Flynn again - update on Rapunzel & just general updates

Hey again - it's Flynn again.
Well, most important news first - Rapunzel finally had her arm fixed last night.  I just came back from visiting with her.  Before I go into the details of the visit, there's another update I wanted to add.

I was moved to a different shelf, lower down.  Actually, it's the last shelf on the shelving unit.  There's not too much space, because as you can see, there's a lamp and an alarm clock on there as well.  But hey, it's got this neat chair (the one I'm sitting in), and I can go out to stand on what I call the 'deck', but it's actually just where the dresser starts (the shelving unit is part of a dresser, so it's set up on top of the dresser.) so I won't have to stand all bent over all the time.  But it's pretty lonesome by myself here - but it's not permanent.  

And as you can see, Merida, Blondie and Rayne are all still on that shelf.  It's just up and over one, so it's not too hard to get over there to visit - Rapunzel was pleased to know that.

I asked Tangled Fan why she moved stuff around, and she just said that it was looking to crowded up there with all of us there.  And yeah, I suppose it was:

Anyway, moving on.  

This morning, I was able to go see Rapunzel, as I mentioned at the beginning of this post.  Before I continue, I want to say something I just thought of.  Our whole relationship kind of reminds me of the song "Into the Open Air", which is a song in Merida's movie, Brave.  I found a YouTube link - click HERE to listen to the song.  I would explain why it reminds me of our relationship, but it's kind of hard to explain. 

But anyway.  This morning, after Tangled Fan dropped me off to see Rapunzel, she went out to feed her horses, so that meant I had about an hour to visit.  

Rapunzel looked pretty droopy,  I suppose it was because of having surgery on her arm, but she swore it was because of the heat.  (It's been awfully muggy and hot here.)  

I was still a bit concerned about how awkward it might be between the two of us, and so we just sat  in silence a few minutes after exchanging hellos.  

I kept glancing over at Rapunzel, and a few times caught her glancing at me, chewing her lip as if she wanted to say something.  Finally, the silence got so unsettling that I finally just said something. 

"Do you, uh, want me to braid your hair or something?  Get it out of your face so you're not so hot?"

Her hair truly did look messy.  I suppose she hadn't brushed it since she left on Friday, because of her arm.  

"Oh, would you please?  I would love you forever if you did that!  I tried to earlier, but I got reprimanded to not move my arm."  She rolled her eyes and pointed with her other hand at her arm, which was now wrapped in some sort of foam or something, to keep her from bumping it or hurting it or something. 

Seizing a joke opportunity, I said, "Hey, if you'll love me forever for just braiding your hair, you must be pretty easy to please.  I'll take the job!" I chuckled at the end, so she knew I was just joking around.  

To my relief, she laughed.  Since it was hard for her to sit up with just one arm, I helped her sit upright, and got to work braiding her hair.  

And then I realized it.  I'd made a bad mistake.  I didn't have anything to tie her hair with.  I tried holding it for a few seconds and then letting go, but it didn't stay.  I didn't have anything to hold the braid in place with.  Except for that stupid purple ribbon that was still in my pocket.  

Ohhhhh no...my mind wailed.  

"Uhh..I don't have anything to keep it in place.  Ex-except for that, uh, ribbon.." I finally managed to say.  

Rapunzel swallowed to audibly that I heard it.  

"Dolls aren't supposed to wear ribbons in our hair until we're engaged.  Er, rather..until they're engaged."  At this point, I was wondering to myself if I could ever be around this doll without embarrassing myself so horribly.  "You know how I said last time that I didn't want to have you propose until my arm was fixed?"

"Ye-e-e-ah," I drew it out, wondering what in the world she was getting at.  I was fine with that.  I was just kind of standing here.  With a handful of hair and nothing to tie it with.  That's normal, right?

With a grumble and a grunt, she managed to stand up without help, and suddenly turned to face me.  I was trying hard not to lose my grip on her hair, but I did, and when I did, it loosed from the braid quickly, whipped back behind her, and knocked her off balance, because it was so thick and heavy.  

Nope.  Never gonna be able to do anything without embarrassing myself around her. Never.  I thought, as I grabbed her good arm to keep her from falling. 

Steadying her, I apologized.  

"Don't be sorry."  Rapunzel said.  She touched my cheek and whispered, "My arm's fixed now."  

"I know, but you almost fell, and that wouldn't do it any-"

"No," she laughed.  So obviously, I wasn't getting the point.  "My arm's fixed now."

"Yeah...," I said slowly.  What on ...OHH.  I thought.  "Oh.  Oooohhh!"  

At which point she got the giggles.  So much for being droopy because of the weather.  

"I'm sure Tangled Fan would give me a rubber band to tie your hair back with if we wait - you don't really want to get engaged just to get your hair pulled back, do you?"  I laughed, but suddenly I was the one feeling like I was rushing!  Awkward.  

"I thought a lot yesterday, and Sunday after you left.  I was kind of an emotional wreck, because of my arm aching so bad, I was wanting to just go back home to the shelf, and I just didn't know what I wanted!  You know everything about me, and I about you.  So what's a few more days' difference?  And it's not like we're getting MARRIED right now - just engaged.  I just didn't know how to say it, exactly.  But I'm ready when you're ready.  So there- I finally spat it out."  She smiled, eyes bright and she seemed relieved to have gotten that out.

I stood there and stared at her.   I opened my mouth and licked my lips, but nothing came out.  What do I do now?  I hadn't practiced or anything.   

"If you wanna wait, that's fine," Rapunzel said softly again, once back to her somewhat droopy state.  She went to sit down, but in one swift movement (or, at least I thought it was swift) I snagged her good wrist, pulled the rather crumpled ribbon from my pocket, and asked her to marry me.  

Rapunzel was somewhat speechless, so she just nodded and stood while I braided her hair and tied the ribbon carefully in place.  Then, she just kind of whirled to face me and pulled me into our first real kiss.  

Rapunzel told me to add in this post that we didn't do any engagement pictures right away because of her arm, but we'll be doing them as soon as her arm is good to go, probably by the end of the week.  

I told her about the whole shelf-re-arranging thing, and although she seemed somewhat sad that she wouldn't be able to be around Merida and Rayne and Blondie most of the time, she also was kind of happy to have some more space.  And I told her that it wouldn't take much to be able to go see them anyway, and she was a lot happier then.  

Unfortunately, Tangled Fan came in all too soon to come and get me.  Today, though, Rapunzel and I hugged and I told her I'd see her soon, unlike our rather awkward visit on Sunday.  She smiled and waved at me as I left, and I felt melancholy to leave - although the whole situation is quite surreal to me.  I don't feel any different, I just feel like the same old Flynn.  Not like an all-new, engaged, soon to be husband Flynn.  

By the way, we didn't discuss any wedding dates.  I'll keep you all up to date on everything, and I really, really hope Rapunzel will be back soon - she also wants me to tell you all that she'll include her side of this visit in a new post as soon as she gets back, and that the engagement pics will be included there.  

I'm hoping that the next post will be by Rapunzel, but I'll let you know if any major events happen.  

-Flynn.

Flynn here..update on Rapunzel

Hey, everyone - I hope I can do this right; I'm not all that into writing or stuff like that.  Rapunzel just told me to type whatever I was thinking or feeling, what others said, etc., that would be found 'interesting to the readers'.  Well, I suppose you aren't interested in the fact that Merida was up early this morning, grumbling about her legs.  You're probably wondering about how Rapunzel herself is doing.

     First I should clear something up; she actually had to go with Tangled Fan to get her arm fixed on Friday.  I'd just cleaned out her 'drafts' section and posted everything to keep you all up to date.  It's Sunday, so after church, Tangled Fan promised me I could go see her.

So as I was sitting in anxious wait, Rayne came up to me.
"Worried?"
"Ahh, no. She'll be...fine.  I know it."  I kind of fibbed there, but Rayne probably knew that.
"Yeah, right.  I can see you're totally freaked out." Rayne laughed.  "She'll be fine, don't worry."
"But I'm kind of worried about how she will think about me."
"Because she's getting surgery on her arm?"
"Noo, no, no, not because of that.  Because I kind of, well.." I went to the edge of the shelf and pointed down at the ribbon. "I know she saw it when she left.  I saw the panic in her eyes when she looked back up.  One minute, she's acting like she likes me, and the next she's acting like not so much."
"I see." Rayne said.  She patted my shoulder.  "I can see it in her eyes and how she giggles and smiles at you. Don't worry - and if she doesn't accept right now, she'll probably just need some time, but she'll come around."
"But what if she hates me for wanting to rush into things so quickly?  I mean, we knew each other at the warehouse, and talked all day and everything, because there was nothing else to do.  But...ugh.  You women are too complicating."
"Hey, we're not as complicated as you think." Rayne laughed and then left.

After what seemed like an eternity, Tangled Fan finally came into the room, with something behind her back.
"I have something for you and Rapunzel," she said, pulling a plastic horse from behind her back.  "It kind of looks like Maximus from the movie!"
I looked at the horse when she put it down.  It sort of did look like Maximus, but it was all gray with blue eyes.  And it had a pink saddle and bridle.  But regardless, I thanked her.
"Oh, and did you drop this?"  she scooped up the ribbon and handed it to me.  "And are you ready to go see Rapunzel?"
I nodded, taking the ribbon.  I wasn't sure what to do, so I just stuffed it down into a pocket.

It was a relatively quick trip with Tangled Fan carrying me in her hand.  I soon saw Rapunzel.
She was wrapped up in a towel, cocoon style, lying on her side.
I crept up to her, afraid to wake her if she was asleep, and she was; so I just sat there.
After a short time, her eyes fluttered open.  For a minute, I was so scared that I considered jumping up and running.  But then she gave me a warm smile.
"Hi," she said groggily.
"Hey," I replied.  "Is your arm better?"
"No.  Tangled Fan hasn't been able to fix it yet.  She's been too busy."
"What?!" I fairly yelled.  "Why can't she spare, like, just one hour to fix your arm?"
"Shh!" Rapunzel exclaimed.  "It's fine.  If I don't move it too much, it doesn't hurt much, and what's there to do around here anyway?"
"But still,"
"Why are you so...so...defensive about me all of a sudden?"
I gulped.  I wasn't the best at telling this kind of stuff, and usually I messed it up.  "Because."
She must've remembered the ribbon she'd spotted on the floor on Friday, because her eyes widened and she whispered, "Ohh."
Turning her head away from me, she fell silent.
"I, um...well, I'll have a surprise for you once you get back."
"It wouldn't be much of a-a surprise, because I know!"  She sounded like she was sobbing a little.
I took her chin in my hand and turned her head so I could see her face.  She was crying.  "Wh...wow, I really blew it, didn't I."  I didn't ask it, I knew it.
"No!" she wailed. "I blew it!  I wouldn't be acting so weird if I had just...I tried to forget about it - I even...never mind.  Does it matter?"
I knew Rayne was wrong at that point.  Boy, I'd blown it!  I muttered, "I-I have to go, I guess.  I should let you get some rest."
I stood to leave.
"Please...d-don't," Rapunzel sounded like she was going to start crying harder.  I turned back to her and saw she'd covered her face with her good arm.  That made me feel even worse!  Good grief, could I not do anything right?  But I sat back down beside her and wrapped an arm around her.  Once Rapunzel had finished crying, I said quietly, "The surprise isn't that. That can be forgotten or put on hold for a good while. Tangled Fan found a horse up in her attic that looks almost exactly like Maximus, that horse in our movie?"  I wasn't sure if that would cheer her up or not.
It did.
"Oh, really?" She brightened somewhat, and I grinned at her. "I can't wait to meet it!  Have you named it yet?"
"Nah, I figured I'd leave it up to you."
"Wow...I can't wait!" she repeated with a toothy smile.
At this point, Tangled Fan popped her head into the room and said she'd give us five more minutes till I had to leave.
"Ugh.  I'll be glad to be back once my arm's fixed.  I wish she'd hurry up, too, actually."  Rapunzel grumbled.
I nodded.  "So...no awkwardness between us because I goofed up?"
"You didn't goof up.  And no way!"  Rapunzel said.  "And you better come visit me again sometime, in case I'm not back soon.  Or else."  She tried to sound mean on that last sentence, but she couldn't pull it off.
I chuckled, and went to stand up again.  But this time, Rapunzel snagged my hand, fairly yanked me back down, and gave me a kiss on my cheek, giggling at my surprised face.  "Don't worry about that," with a gesture to the bit of ribbon peeking from my pocket.  "But don't propose now; I'd prefer to have a proposal when I don't feel like my arm's going to fall off!"
I almost choked, but I grinned and told her not to worry.  Then Tangled Fan came into the room, scooped me up in her hand, and after Rapunzel and I exchanged waves, she took me back to the shelf, telling me that Rapunzel should be back before next Friday.

I hope it isn't THAT long!  It'd only be a week, but wow.
And I hope you didn't find this post too mushy or dramatic or anything...but thanks for reading this the whole way through, if you managed to!
-Flynn Rider, stand-in author.

First photoshoot and adventure gone wrong

Hello, everyone!  After a good rest, Tangled Fan decided to do our first photoshoot. The three pictures that I personally thought were best are at the bottom.

The next day, I was feeling the need to go explore our new home. Flynn had been acting sort of...I don't know, funny - he was prowling back and forth like some caged animal, despite the fact that he was too tall for the shelf and had to bend down and lean on something in order to stand; so I thought maybe he would like to come as well.

"How about we go for an adventure?"  I asked. 

"Last time you wanted an adventure, according to the movie, I was beat over a head with a frying pan, tied to a chair with your hair, and then risked my life repeatedly; ending with me ultimately being backstabbed by your crazed, fake mother, and finally, being saved by a single tear.  I don't know if I want to go on another adventure with you!"  He joked, grinning.  

I know I giggled like a schoolgirl when he grinned like that.  Oh, goodness.  My face was probably red, too.  "But really.  Do you?"

Suddenly, his grin kind of vanished and he shifted from side to side, almost like he was anxious.  "Uh, well..I'll pass.  I have to go do something."

"Well, why don't I come with you?  If you're going somewhere, I'd like to go too - that would be kind of like what I was wanting to do anyway."  I laughed, wondering why he was being this weird.  

"N-n-no, best not - it's a long trip and you'd probably get tired out quickly.  But I'll see you later, okay?"  At that, he grinned again.  

Knowing that for whatever reason, he needed to go by himself, I nodded and waved as I watched him descend the shelf. 

Turning around, I gasped.  Merida was standing silently behind me.  

I gestured at her, still surprised.  "What're you..?"

"Did ye say ye wanted to go do some adventurin'?"  she asked with a mischievous smile. 

"Um..uh, well, yeah," I stammered.  

"Well, why don't you and I go?  It'll be fun."  

"Don't you..uh, can you.." I gulped, not sure how I should ask.  I knew she'd likely be mad if I told her that Rayne had explained about her legs.  

"I know.  I have good ears, y'know.  And no, today's one of the days where I feel fine."  

"Ookay, I mean, yeah sure."  

"Where do ye wanna go?  I've been wantin' to go up to the top of the shelvin' unit, personally, to see what kinds of dolls're up there."  Merida said.  

"That would be okay," I said.  

So we quickly got to work.  Merida boosted me up to the shelf.  When I finally had scrambled up, I squeaked.  I barely had any room to move!  One wrong move and I would be doomed.  I carefully rolled to my stomach.  

I grabbed Merida's wrist, steadied myself with my other arm, and pulled.  

Merida scrambled up, but then she bent over to peer down - we were close to the top - and her single arrow fell out of her quiver.  

"Oh no!  That was my only arrow!" She wailed.  I carefully peered down.

I could hardly see the arrow, but it was on the floor. The floor was wayyyyy...down..the height of the shelving unit seemed to stretch for miles.  Suddenly, I knew I was losing my grip and had leaned to far over to see.  

"Help me!" I whimpered as I scrabbled to get a grip and not fall.   

I saw Merida grab at me, but she was too late.  I fell, and I fell hard.  

Merida leapt from the other shelf down onto our shelf, dropped to her knees, and stared at me.  I had landed on a printer.  I had landed on my arm, and as I rolled over onto my back, I noticed my arm ached badly.  

"Are ye okay?"  Merida yelled.  I could hear the fear in her voice.  

I tried to speak, but the breath was knocked out of me, so I just laid there, mouth agape.  Finally, I drew in a ragged breath and said, "My arm hurts.  Like really badly."  

"Can ye sit up?"  

I struggled to sit, trying not to use my arm.  "Yeah.  I c..I can probably get up there if you lean down and help pull me up."

Merida did so, and, cringing with the horrible streak of pain I felt, she dragged me up to our shelf.  

"Do you think it's broken?"

"I.." I was on the verge of tears, and my voice cracked.  "I don't know." I hated how whimpery my voice sounded.  

"Lemme see." Merida said, and I let her.  As she did, I finally took a good look at my arm.  

The joint enabling me to move my arm at the elbow was pulled out of the socket. (Now, something you all should probably know is that I absolutely cannot stand to see injuries of any sort.  I tend to get lightheaded and often pass out.)  

I started to feel like I was going to pass out, but when I was just getting tunnel vision, I heard whistling. 

We both looked up, and Merida jumped to her feet.  "Flynn." she muttered to me.  I felt slightly relieved that he was here, and was distracted by his sudden arrival, so I was able to keep myself from passing out.  

Indeed, Flynn came walking in the room, a hand carefully placed behind his back, with his silly grin on his face; but when he saw me, his hand dropped to his side.  I think I saw a  flash of color or something, before whatever it was fell to the floor far below us  - but I might have been wrong, because I was still feeling woozy.  It had appeared to me like if I wasn't imagining anything, it was a ribbon -which would be even odder, because in the doll world, if a guy proposes to a girl, he gives her a ribbon to wear in her hair to signify her betrothal; once they are married, the ribbon may be removed.  It's basically like an engagement ring, but since our hands are so small, we can't wear rings.  That really confused me, so I just blew it off as my imagination.  

Merida stood and gestured to my arm.  

"We were climbing, and she fell." Merida explained things simply, though her face was so pale that her freckles stood out like black gems on white satin - or something to the similar effect; you probably get the idea.  

Flynn just stared at my arm with a horrified expression on his face.  I felt an immense urge to cry.  I aimlessly stood up, not sure what to do with myself, but then Flynn took one big step and grabbed me into a hug.

While he did this, he tightly wrapped an arm around my messed-up arm, and I gasped in pain.  The poor guy; he was just horrified that he'd made it hurt worse. He carefully let his arm away from mine and just stood there for a few seconds; then he placed his hand on my shoulder.  I gave him a one-armed hug, and swallowed the lump in my throat.  

Suddenly, Tangled Fan came into the room with camera in hand and a smile.  When she saw the distraught look on Flynn's face, she immediately asked what was wrong.  I turned away from Flynn and held out my injured arm.  With an "Oh, no!", she immediately left, and went to work arranging things to get my arm fixed.  

* * * * * 

The next day, the pain had subsided to a dull thudding feeling.  My heart was heavy, though; because I knew that this morning, I would be taken away from everyone and I would have to have surgery on my arm.  Although it would only be around a week or so before I would be able to return, I definitely was sad to go - I'd only been here a couple of days and already liked everyone!  And Flynn was just about as upset, if not more.  I was still wondering what he had had in his hand yesterday, but didn't want to pry, so I dropped it.  

I decided to attempt to quietly braid my hair so that it would be out of the way. It was pretty early in the morning yet, and didn't want to wake anyone else.  However, Flynn and Rayne were both light sleepers.  

I was in the middle of braiding, and Rayne noticed I was getting ready.  She gave me a smile and then went back to sleep.  Flynn, however, stayed up with me.  

"You're a lot braver than I am - I would probably just deal with it.  I can't stand surgery stuff."  He said.  I'd never really seen his serious side.  

"I'd very much rather deal with surgery stuff than the pain.  I can't stand either, but I have to do something, I suppose.  I'm not a big 'macho' man like you, either, and don't have the same pain tolerance," I tried to make a joke to lighten the mood.  

"Eh, I might look or act like I'm such a bad dude, but on the inside I'm basically like a big old marshmallow that was cooked over a campfire for too long.  Got a crusty exterior but a soft and gooey interior."  He joked right back, and I smiled at him, until he turned serious again.  "Especially when it comes to you!" 

I gulped.  Sure, we'd known each other at the Disney Store warehouse for a good while; we'd been set beside each other on the shelf, and had talked a lot, but other than that... My smile faded and my face grew terribly hot - and I'm quite sure it was not from the hot weather we've had!  Flynn got a confused look on his face as well, and I felt horrible.  I'd probably just acted like I hated the poor guy, or something.  He made aimless motions with his arms, like he wanted to hug me or something, but wasn't sure what to do.  I gave up on braiding my hair and walked over to give him a one-armed hug.  That probably REALLY confused him, but I did it anyway, and he hugged me back.  

I heard Tangled Fan coming into the room, and I started to pull away from him, extremely embarrassed, but he still held me in such a bear hug I couldn't move.  He gave me a quick peck on the forehead and when Tangled Fan cleared her throat and said, "Rapunzel, it's time to go.  I'm sorry, but it'll just be a little while,", he  drew away from me.  He was teary-eyed and I almost told Tangled Fan that I didn't want to go through with the surgery.  I mean, it wasn't major surgery or anything, but still.  I still felt bad for making him go through this, if he obviously felt so strongly about it.  Or me.  Or whatever.  I was so confused, too...Ugh!  And wow, this is getting to be a far too long post, so I'm going to stop rambling on and on!  

I asked him to post a few updates on the blog while I was gone, as Tangled Fan did tell him that she would take him to see me once or twice until I'm okayed to come back.  I hopefully will be back sometime soon; I will keep you updated!

I clambered up into Tangled Fan's hand, sat down, and waved to Flynn.  Though he waved back, he didn't look at me directly.  I suddenly remembered him dropping whatever it was onto the floor yesterday, and decided to look down.  

A single, thin, purple ribbon lay on the floor.  When I looked back up, Flynn did too, and finally met my eyes.  

I'm going to take a line from Merida right now.  Och!  

Och.  I had no idea what to think.  But now I knew for certain he liked me.  But then I told myself that maybe it was even for Blondie, or Rayne, or - even Merida!  There were three other dolls around us, so maybe it wasn't me.  Or maybe he would even have forgotten about it by the time I was back.  But I wasn't sure I wanted that!  Then again, I don't know what I want. Yikes.  You guys are all thinking I'm a nutcase - congrats if you made it all the way down through this horrendously long post.  Hopefully I'll be back soon to keep you all updated, or Flynn. Hope you enjoy the few photoshoot pictures below!

                                   PHOTOSHOOT PICTURES:

(I love this one, but at the same time, I don't like how I was looking off-camera.  Ugh!)

Welcome Post - Flynn and I are finally home!!

Darkness was everywhere.  I could hardly breathe, except for the fact that my box was open and there were small parts of the shipping box I was in that had holes in it, so I was able to get a little air.  I wondered how Flynn was handling it.  We had tried talking, but through the plastic, and all the plastic air bags surrounding us, we could barely hear each other.  Suddenly, some muffled sounds of a horn blowing and humans talking came through, even through all the packaging.  Our box  was quite rudely rolled around and then, suddenly, there was light!  I let a small squeal of pleasure out, but I still wasn't able to move because of all the plastic ties and threads holding me down in my box - there were even really uncomfortable pieces of plastic encasing my hands!  I just laid in my box and waited, knowing Flynn was doing the same.  I guess that eventually, I went to sleep; but I was startled by some loud commotion.  

"I have him out!  I guess...the name on his box says Flynn Rider?" A young voice asked. 

I could feel that my plastic prison was slowly being ripped apart, so I stayed stock-still; however, I opened my eyes.  There was a blond doll that looked similar to me, a brunette who appeared to even have a wedding dress on; a wild-looking redhead, who were all huddled around my box, muttering and yanking on me and my box.  I rolled my eyes towards Flynn, who was next to me.  Two dolls who appeared to only be around 3 or 4 years old, but were HUGE in comparison to the others and I, were sitting by Flynn and his box.  They were working on pulling the tape the rest of the way off his box, to get his opened.  There was a redhead that looked similar to the smaller redhead that was with me, and a blond that looked similar to me - she seemed painfully shy, as she was hiding behind the redhead.  Once Flynn was out, he immediately went to me and began helping to pull me out.

Once I was out, they all backed off.  The toddler-looking dolls called themselves Rapunzel (blond) and Merida (redhead).  Feeling super awkward, I stood behind Flynn and propped my chin on his shoulder.  

"Hello.  I'm the wedding Rapunzel," the brunette said; "but everyone calls me Rayne." 

"Hi!  I'm a Mattel Rapunzel.  But everyone calls me Blondie!"  The smaller, blond doll exclaimed.  She seemed really excited.  

"And I'm Merida.  Firstborn of the Dunbroch clan.  But ye don't care 'bout that, I s'pose."  The redhead said, hands on hips.  She had a grin on her face, but seemed a little put off about the whole situation.  She seemed to have an accent, and I'm guessing she was the Scottish girl from the movie Brave.  "So what're yer names?"

"I-I'm Rapunzel, and-"

"Flynn Rider.  Super good looking AND a reformed thief!"  Flynn said.  He was quite cocky, but I liked him.  

"Good afternoon to ye both, ah.." Merida struggled with my name.  "Ree..pun..zahl?  And Flynn."  

I nodded, with a smile.  

"Well, I'm sure you both are tired from your long ride to this place.  Why don't I show you to our shelf?  We all share the same shelf, because Tangled Fan 2013 doesn't have much shelf space - between all those books and her 18" dolls, we're lucky to get a shelf at all!"  Rayne joked. 

At the word 'book', I promptly looked around.  Nearly every shelf was covered with books, sketchbooks or art material - and any shelf that wasn't housing books, seemed to house huge dolls - probably the 18" ones.  

"Thank you," I said politely.  I was still feeling pretty awkward and shy, so I kept a tight hold on Flynn's arm.  He hadn't spoken a word since the introductions.  

We hung back and followed Rayne, Merida, and - I hate to call her this, but that's what she's nicknamed, so I suppose I should - Blondie, back to the shelf.  

"Are you okay?"  I whispered.  

"I'm just not so sure if - what's her name..Merida!  I'm not so sure if Merida is happy to see us here."  

"I get the same feeling..." I admitted.  

When we got back up there, I noticed it was taking Merida a long time to get up to the shelf, so I whispered to Rayne, "Is Merida upset about us being here?"

"No, no; she's fine with it.  Her legs are just really bothering her today, and she gets crabby when they're sore."  

"Her..legs?"

"She has last year's articulation - jointed knees, hips and ankles - and they were deformed.  They're sore sometimes, kind of like arthritis in humans."  

"Ohhh," I said, instantly feeling remorseful for assuming she didn't like us.  

Finally, Merida's head popped up and she, panting, threw her bow onto the floor of the shelf, and dragged herself back up.  I wasn't sure if I should help her or if she would be mad if I would help; so I just stood there, feeling horribly indecisive and awkward still.  

Flynn sat down beside me after Merida was back where she wanted to be at.  I sat down beside him and leaned my head on his shoulder.  I really was exhausted, and almost instantly fell asleep again  - jet lag, is that what it's called?  Regardless, I was just pleased to be out of that sweltering box with those nasty plastic ties and such!  

Stories coming soon!!!

Hi all!
I will be posting some stories within the week, I hope!!!  Really hope they are good enough and enjoyable; I'm soo psyched to start (:  Just wanted to drop by to post this!

Holdup

Hi everyone -
After a less-than-stellar first story (Okay it's terrible xD), I've decided to put the storymaking on hold till I can decide how I want to do stuff, the story(ies), etc.  I will be back though sometime (hopefully soon) when I can do a better job at the posting.  Please bear with me & hopefully I'll be able to get some decent story posts up!

Rapunzel learns to shoot a bow and arrow

It was a wonderful, sunny day outside with not a cloud in sight, so Merida and Rapunzel decided to head outdoors.  However, today they had a special outing planned: Merida was going to teach Rapunzel how to shoot a bow and arrow.

They rode out to a nice clear area on Merida's huge horse, Angus.  

Merida put her shooting sleeve on, while Rapunzel carefully set her tiara with Merida's cape, so she wouldn't lose it.  When they were all set, Merida got her bow and arrow from where she had left them on the ground nearby.  She demonstrated to Rapunzel how to hold and position the bow and arrow.  

Rapunzel stood uncertainly beside Angus as she watched Merida prepare to loose her arrow.  

Rapunzel cautiously peeked past Merida's red hair as Merida set the arrow loose.  

It was a clean shot and she hit the target right in the middle!

"Bullseye!"  Merida yelped, then raced to the target to retrieve her arrow.  

When Merida came back with her arrow, she held the bow and arrow out to Rapunzel.  Rapunzel stood with her hands clasped, and she swallowed hard as she wondered how she would ever manage to use the bow.  

"Are you so sure I should try this?"

"Well, you're great with finding your target with a fryin' pan, aren't ye?" Merida asked.  

"Ye-e-s..." Rapunzel said slowly.  "But that's a bow...and..and an arrow!  How can I ever hit a target with that?"

"It's easy, trust me!" Merida replied.  

Merida shoved the bow at Rapunzel and handed her the arrow before she could get out of learning.  "A gal's got to learn how to defend herself, and this is how we do it."  

"I can defend myself perfectly fine with a frying pan, just ask Eugene," Rapunzel tried to joke.  

"Aye, but an arrow'll hit the target quicker than a fryin' pan."  

Merida showed Rapunzel, who was quite awkward with the bow at first, how to hold it the right way.  When they were done with that, she handed her the arrow.  

Rapunzel just couldn't get the arrow to go where she wanted it to go.  First it pointed downward, then it was up too high, and then it just plain fell out of her hand.  It took plenty of fiddling around, but finally she got a good hold on it.  She held her breath and pulled back.

Still unsure, she randomly loosed the arrow after she pulled back as far as she had the strength to.  The arrow flew!  Spinning, it shot off, past the target set in front of her, and actually went even further to another target that had been set further out!  

Rapunzel threw her arms into the air and squealed.  "I did it!  I did it!  Did you see?" 

"I told ye," Merida said as she shaded her eyes to see the arrow.  

"Did I hit the bullseye?  I probably didn't hit the bullseye.  But you never know, maybe..." As Rapunzel chattered excitedly, Merida ran to get the arrow.  

Merida came back with the arrow, and Raunzel handed her the bow back.  

"Thank you soo much for teaching me!  I can see why you like to shoot.  It's so much fun!"  

"It went clean through the bullseye.  Right into the wood behind the target, right into the center of the target.  Nice shot!  Ye either have good beginner's luck or you're as good a shot as ME!"  Merida said.  

Angus turned to see what all the fuss was about, and Rapunzel turned to him.  

"Did you hear that, Angus?  I'm as good a shot as your mistress!" 

Angus snorted and shook his head, and Merida and Rapunzel laughed.  

Gathering their things, they took turns shooting the bow until it started getting dark, and then they rode off for home.  

~~

(I am using the American Girl "Patriot" foal as a stand in for Angus.

Also, the shots are all from inside the house, so we just have to imagine in the outdoorsy background!) 

Thanks for reading! (=