maude gothel.

It was a little hands-on for Evelyn the more she thought about it. She could fight but she was much better at subterfuge and getting others to do her dirty work for her. Hence the hypnosis. "Well, thank you, Maude. That might be the nicest compliment you've ever given me." They didn't come often. "I think if I were to try and take over, you'd only know when the masses started chanting my name." And by then, it would be too late.

"Well, personally, I believe that would be for the best." And she wasn't just saying that to stay on Evelyn's good side, either. She was clearly more competent than their weak spined mayor, and there were few better choices than Evelyn. There was herself, of course, but she didn't want to be in charge of a town she couldn't care less about. "As long as you promise to dismantle the ridiculous holiday parades."

~

Her annoyance was snuffed out, not entirely but enough, by the compliment. She might notice, upon closer inspection, that there was something a little familiar about Alexis... an air that followed her, something that made her stand out among the crowd. But Maude was a vain woman, and her focus quickly attached itself to the word glowing. "Have you ever been to Yubaba's Bathhouse? I do think it helps, a lovely stress reliever." And that was part of their deal, to funnel customers into the other's shop. "But, darling, let me tell you, you cannot opt out of the expensive products. Trust me, there is a reason the cheap lotions and facemasks are cheap."

Evelyn couldn't stop herself from laughing derisively at that, the idea of any of these people being able to fend for themselves or contribute meaningfully to society was laughable. "I'm sure most of them would forget to breath if they had to think about it." Maude had a very strong point, and she agreed wholeheartedly but also knew the issue with people like them wanting to rule, no single one would step aside to let someone else do it. "And who do you think the right on of us would be? I personally imagine we'd have to have some kind of Hunger Games style fight until one remained." And she, of course, would be betting on herself to win.

"You are probably correct." She made a face of disgust, her nose scrunching, envisioning the town turning into an all out battleground. "I would prefer not to be involved with that." Not because she didn't think she could handle herself. She wasn't a fan of gore, and she had not lived this long by taking risks. "I would rather keep my hands clean. But I'd happily root for you, dear, if you put your name in the hat."

Evelyn had to hold herself back from rolling her eyes at the faux concern for Maude's business. They both knew it was hardly legitimate. "It really could be. It's so unfortunate that people around here don't appreciate the need for something like that the way we do." And that it was frowned upon. Not that Evelyn believed Mason would actually be able to punish either of them properly but still.

"Most of them don't even stop to think about putting one foot in front of the other, much less what would be better for humanity." And by humanity, she meant her own annoyance. "Honestly... if this town was ran by someone like us, it would be a much more bearable place."

groaning , drizella took the screen of her phone and smacked it against her forehead a few times . as if she'd be able to rattle her brain enough to make sense of the bullshit being spewed at her in , apparently , all directions ; " nothing is easy with her , that's for fucking sure . "

"And you deserve that," Maude offered, believing Drizella to be smart enough to handle her own. She had a good head on her shoulders. She knew how to not get taken advantage of . . . something she would want for her own daughter, if it did not benefit her so greatly.

𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 : @nowimthebadguy !! 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: their kitchen

It wasn't abnormal to hear Rapunzel talk about strangers, her little social butterfly, but it was the name that halted her movements. Her hand resting on the oven handle, fingers wrapped tightly around it, channeling the anger that flashed across her face into her touch.

Maximus' vision went red for half a second, rooted to the spot with anger and anxiety as his breath shuddered in and out of him.

Her eyes narrowed, a flash of possessiveness showing itself in her expression before she smoothed it over. She didn't flinch as he moved closer, keeping her cool, but the smile on her face did not meet her eyes...

Maximus' vision went red for half a second, rooted to the spot with anger and anxiety as his breath shuddered in and out of him.

Her eyebrows lifted, feigned concern on her face and her tongue. "What ever do you mean?" She questioned, wondering just how far she could push him before he showed his true colors.

"Trigger it again and make it permanent this time." Evelyn agreed, not considering the fact that it had been random last time and there was no guarantee they wouldn't be the ones to disappear. "It would be nice...but nothing ever nice happens to us unless we do it ourselves."

"Absolutely. I would hate to lose customers..." As if she had more than a few, as if her business was legitimate. "But I think we should all be able to admit this town needs a cleansing. It really could be so beautiful."

preening like an appeased dove , rapunzel watched as her mother inhaled the perfume of the bushel of flowers her daughter had brought home , teeth eagerly finding the corner of her lower lip as she swallowed down a fit of childlike glee . " of course , mother , " the blonde mused , moving to step around the woman with her remaining bags weighing down her forearms filled with frivolous bits and bobs — art supplies , paintings of animals , candles , the works .

Placing the flowers on the counter with intent to find a vase for them later, she smiled in Rapunzel's direction, despite her being on the other side of a wall. "Are you sure I won't be interrupting any plans?" She questioned, knowing there was no way the blonde hadn't made friends yet ; she was the friendliest person Maude had ever met, which wasn't always a good thing.

drizella was pacing back and forth across the glinting floor of her adopted aunt's office , red-bottom heels clacking rhythmically with each progression of forward , then back , then forward , and then back again. charcoal gaze was glued in on the screen of her phone , fresh manicure tapping wildly a top the screen .

At Drizella's response, Maude's eyebrows lifted. She didn't reply for a moment, trying not to let her amusement show ; Drizella had been a spitfire for as long as she'd known her, she admired it. "I know it isn't what you want to hear," she began, "but I'm sure she only wants what is best for you. As a mother, sometimes it isn't easy to . . . make our true intentions known." Of course, if her true intentions were to be revealed, Rapunzel would surely go running for the hills ( again ) ; that was neither here nor there. She could imagine Madonna was not an easy woman to please.

closed: evelyn deavor & maude gothel ( @nowimthebadguy ) location: de la vigne

"It was far more peaceful without them," Maude agreed, a heavy sigh on her lips. "I do wish they would figure out what caused it... so perhaps we could trigger it again."

Max would usually consider himself pretty level-headed. All his life he'd been working towards one goal; Royal Guard of Corona. Meeting Flynn and Rapunzel had been a wrench in his best-laid plans, then losing her was another.

"Ah, you've spoken with her." It was more of a statement than a question. He would not be thrilled to know the relief it brought Maude, to know that a familiar face did not jog Rapunzel's memory.