me and (Y/n). We aren't friends, you know." 

The old man laughed. "I know. And Varian?"

"Yeah?"

"Be careful."

"I will. Don't worry." And with that Varian left the shop, heading for the blacksmith. 

Monty saw the raven-haired boy walking away through the windows. Then, when he was sure that he was gone, Monty let out a sigh, his hands slowly shaking. "It's done. I did what you asked."

A dark figure formed from the shadows, from the very corner of the shop. It smiled wickedly. "Good."

*-*-*-*-*-*-* 

When Varian had gotten the supplies he needed from the chemical store, he was on his way to the Xavier - the local blacksmith. He passed many guards along the way, who was now searching for the criminal that took the crown down in the city, instead of the castle. Varian didn't think they would find anything down here, though. Or anyone for that matter. 

Varian thought it was really weird, that Argo would need the seven crowns of the seven kingdoms. What would he possibly need them for? (Y/n) said, that she thought it would either be to make a statement or if it could be to some kind of ritual. Varian thought that the first sounded more likely, but if the second turned out to be true, he wouldn't really be surprised. Within the past year, Varian had fought against the power of the moonstone, being stuck inside a necklace, and helped to defeat a demoness.  

But a ritual for what, though? To summon something? If yes, then what? 

Varian shook his head lightly.  He hated when he didn't know the answer to something. But hopefully, he and (Y/n) would find out tomorrow.

Varian walked around the newly made statue of Rapunzel, Eugene, and Cassandra - the three, that in the villager's eyes, saved Corona, from the black rocks and the demons. They all stood triumphantly, Rapunzel in the front with a frying pan. Varian got happy whenever he looked at it, because it reminded him of how forgiving Corona could be. Even though Cassandra had been seen as a villain, she did do the right thing at last. And the citizens of Corona thanked her by making them a statue - a really, really pretty one, in fact. It was made in marble and gold (Rapunzel's hair consisting of pure gold, to remind when she had the power of the sundrop and all). And they had even got Eugene's nose right. 

Varian especially looked at Cassandra, when he surpassed the art. She looked so brave. He always admired that about her. 

He missed her. 

Varian had gotten to the blacksmith, and saw Xavier immediately inside. He was just about to say hi, when he saw Rapunzel and Eugene speak with him, themselves. 

For a moment Varian considered staying out of sight, spying on them. Then he quickly mentally slapped himself for thinking like that, and he immediately went inside. "Hey, guys!"

All three of them looked at him surprised. Then Rapunzels smiled widely. "Oh, hey Varian! Eugene and I were just talking to Xavier about how we could get in touch with the other kingdoms."

Varian nearly dropped Rudiger. "W-What? But, wouldn't that be dangerous?" He questioned. (Y/n) had said that Argo and his men stopped anyone who tried to warn the other kingdoms. 

Rapunzel shook her head, placing her hands on her side. "We don't want to just sit around, doing nothing, while you and (Y/n) are out, doing all of the hard work!" She smiled. 

Varian mouthed an 'ow'. He could understand that. 

"Varian!" Xavier said with his deep, relaxing voice. He patted the boy's head. "It's been so long ago! Look how tall you've grown!"

Varian couldn't help but chuckle. "Xavier, we saw each other last week."

But the man was right. Varian had grown a lot taller these past few months. And sometimes his voice would even crack, which Kiera and Catalina made fun of. Yeah, puberty was hitting the boy hard.  

"So what are you here for, boy?" Xavier asked, smiling, just as Eugene and Rapunzel left. They told Varian that they'd meet up at the castle later - they were done talking to Xavier anyway. 

Varian cleared his throat, explaining that he had come to get some supplies. And not much time had passed, before Xavier got him what he needed, in order to finish what he was currently working on. Varian gave the man a tooth-showing smile, thanking him.  Just as he was about to go, Xavier stopped him. 

"What is it, Xavier?" Varian asked, raising his brows. 

"Sit down, please. There's something I would like to tell you."

Varian gulped, hesitating a bit. He feared that  Xavier was going to tell him one of his legendary myths, and he really didn't have the time for that. He would like to finish his work before the mission tomorrow. But eventually, Varian decided to deal with it, sitting down on a stool. 

Xavier sat down himself, across from him.  "There's something I would like to share with you. About (Y/n). Rapunzel would've told you herself, but she never really got the time to, and since she heard it from me first, we figured that I would be a fitting man for the job." The old man spoke very slowly. This man sure liked to take his time. Varian nodded, as for him to continue. 

"This girl..." Xavier continued. "About a year ago, I was on my way to pay a visit to our neighbor kingdom, Pittsford. It was late at night, and I couldn't see my surroundings very well. But then I heard something out in the woods, and I got attacked by a thief." 

Varian gulped. "(Y/n)..."

To Varian's surprise, Xavier shook his head. "Not, not at all. It was a very muscular and intimidating man. He threatened to hurt me If I didn't give him all of my belongings. I had some quite valuable stuff with me, so of course, I refused. I thought he was bluffing, you see. But then he stabbed me in the shoulder, just like that." Xavier lifted up in his shirt, showing a nasty scar. "Just as he was about to threaten me again, someone called out his name. I can't recall what it was, but I remember a girl stepping out of the shadows, and even though she was young, and was wearing a hood,  she looked far more intimidating than the man standing right in front of me. The criminal seemed to recognize her, and when she told him to leave me alone, he immediately obeyed. The girl had somehow managed to convince the grown man to leave, just by asking him to. Then I remember her rushing over to me. She took her hood off, helping me cover my wound with bandages. It was (Y/n) who hid behind the hood, Varian. It was (Y/n), who was still a criminal herself at the time, who helped me, a stranger, in the middle of the night. And when she made sure I was okay, she made sure that I got to Pittsford safely."

Varian felt like his throat had gone dry ."Eh, w-wow, I-... Why are you telling me this?" 

"Because." Xavier smiled at him, folding his hands like he always did, when he was about to give him a life-learning lesson. "Sometimes people are not like we think they are. Ever since that day, whenever I've seen a poster of the second most wanted criminal, I've only seen that kind girl, who helped me that one night. I believe there's more to her, Varian. And that's why Rapunzel agreed on her terms. Why she allowed you to go out on a mission with her. Because she knows about this story as well, and believes there's good in her. But it's just hidden behind some very thick layers of toughness and sarcasm."

Varian slowly nodded. He didn't really feel the need to say anything. Xavier was telling him not to be scared of her, that he believed she was okay deep down. The second most wanted criminal in the seven kingdoms. The person, he would break into a secret hideout with tomorrow. There was much that didn't make sense right now, but there was one question that bothered him more than the others. "Xavier? Do you think that (Y/n) knows me? I mean, out of anyone, she picked me for the quest and-"

"If I were you, Varian." Xavier pointed out of the window, in the direction of the castle. "I'd ask her myself."