( colligo ¬ get collected ) → network.

Last time this happened, I ended up with Duke. And while this guy I'm currently with probably has the same amount of facial hair as Duke, it's definitely not Duke. Not a bad guy, though. Also, last time this happened, we didn't have a kid. Not that Jack isn't a great kid, because he is. Even though he looks exactly like Henry, which is a little strange, but still.

Luckily, these things aren't permanent.

As nice as this place is when things aren't trying to kill us, it's more than a little overwhelming for people to just expect us, well, me to know how to adapt. Rapunzel's only just left her room. This will probably be as easy to fall into for her as anything back home would have been.

Isn't there a crash course in... is there even a word for the stuff that you have here? All of the metal and the beeping and the mirrors that apparently respond to commands and transmit voices yet don't seem to utilize magic of any sort?

[The PDA turns on to the sound of someone sucking in a sharp breath. The voice is clearly feminine, and obviously confused.]

Hello? Is anyone here? [footsteps] Hello? Eugene? Maximus? [a pause, the voice gets smaller sounding] Mother? [nearly a shout now] Hello?!

[scurrying sounds and the girl lets out a soft sigh]

Oh, good. Pascal. There you are. Now we just need to figure out where we are. [a pause, the sound of pages of a book being looked through] This is very strange. [another pause then she sounds a bit excited] Oh! The castle! Of course! We must be in some part of the castle! I guess I fell asleep and then we...

[Her voice trails off as the telltale sounds of the guards coming to life can be heard.]

Guards! Look, Pascal! Real, actual castle guards! Hello there! Would you help me, please? I seem to have lost my guide. [a pause] And my horse. [another pause] Well, he isn’t really my horse. But he’s a very nice horse and he was helping me and [her voice starts to sound panicked] wait. What are you doing? Don’t touch me! No!

[there’s the sound of a scuffle, then a loud twang of metal hitting metal; the woman’s voice next attempts to sound tough but definitely is lacking any real oomph behind it]

That’s right! I have a frying pan and I’m not afraid to use it again! Don’t you dare come any closer! Don’t you- [the struggling sounds increase, with the woman now grunting in frustration before speaking up once more about the time the doors can be heard opening]

Wait! Where are you taking me? No! I don’t want to leave! Please. I just want to-

[Her voice trails off as she’s dropped on the ground. A few seconds later, when she speaks, it’s obvious she’s much closer to the PDA than she was before.]

Is this a gift? Oh, and I don’t have anything for you! I’m very sorry. I [a pause] Wait! Where are you going? Wait! [the doors shut and the only sound that follows is tiny fists banging on the doors in an attempt to get them opened again]

[ A second PDA clicks into the conversation, the sound of the doors being closed shut echoing right along with it as Flynn glances around, a sudden squeak coming as he spots the knights, the sound of a back hitting a shelf of books proceeding a second voice ringing into the situation. ] Oh. Hey guys. Hey. I was just... All right. I’m not sure what I was just since I seem to have gotten lost or skipped some time somewhere, but I’m pretty sure I was not aiming to end up in here this time. I mean! At all. Not aiming to end up in here, at ALL. So I’m sure we can come to an understanding about this clearly very understandable mistake. Right? Right.

[ pause at the sound of the guards advancing before Flynn asks the question again, even less uncertain than before. ] Right?

Oooookay. I guess not... So. Bye! [ the sound of a struggle follows, metal clanging together, things being knocked off shelves, possibly even the sound of a shelf being knocked over, all accompanied by a sound of someone running and muttering to himself ] How in the world do I-- Where is the-- Oh. Okay. That’s obvi- [ another sudden yelp ] Let go! Let go! I haven’t even DONE anything this time! I haven’t--

[ the door opens and Flynn yelps again, this time in pain. ] And then someone punches me in the face. Wonderful.

[There's a brief moment of silence, save for the obvious sounds of all sorts of chaotic things happening in the distance, then Rapunzel lets out a happy squeal.]

Eugene! There you are! [there's a bit of shuffling, fabric brushing against fabric, as she hugs him] Were you in there too? I didn't see you. Just the guards. Weren't they amazing?! They even gave me a gift! Look!

[another pause then, curiously with a touch of concern]

Where's Maximus? Wasn't he with you? Oh! Of course. He wouldn't be in the castle, would he? [she laughs lightly]

Well come on! Let's go find hi- [she immediately stops speaking as she finally turns around and notices the city; for a second, she's silent, then she squeaks in fear]

[ Even as he’s rubbing his nose and gets caught offguard by the hug, the most audible part of his reaction is a sigh of relief at actually realizing that he’s not here by himself followed by a much less...discernible sigh. ] At least we didn’t get arrested. Whatever that was.

[ Moving his eyes up and away from her when she froze as she turned, he followed suit, not really sure how to react to right now, but decided that being scared wasn’t really an option right now ] This...is not the kingdom. This is- What is this?