Common Room

Howl chuckled and took her hand. "Not yet, Nelly. School doesn't start yet."

"You think I'm not sorry that I caused my best friend incredible pain and suffering?" Ariel exclaimed. "Rapunzel, I get that you're angry with me, but you weren't there. He was going to kill us all. He had gone insane. And if you had been allowed to stay with Macalli, you and Howl wouldn't have made up," she frowned, but then her eyes softened. "Punz, I check up on him every day. He's got wonderful parents who love him very much. They're gentle and kind and they're going to raise him and be the parents he deserved, and he's going to live a happy life free of that baggage that he had when he was still a god."

*Nelly nods* I know...! But Dari and I are going t get ready!! ^^

*Rapunzel frowns* I COULD'VE been there! I was there when he was being sent away! But if you don't remember, I was being hunted down by Hikari! I WANTED to be there! He had been protecting me, and just when it was my chance to protect him, I COULDN'T. Howl, I'm sure, would've found a happily ever after! I mean, everyone did but me anyway, right?? I was stuck after the shit life I was already pinned with and me not being with him made it WORSE. I've put on this facade just to make others happy, when inside I'm as miserable as I can be! You always tell me that! "Oh, he'll be able to grow happy" and shit! Well, maybe YOU think that's fine, but you're not IN this situation are you???

Howl chuckled. "Really? What are you going to do to get ready?"

Ariel clenched her fists. "You think I don't remember that?? I was worried SICK about you, Punz!!! And he may have been trying to protect you, and I don't doubt that he had genuine feelings for you, but he would have abused his power to get back at everyone, because he was bitter about losing the war so many times before," her eyes started to tremble. "And you don't have to go through this alone, Punz! You have people who care about you! You now have three kids who love you so much, you have Howl here who's absolutely head over heals for you, and I'm sure he'd gladly listen to your troubles and help you out. I'd listen, Punz, if you'd just give me the chance," her eyes hardened slightly again. "No, you're right, I'm not. I'm just in a position where I'll have to sit back and watch as my friends go old and die and the thought of knowing that that's going to happen is killing me, which is why I'm here. Punz, I don't want us to fight forever, I want us to be friends again, before all our time's gone," her eyes had softened again, and she seemed close to tears.

*Nelly smiles* We will learn our letters!

*Rapunzel frowns deeper* I would have worked to CHANGE him! I would've made sure that he didn't hurt ANY of you! He wasn't only bitter from war! He was bitter from no one to show him compassion..! Which I would have done without a doubt! Why would I want to pester Howl into my problems! I don't know any of his troubles anyway! So why would mine matter to him if he has no intention of sharing his own!? *she scoffs* Well you don't HAVE to be immortal, you know! That's YOUR decision! *her eyes harden* ....You want to be decent with me again...?? Friends?? Then bring Macalli back. The one I fell in love with. Give me a chance to change him.

Ariel looked at Rapunzel hopelessly. "Punz . . . I . . . " she exhaled before running a hand through her hair, before pursing her lips. "I can't bring Macalli back. I'm sorry. I don't have the sway to make that kind of decision, it would require both mine and Jesturma's consent, and neither of us trust him to not try and manipulate you to get back at everyone else," she then looked at Rapunzel, her eyes saddening. "And you know, if you'd be willing to drop everything for Macalli, then I suggest you tell that to Howl before he gets hurt. God knows he's broken plenty of hearts in his time, but now that he does have one, be careful with it. That's something that I learned the hard way."

*Rapunzel looks down, clenching her fist* ....If he's not back, then no reason to drop everything... *she turns to Howl* ...I wouldn't hurt him.. *she looks at Ariel, confused* ( Lol she said "god knows" ) What do you mean you "learned the hard way??"

(XD Force of habit)

Ariel just exhaled and looked down. "I mean, I learned the hard way how to not break someone's heart."

*Rapunzel shrugs* Well, whatever. That's got nothing to do with me.

Ariel just exhaled and ran a hand through her hair. " . . . I'm sorry."

*Rapunzel looks to her* ....For what? There's quite a list... So...I dunno what to forgive...

"Everything?" Ariel exhaled. "For . . . for being insensitive to your feelings, for not being around as much to help you, for causing you pain . . ."

*Rapunzel looks down, not saying a word for a few moments* ..... *thinking about all of the biggest times that she had been hurt the most by her friend* ...

Ariel exhaled. "I understand if you can't forgive me. I just . . . want you to know that I'm sorry."

*Rapunzel exhales* I just...it'll take time...y'know...? Heartbreak is a terrible thing to experience once but I went through it TWICE...and knowing that there could've been a way to prevent the second time, if I had help from a friend... *she shakes her head* It'll just take time... But...I'll come to forgive... That's who I've always been, right??

Ariel looked at Rapunzel almost helplessly, and then pursed her lips, looking Rapunzel straight in the eye.  "I'm not telling you to forgive me, Rapunzel.  But I am telling you right now; never think of yourself as weak for for being capable of forgiveness.  It takes more bravery to forgive someone than it does to stay angry at them."

*Rapunzel looks away* Then I guess I haven't been showing much bravery as of late....

Ariel's eyes softened. "You've been incredibly brave. Just . . . in a different way, that's all."

*Rapunzel lifts her head* .....What do you mean..?

Ariel smiled a bit. "You're a single mom. You're carrying on with your life after a traumatic war experience. You're still being you. And I know you're scared at times, but you don't let that bring you down. You're incredibly brave, Punz."

*Rapunzel gives a light blush before looking up at Ariel with large Studio Ghibli tears in her eyes*

(XDDD "Studio Ghibli tears" XDDDD)

Ariel's eyes softened when she saw Rapunzel's tears, and she instinctively hugged her friend tightly.

( XD They are quite big )

*Rapunzel hugs her back tightly* I'm sorry..! I'm so sorry..!

(XD They are)

Ariel's eyes softened even more, and she rubbed Rapunzel's back comfortingly. "It's fine, it's fine . . . I forgave you long ago. And I'm sorry."

*Rapunzel cries more and sniffs, hugging Ariel tighter* You don't need to be sorry...

Ariel sighed and hugged her more. "I do . . . I wasn't there when you needed me, and I'm sorry."