A Doll's Life For Me: A Doll's Life File: Rapunzel

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone! How's your day been? The Room She Lives In right now reminds me a lot of a glacier... a chill surface with a deep, hidden underbelly. Luckily, this is one of excitement. This will be the kids' first Christmas and they can't wait to get a visit from Santa Claus tonight. Those of us who are Santa Claus can't wait to get a moment's peace for us to place the presents under their tree. Thalia, Kate, and Meiling all requested stuffed animals, but Adrina and Oliver, who are a little more mature than they are, wanted sweets. Pocahontas and Anelle have spent the day trying to keep both of these goodies away from the humans' dogs, but I think it's Sven we really need to worry about. Oh well. It's only for one night, right? Things are sure to cool down soon.

Anyways, here's a short and sweet post for you all about my Doll's Life File interview with the newest member of our doll family, Rapunzel.

***

Elsa (Me): *approaching Rapunzel, who is painting with Bob Ross and Nessa* Are you busy, Punz?

Rapunzel: Um... kinda? *steps away and closes one eye, holding one thumb in front of her painting*

Nessa: Bob is giving us a painting lesson!

Elsa: I can see that.

Bob: *walks over to observe Rapunzel's painting. He winces a little at her work and starts tapping out a comment* I thought we agreed to do landscapes, Punz.

Rapunzel: What? Really?

Nessa: *glances over* It's a portrait. Abstract. I like it.

Rapunzel: *shyly* Oh... I wasn't going for abstract.

Bob: That's okay. It's your art. You do it however you want to do it.

Rapunzel: Yeah, but I was trying to make it as realistic as possible and... *sighs and turns to me* Okay, Elsa, I'm no longer busy.

Elsa: Don't you want to finish your painting?

Rapunzel: Not the way it's going, no. What did you want me for?

Elsa: An interview, if you're up for it.

Rapunzel: *sets her brush in a shotglass of paint water* Okay. I'm ready.

Elsa: On the bed, if you please.

Rapunzel: *observes the height of She's bed and swings her hair forward, the pink braid immediately wrapping against the bedpost and catapulting her upwards. She lands on the bed with ease*

Elsa: You've been practicing!

Rapunzel: For three months now.
Elsa: *climbing up the side of the bed* Ever since you arrived?

Rapunzel: *nodding* Since day one.

Elsa: I can believe that. You're good at it.

Rapunzel: It seems to be the one thing I'm good at.

Elsa: I'm sure you're good at other things.

Rapunzel: Not anything I've tried! I've done painting, sewing, baking, dancing, and even candle-making. It's everything my character likes to do. But I'm not good at any of it.

Elsa: Have you tried thinking out of the box?

Rapunzel: How?

Elsa: Well, I mean, like... *struggling for words* what if you did something your character wasn't good at? Something that she never tried before?

Rapunzel: Then I wouldn't be a Rapunzel, would I?

Elsa: *noticing Punz's sad expression* Hey. You would be. It's in your name.

Rapunzel: *doubtful* Sure.

Elsa: *opens She's laptop and begins a new post, eager to change the subject* This interview will be published onto my blog, is that okay?

Rapunzel: *moving in beside me* I guess so. Isn't that how you've done it for everyone else?

Elsa: Yes, but how did you know that?

Rapunzel: Nessa told me. She said you've had the blog for about five years now?

Elsa: *shocked* Yeah... wow. The anniversary would have been last November. I can't believe we didn't even do anything to celebrate.

Rapunzel: It's not to late. Everyone loves a party.

Elsa: Okay. Yeah. Maybe later. Anyways, let's get back on track. What's your full name?

Rapunzel: *sheepishly* Um, I don't have a full name... but my kingdom's name is Corona. Does that count?

Elsa: *typing* Of course it does. What about your finding date.

Rapunzel: September 23rd?

Elsa: Yep. Species?

Rapunzel: *confused and slightly disgusted* Species?

Elsa: Like... kind of what you consider yourself to be. Olaf's a plushie, I'm a sixteen-inch singing doll... stuff like that.

Rapunzel: My old box said that I was a twelve inch Disney princess doll. But I haven't seen that box in ages.

Elsa: That's probably right. *remembers* That's right, you didn't come with a box, did you?

Rapunzel: *shakes her head* Nope.

Elsa: Alright. You're done, Punz. You can go back to painting class now.

Rapunzel: *glances worriedly over her shoulder at Bob and Nessa conversing below* That wasn't as long as I thought it would be.

Elsa: No, they never are. Nessa said the same thing whenever her interview was over.

Rapunzel: Elsa?

Elsa: Yeah?

Rapunzel: I don't really want to go back to the painting class.

Elsa: That's okay. You can sit here with me. Watch me work.

Rapunzel: That would be nice. *leans over so that her head is resting on my shoulder* Can you tell me about your powers?

Elsa: Um... yeah. *is slightly taken aback because no one has ever asked about my powers before. It was a natural thing in our doll community. So many dolls had powers, we even had our own Avengers group. Magic was not as magical as it used to be*

Rapunzel: How did you get them?

Elsa: I don't know. I guess I was born with them. Er... made.

Rapunzel: Nessa keeps talking about trying to convince She to take her to Frozen 2. Maybe your powers have more explanation in that movie.

Elsa: I think they will. But I have to realize that my character is not me. Even if it is revealed how Elsa gets her magic, it won't be the same since I'm a doll.

Rapunzel: Yeah. Maybe you're right. *uncertain* How did you learn to control them?

Elsa: I always could. My powers are only activated whenever my switch is turned on.

Rapunzel: Your singing switch?

Elsa: Mm-hm. And then I can only make ice if I'm singing. *nudges Rapunzel* Kind of like your character. Hair that glows when you sing.

Rapunzel: Not mine.

Elsa: Well, like I said before, you're not everything your character is. That's the great thing about being a doll. You never know who you're going to be unless you try.

Rapunzel: Yeah, I should be feeling that way, but I don't. *sighs* Sometimes I feel like my only worth is my hair. It's like the only thing that roots me to the real Rapunzel. Well, okay, not real, but you know what I mean. She has long hair, so I should, and if that's the only trait we have, I need to cherish it. *straightens out the end of her braid* Like Rapunzel says, "a gift like that- it has to be protected."

Elsa: *pauses* Rapunzel, I have some advice for you. I can see you don't have much of your own identity-

Rapunzel: *groans* You know me.

Elsa: -I think you should spend time outside your comfort zone. Think of Jocasta. Her original intention was to be an art doll. A model. Sit still, look pretty. Now she does anything but remain still. She's constantly moving, constantly training, sword always at her side. She's a warrior now.

Rapunzel: You're saying I'm a warrior?

Elsa: Not exactly. Just saying that you should experiment more. You can find your true self that way.

Rapunzel: I can, doesn't mean I will.

Elsa: Would the "real" Rapunzel be a pessimist?

Rapunzel: *closes her mouth sternly* No... I'll try my best, Elsa. Thanks for you advice. What do you think I should do first?

Elsa: You're good at using your hair to get around. Steve is downstairs playing darts. I'm sure he'll teach you to make your hair look more than just "beautiful". He can show you how to use it as a weapon.

Rapunzel: Are you serious?

Elsa: Sure! Anything's possible. If I can do this... *turns on my switch and swirls my hand around in the air, creating a fluffy white snowball* ...you can do anything with that hair. Trust me.

Rapunzel: Elsa?

Elsa: Yeah?

Rapunzel: Thank you.