Another year, another disappointment. The young woman waiting at the top of the lonely spire lamented, gazing forlornly at her recently finished painting. It was pretty easy to envy the girl depicted on the hill, the dreamer who'd managed to overcome her fears and all objections to actually live her dream. Rapunzel knew she'd never get there if she gave up so readily.

She was so sure that her eighteenth birthday would be different, the one. Maybe her approach was the problem, leaving her contemplating how angry Gothel would be if she just... TRIED to revisit the topic, just once. After all, maybe she just needed PROOF that Rapunzel could look after herself out there?

Her thoughts were interrupted by two things. First, the sudden pull, like... like something important was close by. That was new, and alarming. The second, and by far more alarming thing: The sound of someone at the wi- HOLY CRAP WHY WAS THERE SOMEONE AT THE WINDOW?!

There was no time to react. Rapunzel jumped in her seat, terrified, before looking at the man who'd just climbed into the tower-- or... flown...???

She looked sufficiently stunned, mouth hanging somewhat open.

The freakout would commence shortly. He had five seconds, max.