[Action]

[letdownmyhair]

[There's an extremely anxious-looking Rapunzel heading out toward the quad. She doesn't have many of her belongings with her; just a box with her art supplies and a small bag filled with some clothes and her communicator. Pascal is perched on her shoulder, looking all around them just like Rapunzel is and with an equal amount of anxiety.]

Everything

Comments

[sirenspell]

[Well, this was peachy.

Esmeralda had obediently trotted downstairs and was in the quad within the allotted time frame, having seemingly packed very little. She waited, senses alert, arms crossed, Djali at her side. To an onlooker, she probably appeared vaguely impatient, if disinterested. In reality, she was concerned, and her thoughts raced.

She noticed the arrival of another person in the quad instantly. It was someone she hadn't met yet, someone with two points already in her favor - she had the most remarkable hair Esmeralda had ever seen, and she had a small reptile perched on her shoulder. Esme was about to ask her any number of questions (the other girl might not know any more than she did, but it was worth a try), when she heard the other girl speak (presumably to the reptile?). Something about her tone and her demeanor made Esme stop - and pause - and change her mind completely.

She speaks up in a gentle, lighthearted tone, with a hint of a grin on her face.]

Lovely weather for a field trip, isn't it?

[letdownmyhair]

[Rapunzel tenses slightly when she hears a new voice, turning carefully to see who's approaching her. Only then does she relax, letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding, tucking back some hair and smiling slightly.]

Well, uh... I guess it could be much worse?

[sirenspell]

It could always be worse.

[She returns the smile. Whatever it is that's going on, Esme doesn't want the other girl to worry. After all, what's the worst that could really happen in a school with an eccentric headmaster with an awful sense of humor?]

Is life at the Academy usually this eventful, or did I just arrive at an exciting time?

[letdownmyhair]

[You'd be surprised, Esme. Rapunzel lets out a small sigh, trying hard not to let her anxiety show as she casts around them once again.]

It... has its ups and downs, actually. Sometimes nothing happens, and then something does, and then all of a sudden we're all going on a field trip!

[sirenspell]

[She catches the tiny sigh. Perhaps a subject change is in order - Esme glances at the little reptile again.]

Do I get to meet your friend?

[letdownmyhair]

Hmm? Oh! [For a moment the sudden subject change loses her, but she regains her bearings soon enough. She glances toward Pascal, where he's sitting on her shoulder and peeking out at Esmeralda from the other side of her neck.]

This is Pascal~ He's my oldest friend!

[sirenspell]

[She sinks into a little curtsy, smiling up at the chameleon.]

Hello, Pascal!

[She then glances over at Djali, whose impatient stamps let her know he's waiting for his own introduction.]

This is Djali. He isn't my oldest friend, but he's certainly one of my closest.

[And lastly...]

And I'm Esmeralda.

[letdownmyhair]

[A huge smile crosses Pascal's little face as he puffs his chest out, making a soft snort of approval.

Rapunzel laughs a little at Pascal's antics, then bends down a little as she addresses the goat.] Hello, Djali! So nice to meet you~

And of course, it's very nice to meet you too, Esmeralda! [She then attempts to mimic the curtsy, though it's obviously sloppy.] I'm Rapunzel~

[sirenspell]

[She also laughs a bit at Pascal's reaction, which is too adorable.]

It's lovely to meet you both!

[Djali, delighted with the attention, gives a little leap before trotting over to Rapunzel and nuzzling his head against her hand.]

I think he likes you.

[letdownmyhair]

Really? Well, I like him, too~ Both of you!

[Both Rapunzel and Pascal beam at their new - well, Rapunzel certainly hopes she can consider them her new friends, anyway. Either way, the blonde's attention falls back on Djali and she's all for petting him and scritching lightly behind his ears, bending down a little so she's closer to his level.]

Such a good boy, aren't you, Djali?

[sirenspell]

[Rapunzel's statement is so open and kind. Most everyone Esme's met here at the Academy has been exceptionally nice, but she still feels pleasantly surprised at being given the other girl's stamp of approval so quickly. She smiles softly, gratefully.]

Thank you...

[Djali is loving all this special attention. He closes his eyes happily as his ears are scratched, and bleats in response to Rapunzel's question. Esme giggles.]

Keep it up, Rapunzel, and he'll be your friend for life.

[On the bright side, their mutual pet introductions seem to have been a great effect - Esmeralda hopes her new friend is slightly less anxious now?]