tushanshu | 009 ✞ [VIDEO] - Backdated to before the fog rolls in....

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009 ✞ [VIDEO] - Backdated to before the fog rolls in....

[Midii payed close attention to the Network. Often. She saw the conversation passing publicly between individuals. Noticed the patterns occurring. Such as the recent increase in people disappearing. Possibly being sent home. Coincidently, starting from soon after the Emperor had been killed, except Midii didn't think it was a coincidence.]

[But that wasn't why she came to the Network that day.]

[She had a different question in mind. Something she had been wondering about more and more, with every conversation she carried here:]

What if...somebody doesn't want to go home?

Could they make us? Or would they let us stay?

[Hypothetically speaking, of course.]

[Only it wasn't hypothetical at all.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...like taking care of Riva?

Yes! Absolutely! I know you and Septimus take good care of her too, but I'd feel awful leaving her behind.

She'd miss you very much, too, I'm sure. Or any of the friends she's made since she hatched.

[She nods.]

I think that's why it's so hard to think about. I'd miss everyone here so much if I were to go back home.

But don't you miss the people from your home just as much?

Well, yes. There's Mother, of course. I do miss her but when I left things were, well, complicated.

Everyone else I could miss is here, too.

How complicated?

[For a girl with far too many secrets of her own, it was almost surprising how often MIdii would instinctively ask questions she had no business asking; a moment later, she realized her error, and smiled sheepishly at her fellow Turtle Mother.]

Sorry.

You don't have to answer that if you don't want to.

No. It's alright.

[By now she's gotten used to explaining things like this. She didn't mind quite so much anymore now that she knew people didn't think she was too strange because of her upbringing.]

My mother raised me alone, secluded from other people. She was afraid people would try to hurt me. I had just left my tower for the first time, without her permission, when I was brought her. She wasn't happy with me.

[Midii thought it was strange, but not for the usual reasons. Her brows visibly furrowed, recalling the previous parts of their conversation.]

But...you said your world was nice. [Because that's clearly the only thing amiss in this scenario in which a mother locks up her only daughter.] What was she protecting you from, exactly?

Because someone tried to. Once. When I was a baby.

[Her hand instinctively goes to the back of her neck, but Rapunzel doesn't elaborate. She was still being very selective about who she told her secret to.]

Just the one time?

Are you sure it wasn't just a fluke?

[Rapunzel nodded and avoided looking directly at the console.]

I'm sure. There was a reason for it. I just...I can't really say what it is.

[A secret. It would be a lie to say Midii wasn't curious, but true to her word, she wouldn't pry.]

If you're absolutely certain, then.

That's nice that you have a mother who cares so much about you.

I guess so, yes.

[She twists some of her hair nervously.]

I mean, she was right to worry. I'm sure there really are some terrible people out there that would do bad things...but I can't help but feel like she's forgotten about all the good and wonderful people there are out there. I'd met a few before I came here, and now even more!

I just...I don't know if I'll be able to make her understand that.

[Midii was inclined to agree. Particularly about the really terrible people, but also about the good people as well. Even in her world, war-torn and full of horrors, there were always those who had been kind to her...only to pay the price later on.]

[But maybe Rapunzel's world didn't have to be like that.]

What if you learned how to defend yourself?

You're a grown-up now. That's what grown-ups do.

I have my frying pan...

And my hair.

It's worked for me so far, but maybe it wouldn't hurt to learn something more.

The frying pan sounds like a good start, at least.

[No idea what hair could possibly do...?]

[She laughs lightly.]

It has come in handy a few times.

I can imagine.

I mean, it's big. It's something you can find in anybody's kitchen. And I would imagine it hurts if you get hit by one.

Hm. Probably.

Thankfully I've never actually been hit by one. [Though she'd dealt enough damage to Eugene to guess. Lucky for him she'd healed him from her attacked when he'd been passed out.]

Neither have I, fortunately.

I dropped a pot on my foot once. That was bad enough.

[She winced slightly.]

I'll bet. I hope you didn't get hurt too badly.

I didn't break anything, I don't think. My foot did swell up for maybe a day, but it wasn't the worst injury I've ever had.

Well, if you ever get hurt here, make sure that you tell me or Septimus. We can help.

You have medical training?

009 ✞ [VIDEO] - Backdated to before the fog rolls in....

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