Two New Faces and I am SO EXCITED Right Now!!

~Rapunzel
This morning, Tangled Fan brought in a box and set it on her bed before yelling and hurrying out the door again.  I had the perfect view of the box from my side of the table, and I wanted to investigate.  Unfortunately, nobody else was as enthused as I was, and nobody jumped up and yelled, 'we need to go check that box out now!!'.  Finally, after an hour of unbearable curiosity, I spoke up.
"Guys, why don't we check out the box over there?" I stood and waited to be noticed.
Which never happened.
Literally everyone ignored me.
So I went over to each individual and asked, even Punzie, who just rolled her eyes and grumbled about the possibility that more dolls were here now.
When I had gathered a group --Anna, Hans, and Zelia-- I popped my head over to Eugene's side, smiling when I saw him stand the second he saw me.
"Cmon, do you want to go see the mystery package?" I joked, trying to make it sound intriguing.
He nodded and gave me that grin of his, and soon, our little bunch was on the floor and headed to the bed.

It didn't take long to get over there, and we soon met...

Belle...

                                                               And Beast/Raymond/Ray. 


I was slightly terrified of Beast, but I tried to keep it hidden.  How rude would THAT be??  Plus, my shyness kicked in, and I wanted to go back to my side of the table the second Belle glanced my way.  Even more so when Beast STARED at me.  I didn't mean to, but I ended up reaching for Eugene...and then I realized that he was hanging back a little ways behind me, his face worried as he looked over the both of them.
"Are you shy, too?" I whispered, and he nodded before trying to smile at the newcomers.  Zelia was greeting them, albeit a bit rudely, but that was Zelia for you.

We all started back, and not a word was spoken.  I hung back, feeling quite out of place.  I wanted to talk to them, even though Beast--er...Ray...-gave me the willies, but I just couldn't get myself to speak up.  Eugene did, however, and started talking to both of them.  He periodically glanced back at me, so I finally gave in and helped tell them about the other dolls in our group.
I couldn't believe how perfect Belle acted.  With gorgeous brown hair and huge doe eyes, she was beautiful.  She walked with grace to spare, and spoke eloquently, with a very faint French accent.
Ray, on the other hand, spoke not a word, and acted like he couldn't see or hear well.

When we got to the bins under the table, Ray motioned frantically to Belle, rushing aside.  We paused, watching, as she went over and STARTED TO PULL HIS HEAD OFF!

We all froze in our tracks.  Anna squeaked and ducked behind her husband, still watching over his shoulder.
I wanted to scream, but knew it was rude and inappropriate of me, so I reached to clutch Zelia's arm.
She wasn't there...she was scrambling to climb the trash bag, clearly fascinated by the whole morbid thing.
When the head came off, it revealed a fairly handsome, ginger-haired and blue eyed human version of Beast, and the coat slipped off to reveal human hands.

 

After that, everyone was abuzz.  Ray was very much NOT abuzz, and just wanted to be left alone...so we obliged.  Anna and Hans went back, but Zelia, Eugene, and I stuck around on the floor.  I hung back, and Zelia spent her time staring at Ray.  Hmm. 

And Eugene and Belle seemed to be hitting it off very well.  He was talking to her, and she was smiling, laughing, and gazing into his eyes --even though he kept dropping his gaze away, for some reason.  The both of them made a pretty cute couple, actually, and I had to smile.
Yeah, I know what you're thinking.  Why am I not mad because they're both hitting it off so well, when just yesterday, I was saying about how I had a thing for Eugene??
Well, dear readers, that is because I know I don't stand a chance, he is out of my league, and they are absolutely adorable together.  I mean, just look at them!!!

I turned my attention to Ray for a moment or two, and caught him staring at me.  When our eyes met, he abruptly gave me a LOOK and turned his back.
Alrighty then.
I looked at Zelia and nudged her with my elbow, redirecting her gaze from Ray to Eugene and Belle.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Probably not, Hopeless Romantic," Zelia said dryly.
"Wedding bells for those two, sometime in the future.  He's quite taken and I think it's mutual," I explained.
"Hmmph," Zelia rolled her eyes and stalked off, leaving me completely alone.

Yay me, right?
So I tried to gather the courage to talk to Ray, thinking that maybe, he was feeling left out too.
He fairly growled at me, and I quickly backed off.
Looks like there's no chance of me befriending anyone in THIS group, either!
I don't know why I hung back, maybe because I thought Zelia would come back around.  Regardless, I did...and eventually, Zelia did.  Eugene noticed her, and quickly cornered her, requesting something of her.    She nodded, and then Eugene headed my way.  Zelia went instead to go talk to Belle and Ray.

Eugene gave me that special grin of his and put his hand on my shoulder, so I couldn't help but smile back.
"Hey, little miss wallflower," he teased.
"Hmm...says the guy who was hiding behind me earlier!" I threw back, and his grin broadened into a smile.
"You got me.  But for the record, you're the prettiest wallflower in existence, I'm fairly certain."
I giggled.  "Somehow, I sincerely doubt that..."

"Well, you shouldn't." he slipped his arm around me, pulling me close with an adorable grin.  I was beyond surprised, especially since Belle was looking right at us.
Oh no.  He wasn't going to use me like Flynn did.  Was he??
At that, I quickly slipped away, and as soon as that happy mood had appeared, it was replaced with uncertainty.  Without an explanation, I tried to hurry back to the table.  When he followed me and asked if I was okay, I said I had forgotten Pascal up there, even though he was on my shoulder. 
"He's..."
"I just..I'll talk to you later.  I'm not feeling too hot right now."  I felt bad lying, but I DIDN'T necessarily feel the best, anyway.  My stomach twisted just at the thought of him trying to use me to get Belle's attention.  He started to follow me, but I told him he didn't have to and that he needed to help Zelia out.

The rest of the day came and went.  I was silent in my corner for the majority of the time, thoughts tumbling through my mind in waves of confusion.  Waves?  Maybe HURRICANES of confusion would be the more suitable term.  I didn't care that Belle likes him, I just had not taken him for the using kind.

When I wasn't totally silent and buried inside my thoughts, Belle and I talked.  She was a really, really nice girl, and I almost hope we can become friends..but I have learned to hope for things cautiously.

Well, night fell, and I, of course, went to sleep, curled up in my corner with Pascal.  I had given Belle my blanket, since we were one blanket short, and so I was freezing cold in my thin little nightie.  Of COURSE tonight would be in the  low thirties!  It's May, for goodness' sake.  Why is it this cold??  Tangled Fan has the heat on, but it's still pretty chilly without a blanket and a sleeveless, short-ish, lightweight dress as your nightie!
My slumber was disturbed by...Eugene.  He gently shook me awake, and even though it was dark, I could still see the glimmer of excitement in his eyes.
What on earth...
I rubbed my eyes, trying to keep up with what he was saying.
"...get your blanket and your buddy, and let's go,"
"Wh...where?  My hair is a mess and I'm in my nightie..." I mumbled.
"Don't worry bout that, just come on," he scooped Pascal up and then helped me to my feet before feeling for a blanket.
"I gave it to Belle...we were one blanket short," I whispered, and he nodded.
"Oh, wow, it's no wonder why your arms are so cold, then," he took my hand and led me to his side of the table, ducking behind the cutout and snagging his blanket.  Next, he led me to the far side of the windowsill, and then draped the blanket over my shoulders.
"There... And here we are,"
I could see his face better..and then I realized.
Windowsill.
Night.
Stars!
I gasped and looked up, not disappointed by the crystal clear night.  The stars looked like tiny, precious gems that had been scattered across blue-black velvet.
I couldn't remove the smile from my face as I turned to look at Eugene. I wanted to say so much, but I couldn't get a single word out.
"I noticed it was a clear night, and knew you would like to stargaze," he shrugged, smiling.
I just wordlessly grabbed him into a tight hug, so quickly that the blanket slid off of my shoulders.  He chuckled and held me close for a minute, and almost seemed reluctant to let me go.  I didn't consider that at the time, I just was so excited about the stars.  He sat down I'm the corner, and I started to sit on the opposite corner, but he made a grumble of disapproval.
"Hey...you can come over here if ya want, you know,"
I didn't hesitate, and I snagged the blanket I had dropped as I came back over.
"Lean forward," I asked him.  I was going to give the blanket back, but he shook his head. 
"No, you need it--"
"We'll share.  It's chilly," I gave him a grin, and he chuckled. 
"Alright, fine..." he pretended to be exasperated as I reached to drape the blanket around his shoulders, minding Pascal on his shoulder opposite me.  When it didn't quite reach as far as I thought it would, he pulled me closer.  I held onto my corner and he held onto his, and we both just fell silent for awhile, just looking up at the stars.   
I wanted to ask him about Belle, because based off of his response to that, I could probably deduce whether or not he was going to use me.  I know it's stupid of me to worry about him using me, because quite frankly, I don't think he has it in him to use anyone, but you never know, right?  And I prefer to be safe rather than sorry. 
After awhile, though, I couldn't stand my curiosity any longer.  "So...what do you think about Belle and Ray?"
"Ray seems pretty...distant, but maybe he just needs time to settle in.  Belle's nice, though...what about you?" 
Well, that didn't really help much of anything.  'She's nice'....that could mean anything! 
"I think the same about Ray, I guess.  He's...I don't know.  He fairly growled at me when I tried to talk to him earlier today.  And Belle's just perfect in every way.  She's beautiful, and elegant, and is so eloquent.  I wish I could be a tenth of the doll that she is!"  I blurted. 
"Well...I don't," he said quietly.  I looked away from the sky, and saw he wasn't looking out the window..he was looking at ME. 
"What?" 
"I think you're perfect just the way you are.  You're beautiful, and sweet, and you're unique.  If you were like Belle, you would be like the majority of the Disney merchandise population.  I think your little quirks are great, actually.  Belle's nice and all, but she's just like the rest of 'em."
"Really?  And here I thought you and Belle were going to end up getting married and you guys looked really cute togeth--"
CRUMBS. 
I didn't just let that one slip, did I??
Crud, crud, crud...I did...
"Wait.  So that's why you ran off today?"  he turned towards me as best as he could and gave me a worried expression. 
"I-I...It's stupid but...I thought that when you were talking with her, you both seemed really happy and I thought you would make a cute couple, and you two seemed to hit it off really, really well, and I was happy --I mean, I'm not a horrible individual, I want to see you happy!  And then you came over and you were being nice to me, too, and stuff, and  I just all of a sudden started worrying about if you would use me like Flynn did, and I know it's stupid, but I just panicked and I left.  It's stupid..."
"No...it's understandable.  I should've gone after you, but I thought maybe you wanted some time alone.  I'm sorry.  No...I wasn't even really enjoying myself.  The whole time, I was thinking about you, to be honest.  She's nice, but definitely not viewed as a future mate.  More like an acquaintance.  I love you,"
I sucked in a breath.  Well, had I ever been wrong.  "...Oh."
He chuckled.  "It isn't too soon, is it--"
"No," I smiled, and he reached to kiss my forehead.  I fell silent for a few more minutes, watching him even though his face wasn't turned towards me.  Finally, I spoke up.  "I know it's dumb also, but you'll never use me in any way, right?  I-I just need to hear you tell me..."
"It's okay.  I promise I would never even think about doing such a thing to you...here.  I'll even shake on it," he held his pinky finger out to me, and I giggled.
"That's silly...you don't have--"
"Oh, c'mon,..." he waggled his eyebrows, never breaking eye contact, and I rolled my eyes, trying and failing to not laugh. 
"Fine," I dropped my corner of the blanket and linked my little finger with his, and then he laced the rest of his fingers with mine.

We just sat together and stared at the sky for a good while.  Eventually, I got comfortable enough to rest my head up against his shoulder, still watching the sky, and within minutes of doing so, he cocked his head and looked at my face, blocking my view of the sky.
"What?"  I asked, quirking a brow.
"Oh, you're awake.  The way you leaned up against me there, I thought you fell asleep or something," he gave me a gentle smile.
"Oh -- I'll move-" I started to do exactly that, but he tightened his arm around me and shook his head.
"Nah, you're fine," he said, so I slipped my arms around him and we stayed there for a little while longer.

I don't even know what time it was when we went to go to the table.  All I knew was that I was reluctant to go back, and I had a bone to pick with Eugene.  I was just really terrified to tell him, and I would have preferred to wait a little longer, but I just needed to tell him and get it off my chest.
When we went back to his side of the table, he followed me to the divider.
"Well, I'll see you," he smiled and put his hands on my shoulders.
"Okay," I gulped, trying to calm my nerves.  I had to say it....I had to say it..I had to say ittt!!!  "Oh!  Here's your blanket back."
No, that is not what I wanted to tell him.
"No, you take it with you.  You have a lot less to wear for bed than I do, and I can move my bed away from the window if need be," he smiled, pushing the blanket back towards me instead of taking it from my arms.
"Well..."
"Yes, you will take it with you.   No ifs, ands, or buts."
I grinned.  "Thanks.."
"Okay.  Night," he said, ducking to kiss my cheek.  With that, he turned to go.
Tell him...tell him!!!!!
"Hey, um..."
He swung back around to look at me curiously.  "What?"
"I-I...love you.  Night,"  I turned on my heel to leave, embarrassed from telling him, but he reached out and caught my arm, chuckling.
"That's nothing to be embarrassed about, sweet girl.  Love you, too,"
I looked up at his face, which held a really funny expression.  He was obviously beyond excited, but he didn't seem to be surprised to hear it.  But then he impulsively grabbed me into a really tight hug....slightly tighter than I thought necessary for me just saying a simple 'I love you', but oh well.  Maybe I had given a less-than-enthused reaction to his confession.  But regardless, I hugged him back and then went back to my side of the table, curling up in the corner with Pascal and trying to fall asleep quickly, before it could sink in that  EUGENE LOVES ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  
Maaaybe I am a bit too excited now... =]