Episode 38

**Episode 38** of Forever After is the thirty-eighth episode in the series.

## Summary

Robin and Tank return to *Little Briar Rose*, but different point of view tear the friends apart.

## Plot

Robin and Tank, who is back to his fairy size, are debating with each other about upholding their bargain with Hira. Tank is against it, insisting that it goes against everything they stand for and that Robin just wants to do things the easy way. Robin just wants to free Briar, and points out that Tank doesn't like any of her ideas, asking him what if this plan works.

Tank asks what if this doesn't work and blows up in her face, and Robin asks if he wanted to be there either way. Tank hesitates in his answer, and Robin points out that he had a chance to do things his way, but he gave it up. Tank says her comment was low, and Robin quotes Tank, someone who is often right, but not always, "Just try".

Tank reluctantly agrees, and uses the dust to bring himself and Robin into the story of *Little Briar Rose*, where Hira and Makemnoit are waiting. Robin pulls the Execution Wig of the Queen of Hearts out of her book, asking Hira if this was what she wanted. Hira is delighted that Robin actually did it and asks how many people were executed. Robin replies that no one was hurt as Hira giddily comments that she can picture the Queen of Hearts as bald.

Robin points out that they got the petty revenge, and Hira agrees, summoning up chairs for Robin and Tank to sit in as Makemnoit comments that Hira is too soft on the heroes. Makemnoit tells Robin to not expect things to be civil if she shows up in her story. Hira bids her friend farewell as Makemnoit leaves via a portal, and tells Robin that despite her gray color scheme, Makemnoit lives for the drama.

Robin comments that she can understand why Hira and Makemnoit are friends, and Tank huffily says that all witches are friends. Hira questions Tank's statement as she sits down, and Robin asks if she will lift the curse. Hira thinks it over, and then refuses, saying she likes watching the queen drool. Robin tries to point out that Hira is not that petty–to which Hira responds that she is–and that she had promised to lift the curse.

Hira then responds by telling Robin to not lecture her about morals. Hira claims that Robin says she wants to help, but she really wants to escape Forever After. She makes further claims that Robin only wants Hira to fix the story so she can go back to her life, but the story is Hira's life. Robin points out that the story is other people's lives too, but Hira points out that all heroes are the same, riding in on their high horse and looking for a two-dimensional fix for story characters that aren't real to them.

Hira also tells Robin that she is not responsible for the story or it's characters, despite what the Fates may have told her, and that she doesn't need to save them. It was just bad luck that Robin was cast as a player in the game, and Robin demands to know if Hira really thinks all of what goes on around her is a game, trying to understand what she wants.

Hira claims it's a conquest, but Robin points out that anyone she could have conquered is sleeping. Hira says she prefers everyone asleep, and Tank states that they'll look for the [[Wise Women|other Wise Women to undo her curse. Hira bursts out laughing, stating that they couldn't spell an arrow straight, and she would know since she went to school with them.

Hira asks if Briar Rose appeared to be modest, tranquil, or at all intelligent, or if they were interested in how quickly he touched the spindle. Hira dismisses the blessings the Wise Women gave Briar at birth, stating that they are as phony as they were. Robin and Tank hesitantly point out that Briar is beautiful and cheerful, but Hira points out that Briar was always going to be beautiful and happy.

Hira goes on to explain that it's just showmanship, that the Wise Women like to pretend their better, but the Kingdom would be nothing if her magic didn't keep the wolves from the door. Hira tells Robin and Tank to fetch the Wise Women if they wished, and would even tell them where to find them, but she was the only power in the story. If her curse died out in 100 years, it was because she let it.

Robin asks what Hira wants, and Tank protests. Robin tries to explain that Hira might be the problem that needs to be solved, not the curse itself, but Tank refuses to side with a witch. Robin points out that talking to Hira isn't siding with her, but Tank insists that it's the wrong choice. Robin states that Tank doesn't know that, and Tank claims that Robin thinks she knows better than anyone, never taking the hard way and looking for a shortcut.

Robin says she has to do things her way, and Tank replies he won't let her walk that path and watch her become the next witch. Robin points out that no one is making Tank stay, and after looking at each other sadly, the pair turn away from the other. Robin asks Hira what it will take to appease her, like payback pranks or a rash of revenge, as Tank sadly leaves the story of *Little Briar Rose* via a portal.

## Important Events

* Robin delivers the Queen of Hearts' Execution Wig to Hira, as she promised to do in Episode 26
* Tank and Robin part ways after disagreeing on how to handle Hira

## Characters

Robin Jane Brown

Tank

Hira

Makemnoit

Briar Rose (Cameo)

Briar Rose’s Parents (Cameo)

Wise Women (Cameo)

## Credits

*Written by Violet Matter*

*Storyboarding by Valery Yu*

*Art by Hannah Patten*

Backgrounds by Megan Roberts

*Lettering by Kylie Hunsinger*

*Copy editing by Kat Vendetti*

*Produced by Quinn Sosna-Spear and Wil Kennedy*

## Trivia

* In Episode 26, Hira tells Robin, "You do something for me, and I'll reconsider my curse." In other words, Hira said she would think over undoing her curse, not that she would actually undo her curse, thus keeping her side of the bargain she made with Robin.