Tangled Spin-off Part 4
It had started as the worst day ever for Eugene. He woke up and went to put on his pants, only to realize someone had stolen his! Thievery was discouraged in the orphanage of course, but, to kids who had nothing some of them wanted something, and the only way to get it was to steal. He had to go and find the idiot who stole his pants! It was for sure one of the boys because none of the girls were allowed back here, and no one but another boy would want to steal pants. He walked over to where the older boys were. As he expected, Coal sat, with Eugene's pants in his lap. Coal was tall for a 14-year-old. He didn't have a lot of muscle, but he could run, fast, which he took advantage of. If not for the fact that he was protected by the orphanage, he would be in jail. He smiled as Eugene approached.
"Looking for these?"He held up the pants.
"Give them back, Coal." Eugene crossed his arms and met the older boy's glare.
"Tell yous what, I wants these here pants. But you also wants these here pants. So how about you come and gets them from me?" Eugene considered his options. He had to be fully clothed when he came downstairs, it was the rule. It was read-aloud day, and he didn't want to miss it. But he wasn't as fast as Coal, nor as strong. He could climb hide though. All he had to do was get the pants and find a cave or alleyway to hide. Or...
"Tell you what." Eugene echoed his words. "How about I trade my pants for..." He paused and seemed to look around. Then he held up Coal's wallet. "This?" This only angered Coal more. He was about ready to pummel Eugene but was ready for him. I will throw this out the window, into the well, if you don't give me my pants back. "
"Hand-to-Hand trade?" He asked. Eugene nodded, he expected nothing less. Coal put his hand out, and Eugene copied.
"One." Coal said.
"Two," Eugene replied.
"Three!" They both said. Their hands closed on their property, and they turned away. Eugene left to put his pants on.
Eugene listened intently to the princess as she read the book aloud. He loved this story. He knew how to read, but only a little. But they always made him read boring things. If only he had a book like that. Perhaps he could. He could probably steal it, but that would be stealing from a princess, and THAT would end up with him in jail. Maybe he could ask for it. There was only one way to find out.
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Rapunzel threw her hair down the tower, not quite there yet. She wanted to see if it would reach the ground, but it didn't. Soon it would, and soon she would be able to leave. Not forever, of course, she just wanted to see the outside. Nothing bad happened just outside of the tower, just the base. It was safe, and she really wanted to know. She wanted to see what her books spoke to her about. But for now, she must be patient.
She threw her hair onto a beam, and watched as it wrapped itself around. Then she began to climb. She was now doing this several times a day, to practice. At first it was hard, but gradualy she was able to make the ascent with ease. This practice went on for months, and whenever Gothel was gone, Rapunzel would test to see if her hair was long enough. One day, it finally was.