"So, what do you think about Cass now that you have a chance to get to know her a little better?" Rapunzel asked as he dusted. It was easier when someone held her to dust, so of course Varian offered to help.

"Well, she's not heartless, otherwise she would have let me die. I'm still not sure what to think about her. I should probably check her wound when she wakes up to make sure it's not getting infected... sorry, I'm just not... I can't get past what she's done yet."

"Oh, no, I understand. You have every right to be angry with her. I understand that," Rapunzel assured him.

"You know, I like to quote books while I do chores. Is that alright with you?"

"Of course! I haven't heard good book quotes in a while," Rapunzel said. "Love can transpose to form and dignity," she began.

"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind and therefore-"

"And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind," Cassandra finished.

Varian turned with surprise. He hadn't heard her come in. How did she walk so quietly? "You know Shakespeare?"

She grunted. "I had an expensive education."

"Actually, Romeo and Juliet's my favorite play," Varian admitted.

Cassandra groaned. "Why is that not a surprise?"

"I'm sorry?" He raised a brow.

"Well, all that heartache and pining and..." she made a wrenching sound that actually caused Varian to laugh. "So many better things to read," she added.

"Alright. Like what?"

"Well, there are a couple of... May I just show you? You haven't found the library yet have you?"

"Well, since you asked nicely, I suppose I can comply," he said. "Do you mind?" He asked Rapunzel.

"Not at all!" She exclaimed.

"Ok. I'll be back in a bit." Varian followed Cassandra. "Your arm?" He inquired.

"Hmm? Oh, yes I'm just fine... I barely feel a thing. I took care of it myself. It's not infected or anything."

"That's good..."

There was silence. An awkward silence until Cassandra cleared her throat. "I believe that was the first conversation that wasn't yelling at each other."

Varian shrugged. "If I'm stuck here, I minus well try to get along, but you have to do your part too if that's ever going to happen, which you are right now, so..."

She surprised him by chuckling. "Well, I am prone to outbursts, but perhaps you can help me with that?"

"Gladly. Being on the receiving end is, dare I say it, petrifying," Varian answered.

"Sorry, about that..."

"You're choosing to better yourself, so I suppose I'll look past last night," he sighed.

"Thank you," she said. "We're here." With that, she swung the double doors open.

Varian gasped in awe, seeing rows upon rows and stories of shelves all filled with literature. "It's wonderful!"

'Yes. I suppose it is... You're free to come by whenever you want so they never go to waste."

"Have you really read every one of these books?" Varian asked.

"What?" She scoffed, hiding her laugh. "Of course not. Some of them are in Greek."

"Was that a joke?" Varian asked. "Are you making jokes now?"

"Maybe..." Cassandra smirked. "In all seriousness, no I really haven't read all these. Not even a fourth. I'm certain there is something about alchemy among these..."

"You remembered?"

"Huh?"

"You remembered the term and what I like? Very few actually pay it any mind," he admitted.

"I'm not even sure what alchemy is."

"It's a type of science. Would you like me to show you?" Varian asked.

"Well, I've got nothing better to do, so why not?"

His eyes lit up more than Cassandra ever thought they could. "Really?" He said.

"Yes?"

"Let me find a book to help me explain it better," he said with excitement. He almost looked like a child in a candy store as he hunted for the book. Cassandra had to admit, it was pretty refreshing to see someone excited like this.