#eugene f

Cassandra teleported onto the balcony and looked through the window. Nothing much changed in the house. All the people still looked the same. They all sat at the table in the room that was Lance's bedroom. Eugene must have returned from work not long ago because he was wearing his police uniform.

Cassandra quickly murmured a spell to be able to hear their conversation better, hoping that it would be something of significance.

'That's crazy that Adira came in the middle of the night and I never heard anything.' Lance sighed.

'Well, I suppose you do sleep in the other room a lot now...' Eugene shrugged. 'But more importantly, what are we going to do now? This battle will be much more difficult.'

'Isn't Elsa just a ghost?' Lance frowned. 'Like, what can she do? Jump scare us?'

'Oh, Lance, you weren't with us when we were fighting my mother all those years ago.' Rapunzel shook her head. 'It took a whole crew from the Windenburg Inn and a few vampires to beat her. And a couple of sages, too.'

'And I died!' Eugene made a dramatic gesture and chuckled.

'What?!' Lance sat up straight on his chair, his eyes darting between Eugene's and Rapunzel's faces. He was not sure what question to ask first. 'What do you mean you died?!'

'It's a long story, man.' Eugene shook his head. 'But what's important is that that woman is no joke. We need to be ready for this battle or it will end really badly this time. How's your magical training going, dear?'

'Well, everyone's saying that I'm doing well. But is it enough? I will obviously continue to practise as much as possible. And I suppose I could visit the market in the Realm and possibly prepare the potions. Just in case.'

'Better safe than sorry. That potion helped immensely the last time.' Eugene nodded.

'Is there anything you need from me?' Lance asked. 'Anything I can help with?'

'Just stay brave, Lance.' Rapunzel smiled lightly. 'And be prepared to make some difficult choices if need be. We don't know what to expect from Elsa. What sort of powers she has now. And how Cassandra is mixed into the whole thing.'

'We don't know what sort of sacrifices we'll need to make.' Eugene added.

Cassandra took in a deep breath. What she'd just overheard shook her to her core, but she knew she couldn't let fear get to her.

'The table's ready.' Rapunzel announced, having entered her bedroom. Eugene smiled at her brightly. 'The dinner will be ready in the evening.'

'That's great, honey.' The man approached his girlfriend. 'You know, I've been thinking. Since it's Kiera's and Catalina's first Christmas dinner with some sort of family. I thought maybe we could take them out. Entertain them.'

'Do you have anything specific in mind?'

'Well, yes. I've been thinking about ice-skating. Lance will be thrilled to teach the girls something. And I know you love it.' Eugene smiled lightly.

'Oh, this is so sweet, Eugene. But you know that we can't really take them anywhere.' Rapunzel looked upset. 'You know that they are officially still missing from the orphanage.'

'I know that, darling. But I thought... maybe... you could use a spell or two?' Eugene looked at his girlfriend with his iconic smolder plastered on his face.

Rapunzel couldn't say no to that. She smirked, feeling weak in the knees.

‘Um... Not to sound rude or anything... but how long have you been doing this?’ Cassandra frowned.

Rapunzel and Eugene have just sat down at the table with Adira but something just seemed wrong. Something about Adira was off.

‘Long enough to know what I’m doing, Short Hair.’ Adira gave her a small smile as a response. ‘Now, please take a seat. You and Earrings are not requited here. This prophecy is only for Rapunzel and Fish Skin.’

‘Fish Skin?’ Eugene muttered under his breath. ‘What the-’ he gave Adira a puzzled look but the woman just ignored him completely.

Meanwhile, Cassandra and Lance followed her order and took a seat nearby. Cassandra still felt anxious and distrustful about the whole thing but what could she do. If Rapunzel thought it was a good idea, Cassandra wasn’t the one to argue with her reasoning.

‘Rapunzel, you must know that the knowledge of one’s future bears great risks with it.’ Adira turned to the girl. ‘It might be dangerous to you and your friends. Do you wish for me to continue?’

Rapunzel looked at Eugene for a brief moment and then back at the Voodoo Queen.