Author's Note: this is a side story where I used AI characters to see how Will and Julia would react to a 'jump' into something random like a fairy tale. It's not meant to be taken too seriously. It's just a fun diversion and reminded me why I invented these characters to begin with. — Davenport 2024/03/14 08:29

Will and Julia Meet Repunzel

Although that feeling of 'falling' was starting to feel familiar to Will, Julia was screaming in her mind at the onslaught of sights, sounds, and emotions running through her as she was 'pulled' with Will toward… wherever they were going.

When they 'landed', Julia noticed they were in a bright, but dense forest. She heard the sounds of birds, small animals, and the wind working through the canopy. She looks around in awe. “We're really in a new place,” she exclaims, almost in delight at the thrill of doing something totally new. Then she looks looks over and sees Will, who's on his knees with his face pressed into the dirt. His hands cradle his head as if he's just taken a severe blow.

“Whoa! Is this what you meant when you said you 'felt drained'? You look absolutely miserable!” Julia reaches down to put her arms around Will for some kind of comfort.

Slowly, a nervous teenage girl steps out from behind a tree. Her eyes show fear, but she tries to maintain her upright appearance, “hello? Is everything okay? You both look lost.”

Will lifts his head at the unfamiliar voice, but he winces and lowers his head back down, “Yeah… it's uh…. long story…” He looks up and forces a smile. “We just kinda fell here,” Will rubs his temple trying to make his mind work, “I'll be fine in a minute. I just need to recover.”

Julia looks in awe at Repunzel, “you… you look like a fairy tale princess!”

“Oh, uh… thank you,” Repunzel blushes and looks nervous, “That's very sweet… I think… You look like adventurers of sorts. Am I right?”

William has made it up to a sitting position and chuckles, “I wouldn't say we're professional adventurers or anything, but we do enjoy exploring new places.” He looks over at Julia with a knowing smirk, “sometimes we even get into some mischief along the way.”

Repunzel laughs lightly, understanding this is an in-joke between two obviously close companions, “Sounds so exciting! I wish I could join you on your adventures sometime.” Repunzel glances down somewhat somber, “alas, my duties as a princess keep me pretty busy here.”

Julia manages to get Will up on a fallen log. “Rest a few more minutes,” she implores. Looking over at Repunzel, “Do you have any water or something for him to drink?”

“There’s a stream just behind those trees. Just a moment.” Repunzel leaves, then quickly returns with a small flask full of water. “Here you are!”

William accepts the flask gratefully and takes a long sip. “Ah, thank you so much.” Hands the flask back to Repunzel. “So what’s it like being a princess here?”

Flushing with embarrassment, Repunzel replies, “It’s… not as glamorous as people make it out to be. There are lots of responsibilities and expectations placed upon me.” After a long sigh, she continues, “Sometimes I just want to run away and live a normal life…”

Julia finally puts all the pieces together: the long blonde hair… the princess… the fairy tale… “Oh my God! Is your name Repunzel?”

Repunzel looks surprised and laughs nervously, “Why yes, it is. How did you know?”

Julia’s mouth falls open in shock as she looks at Will, “I don’t know where are when exactly we are, but in my world, the story of Repunzel and her long golden hair is a airy tale that’s been retold for hundreds of years!”

“Interesting,” Will tries to ponder the implications through the remaining headache, “so the dimensional portals can either take us through time OR the works of fiction across the universe create new dimensions for us to travel to…”

Repunzel is pondering the implications as well, “you mean… there are people outside my realm who know my story? Who know about me?” She shakes her head in disbelief, “That’s incredible! I never thought such a thing could be possible.”

Will raises an eyebrow, “if it makes you feel any better, my world doesn’t know your story. And no one would believe a story like mine. Most wouldn’t believe it even possible we were here.”

Repunzel frowns slightly, “So I really am just a character in a story then? Someone existing purely for the entertainment of others?”

Julia’s maternal instincts take over, “Don’t listen to him! He’s not even from my world. He dropped in uninvited and he’s been a pain ever since!” Julia pokes at Repunzel playfully and pulls at her dress, “You seem pretty real to me, Princess.”