callmeaprincess | Inbox for labyrinthum

[Aurora had noticed several things rather... worrisome regarding her best friend. 1. That Jasmine seemed to be burning the candle from both ends all day every day, and 2. That she was endlessly on edge. Not without good reason, of course, Jasmine was, by and large, deeply sensible.

But she was also, by and large, not the sort to rest even if her body, heart, and mind were clearly in dire need of it.

So, the Skeksis gone and calm before whatever the next storm may be, Aurora decided to intervene. She packed a picnic for two and knocked on Jasmine's door.]

Jasmine, darling, do you have a moment?

[It's true, Jasmine has been under a lot of stress since the dragon hatched. At first it was the good kind of stress that comes from handling pleasant responsibilities... but from the many thoughts raised at the council meeting, to the Skeksis threatening to take her Little Guy away, to the villagers pushing everyone to entertain them after these threats, to the underlying concern that maybe she's not cut to be a mother after all, it has become more and more clear that her sleep isn't near as restful as it used to be.

So despite her prompt answer to Aurora's knock, the door opens to a more visibly careworn princess, with her eyes heavy and sighs more frequent. When she smiles at her roommate, it's a strained expression.]

Of course, Aurora - is there something you...? [And then she notices the pack.] What's going on?

[She quickly grabbed Jasmine's hand, smiling as she tilted her head.]

I thought, dearest, that you could use some peace and quiet. Something you've not had in these many weeks. Come have a meal with me, away from the hustle and bustle, a chance for you to breathe.

[She holds up the basket.] Have you ever had a picnic in the woods, darling?

Oh, well Rajah and I go through the woods all of the time, doing the rounds and scouting for newcom... that's not what you mean, do you?

[Aurora, you clever girl. She can't hide the smile from her face as she sighs.]

As a matter of fact, yes - a breath of fresh air is just what I need. Prescribe away, Dr. Aurora!

No, darling, that is not what I mean. [She smiled, moving to link her free arm with Jasmine's.] That does, however, prove my point most effectively.

Now, come, we've quite some ways to go and you've got quite the mind to unwind.

[Aurora wasted no time once Jasmine gave the go-ahead, pulling the other princess out of the cottage, past the lake and other buildings, and heading into the woods. Once there, they were immediately joined by various animals who were only too happy to either greet Aurora and then go about their day or to tag along on their journey. The path, for the most part, is winding and mostly clear though there are stray roots to look for as they go up and down the trail. It's a wonder how Aurora does all of this barefoot.]

Now then, I could start, certainly, by asking you what might be troubling you, for I know the list is long. So, instead, Jasmine, I shall ask you something much harder:

What is something that has made you laugh today?

[For as soft and easygoing Aurora often is, Jasmine always appreciates her insistence on looking out for her. She also admires Aurora's natural familiarity with forests, both in her comfort without shoes and how she's clearly pinned a spot for them for this "peace and quiet" session. So she's fully letting her take lead, waving to the animals they pass, and allowing a smile at that thoughtful question.]

Well, when I saw Aladdin this morning, he tried to show me a new flying trick from Little Guy. But Little Guy... flew the wrong way, forcing Aladdin to duck out of the way and... fall backwards into the fountain. [She's even giggling just thinking about it.]

I can imagine that is quite funny. [She smiled as she recreated the memory in her mind. She watched Jasmine giggle and her smile became softer.] You have a beautiful laugh.

[A clearing was coming up, the canopy allowing dappled sunlight to come through and have warm and cool spots.]

So you have laughed today, that is very good. Now, have you allowed yourself to sit and just breathe? And I don't mean to sit and ruminate on everything you have to get done, but rather to sit and allow yourself to notice only what is around you, to hear, and smell, and see only what is in the present.

Have you done that today, my darling?

Thank you. [Said with a light blush; she always feels oddly vulnerable when people comment on her mannerisms.]

Now that I can't say I have... but, I don't think that'll be hard in a place like this.

[Gazing at the beautiful clearing before them, her last set of words end almost in a sigh; even just being here is relaxing her. She'd gone through this space many times, but never really stopped to appreciate it because her path was always so focused. After standing for a moment to take in the sight, she steps into a patch of sunlight, closing her eyes and breathing slowly.]

Hmm, I should hope not. That's why I picked it. [She smiled. Aurora lets Jasmine soak in the sounds, the sun, the sight, and everything else that the forest had to offer. She sets up the picnic in silence.

Once finished, she set herself down, and then, Aurora joins her in the silence, closing her eyes and leaning back on her hands, sun on her shoulders. She feels a rabbit crawl into her lap and she smiles as she just takes in the sounds of familiarity.]

[There's a part of her that's tempted to help Aurora with the setup, but then she suspects that defeats the purpose of "relaxing" here. So instead she settles on the ground, still in the patch of sun, only just levelling her breathing by the time they're side by side. Aurora's presence alone seems to calm the air around them, and then she's truly able to capture the sounds of nature: the birds calling to each other, the rabbit joining them, the far-off hints of running water...

And with her mind finally clear of half of its clutter, she hears her own voice echo in her head, "It's going to be fine. We will be all right."

Which causes her to audibly sigh - not a forlorn sigh, or even a tired sigh - a sigh that sounds like the tension finally leaving her body. She hadn't even realised until now just how much tension had been built up, with the Skeksis, Little Guy's antics, the undead attacks, and yes, even Aladdin's arrival...

At some point during this sigh, she winds up lying back on the grass, with her hair out of the ponytails and her tigress stripes evident on the exposed skin. Seemingly oblivious to this state, she continues the relaxed pose as if about to fall asleep.]

[With Jasmine becoming more relaxed, Aurora hummed softly and moved to make sure Jasmine's hair wouldn't get tangled up, idly running her fingers through it for just a moment. She smiled as she watched the tension leave Jasmine's shoulders. She smiled at the sight of the stripes and moved to lay back beside Jasmine, her hair spilling to mix gold and ebony.

Aurora filled her lungs and let the breath out slowly, she felt the rabbit adjust to sit on her stomach. The flapping of wings and a gentle nip to her fingertips told her that the owl who had become the unofficial guardian over her. She reached out and took Jasmine's hand in hers, giving it a gentle squeeze.]

Take your nap, the food will still be good when you awake.

Hmm... [It's more a sound of acknowledgement than a proper response as she sighs again, squeezing Aurora's hand in return.

As is proper with good naps, Jasmine doesn't know just how long she slept in the woods that day. All she knows is that she awakes to the sun bathing her skin and her best friend breathing softly next to her. She gives herself the lightest chuckle; she really feels like Rajah now. It's not until she carefully sits up that she notices the stripes, which incites a more proper laugh.]

Guess I needed this more than I thought.

[While Aurora hadn't fallen asleep, she certainly had closed her eyes and allowed herself to enjoy being a part of nature. Her mind quieted and she felt like she was part of the earth and it was a part of her. She had heard and felt Jasmine begin to stir and slowly opened her eyes, turning on her side to properly face the older princess. A smile crept across her lips as she saw how much more relaxed she looked.]

I know, that's why I recommended it. [She chuckled before sitting up and stretching her arms above her head, leaves and flowers in her hair. She lightly shook her head they fell out.]

Are you hungry?

[She beams at her best friend as she rises - Aurora really is gifted with such radiant, dawnlike beauty. Her hair far less tamed after being in a double ponytail, Jasmine runs her fingers through the black tresses to clear out the natural debris.]

Yes, that picnic sounds lovely right about now. Thank you.

Inbox for labyrinthum

Action; After Skeksis and Council meeting

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;