Tangled Luck Ch 6

Sometimes you need to just stop fighting Fate and let it do its thing.  Other times, you need to throw Fate out the window and do your own thing.  You also need to pray that luck will be on your side for once.

Chapter 6 – Looking for a Lucky Encounter

The sun was setting.  The photo shoot ended at 5:30, but Rapunzel had lied to her aunt, telling her she had errands to do before all the stores closed.  Rapunzel hurried back to Music's Dream as quickly as she could, but Eugene wasn't there.  She only saw Mr. Hook.
"What am I doing," she asked herself again, smacking her head (and scaring other pedestrians).  "Why do I want to see him?"  He was just some random guy she met from a freak incident.  He couldn't possibly be anything else.  So why was Rapunzel trying so hard to change that?
Killer Sewing and Craft Supplies was still open, so Rapunzel went across the street.  She really hadn't sewn anything in awhile and she liked making her own clothes and crafts.  Inside, Rapunzel went to the back where the pattern books were kept and flipped through a few.  As she looked, she found herself in the costume section and on the exact page for Disney princess costumes.
She couldn't ever get away from anything fairytale related, could she?
Rapunzel wound up picking a pattern for a stuffed animal.  It was a chameleon.  She only needed a little, so she went to the remnants bin and picked a green paisley patterned bundle and then picked up a pair of black buttons.  She bought her supplies and left.
It was 6:15.  
Rapunzel didn't want to go home.
Rapunzel took a bus to the town center.  She liked the more traditional city look of New Sonnenburg's city center.  It was far more inviting than the upscale downtown, full of its old shops mixed with hipster pop ups and expensive big name stores.  There was too much clashing of opinions and pop culture.  The city center had more of a college town feel to it.  No big businesses, only small shops and mom 'n' pop places.  Rapunzel got off the bus and walked a block up the street to her favorite restaurant, The Snuggly Duckling.
It was an odd name for a place of business, but it was a quaint, homely, family owned place and she was hungry.  Inside, Rapunzel was greeted by a server and seated.  She was handed a menu, but she really didn't need it.  Rapunzel always got the same thing.  She asked for water and then looked at the menu, just to see if maybe she'd change her mind.  She didn't.
In about ten minutes Rapunzel had her plate of cheesy chicken alfredo and wheat bread.  She ate it slowly, wanting to kill as much time as possible.  She really, really did not want to go home.
After the photo shoot was done, Aunt Donna started talking up one of the photographers.  She was flirting with him hard, practically throwing herself on him.  Then man wasn't resisting much and asked Donna if she'd like to go out.
"Oh, but I have my niece to take care of.  Flower?  Are you okay going home by yourself?  Or do you want me to take you home?  I don't want you doing anything you're not comfortable with."
"No, it's fine Aunt Donna, I actually have some errands to run."  Aunt Donna smiled at Rapunzel.
"There's my big girl."  Aunt Donna left, clinging to the arm of the photographer.
Rapunzel didn't want to go home because she would find either one of two things: nothing, or her aunt and her latest victim in bed.  It would just be better to stay out as long as possible.
She finished her dinner and paid the bill.  She then wandered over the computer counter.  About a year ago, the proprietors of The Snuggly Ducking finally bowed to the demand for technology and put in five computers with internet.  Rapunzel got on and checked her e-mail (nothing new, she had a 30% off coupon from Barnes and Noble) her Facebook (Pascal posted a picture of his latest hair color: electric blue) and her deviant art account.  She scrolled down to all the people who had faved her work and deleted it all.  She always had 100+ people either fav her and/or watch her every day.  It made her happy that people liked her art, but it was such a hassle to deal with so much activity.  She closed out of the internet browser, then opened it up again.  She went to Google and clicked on maps.  She pulled out the piece of paper Eugene had given her earlier and typed out the name and address.  Vlad's, 5050 Roving Road .
Vald's was in the same vicinity as Flynnigan's Tower of Books bookstore.  And it was perpendicular to the street The Snuggly Duckling was on.
"You mean I'm just three blocks from Eugene?"  Rapunzel could hardly believe it.  Was the universe trying to tell her something?  She looked down at the computer's clock in the bottom right hand corner.  It was almost eight.  Eugene had said it was a night job.  Just what was Vald's?  She clicked on info for the place.  Vlad's was a bar.  "He works at a bar?"  Now Rapunzel was having second thoughts about going.  But if Eugene was there, he'd keep her safe.  
Right?
"I've already seen him once today.  Do I really need to see him again?"  Rapunzel weighed her options.  "…I don't want to go home..."
She closed out of the browser again and gathered up her stuff.  She went back into the chilly air and walked up the corner to Vlad's.
It was a cold walk there; Rapunzel was almost frozen when she got to the front.  There were two signs for Vlad's.  One that said 'Vlad's' and another on the door that read: 'Bronies only.  (Pegasisters and other paying customers welcome too.)
"Bronies?"  The word had a familiarity to it, like Pascal had mentioned it or something.
Rapunzel took a deep breath.
"I am crazy."  She opened the door and stepped inside.
There was a bell that rang her entrance.
Are you kidding me?
"Welcome to Vla- Rapunzel?"  Eugene was standing behind the bar, a beer mug in his hand, the other hand on the tap.  He wore a black t-shirt (a tight black t-shirt) that said 'Vlad's' and had a….unicorn on it….what?  Behind the bar was a hulking man, with his back to the door, dressed just like Eugene.  He had to stoop, because the ceiling was too low for him.
Is everyone he associates with just super-sized?
Rapunzel gave a wave to Eugene.
"You told me to swing by sometime and I was in the area.  So, ergo…right?"
"Well, don't just stand there like an unwelcomed guest.  Pull up a bar stool."  Eugene banged his hand on the bar, gesturing to a stool by him.  Rapunzel walked over and sat down.  The hulking man turned around.  He was just as unappealing to look at as Mr. Hook: he had a broad face, his brow came down in a frown and moved into a very large, flat nose.  He had wide, elongated lips, like Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones.  He sort of looked like he ran into a wall.  If Rapunzel had to describe an ogre, he'd be it.
It's another one of the people in Eugene's photos.
"Eugene," he said, in a deep, grating, rough voice, "the guy at table five wants his beer."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm going.  I'll be right back, Blondie."  Eugene left the bar.  Rapunzel followed him out and saw the decorations of the establishment.
On every available surface were posters of colorful ponies with big anime eyes.  Pink, blue, green, white, pegasus, unicorn, alicorn: everywhere!  Mostly, six ponies kept being repeated: a purple unicorn, a white unicorn, a blue pegasus, a yellow pegasus, a pink pony, and an orange pony.  There was one large poster full of ponies and other creatures with a pink logo in the corner.  On the wall right across from the bar were four pictures of women, all with signatures.  Rapunzel's jaw dropped a little.
"Oh, my, god, it's a My Little Pony bar."
"That it is," said the big guy proudly.  "I'm the proprietor, Vlad Kiel."  He stuck out a hand to Rapunzel.  One of his fingers was as long as her own hand.  "You a friend of Eugene's?"  Rapunzel nodded.  "Clever idea, isn't it?"  Vlad spread his arms out to his bar.
"Uh, yes, very clever."
"Yeah, you wanna know where I got the idea?"
Not really, but you're probably going to tell me anyway.
"My sister and her husband and their kid had to move in with me, which is actually a pretty good idea in this economy.  Anyway, I'm the only one home during the day to watch my niece and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is her favorite show.  After a few weeks, I realized how great of a show it is."
"Vlad, are you boring her?"  Eugene had come back.  He passed by Vlad and grabbed another mug and began to fill it up with beer.
"I am not.  She's completely enthralled."
"Uh-huh, yeah, I'll give you the short version.  Vlad discovered ponies, his bar was suffering, decided he needed a theme and made it bronies only and has been successful since.  The end."
"You leave all the excitement out of it."  Eugene rolled his eyes as he passed by Vlad with another mug of beer.  Rapunzel eye's followed him to a table in the corner.  As he was coming back, the door opened again and in walked a couple.
"Garçon, you're your finest table, please!"
"Hey, Jeff, Raven, nice to see you," said Eugene as he walked by.
"Hey, Eugene," said the man.
Rapunzel's jaw dropped.  Not because the man was incredibly ugly (she'd already seen him in another of Eugene's photos, the one where they were all wearing tuxes; he was just as ugly up close) but because of the woman who came in with the man.  She was drop dead gorgeous.  Tall, shapely legs, narrow waist, perfect hips, round bosom, long dark brown hair, dark skin.  She had light, almost amber colored eyes.  Her features were smooth: small nose, delicate eyebrows, little definition to her cheeks, fleshy lips, rounded chin.  She looked like a Mediterranean goddess and she was hanging off the arm of such a hideous man.
"Take a seat you two."  Eugene pointed next to Rapunzel.  "This is the girl I saved a while back."
"So you're that girl," said the ugly man.  God, his voice sounded so dorky.  It cracked at all the wrong intervals.
"Did you tell everyone you saved my life," Rapunzel asked Eugene, a little mad at him.  It sounded like he enjoyed telling the story of her rescue.
"Only the people I know.  Had to cause of the bandage."  Rapunzel supposed he had a point there.  "By the way, these two are Jeffery Big and his wife Raven Big."
Wife?!  So it was his wedding they were celebrating.  Raven gave her hand to Rapunzel and then sat down next to her.  Jeff sat on the other side.
"Personally, I think it's incredibly romantic that Eugene risked his own life to save you," she said.  "He didn't even have concern for himself, such a hero."  Raven put her hand over her heart and fluttered her eye lashes.
"Careful with this one, Blondie, she'll spread stories."
"Your name's Rapunzel, right?  Like the fairytale," Jeff asked.  Rapunzel nodded her head.  "Cute.  Goes with the hair."  Eugene got a glass of beer for Jeff and a glass of wine for Raven.  As he handed it to her, he asked:
"Should you be out on a school night?"
"The kids won't notice if I'm hung over."  Raven leaned over to Rapunzel.  "I'm a kindergarten teacher."
"Ah, then I wouldn't with hold alcohol from you."
"I like this girl; can she be my new bartender?"  Eugene shook his head.
"No.  You want anything to drink, Blondie?"
"You know I'm underage."
"We have stuff other than beer."
"Water is fine."
"Water it is."  Eugene set a glass in front of Rapunzel, then left to get something from the kitchen.  He walked out with a round tray of food.
"So, what do you do," Raven asked Rapunzel, as she turned her back on her husband and propped an arm up on the bar counter, resting her chin in the palm of her hand.
"I'm a student at Kingdom County Community College."
"That's where Eugene goes.  And you never saw him before he rescued you?"
"It's a big campus."
"Mm."  Raven took a draft of wine.  "What are you studying?"
"Art, mostly.  I'm taking math and psychology."
"Oh, my husband had to take that to get his degree.  Didn't you, honey?  Psychology."
"Oh, yeah.  I'm a marriage councilor.  I believe that all relationships can be fixed.  That love connection doesn't just die.  It's still there, deep inside."
"He's such a romantic."  Raven patted Jeff's face.
"Yeah, you might not believe this, Rapunzel," Eugene said as he came back from serving his food, "but these two are a real 'love at first sight' couple."
"Oh, sure" Jeff said, "it was love at first sight, alright, right after she helped me clean the pepper spray out of my eyes," Jeff chuckled.  Raven turned to Rapunzel.
"He fell on me during a subway ride.  The train had stopped, then suddenly started again.  He wasn't prepared for the lurch and fell right on top of me."
"My face found her chest."
"I felt so bad about it.  Instinctual reaction, you know, pepper spray.  I took him out to dinner to apologize and, we just clicked."
"Wow, that's…that's something else."  It was a ridiculous story is what it was.  Something straight out of a romantic comedy, or modern day fairytale.  Could she never get away from that theme?
"I know, but the way you two met is so much better," Raven was saying.  "You even had the rain to make the whole scene complete."
What was she suggesting?
Eugene knew.
"Okay, Raven, leave off.  You've asked her enough questions."  Raven only shrugged and took another swig of wine.
Rapunzel mainly listened to the conversations that Eugene and his friends were having.  She didn't have much to say and she was enjoying just listening to Eugene talk.  Eventually, they got talking about the newest episode of My Little Pony with Vlad.
"I actually just saw it yesterday.  We were out Saturday and we had to record it.  Then my niece had a dance recital Sunday and school on Monday.  What'd you think of Pinkie Pie's new song?"
"I liked it.  It's one of her more catchy ones.  The tune though sounded like something I've heard somewhere before," Jeff was saying.
"I know.  I'm glad, though, that Applejack finally got a song all to herself.  Took till season three," Raven said.
"Yeah.  Have you noticed how they're catering to the fandom this season," Vlad asked.
"I know."  Rapunzel noticed that Eugene was staying out of the pony discussions.  She decided to test something.
"So, your theme is ponies, Vlad, and you have a sign that says 'Bronies only.'  I saw the other bit, but how do you know who's a brony or not?"
"Oh, we generally ask 'em who's they're favorite," Vad told her.  "My niece convinced me to like Twilight Sparkle and Rarity, but I like Rarity more.  She's just one tough bitch, you know."
"I can't help but like Cheerlie," Raven said.  "She's a teacher, I'm a teacher."
"I like Princess Mi Amora Cadenza, or Princess Cadence.  Mainly because her special talent is spreading love," Jeff said, as he slipped his hand into Raven's and kissed it.
"Does the rule apply to your employees," Rapunzel asked, eyeing Eugene.
"Oh sure, all my servers and cooks need to be able to name at least one of the six main ponies."
"Who's Eugene's favorite pony?"  His shoulders jumped.  He looked at Rapunzel, pretending to be annoyed.
"Oh, Eugene is odd man out.  He likes the villains," his boss said, clapping him on the back.
"Because they're more badass.  I mean, Discord and Sombra are ten times better than any other character.  Even Nightmare Moon is better than Luna, and they're the same freaking pony."
"Blasphemy!"
"And besides, you all liked my Discord cosplay for Halloween."  Everyone nodded their heads.
So, Eugene was a brony.  Rapunzel didn't know what to think.
After a little while longer, Rapunzel had to excuse herself to use the ladies room.  When she came out of the stall, Raven was waiting for her.
"Hello," Rapunzel said slowly, alarmed that the woman had followed her into the bathroom and was standing by the wall like she was going to mug her.
"Hello," Raven said friendly enough.  "So?"  Raven smiled curiously at Rapunzel, like she was the Cheshire Cat.
"So…what?"
"Are you and Eugene getting together?"
"What?"  What a rude thing to ask of someone you've just met.  "No.  We're not," Rapunzel said firmly.
"Come on, Eugene literally knocked you off your feet.  There's gotta be something there.  You can't tell me there's nothing there."
"No.  I just see him as a nice guy who…I keep running into."
"Keep running into?  Honey, please.  It's Fate.  Don't deny it.  If you ask me, I think your life is just beginning."
"With Eugene?  Sorry, but I'm not looking for any relationships."
"Careful what you say.  I've learned from personal experience that when you make plans, God decides to fuck with you.  I didn't want to get married.  Ever.  Met Jeff, a year later, we're getting hitched.
"I don't plan to stray from my path."
"Neither did Little Red Riding Hood."
"And look at what happened to her," Rapunzel said.
"Yeah, but she came out the better.  Don't stay on the straight and narrow for too long.  There might be a pit fall in there somewhere.  Besides, Eugene isn't the wolf, he's the hunter."  Raven checked herself in the mirror and left.  Rapunzel looked at her own reflection.
She actually didn't know what she wanted from Eugene, but she was sure it wasn't a relationship.
She left the bathroom and returned to her seat.  Curious, Rapunzel looked at her watch for the time.  11:30 p.m.  Where had the time gone?
Eugene noticed Rapunzel looking at her watch.
"Hey, Vlad," he said, "I'm gonna skip out early, take Rapunzel home."  Her head popped up.
"Eugene, you don't need to do that.  I can get home fine."  Rapunzel caught a look from Raven.  She looked like a cat again, the way she was s smiling.
"That's fine, Eugene.  You're not coming in tomorrow, are you?"
"Nah, I've got something going on."  Eugene turned to Rapunzel.  "Wait a second and I'll get my coat."  Eugene ducked into a back room and came out with his blue leather jacket.  He threw it on and zipped it up.  "Ready to go?"
"I guess."
"See you later, Eugene," Jeff called.
"I hope we can talk again," waved Raven.
Eugene opened the door, then slammed it shut and turned around, his back to the door like he was trying to keep something out.
"Uh… Eugene," asked Vlad.
"Guess who's outside."
"Oh, for the love of, really?  That's the fifth time this month.  I'm gonna break their legs this time.  Jeff, you wanna help?"
"Yeah, sure."  
"Be careful, honey."
"I'm always careful."  Eugene stepped aside for the two men.
"Come on, Blondie, we gotta take the back door."  Eugene took her hand.  She looked back at Vlad and Jeff stepping outside.
"Why?"
"Eh, some old 'friends' of mine want to talk."  Rapunzel had no idea what that meant.  Shouldn't he be going to meet them?
Eugene took her through the kitchen and checked that the coast was clear in the back alley.  He then led Rapunzel outside and onto the street.  Eugene didn't let her turn around, but Rapunzel was sure she could hear boney flesh connecting with not so boney flesh mixed with the yelling and shouts she knew she heard.
"I've got a spotted past, Rapunzel.  It likes to follow me, and sometimes, it tries to take me back."
"That so?"  Rapunzel wasn't alarmed, for some reason.  She didn't care what his past was.  She realized that she actually sort of figured Eugene was probably a trouble maker when he was younger, but her curiosity was piqued to know just what sort of trouble he got into.
Eugene was still holding Rapunzel's hand.  She looked down at it.  She didn't say anything.  His palm was so rough and calloused and…secure.
The two walked up to the bus stop.  Eugene pulled out his phone and looked at the time.
"There should be a bus coming soon.  Why don't we sit down?"  Eugene pulled Rapunzel into the bus shelter and out of the wind.  He sat down and let go of her hand.  Rapunzel wished he hadn't.  She could not explain it, but her hand now felt funny without his fingers and much colder.
They sat in silence for awhile.  Rapunzel cleared her throat.
"Your other friends are nice."
"Yeah?  I thought they scared you."
"They did, but I said what you wanted to hear."  Eugene chuckled.  "Is Vlad a Swede or a Russian by chance?"  Rapunzel wasn't curious, she was just making small talk.
"Oh, because he's so big?  Yeah, he's actually both, which I don't know how that happened considering the history of those two countries.  He's really a nice guy, but don't get him mad."  Eugene sounded like he had once.
"I suppose your other friends learned that tonight."
"Oh, they've known that, but they're idiots and keep needing to be re-taught."
"Ah."
Silence.
"Uh, Raven and Jeff.  I liked them.  Raven seemed a bit more outspoken than her husband, but I liked her."
"Yeah, sorry about her.  She's the busy-body gossip type."
"Yeah, I noticed.  Jeff seemed a little old for her, though."
"He's only two years older than me, Blondie."
"Well, how old are you?"
"24."
"He's only 26?"  Jeff sure didn't look it!
"And she's actually 28, so she'd the older out of the two."  Rapunzel's jaw dropped.  She tried to understand the new information, but it didn't make sense.
"Well, I stand corrected then."
"Eh, don't feel bad about.  Everyone thinks he's older."
"How do you know him?"
"He worked at Vlad's with me when he was taking courses for his degree.  I've been working there since I was 21.  I only got the job cause Vlad's like an uncle too.  Same motorcycle gang as Mr. Hook and my dad."
"Ah."
Silence.  Again.
"So…" Rapunzel didn't want the conversation to just end.  "Bronies?"
"Hey, I am not a brony."
"But you know the material and have a costume."
"For my job," Eugene laughed.  "I have to be able to talk to people about the latest episode, their favorite song, favorite character, who's better, Celestial or Luna.  It's silly, but it pays the bills."
"So, your extended family helps you out with jobs?"
"Yeah," Eugene said nodding his head.
"Do your parents help out?"  Rapunzel almost kicked herself.  What was she doing asking such a personal question?
"I tell them to not to.  You know, do stuff on my own.  They respect that for the most part."
"Mm."  Rapunzel looked at her gloved hands.  It was so cold.  She wanted to be inside.  She shivered a bit.  She should have just grabbed a heavy coat anyway and thrown her aunt's fashion sense out the window.
The bus came.  Eugene stood up.  Rapunzel did the same.  They came out of the shelter.  The bus driver opened the door.  Rapunzel didn't get on.
"You getting on," the driver asked, a little irritated.
"No," Rapunzel said a little too loudly.  The driver shrugged, closed her door and drove away.
"Blondie?"  Rapunzel looked up at Eugene.  Her green eyes were wide, pleading.  Eugene found that his heart skipped a beat or two.
"I don't want to go home."  Eugene immediately became worried.  He put his hands on her shoulders.
"Did something happen?  Did your aunt do something?"
"No.  I just…" Rapunzel dropped her head.  She leaned up against Eugene's chest, wanting to be held by him.  "I just don't want to go home."  Eugene was so warm and he felt safe.  His hands twitched to hold her, but he stopped himself; she could tell.  Rapunzel stepped away from him, looking back up at him.
"Well, my place isn't that far from here."  He took Rapunzel's sack of sewing supplies and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.  "I hope you don't mind, but, you're shivering."
"I don't mind."  Eugene smiled down at her.
"Well, let's get going."
"Can we watch a movie when we get there," Rapunzel asked.
"Conair?"
"I was thinking Court Jester.  You said it's your favorite."  Eugene gave Rapunzel a squeeze.
"I'll make popcorn."
When Rapunzel got Eugene's, she found she didn't mind the mess anymore, nor, did she mind him sitting so close to her.  She also decided that Court Jester was a pretty good flick, even if she did fall asleep in the middle of it.