Best. Day. Ever! (OPEN to whoever jumps in)

[blondie]

There were books upon books upon books upon books, and no way to choose just one. Rapunzel had spent the better part of an hour just finding a place to sit in the ginormous building. She tested each spot, lying flat on her back and staring up at the ceiling taking in the general aesthetics of the building from each vantage point, and in the end, she settled on a cozy space of open floor smack in the middle of the room. It was perfect. From there, she could look straight up to the fourth floor ceiling – which in her humble opinion, was desperately devoid of paintings, but still offered a pleasant view of the railings and floors above. Yep, it had to be that spot. The second story made the ceiling much lower everywhere else, and the open air reminded Rapunzel her new-found freedom.

After dubbing the spot hers, and moving around several reading chairs and desks to clear a satisfactory amount of floor space to accommodate both her and the books she planned to bring down, Rapunzel searched through the stacks, pulling out the books she wanted to read, returning to her little clearing multiple times, sometimes with piles of up to ten books in her arms. They had books on everything here! Knitting and world maps, famous artists and historical battles, French, German, Italian, cooking, dress making, Shakespeare, Doyle, Aristotle’s Astronomy… It was amazing! Fully encircled with a wide ring of stacked books, she’d hopped gleefully from one foot to another, clapping her hands thoroughly satisfied with the results of her search.

She could easily spend all day in here, all week even, she thought as she lay on her stomach, flipping through a particularly large atlas and pausing over a page of islands to examine the topography. They were largely sandy so it seemed. And to the west, in uncharted waters, there were apparently… dragons…? She shrugged and moved on. Whose to say dragons didn’t exist. After all, she had magic hair.

She pushed the atlas over to the other open books, which spread outward from her splayed body and hair like and amoeba, and pulled over a book on wax sculpture. The smile on her face widened. She kicked her bare feet up behind her and crossed her ankles, opening the cover to a whole new expanse of knowledge.

Best. Day. Ever.

[Deleted]

Beowulf needed some silence. He needed some peace and quiet and poetry to ease his mind. He had been feeling things lately and that was never a good thing. Beowulf was a Viking! If he had his own way none of the Vikings would be able to feel either. Then everyone would be fierce warriors and no one would have any feelings. Feelings were confusing and he did not like them. Not one bit.

So the library was where Beowulf turned because it was the closest he could find to a skald. He always turned to skalds back home when something was bothering him, but there were no skalds here so he had to head to the library. Besides, that was probably the only place where he wouldn’t think about Sunny. He dearly hoped he wouldn’t run into her here because that would completely defeat the point in coming to the library. She was the one causing all these unwanted feelings anyone. He had spent far too much time with her lately…even if it was completely enjoyable. That was still not the point!

This was complicated and he was feeling very put out. He was even more put out that some girl had had the audacity to move all of tables and chairs so she could lie in the middle of the floor. Oh yes, he was terribly put out, so he glared at the blonde girl. He did not appreciate this.

[blondie]

Rapunzel was in the middle of a page on the various ways to saute eggplants when a young man’s shadow fell across her book, prohibiting her from continuing. She pushed herself up onto her elbows, and raised her face to the newcomer inquisitively. Always on guard incase he made a flying leap for her hair. Just the thought made her nervously gather up the long strands into a heap beside her.

She’d entertained the thought of interacting with a man before, but she’d never actually had encounters with real ones until now. Did he have pointy teeth? Was he going to try to eat her? What was it about men that frightened Mother so much? Clearly their tempers were something less desirable, she thought, noting this man’s glare.

“Oh! Um... excuse me... You’re in my light,” she said when she could finally find her voice again, her intentions completely innocent, though it may not come across that way (she had no need or desire to make anyone angry so soon after getting to the school). It didn’t make her any less worried that he was far too silent for her taste. “Can I help you?”

[Deleted]

Beowulf hadn’t meant to stand in the girl’s light. He wasn’t even that tall so it was completely absurd that he was blocking her light. And how was she even reading all the those books at the same time. That was just stupid. And absurd. And really, how could someone have that much hair?! That was also absurd. All that hair must be very heavy and uncomfortable.

Though she was reading and though it didn’t appear to be poetry reading was nice, so he moved out of her light. But he did not apologize for it. Beowulf was not going to apologize to someone who he was rather put out at. She had rearranged all of the furniture and he did not appreciate it. At all.

And then she asked if she could help him. That was an absurd question if he had heard of any. She couldn’t help him. Not unless she could read Norse and that was unlikely. It seemed the only person around here who could read Norse was him. And the people around here had the audacity to call it Old Norse. As if it was that old. That was absurd. And so was this girl. So he said nothing and just glared at her because everything about her was absurd.

[blondie]

Alright, so he kept glaring. Rapunzel, now, was completely befuddled by the expression, and she sat upright, tucking her hair safely behind her and crossing her arms, brow furrowed. What had she done to cause such a reaction? Maybe he got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? It most likely wasn’t her fault, because they had just met -- well sort of -- and all she’d done was sit here and read.

Maybe it was an honest misunderstanding. Maybe he didn’t hear her? Maybe she’d said it too quietly (the concept of library etiquette was a bit beyond her comprehension yet since no one had explained it to her). She decided to repeat herself, but a bit louder this time, but not rudely so, or at least in her opinion, “Is there something I can do for you?” After all, if he didn’t hear her last time, she was only being helpful, right?

This guy was either deaf, mute, or very shy. Whatever the case, she was sure he wasn't ignoring her on purpose. Not with the way he kept staring at her. He hadn’t moved away from her circle of books, and his staring -- or rather glaring -- was getting to be quite intimidating. She dared not lower her eyes back to her book again. Just in case.

[Deleted]

Beowulf was in fact ignoring her on purpose because he thought she was absurd and stupid. And apparently he wasn’t quite making it clear that he was blatantly ignoring her. She obviously couldn’t take a hint which made her seem all the more stupid and absurd. If he needed to spell it out for her then he might as well not even talk to her. She obviously wasn’t worth the effort anyway.

He was having a very bad day and he hated everyone. And he really meant that. Every single person should feel the hate that radiated off him because it was aimed at everyone. Especially this girl who had moved everything around and had absurdly ridiculous long hair. Beowulf especially hated her right this very moment.

“No,” he told her shortly. Of course there wasn’t anything she could do for him unless she wanted to put everything back in order. Having order and organization was much better for the young Viking. He didn’t even know why he was still standing here. He should be looking for his poetry. “I am here to read.” And he certainly didn’t know why he was telling this girl anything either.

[blondie]

Oh good. He’s not deaf.

At this, Rapunzel perked up. Reading! That was something she understood. And she clung to it, considering that was all this guy was giving her. She loved reading -- her eyes roamed over the books which surrounded her, all different shapes and sizes, and smiled to herself and her light green eyes lit up. Reading was something they had in common! Straightening out her skirt, she stood up enthusiastically in her little circle of books.

“Well, what are you here to read?” she asked, genuinely curious. Part of her was concerned that she already had his book on the floor with her, and that maybe if he told her, she could make sure she wasn’t keeping it from him. Knowledge was meant to be shared, not hoarded or kept away from people. She mentally noted to use that argument against her Mother sometime... if she ever saw her again. The guilt bubbled back into her mind, but she ignored it. Nothing to be done about it now.

Instead, she redirected her attentions to the person in front of her, “I might have the book here.” She gestured to the books around her, “And if not, I can certainly help you look for it.”

She suddenly felt excited all over again about the newness of the school. The unfamiliar faces for her to learn, the different facets of the human mind! Oh it was all so fascinating!

“My name is Rapunzel!” she greeted him. Obviously waiting for something said in return.

[Deleted]

Beowulf did not appreciate this girl making such a big fuss over reading. It might be terribly common here, but it was not common back in Geatland. It wasn’t even common to be able to write in Geatland. Beowulf had just been lucky. Being the nephew of the king and a prince in his own right had certainly paid off. But he had always much preferred to hear stories read aloud by the skalds. There were no skalds here unfortunately. In many ways this place was far too medieval for the Viking. Anyway, the point was that Beowulf didn’t understand this little blonde thing’s enthusiasm, nor did he appreciate it.

Beowulf snorted, actually snorted at the little blonde girl when she suggested that she might have it. That was highly unlikely unless she could read Norse. And as it turned out, no one here besides himself could read Norse. Or speak it for that matter. And as for finding it, Beowulf already knew where it was because Door had pointed it out for him. He didn’t need absurd little blonde things with hair that was longer than a ship’s breadth to help him. He was a Viking. He needed no help.

“Norse poetry,” he told her shortly. “I can find it.” He was being short with her, to the point, but he’d never been one for tact. Vikings were hardly about to beat around the bush and Beowulf was no exception. But when she offered her name, if you could even call it that (clearly she was no Geat or anything close to it), he supposed he might as well give her his. So he nodded once at her. “Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow.”

[blondie]

“Beowulf?” Yeah, that was a giggle of amusement which she quickly covered with her hand. His name sounded like a very complicated sort of dog bark, but it was rude to make fun. Instead, she redirected her attention.

“Norse poetry...” Rapunzel repeated, musing to herself. Now was this poetry by a guy named Norse? Or was it some sort of era of poetry? She wasn’t very savvy with writings (or even places) outside of Corona. That’s why she was in the library. She was very aware of this severe lack of knowledge, and she was working on it. The word ‘Norse’ sounded particularly fascinating, but never would have thought to connect it to the Anglo-Saxons (is she’d even known who they were).

Regardless, she returned, “Well it certainly sounds interesting. How does it read? Does it tell stories?” Those were her favorite.

“Or maybe it’s more emotional, by nature?” she rocked back and forth on the balls of her bare feet, her wide eyes brimming with the possibilities in her head.

“Clearly it is something you’re passionate about!” If not, then why was such a stoic young man planning to diligently search it out? “Tell me about it!”

If anything could save her overly-exuberant personality from grating on people’s nerves, it was her completely disarming honesty. When Rapunzel was this enthused about something, it was very clear that she was not just poking fun. There was only pure naivety written across her face.

[Deleted]

She was laughing at him. She was laughing at him. Beowulf was very put out at this. Here he was a Viking who could probably rip her scrawny little arm from her body and she was laughing at him. He glared at her all the more.

And Beowulf did not appreciate all of the excitement and enthusiasm she was showing. It was obvious that she had never heard of Norse poetry, but then again most people hadn’t. And if they had they called it Ancient, which was clearly as absurd as this little girl in front of him who asked far too many questions. Well, he would not tell her all about it. He was loath to even talk to her anymore. She was far too excitable and Beowulf just wanted some peace and quiet to sit alone and read poetry written by someone who spoke and read Norse. Was that really too much to ask for?

Apparently it was. And Beowulf was too proud a man to let this Rapunzel girl be completely ignorant about Viking culture. “It tells stories about the gods and wars against the Anglo-Saxons. Or anyone else the Vikings conquer.” And he was not passionate about it. He would leave that to the skalds or whatever scribe wrote down the poems. He just liked to read the poetry to clear his head and give him a better sense of the world. He was a Viking, but sometimes in this world he had to be reminded of what that meant.

[blondie]

Okay, Rapunzel was well learned in the literary respect, but there were a lot of words in that sentence which she couldn’t comprehend. Her mother let her nowhere near historical works. Anything that would give her a view into the world that she was missing was clearly off-limits. Rapunzel squinched up her nose, knowing full well that she was probably pushing this poor, solitary guy to his limits of socializing…. Buuuuuut, she had to ask anyway.

“Anglo-Saxophones?” she asked, with her oh-so wide eyes, and obviously naïve demeanor. She knew “vikings,” or she’d at least heard the term before…. Maybe? Her mother might have mentioned them along with the term, “ruffian” or “thug.” She gripped her hair protectively, her eyes (if it was possible) got even bigger.

She would ask, just to be sure. What was the harm? “Vikings? Aren’t they like…. Ruffians?” Nervously, she wiggled her feet and bit her lip.

[Deleted]

She didn’t know what an Anglo-Saxon was. Well good. No one liked them anyway. They were absurd little people living on an absurd little island off by themselves, thinking that no one could possibly conquer them. Oh no, they were too far away for anyone to even think about raiding them. Ha! As if they were too far away for the Vikings to get to them. Stupid, absurd little people.

“Anglo-Saxons,” he corrected gruffly, because he hated them. They always thought they were better than anyone, which of course was absurd. Vikings were far better. They were much more ferocious in battle, and they didn’t rely on silly weapons. They were fierce, unlike the weak Anglo-Saxons who relied so heavily on horses and armor that they could hardly use their weapons properly.

And then this little Rapunzel girl went and called Vikings ruffians?! How dare she! The ignorant little blonde thing! Beowulf puffed out his chest and glared down at her fiercely. “Vikings are brave warriors. They are a brave people who fight for what is rightfully theirs. And Vikings rule the sea. Beware the day you cross a Viking,” he told her menacingly. Now she’d think before she spoke ill of Vikings again.