✿|| The Start of Something New

[worthit]

[ The evening is still young, and already she's defied her mother's wishes by running off to find some where that she can be alone. Beyond the shelter of gauzy silk drapes is where she finds relief, gazing out over the gardens of the estate, long blonde hair plaited down the length of her back. There's a little bit of a nip in the air but she doesn't seem to mind.

The young woman can't bring herself to care much about that or anything else, as she listens to strangers mill about behind her from a safe distance, expression a blended mask of dejection, boredom, and disappointment to anyone that get close enough to see. She should be having the time of her life right now, she actually almost NEVER gets to interact with people, even after so much has changed- but there's no one here her age and on top of the fact that these people are all... snobbish upper-crust types, she already feels plenty out of place just by being from a different century.

It's been nothing but unfamiliar sights, unfamiliar faces, and unfamiliar sensations ever since she woke from her apparent centuries-long slumber. There are still days when Rapunzel feels like she's living in a dream rather than having been woken up from one.

Maybe the evening won't drag on too long, if she can just find some way to pass the time that DOESN'T involve thinking about all the things she's left behind in her old life.

If anyone notices the pretty young woman standing outside on the balcony all on her own, completely apart from the rest of the party they don't make any outward indication of it. Instead, Rapunzel is left to trail one fingertip very slowly around the rim of a glass from her spot standing next to the stone railing. Sparkling water of some kind... she hadn't really paid much attention when she accepted the offered glass, even less to what the server said it was as she hastily excused herself before Gothel could find her to drag her into more awkward introductions.

She's holding out hope, but it's dwindling by the minute. Is there any chance that there might be just ONE friendly face here? ]

Comments

[catpunned]

[ Yeaaaah, he pretty much expected this. Old people are super predictable, at least when it comes to how they treat people with their status.

He doesn’t look at Rapunzel at first, instead meeting all the eyes they’ve captured in the room with a smirk before placing his hands on either of her shoulders. ]

It’s not a slow song, so it’ll be a lot easier. And more fun. Watch.

[ And with all the charm and grace he can muster, he demonstrates a few moves before prompting her to join in. ]

[worthit]

[ This is- not at all what she'd expected! ...... And she likes it. Hey, those are some fancy looking moves. She's not sure how good she'll be at doing them, but she gets the general idea, and to show that she's not intimidated (anymore) she grins, attempting to follow his lead. The irony of dancing to a song that's talking about refusing to dance- ]

[catpunned]

[ Quality of her actual dancing aside, the way her face lights up is worth the trouble in and of itself. Adrien finds himself chuckling over how she stumbles in the beginning, but she's right, in the end. She is quick study, and she learns quickly.

It's not so fantastical and cliche that everyone at the party starts watching them or applauding, but they do turn a few heads by the song's end. Most notably... that of Gabriel Agreste and a certain dark and curly-haired woman. ]

Ah... hello, father.

[ Neither look disappointed, actually, which is good! ......but there is definitely a distinct feeling of fun times being over. ]

[worthit]

[ It's amazing, but sadly short lived. They were at least able to enjoy themselves for a time before they caught the wrong sets of eyes.

For a while she didn't even notice, her eyes closed as she was lost in the freedom of the dance, but when she heard Adrien speak up she tensed, eyes snapping open and looking in the direction that Adrien did. A tall man with hair the color of corn silk, stern features, and a... not quite stern but not relaxed either. Gothel's expression was all too familiar, and Rapunzel knew she had to be mindful. She tensed , trying to remember her lessons and the warnings Gothel had given her before. So, this was Adrien's father? The resemblance is clear from their coloring, but... she thinks Adrien looks much... ah... warmer? Easier to approach? She's glad she isn't alone, here. ]

Hello, mother, Mr. Agreste. [ Politely, she manages a light curtsy, relieved to see the glint of approval in Gothel's gaze right before her expression softens a bit. ]

Gabriel, this is my daughter, Rapunzel. And I take it this is Adrien? Your father speaks very highly of you, young man.

[ There'll no doubt be some praise forthcoming, some thanks for looking after Rapunzel, but she can't get away with dominating conversation in this crowd like she could in private with Rapunzel, so she leaves it there for now. ]

[catpunned]

[ Well, it could be worse. Adrien is not nearly as rattled. He watches Rapunzel curtsy and follows with a bow of his own, glancing at his father all the while as he smiles. ]

Thank you, ma'am. It's very nice to meet you. You're...

Ms. Gothel Blum. Yes. [ A slightly-defeated "ah" escapes Adrien's lips as he takes in his father's confirmation. After taking a good look over at Rapunzel, Gabriel smiles proudly at his son. ] You two look like you were enjoying yourselves.

[ And at that, Adrien...... really doesn't know what to say. He looks over at Rapunzel, as if to ask, "Were we?"

(They were.) ]

[worthit]

Yes, sir. [ Rapunzel replies, just frazzled enough to stick to formalities for the moment, though it's already slipping a little as she smiles, casting a glance back at Adrien. Yes, Adrien, you were. ] I'm still not really used to such large crowds, and French is still new to me. Adrien was kind enough to keep me company. [ She knows well enough by now how to appease her own mother, and while she can't say if it would work on Adrien's father she also doesn't QUITE see the need at present, nor does she want to be disingenuous. What she says is true, after all, and praising Adrien's social manners can't hurt, can it...? Gothel certainly seems surprisingly- and uncharacteristically to Rapunzel -pleased with the turn of events. ]

[catpunned]

[ Right. Adrien smiles at the affirmation and is able to meet his father's scrutinizing eyes that seem to ask, 'Is that so?' Adrien chimes in eagerly to agree with her before Gabriel can say anything. ]

Yeah. The dancing was her idea, though. [ He winks. ] I'm glad she enjoyed it.

[ ......The two adults go silent and do that thing where they look at each other with unreadable expressions. A whole conversation was probably without them knowing. Adrien can only tilt his head, inquiring further: ]

Did you guys need us?

[worthit]

[ In answer to that Rapunzel gave a small laugh, only a little bit sheepish.

As Gabriel's eyes asked that silent question, so too did Gothel's when Adrien mentioned the dancing being her daughter's idea. One trimmed eyebrow slipped upwards in surprise, as if echoing Gabriel's exact question now just as silently.

The look that she exchanged with Gabriel was indeed telling, but only the two of them would understand what it meant, be it a difference in age, experience, or roles between parents and children. Whatever the case, they seemed on the same page and just as quickly as the look was exchanged, Gothel's and Gabriel's gaze returned to the young blond(e)s. ]

Well, I must say I'm pleasantly surprised. And here I was worried that you'd spend the whole evening being a wallflower.

[ Ha, ha... ha ha... ]

But, no... only to introduce ourselves, officially of course. I think we've kept them long enough, Gabriel?

[ Rapunzel is the one a bit at a loss now, surprised by Gothel's admission and not realizing that it was at least in part for show. She is, after all, still getting used to her mother's public persona. ]

[catpunned]

[ The way she says "wallflower" makes him instinctively take a step between Rapunzel and her mother in a protective gesture. Her tone was just that scathing, but... it's possible he's only imagining that malice. This is a new business venture for them both, after all, and Adrien wants to be supportive of it.

Gabriel seems to hesitate for a second, then nods. ]

Of course. By all means. We still have much to discuss anyway.

My assistant Nathalie will be meeting us shortly.

[ Oh, good. Adrien gives a thumbs up to his dad to show his approval (and reassure him). ]

Don't worry. We've got this.

[worthit]

[ The disguised barb isn't a surprise. She's more than accustomed to her mother expressing doubt in her competence to handle situations like this, to being seen as too naive to know how to handle herself.

What is surprising is Adrien's response, to which Gothel seems to take no notice at all. A pair of green eyes stares at the back of Adrien's head for a moment, then her eyes slide quickly back to Gothel's face. When the older woman shows no immediate signs of reacting to the gesture Rapunzel assumes she hadn't even paid attention to notice.

She's relieved when the two adults finally take their leave, feeling embarrassed and frustrated, but not wanting to let the remark ruin her first real night out. ]

Thanks, Adrien. [ She says with a small smile, ready to keep the conversation moving, anywhere but lingering on the interaction just now. It shouldn't be too surprising now why she has avoided the topic of her mother until now. She wouldn't even know what to SAY. She could really only excuse so much, for one reason or another. Inexperience, lack of familiarity with how these relationships normally work, frustrations bleeding into her responses... Yeah, safer just to avoid the subject completely. ]

[catpunned]

[ Adrien is relieved too when they leave. It’s honestly hard not to be, despite how used to it he is. Something about (most) interactions with his father always left him feeling like he’d been holding his breath, and Gothel Blum hadn’t helped.

He returns Rapunzel’s smile, though. ]

Hey, don’t sweat it. Adults are always like that.

[ Sensing that she doesn’t want to dwell, though, he rolls right off the topic. ]

They’re gone for now. If there’s anything else you wanna try... now’s our chance.

[worthit]

Always? That doesn't spell out a lot of hope for us, you know.

[ It's obviously a tease, since she's even smirking and raising an eyebrow with a playful challenge. ]

... Anything? ... Is there a garden somewhere here?

[catpunned]

[ The smirk is a good look on her. Adrien takes in stride, and is surprised, since he didn't really know what to expect, as far as how she would answer and what she'd come up with.

But it seems she's not quite out of ideas yet. ]

A garden, huh? ...I might have seen one on the way in.

[ ....... ]

Why?

[worthit]

[ Oh not by a long shot, Agreste. You'd better buckle in. ]

Well, it's just that there's something I've always wanted to do. Mother won't exactly let me, so...

[catpunned]

[ Is it legal? happens to be the first question that pops into his head, but he laughs it off, instead offering his hand again. ]

Okay. Let’s go.

[worthit]

[ He offers up his hand so casually that Rapunzel wonders if she should think anything of giving him hers, but ultimately she just takes the offered hand with an excited grin. ]

Okay!

[ Is she 18 or 16????

What they're doing is totally legal(!!!).

BUT it's still a rush because it's something Gothel has scolded her for. "It's uncouth, dear."

She doesn't care. Damn it she wants to feel the grass with her own bare skin. Just once! ]

[catpunned]

[ Adrien navigates his way out of the room, looking left and right constantly as he creates a path for them. They get more stares, but he doesn't stop long enough to hear any of their questions.

Once they're out, it's a lot easier.

He leads her to some stairs. ]

So what is it? Do you... [ he has no idea, so he's just going to bullshit ] want to make a bouquet or something?

I don't think we're actually allowed to pluck the flowers.

[ One or two might not hurt, though... ]