Lance and Cassandra set off with some of the guards earlier that morning.  Frankly, Varian had half a mind to go with them, but Cassandra told him that he should probably reserve his strength.  Which, she had a point, so he didn't argue.  However, she pointed out that he could do research on the Moonstone now.  Since Fredric wasn't exactly in the position to ban him from so much as reading or speaking of his powers anymore.

"We have a lot to rebuild," Eugene said, looking at the throne room.

"I decided I'm not leaving anymore.  Because every time life takes me out of here, a lot of things happen," Rapunzel joked, setting her hands on her hips.

"It shouldn't take too long to fix the throne room," Varian said.  He squatted by a fallen rock that was once part of the wall.

"Hey, Varian.  I know you're more than capable with helping us with this, but would you mind sitting this out?  You can make the blueprints to the broken pavilion outside if you really want to help.  But I really think you need to save your strength," Rapunzel said cautiously.

He sighed.  "Alright." Varian decided it wasn't worth arguing over, especially since Rapunzel had a good reason to be concerned.  And she did make a good point about saving his strength.

"Sorry," his sister apologized.

Varian waved a hand at her.  "Nah.  Besides, I'm pretty sure I'm the only one smart enough to make the blueprints," he teased.

"Ouch." Eugene set a hand on his chest in a mock of offense.

"But first..." Rapunzel ran to one of the maids holding a tray.  She came back and lifted the lid, revealing cupcakes.  "Tada!"

"I like the way you think, Blondie," Eugene said, taking one.

Varian grinned and picked up one, biting into it.  He immediately pulled away, realizing he forgot to take the paper off first.  "Whoops.  I'm going to take this and start working on the blueprints."

"Ok.  You sure you're ok with that?" Rapunzel asked.

"More than.  I'm better at the mental rather than the physical labor anyways.  Have fun while I sit in a cozy library." Varian gave a wave as he left the throne room and went towards the library.

He arrived and began to search for some books on architectural designs to help jog some ideas.  Of course he could just keep the same designs, but he felt that it needed a change.  They had so many breakfastes under the pavilion, some good, others bad.  The castle would remain the same, but perhaps he could use the pavilion design to mark their growth.  Or maybe he just wanted to redesign it for the sake of it.  Either way, he wanted some ideas.

When he found the shelf with the books, he began to climb up a ladder to retrieve the ones he wanted.  As he began to grab the books written by Demanitus, Faith walked in with a tray of lemonade and set it at one of the tables.  She looked over at him walking up the ladder.

"You're going to fall," Faith warned.

Varian let out an exasperated sigh.  "Listen, I know I'm not in the best condition, but I can still get my own books."

"No, I mean-" Faith was cut off by the step of the ladder Varian was standing on, snapped.  Falling backwards, he yelped as the maid caught him as his stack of books clattered to the floor.  "That's the broken ladder..." she finished.

"So I see..." Varian looked at the broken step.  Suddenly he fell again, hitting his back against the wood floor.  "Ow!"

"Sorry!  You're heavier than you look," Faith winced as she apologized.

"It's fine," he wheezed.  Varian accepted the hand she held out to help him up.  He stood, brushing himself off.  Then he bent down to scoop up his books and set them on the table with the lemonade.

"Rapunzel sent me to get you a drink," she explained.

"Oh, thanks." Varian opened up his book, starting to flip through the pages.

"If you're looking for ideas, this one has illustrations and examples in it," Faith suggested, picking up one of the books he had chosen.

He paused before closing his book and took the one she was offering.  Turning the pages, his eyes glanced at the drawings.  "Oh.  Thanks.  Are you into architecture?"

She shook her head.  "I dust the books.  Sometimes page by page..."

Varian winced.  "Now that's an infuriating task."

"I'm more into adventure books," Faith admitted.  "It's a nice way to feel a thrill without leaving the safety of the castle walls."

"Have..." Varian looked at her.  "Have you ever been out of the capital?"

"I grew up on a farm in Old Corona until the house burned down.  Then I moved here."

"Oh.  Sorry..."

"No.  It was a long time ago.  Either way, the books give me more than enough adventures."

He chuckled.  "I get what you mean.  When I grew up in the tower, I loved Flynnigan Rider, because it made me feel free, even if it was just in my head."

"What was it like for you in the tower?" Faith asked suddenly.

Varian paused.  "Well..."

"Sorry, you probably don't want to talk about that... I'll leave you alone to work on your blueprints." She turned to leave.

"Actually... Faith... Maybe we could talk about it some time.  I haven't talked about the tower much since I left it... It might be nice to talk about it with someone who wasn't there sometime..."

"Of course.  You can come talk whenever you want." She nodded before leaving the library.

Varian looked back at his book, a small smile spreading across his face.