Third Strand * Action

[paintsthewalls]

[Perched on a swing at the playground, Rapunzel is about as forlorn as a girl can get. She has spent the day trying not to think of her mother

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[refinedmaestro]

[Passing the playground on his daily walk in the woods, Frederic sees the young girl sitting on her swing and walks up to her. Obviously even he can see she has such sadness about her, so he tries to see if he can help her.]

Excuse me young miss, is it all right if I sit with you? By the expression upon your face, I thought you might need someone to speak with.

[refinedmaestro]

If by what you mean how does one learn piano, it is quite simple. Through practice and lessons one is able to achieve the ability to play piano.

[paintsthewalls]

Yes--I understand that. I play the guitar, you know. But what sort of music does a piano make?

[refinedmaestro]

Perhaps it would be more of a benefit if I showed you? We're right near the school and there's a piano inside.

[paintsthewalls]

That would be very kind of you---but are you sure it wouldn't be a bother?

[The last thing she wants to be, you see, is a bother.]

[refinedmaestro]

Not at all, Miss Rapunzel. I'd be happy to show you how a piano is played.

[paintsthewalls]

[Well that plan energizes her even more. Plus? It allows her to procrastinate on the still-troubling new dress issue for a while. Eagerly she will follow to the school, excited about the prospect of seeing a piano played for the first time.]

[refinedmaestro]

[Entering the school with Rapunzel and into the music room, there sits a large piano. Frederic walks over to it and sits down on the seat, then begins playing his Waltz No.19 in A minor, Op.posth.P2 No.11 with great passion and concentration.]

[paintsthewalls]

[And the girl will close her eyes and sit, perched on one of the folding chairs and half-hidden by a large music stand. Listening.

Oh, but this music transports her. It's not like the twangy guitar that Mother brought her at all. It's...sublime. Without realizing it, she begins to hum along softly--but not really so anyone could hear her. And unbeknownst to Rapunzel, the very tips of her hair begin to glow with that humming.]

[refinedmaestro]

[Once the composer begins to finish his playing, he notices the tips of Rapunzel's hair glowing while she hums.]

Miss Rapunzel, is...your hair glowing?

[paintsthewalls]

[The humming immediately stops. The minor freakout begins.] What? No! Uhm....NO! It's not. That was really...really beautiful music! Thank you! Thank you very much for playing it!

[refinedmaestro]

[The composer shows some confusion, but still acts polite.] You're very welcome, Miss Rapunzel. Though...I could have sworn I saw it glowing.

[paintsthewalls]

Must be the light in here, heh! Ahhh, maybe I should go, Mister Chopin. You've been very kind buuuuut I think I need to go and...take care of some long-haired-people kinds of things.

[refinedmaestro]

Are you certain you have to go already, Miss Rapunzel? I was going to take you shopping for a gown.

[paintsthewalls]

[But you noticing her hair has frightened her, Chopin. Rapunzel is slowly walking backward.]

No! No, I won't trouble you any more today, Mister Chopin! But that---that was beautiful music. I have never heard anything like it in my life. I loved it.

Thank you.

[refinedmaestro]

[He can see her being frightened, thus he gets an idea.]

You're welcome Miss Rapunzel, though please wait for a moment. [He walks walks her ever closer.] There's something I wish to show you.