#╰ ––––––– ✧ RAPUNZEL CONRADI : ic ˙

[everythingheard]

with Jim @solarfire ▌continued from here.

A little grin appeared along Rapunzel's lips at Jim's offer, as well as the opportunity to learn which medium he preferred, if not painting. If she had to hazard a guess, it would be charcoal, or perhaps a simple graphite pencil. In her mind, the answer was apt to reveal something about a person.

"I'll definitely take you up on that. I'm curious now." Rapunzel's eyebrows and the corners of her lips lifted in tandem, her expression tinged with quiet levity.

The ambience-imbued song filtering through the speakers as he resumed his work provided the relaxing effect she presumed was intended; any lingering trepidation concerning the pain continued to ebb while she focused her attention elsewhere.

Remaining as still as she might ( she couldn't recall a time when she wasn't partial to the habit of bobbing or tilting her head while someone else spoke ), she listened with interest nonetheless. "I wonder how much we've lost because no one preserved it. It's cool that you are." When another smile flickered briefly across her face, it was more contemplative. "What stood out about those comics that made you decide to save them?"

[everythingheard]

Melody ( @timeguardians ) ▌sent 78 for a starter.

Never has Rapunzel found much occasion to swim, nor been inundated with the desire to. Her first genuine experience with the endeavor had come about when she and Eugene had nearly drowned during an escape from a rapidly flooding cave and, while she doesn't consider herself frightened at the prospect of swimming under better circumstances, she does harbor her own quiet trepidations. However, with Melody by her side as they venture further into the gently lapping waves than she ever has before, she's more resolute than ever in her decision to try. "I'm so glad I left my tower," she says, grazing her fingertips along the water. "Now that I've done that, I sort of feel like I can do anything." Rapunzel casts her friend a sidelong grin. "Especially right now, since you're an expert at this."

[everythingheard]

with @solarfire 

When Rapunzel stepped across the threshold of the tattoo parlor, it was with a small portfolio tucked under her elbow and a sense of anxious anticipation fluttering in her stomach. As the door closed behind her, she noted that the interior appeared precisely the same as when she’d last seen it on a visit with her roommate, Cassandra; there was something reassuring about that.

Approaching the counter, a smile curved her lips as she met the gaze of the individual manning it. “I have an appointment for a consultation about a tattoo.” Then, chagrin colored Rapunzel’s countenance ( what else would she be here to discuss? ). “Obviously.” A breathy sort of laugh escaped her before she continued, “It’s with — Jim Hawkins?”

[everythingheard]

continued thread with @solarsurfer!

While Rapunzel’s intentions were quite likely clear, even as infused with the sweetness of the moment as they were ( Jim’s fingers chasing away the faint remnants of tear tracks ushered forth by the disastrous dinner, her arms encircling his waist as her hands clenched lightly at the fabric of his shirt, the sensation of his chin atop the crown of her head as if it was as natural a place for it to occupy as any ), she had failed to predict just how powerful of a reaction they might conjure. However, it set alight within her a quiet anticipation.

Needless to say, her prior experience with forays into similar territory bordered on slim, regulated in actuality to a boy she had chanced short outings with a number of months ago. As the son of a respected colleague of her father’s, Rapunzel had deigned to accept his initial offerings, though she was in possession of the full knowledge that Frederic would find no fault with her should she have chosen otherwise. When their association ended with a physical refusal of his undesired advances, she had discovered that, in some respects, Gothel’s deterrents weren’t completely baseless.

Now, with Jim, was contrasting in almost every possible method. In all of their time passed in one another’s company, she had remained on alert; not in distrust of her newfound companion, yet a fresh wariness earned through the perils of navigating her first relationship of a similar nature. Never had Rapunzel felt anything near to discomfort in his presence, though, until her circumspection fell to the back of her mind ( not dormant, yet relaxed ). The unconscious decision hadn’t proven to be a imprudent one at any point, endearing him to her all the further.

When she parted from his embrace, a hint of color flushing across her cheekbones, she was more pleased with the response than she would have even previously imagined. Regardless, Rapunzel didn’t wish for such to appear her primary objective, though she was dubious that he would reach a conclusion along those lines; thus, she maintained a steady gaze upon Jim’s face as opposed to elsewhere before dashing inside to inform her mother of their alteration in plans. As she’d thought, Arianna was more than sympathetic, assuring her daughter that no affront would be met with from Frederic. With that affirmation to settle any lingering misgivings she had harbored as to their endeavors, she had exited through the front door to join Jim in his jeep.

Throughout their drive, Rapunzel wasn’t ignorant of Jim’s attentions. Although she primarily spent the trip witnessing the lights’ flashes illuminating the asphalt and specters in the form of misshapen trees emboldened by the darkness, she wasn’t averse to sneaking her own periodic glimpses towards him in return. She liked the way he looked in the glares of color beaming through the window on the driver’s side ( green, yellow, red ), and how his hands gripped the steering wheel. Perhaps most of all, Rapunzel liked the appearance of his countenance when he looked at her.

What would parking under the stars entail, exactly? She wasn’t definite on a majority of it, but the notion that she wasn’t suffused with concern should she wish to stop before he did was a comforting one.

Her mind was jarred from those thoughts by the precipitous swerve of the Jeep, and the resounding honk which was shuttled in their direction. Rapunzel’s pulse had quickened at the surprise of it, a huff of humorous relief escaping from her lips. Appreciating the influx of air as one of the windows minutely lowered, she then fully shifted her gaze to Jim upon reception of his suggestion.

“We should!” Her agreement was adamant. “It’s been forever since I’ve had a milkshake.” Tilting her head, Rapunzel feigned a study of him for a moment. “I’m trying to decide which flavor I think you’d get, but I’m not sure.” Although her eyes narrowed, the grin etching itself across her visage undermined the effect.

Then, shelving her debate for the actual moment of truth, her face lost all such pretense. “You should pick the music. I’m pretty sure you have better taste than I do.” Or at least, a far more vast expanse of musical history. There had been so much Rapunzel had opted to avoid due to Gothel’s influence, even if she could have easily discerned paths around the woman’s awareness.

On the other hand, what sort of music would Jim deem suitable for their excursion? “I just want to know all the things you like.”

[everythingheard]

Despite how little she felt like smiling, Rapunzel's lips curved faintly upwards at the sound of Aiden's voice. Her hand lifting to rest atop the one on her shoulder, she said, "I read a lot of stories while I was stuck in the tower, and they always ended when the main character was given a crown — and they lived happily ever after. They never show everything that comes after that, do they?"

Then, her gaze turned from the window to Aiden, and her smile finally reached her eyes. "It was so obvious that you were meant to be a knight. I knew it from the first moment you told me that it was your dream. I've never met anyone with so much passion in their heart for protecting others. Or as much skill." A true grin stole across Rapunzel's face; Aiden had guarded her from harm on more than a few occasions.

"I just wish — that I was even half as sure of what I'm supposed to do as you are. I'm meant to be a princess, but sometimes I'm not even certain of what that means." She tucked a loose strand of hair back behind her ear. "I thought it was about being a leader and caring for your people." Shifting on her bed, she faced Aiden more fully. "I truly believe that learning more about the Sundrop Flower that gave me my powers could help Corona, and I thought that my father would understand that." Although Rapunzel was thoroughly aware of how overprotective Frederic was, she hadn't expected him to refuse her proposed journey to the edges of the kingdom to seek answers; she especially hadn't expected him to do so in front of everyone.

Both Frederic and Gothel had shielded her from the world for her safety, though only one had done so out of love ( as overbearing as it may be ). A frustrated huff escaped her. "I understand that he worries, but I can't stay behind these walls forever."

@everythingheard sent: “I never know when to quit.” ( from rapunzel! )

"You know that isn't a bad thing, right?" she asked, sitting next to her friend. She knew it wasn't easy to throw the towel when things got hard. Even she had her moments where she kept going even when she have given up. She placed a hand on her friend's shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "Don't be so hard on yourself. We all knew this wasn't going to be easy. You are an inspiration with your fighting spirit. I mean, look at me. You're the only reason why I decided to become a knight. Everyone else frowned upon it. You encouraged it."

She was forever grateful for Rapunzel for helping her become a knight. She had always dreamed of becoming one growing up. But everyone always wanted her to be a lady in waiting or married to someone of noble blood. Her friend was the only one that always pushed her to risk it. To not go into the norm.

"Also you have me to help you solve whatever issue you got going. You know that."

[everythingheard]

@solarfire​ said:  (for rapunzel) "why are there no mom tarts but there're poptarts? ...because of the pastryarchy"

“How did I ever get by before without your dad jokes?” A beat. “What a relief that you popped into my life.”