Rapunzel's Homecoming 16

Rapunzel's Homecoming 16 - Lost Things
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With HookHand and the others staying in the palace, it was easy for Rapunzel to have him play for some after dinner entertainment. Finally, things were winding down for the night and she sits next to him as he played a soft melody.

"How have you been doing?" she asks.
"This has been great. I've been playing for all sorts of people and they've really loved it. It feels incredible all the time. I've never felt so good for so long ever."
"That's wonderful."
"Yes, it is." Hookhand says fervently.

A few bars pass as he plays.

"I never thought you were the Lost Princess. I guess it should be obvious now. The hair, those eyes. I can guess why Rider fell in love with you. Those eyes are a wonderful place to get lost in." He smiles at her.
She gives him a friendly punch in the arm.

His smile faded "But you're not here to make chit-chat, are you?"
"How could you know?" Rapunzel asks in wonder.

He waggles his hook. "I've had this for some time and when someone wants to talk about it, it's obvious. So what do you want to know, how it happened or what it feels like? My guess, is how it feels?" he glances at her hair as he keeps playing.

She touches her short brown hair "Oh, well, yes. Because it was such a part of my body. I did things with it opening hatches, grabbing things from across the room, climbing and such. I barely recognize myself in the mirror. I keep grabbing for it, but its gone and it is always a surprise. Like it shouldn't be missing."

"Yeah, that's about right. I used to knock things over a lot because a hook doesn't work like a hand and it felt all wrong. For a long time it still felt like the hand was there, it would even hurt. I don't know why, that's just the way it is."

"Do you ever get used to it?"

"Sorta, I mostly don't have to look to do things anymore, but sometimes I still do it the old way. I expect that hair will not be the same as a hand, it isn't like a hand, more like a glove maybe."

"Maybe."

"Hey, kid, you're young and strong, you'll adapt, we all do. Not much choice really." HookHand said with a shrug.

"No, not much." Rapunzel said, she saw her parents gesturing her to come. "Thank you, that helped, and thank you for rescuing Eugene so he could rescue me." She gave him a kiss on the cheek.

HookHand got a silly smile on his face, but kept playing, "Good night, Princess."
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Author's Note: This has a very Casablanca feel to it and it just feels right.
Here are two people who lost a part of themselves, they were going to talk about at some point. HookHand is rough around the edges, but he's good and smart too.
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