The Beach, Monday Morning

[leavingthenest.livejournal.com]

The day might not have been absolutely perfect, at least in some objective sense, but Rapunzel's expression suggested that it was perfect for her! She was walking along the beach, kicking her bare feet through the sand and just enjoying the way her toes dug through the grit.

It was nice to not have to wear shoes again, and she was going to revel in it for a bit. And, of course, the scenery. The beach, after all, was still one of the best things ever.

And, maybe, if she was lucky, someone would show up to share in the fun with her!

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[trigons_child]

Raven had gone for a walk to try to collect her thoughts, and she smiled and waved when she saw Rapunzel, taking a moment to soak in her enjoyment.

"Hello, Rapunzel," she said as she drew closer. "I do not need to ask if you are having a good day."

[leavingthenest.livejournal.com]

Oh, Raven! Yay!

"Raven!" Rapunzel exclaimed happily. "It's so good to see you!" While the beach was fun all by itself, it was, Rapunzel had found, like most things: better with friends.

[trigons_child]

"Is there any particularly reason you seem so joyful today?" Raven asked. "Or are you just in a happy mood?"

[leavingthenest.livejournal.com]

Rapunzel reached down to hike up her skirts a couple of inches and then held up one bare foot so that she could wiggle her toes in Raven's direction. "No shoes!" she declared with a grin.

"And I just love the beach." So even if there had been shoes, she probably would have been pretty happy.

[trigons_child]

"You do not enjoy wearing shoes?" Raven said. "My dear friend Tahiri was like that. She was barefoot whenever she could be, even when it was possibly too cold to be healthy to do so."

It was on the chilly side today, but at least there wasn't snow.

[leavingthenest.livejournal.com]

"Oh, they're not bad, but I'm still not really used to them? I always went barefoot at home." Rapunzel smiled broadly. "I just like to feel things! Like the sand between my toes, or grass under me feet, or the waves lapping up..."

She looked over at Raven. "Do you ever feel that way?"

[trigons_child]

"Azarath did not have anything like a beach," Raven said, feeling a pang as she always did of loss for her former home. "There was grass, but little time was ever spent for such indulgences."

[leavingthenest.livejournal.com]

Rapunzel nodded in understanding. "Well, there wasn't anything like this back home for me, either." She grinned a bit awkwardly. "Maybe that's why I enjoy it so much? It's still so new..."

[trigons_child]

"That would bring a certain enchantment," Raven said, glancing around the beach. "I developed a fondness for snow the first time I ever saw it. But that feeling did not last once the cold settled in."

[leavingthenest.livejournal.com]

"Aww, but when it's cold you can snuggle up in something warm and eat soup and drink hot cocoa!" How could that not be the best thing ever?

[trigons_child]

"That part does have its appeal," Raven said, smiling. Especially if there were someone warm.

[leavingthenest.livejournal.com]

"Of course it does." Rapunzel beamed. "You just have to remember to focus on the best parts." She nodded firmly, as if she was an authority on such matters.

[trigons_child]

"I always strive to do just that," Raven said. she wasn't always successful, but she tried. "It is not easy sometimes, but it is much better than dwelling on the negative. I always hope for the best possible outcome rather than dreading the worst."

[leavingthenest.livejournal.com]

"Not easy?" Rapunzel nibbled her lower lip in consternation. "Why not?"

It was pretty easy for her.

Well, most of the time. Unless she was in a funk.

[trigons_child]

"There have been times where I have let my sorrow or anxiety get the better of me," Raven said with a tiny shrug. "But fortunately that is not is not a common experience." Usually, at least.

[leavingthenest.livejournal.com]

"Well," Rapunzel looked thoughtful, "next time you feel that way... find me?" She could help!

[trigons_child]

"Thank you," Raven said, giving Rapunzel a warm smile. "I have a feeling it would not be difficult for you to return a smile to my face."

[leavingthenest.livejournal.com]

Rapunzel giggled. And blushed. "Well, I'd certainly try?"

[trigons_child]

"You are always so filled with joy whenever I see you," Raven said, with a light laugh of her own. "It does not seem like anything could dim your spirits."

[leavingthenest.livejournal.com]

"Well," Rapunzel looked down at her feet for a few seconds. "Sometimes I get homesick?" A little wave of melancholy brushed across her, but then it was gone again as she refused to let herself get sucked into it.

[trigons_child]

Raven was definitely helping chase that sadness away by sending a light pulse of comfort to Rapunzel. "You still have not found a way home?" she asked softly.

[leavingthenest.livejournal.com]

"No," Rapunzel sighed, with just a trace of melancholy. "I keep hoping to at least get a letter through, but..." No luck with that yet, either. They all kept coming back undelivered.