Common Room

Howl's eyes softened even more as he watched Rapunzel realize what he was asking, and he continued to smile gently at her.

"Will you marry me, Rapunzel?"

--

Kiki watched Mowgli, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Well...Ariel seems happy about it...shouldn't you be...happy for her...?"

Rapunzel opens her eyes slowly, as tears form in them. She begins to blink and a tear from each eye begins to fall. I...I... Her lip trembles as she then thinks back on her previous engagement. Things didn't go over well. Jim ended up being with someone else. Things were too different for them and in the end, they wanted different things. Rapunzel begins to tremble as she looks to Howl. Her face lowered into her hands as she began to think and hesitate about everything she really wanted. Of course she wanted to marry him, but now that the time had come to answer the awaited question, she wasn't sure how to answer without a hitch of fear in her throat.

Mowgli frowns, looking away. Why should I be??

Howl's eyes softened when he saw Rapunzel's hesitation, and he closed the box, rising back to his feet. "Think it over," he said gently. "This is...a big decision, and I want you to be sure it's what you want. the last thing I want to do is put you on the spot."

--

Kiki just continued to look at Mowgli in confusion. "...because she's happy..."

Rapunzel looks at him with guilty eyes as she looks down and nods. I'm sorry... I just...-- She exhales and goes to Howl, hugging him.

Mowgli scoffs and shrugs, continuing to pout and look away.

Howl smiles down at her, and wrapped both of his arms around her in a secure hug.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," he assured her. "Take all the time you need."

--

Kiki pursed her lips, and tilted her head as she looked at him. "...what's this really about...?"

Rapunzel sinks her head to his chest. I...I love you, ok...? I just...want you to know that. So...just because I don't answer right...away...it doesn't mean...I don't want to...I just...-- I didn't think I'd have such a hard time saying... She exhales again.

Mowgli looks at her. What do you mean?

Howl smiled at her, and gently stroked his fingers through her hair. "I know," he said softly. "And I understand. You've been through a great deal, Rapunzel. More than anyone should have to endure."

--

"I mean," Kiki said softly. "Why are you always so upset when you even think someone's pregnant? Do you...are you afraid of being...replaced?"

Rapunzel looks at him softly before gasping and blinking as her eyes widen. Wait...! That means...-- She breaks the hug from Howl and runs back to the Common Room, staring straight at Ariel. YOU'REPREGNANT!?

Mowgli blinks at Kiki and looks to her surprisingly. What?! No, that isn't it at all! Maybe with Rapunzel, but I'm over that! This is completely different!

Howl blinked at Rapunzel, and then laughed a bit when she ran back into the Common Room.

Ariel looked up, laughed at Rapunzel, and gave a wide smile. "Yes, Punz, I'm pregnant."

Kiki bit her lip. "Then...what is it?"

Rapunzel gasps again and hugs Ariel tightly before blinking and letting her go with a sheepish smile. Sorry, you need to breath a little for the baby..! Oh my gods, it's about damn time!! It only took you like 15000 years! Ugh, what are you gonna name it??? Is it a boy or a gir-- She blinks and looks over her shoulder. No she won't name it Iggy..! What kind of name is-- She then turns back, staring off to nothing. Hush, you! I doubt she'll name it after one of us! ..... Yes, I'm going to help her pick out baby names! It's the least I can do after-- ....... She groans in pain, placing her hands to her temples as she rubs them slowly. Just.....STOP...yelling...please. I..I can't think like this... She looks to Ariel. Did you say something??

Mowgli frowns again. It's nothing. He looks to Rapunzel and tenses slightly.

Ariel just stared wide-eyed at Rapunzel after that exchange.

"Punz...are you feeling alright?" she asked carefully.

Howl slowly approached from the kitchen, a concerned frown on his face.

Kiki sighed at Mowgli, but then looked at Rapunzel in alarm. She glanced back at Mowgli, and saw his tense reaction.

"...has this happened before?" she asked quietly.

Rapunzel looks up at Ariel and tilts her head. Of course! Why do you a-- She frowns. No, I'm telling her that I'm fine! Stop butting in like this! Oh my gods, you're all making so difficult to talk to my friend right now! Just leave me al-- She blinks, shooting her head up to look at her friend again. Why do you ask?

Mowgli looks to Kiki, before his eyes shift down. Has...what...?

"I," Ariel hesitated for a moment. "Punz...who were you talking to just now?"

Kiki bit her lip and looked at Mowgli again. "The...talking to...air..."

Rapunzel smiles slightly. I was...talking to you. I asked...what you meant asking if I was feeling...alright... She looks down. It could just be her hormones, worrying about simple things! ....... Obviously I know what I'm talking about! ...... well duh! I've been pregnant before! She takes a short breath, placing her face in her hands again. ........ Hm? Wha-- Howl, come on over here! You're like...bein' all creepy in the kitchen doorway, what's with that...

Mowgli gives a small shrug. ....I dunno..

Howl - whose face grew more concerned by the second, approached Rapunzel and placed a warm hand on her shoulder.

"Rapunzel," he said softly. "Who else were you talking to just now, besides Ariel."


Kiki bit her lip, and seemed to only grow more worried with Mowgli's answer. "I don't like this..."

Rapunzel smiles a bit unsure to him as she furrows her brow. Besides Ariel, I was talking to you, love. What's with all the ques-- Hey, don't interrupt..! She looks behind her quickly with a frown. ....... What..? Don't be silly..! Howl never met Kha-- Her eyes widen before turning back to Howl and giving a giggle. You're acting silly..! The both of you are!

Mowgli again frowns and looks to the floor. I'm gonna check on the kids... He quickly begins to walk out the room.

Howl's brow only furrowed more.  "No...there's someone else you're talking to, Rapunzel."

"Someone who mentioned Khan," Ariel added carefully.

Kiki opened her mouth to protest, but then exhaled as Mowgli left, her brow only creasing more in worry.

Rapunzel's eyes widen as she gulps hard. Kh-khan..!? Where!? Where is Shere Khan?! D-don't let him get to me or Mowgli again! She trembles and cowers behind her hands.

"No, Punz," Ariel said comfortingly, putting a hand on Rapunzel's shoulders. "He's not here, don't worry, he's been dead a long time," she assured her, though she did glance up at Howl, her worry clear. Howl met her gaze, his own face even grimmer than Ariel's.

Rapunzel takes a breath and nods to Ariel. R-right... Sorry about that. She twitches a bit, shaking her head as she bites her lip. Soon her head pops up and looks over to Kiki. Did you say something Kiki??

Kiki blinked in alarm at Rapunzel, and then just shook her head. She didn't seem to trust herself enough to speak at the moment. ><

Rapunzel blinks before shrugging until she begins tilting her head at everyone. What's with you guys??

Ariel hesitated. "Because...it looks like you're talking to...people who aren't here, Punz," she finally said. "It's...just Howl, Kiki, and me here right now, and...it looks like you're talking to...other people."

Rapunzel gives her a confused look. I...I know that. I was...talking to you guys....

Ariel pursed her lips. "Okay..." If she's not even aware of this...that's even more troubling.

"Rapunzel," Howl said softly. "Are you sure you're feeling alright...?"