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[runningracingdancingchasing]

Rapunzel loved to cook, but she was under the impression that they didn't really have time for that, so she made herself a sandwich, albeit a decadent one. It wasn't a real meal, but she assumed she'd have time for that, and at least this was still freshly made.

"Hey, you still owe me a glass of ice water," she teased. "I'm afraid I also let myself get dehydrated in Genosha. Is it weird to say that I'm a little ashamed of working so hard? Like I let everyone down. But I'm also ashamed for not working harder. I just... I feel like I let Remy die. I let them all die. I wasn't good enough or strong enough. I need to get better..."

The moment had lingered so long--or at least had seemed to--that when it had been broken Kurt was amazed he had forgotten what they were doing in the first place. Ach, he felt like an idiot, keeping Rapunzel from the food she needed with his baggage.

"Entschuldigung," he apologized with a sheepish grin. "I didn't mean to hold things up. Let's get you something to eat, ja?"

Onward to the kitchen as she said. The fridge was, as always, well stocked with everyone's favorites. Even Storm's, even though Kurt had been sad to learn she had left some time ago...

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Her eyes widened slightly, and her cheeks warmed as she blushed. "Thank you," she murmured bashfully, tucking her hair behind the other ear. "I've always liked it. I can do anything I want to it, and it doesn't affect my powers at all. Most people get to express themselves with their hair, but I only can when it's like this."

It was nice, being so close like this. Peaceful. As though the rest of the world was put on pause for a moment.

But then her stomach growled and ruined it. But at least she laughed at that. "Onward to the kitchen? I'm on the verge of keeling over."

Indeed, she made a very good point. Especially in the current world climate, news of a mutant, and X-Man of all mutants, doing anything like what he feared she might do... You can bet that would make headlines.

Kurt hugged her gratefully, and he allowed himself to stay there in the embrace as long as they could. It was nice to lean on someone just as they leaned on him.

"You've taken a weight off my shoulders," Kurt said with a small laugh. "You're right. I understand Rogue, but it is not too late. She needs us now... All of us."

Leaning back enough to look Rapunzel in the eyes, Kurt reached up to brush aside a stray lock of brown hair. "I had forgotten how nice this is," he mused absently. "Your natural hair." Not that the long golden tresses were any less 'natural' of course, but hopefully she knew what he meant. "Your powers are amazing, but I always thought you looked most like yourself this way."

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She gave his hand another squeeze, hoping she could comfort him in any way. "I think... you might have heard if that's the case. News of that caliber doesn't just stay quiet." Still, she urged him to stop walking with a tug at his hand, then hugged him. "You have nothing to feel ashamed about. You care about her. She's your sister. If I had a sister, I'm sure I'd care as much as you do." Pulling back, she took both his hands in his. "And it's not like you lack faith in her. She's grieving, and... she wasn't exactly raised by the kindest woman. You're not a bad brother for knowing her."

Giving his hands another squeeze, she smiled for him. "We'll find her. Everything will be alright."

Kurt gave Rapunzel's hand a small squeeze. He was so thankful for her now. But the thoughts which weighed on him now, they were far too heavy to carry alone any longer.

"I... I feel ashamed, but I am worried about Rogue. Not only for her sake, but the sake of others. What we saw in Genosha, it is a scar we shall all carry for the rest of our lives. But Rogue... She saw two men she cared for die, Rapunzel. It is more than sadness I fear has taken hold of my sister. I fear, in her anger, she might do something..." He could hardly finish the thought. Reckless? Violent? Rogue was one of the most powerful mutants Kurt knew, and if she chose to direct those powers to revenge...

"I pray we find her soon, and that she hasn't made any mistakes she may regret later."

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He was so real and forthright with her that she suddenly felt guilty for making light of her own struggles. Logan had seen a truer her than she showed Kurt just now, and that didn't sit well with her. She'd have to be more honest.

But then her grew even more serious, and her grip slid from around his arm as she took his hand. "Yes. You can tell me anything," she swore.

Kurt let out a slow, soft breath as they walked, considering his words. He couldn't lie, especially not to her. Not when she knew better than anyone what weighed on his soul since their reunion.

"I am... weary," he confessed. "I have recovered in body, but in soul... We buried Gambit before the others returned to Genosha. Rogue has been missing since before that. Mutants and humans alike are afraid, are angry... It has all weighed heavily on my mind, Rapunzel." To say nothing of his concern for her.

"May I tell you something? Something I would not wish the others to know..."

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"Boy, am I," she agreed, sliding her arm around his as they headed to the kitchen. "I haven't had a decent meal in a week. No wonder I'm out of juice.

As they walked, she soaked up the atmosphere, remembering what it had been like to live here for a while. She'd learned so much, and made so many friends, Kurt included. She gave his arm a squeeze with the thought.

"How have you been holding up?" she wondered. She doubted he and the other X-Men had been twiddling their thumbs for the past week.

Logan was right to think they needed the help. Even if Kurt worried about bringing her into this situation even more than she already was. But she was an X-Man, no? If this was their fight, it was hers, too.

"I was afraid you might," Kurt admitted with a smile. "But I know your efforts made a great difference in Genosha. Now we'll have to see what role we play next..."

It couldn't be as simple as finding Trask and taking him in... And why had he had such a change of heart? What was Sinister's role in all this? It troubled Kurt how many questions lay unanswered, how the answers could only be found by walking into what might be a trap. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...

Kurt pushed that thought aside quick and took Rapunzel by the hand without thought, leading her from the jet. "Logan was right, though. We should get you something to eat while we wait for Jean. After so many days of just emergency rations, you must be dying for some real food."

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And suddenly, everything felt so much better! She laughed as the purple smoke cleared and beamed up at him. "Yeah, I wasn't really doing much good in Genosha anymore, and Logan said the X-Men need me, so... here I am! Minus the hair." A finger twirled one of the short locks. "Working on getting that back."

Still, when she focused on it, she could feel her power buzzing much stronger under than surface than it had been before her long rest, and it was amazing how much just seeing Kurt again helped.

"I kind of overdid it," she admitted. "I'm a drained battery."

They were all happy to see her come along. As Logan had mused, the team could use all the members they could get now.

Kurt knew the team was coming back. Not all of them, of course, Scott had called before he knew Rapunzel was coming. But he was ready to go. Except... Rogue. Still no sign of her. Now Kurt was more concerned than ever.

He just prayed she hadn't done anything rash...

As soon as the Blackbird had landed Kurt approached the plane, greeting the others as they came out. "Rogue hasn't returned," he reported.

"I'll use Cerebro," said Jean. "We'll need Rogue on this mission."

"And she's not gonna want to miss this one," Logan added knowingly.

Kurt sighed. No, she likely wouldn't. But that worried him. All mutant kind--perhaps most of the world--had such anger for Bolivar Trask now. He needed to be stopped, but--

"Punz," Logan called, "get yourself some food 'fore we take off again."

Kurt's eyes lifted as he was pulled from his thoughts, and he looked up to see none other than the brunette he had left behind in Genosha. He smiled, teleporting right to her side. "Sonnenschein, you came too?"

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At the name of the hated Bolivar Trask, her smile dropped away entirely, and her jaw squared. Whether she'd have the energy to really shine by the time she reached him didn't matter nearly as much as reaching him at all. If nothing else, she could pick up some supplemental weapons at the mansion.

"Let's go," she said, shouldering her bag.

The walk back to the Blackbird was solemn and focused, and there was something good about seeing the team assembling like this, with a specific goal, and not just shock and support.

The flight to Brazil was blessedly long, and Rapunzel fell asleep almost as soon as the jet took off. And then the flight back to New York allowed her enough time to wake up on her own. As she yawned and stretched, Hank handed her a bottle of water to help rehydrate and she smiled gratefully, the most genuine smile she'd given since before the disaster.

As the plane swooped low towards the mansion, she realized she was about to see Kurt again, and suddenly she was worried about how she looked, finger-combing her hair into place and making sure there was no sleep in her eyes or dried drool on her face.

When Logan saw her, he couldn't deny he was a little surprised. Not only was she already ready to go, she had even brought out the old uniform. Not bad, kid.

"You can fix your hair up on the way," Logan informed her, not unkindly. "We're takin' off earlier than expected. We know where Bolivar Trask is."

At least, they knew where he said he would be. But it was a lead.

"We gotta drop Jubilee and her boyfriend off on the way. Said there's a family matter to take care of. But then we'll pick up Kurt and Rogue."

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I felt horrible to be just sitting there for hours and hours. Eventually she left the slab where Logan had left her to at least pack what meager things she had. In their first delivery, her parents had sent her several changes of clothes and some dry shampoo and a washcloth and soap, so she could at least keep some semblance of clean. They'd even sent her old X-Man uniform without prompting. So, while she waited, she freshened up and changed into the sort of attire Logan would want to see her in.

By the time Emma Frost was found, she was good and ready, in a manner of speaking. She still felt guilty leaving, but she couldn't help but acknowledge that she needed the rest, and that she wasn't doing nearly as much good here at this point.

When Logan showed up, she held out her arms with a little smile. "It lacks something without the long hair, don't you think?" she joked lightly.

Logan regarded her again, and his tone softened. "I'll come get you when we need you, kid." Not if. When. She obviously needed to know right now that she was needed, that her efforts counted. "Right now we need you to take some time and recharge."

He gave her another pat on the shoulder as he turned to go. He glanced back once to add, "welcome back to the team."

With that, Logan got to work with the others. Rapunzel and everyone here had already been hard at work, now it was their turn.

Hours passed, the X-Men helping out however they could. Unloading supplies, tending to the hurt and the worried, all while Jean and Scott looked for survivors. But the search had gone on too long now, turning up not a single soul. It almost seemed hopeless, until the call carried out. Jean had found someone! A telepath, by the sound of it! Sure enough, they had found Emma Frost there under the rubble, alive thanks to the manifestation of a new power.

Logan knew what everyone was thinking, though none dares day it. They were disappointed to know it hadn't been Madelyne. Even so, the crowd cheered for the successful rescue, and moral seemed to lift instantly.

And then Morph called for the team. They had a caller. One none had expected. Trask. The man Logan wanted nothing more than to sharpen his claws on now. And he had the nerve to ask them for help. Could it be a trap? Probably... But it was as good a shot at nabbing Trask as they were gonna get.

As promised, Logan went to find Rapunzel. Hadn't been as much down time as she deserved, but better than nothing.

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She frowned in renewed confusion. "I can't!" she protested. "Logan, I'm needed here!" She gestured at Genosha and the devastation all around them. "I have to get back to healing the survivors, I--!"

But then she stopped, the weight of a week of working endlessly weighing down on her. So many dead, and every minute that passed, the number of potential survivors remaining under the rubble decreased. And even if they found more, what could she do? She was powerless, for the time being. The realization made her sit down hard.

"I... yeah, okay..." she agreed meekly, and once more her head was in her hands.

She was no good here right now, and who knew when she'd have enough energy to be worth anything again? She'd probably be better off with the X-Men. If she hadn't regenerated enough energy by the time they needed her in action, well... she supposed she'd hang back and find something useful to do with her mind. She was pretty smart, after all. It wasn't all about impossibly long hair that couldn't be broken or healing powers. Was it? That couldn't be all she was worth.

God, she needed sleep. And maybe a drink. But mostly sleep.

Logan chuckled. "Easy, killer. You convinced me, you still got it. Good. Cuz soon as the Blackbird takes off again, you're gonna be on it. What happened here, if we don't do somethin' about it, it's just gonna be the start. So we're gonna need every X-Man we can find."

With Storm powerless, Bishop time-hopping and Gambit... Well, long story short, it felt as though the team was getting sparser by the day. But now they had Nightcrawler back. And Rapunzel, if she was up for it.

"I'm gonna get to work," Logan told her. "You take it easy. That ain't a friendly suggestion, either."

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For a moment, she was confused. What she heard was: rest now so you can get back to work soon. So his next question took her in an entirely different direction and trying to re-parse the statement that she'd misconstrued.

And then she grinned a little. It didn't reach her eyes.

"I came out of this whole ordeal with hardly a scratch. You tell me if I'm still in shape."

And then, as if to prove her point (and despite her fatigue), she got to her feet and threw a playful punch. Her form was still perfect, and she knew his reflexes were more than sharp enough to avoid being touched, let alone hurt.

Logan smiled, glad he could get through to her. One little victory, at least... Even in the face of such an enormous loss as Genosha. If he couldn't fix that problem (at least not yet) he'd settle for taking care of one mutant at a time.

With a pat on her back, Logan carefully stood. "Don't gotta thank me. Just doin' what I can, same as you. Besides, we're gonna need you in top form soon enough, Goldie."

Yes, Genosha needed a lot of work, people here needed help. But there were issues beyond Genosha that needed the X-Men. With the way things were going, war might be just around the corner. The team would need to head it off as fast as possible... And if they couldn't, they'd have to be on the front lines.

"You stayed in shape since your Danger Room days?"

[runningracingdancingchasing]

Rapunzel giggled at the sleeping dog. "Oh, to drift into dreamland so easily," she mused as she settled near the fire, holding out her chilled hands to the flames. "I'm crazy for getting in the water. How have you ever put up with me?" she laughed, not at all serious or self-deprecating.

Spotting the picnic basket, she fished out the thermos of cocoa, suddenly incredibly glad that they'd thought ahead to the chilly weather before taking the trip.

She poured him a cup and handed it over, smiling as their fingers brushed. "Still a little nervous," she admitted, "but it's easing. I guess it's just that all the build-up doesn't dissipate immediately."

There was an ease within his chest, along with everything else he was feeling about her, and both of them were willing to try this again; though 'try' was hardly the word for it. Once her hand was in his, he brought her hand up and pressed a gentle kiss to the back.

"Sounds perfect, then," he muses, now swinging their hands back and forth as they walk.

"Wonder if Gnocchi wonders where we went." Though answers his own--well, it wasn't quite a question--as he spies her laying fast asleep on the sand near the fire. Yet his mild concern doesn't last as Melvin's attention is turned back to his…girlfriend? Were they going to label this just yet?

[runningracingdancingchasing]

Look, I'm just saying that it's really funny to me that Ace of Base is getting a small resurgence from the use of "Happy Nation" in X-Men '97.

[runningracingdancingchasing]

Pet peeve: When people color Rapunzel's eyes blue (or any color besides green, when not directly related to, say, her powers activating), or her dress pure pink instead of pinkish purple.

[runningracingdancingchasing]

Just updating my Raipunzel RP/ficlet list with @xiaolindude/@xiaolintease for our own reference.

Xiaolin-verse:

-Dragon of Light -Home Is Where Your Ass Is [COMPLETE] -Nova Scotia (ficlet) -Building Up Walls [COMPLETE] -Is This Okay? (ficlet) -Not a Nightmare... (ficlet, 18+ for s.exual content) -Diffident Diversions (18+ for s.exual content) -Suns Out, Guns Out (18+, for s.exual dialogue)[COMPLETE] -Cramp (ficlet, 18+ for s.exual content) -Lucky 13 (18+ for s.exual content)[COMPLETE] -You Can't Save Me (18+ for violence and potentially triggering themes)[COMPLETE] -Catch (ficlet, 18+ for s.exual content) -You're An Asshole But I Love You (starter) -The Balance of Waiting (18+, for s.exual content)[COMPLETE] -Mind Games (18+, for some s.exual content and several dark and potentially triggering themes) -I Want You to Want Me (18+, for s.exual content)[COMPLETE] -Rum Soaked Sunset -Negative Head Space -Something's Gotta Give -Stolen Studies (18+, for s.exual content) -The Intimacy of Hands - prompt (ficlet, 18+ for potentially triggering themes)[NOTE: Is not "canon" to this AU, but still takes place in it]

Bodyguard AU:

-Nowhere Safer -You Worry Too Much [COMPLETE] -Freefall (18+, for s.exual content) -Closeted Desires (18+, for s.exual content) -Jealousy (18+, for s.exual content) -Silence and Patience (18+, for s.exual content) -Another Inch of Your Life Sacrificed (18+, for s.exual content and potentially triggering themes) -One Year Kissaversasry -Behind Closed Doors (18+, for s.exual content) -The Sweetest Dessert (18+, for s.exual content) -I Choose You

Futbol AU:

-Charitable Contributions -Reopened Wounds (18+, for s.exual content and potentially triggering themes) -Christmas EmergencEve (18+, for s.exual content and potentially triggering themes) -Fall Apart to Reunite (18+, for s.exual content) -Flight to Catch -Nothing Will Burn Us Out (starter)

Tempting Scandal AU:

-Teach Me to Be More Adaptive (18+, for s.exual content and potentially triggering themes) -The Intimacy of Hands - prompt (ficlet)

"Villain" Rai AU:

-New to Rio, New to the World [COMPLETE] -Secretly On Your Side [COMPLETE] -A Guy Like You Should Wear a Warning (18+, for s.exual content)

Verses we've plotted but not RP'd in yet

Heylin Kids

Pirate AU

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[runningracingdancingchasing]

you changed your pfp and background! It looks good!

Thanks! It's one of the Lorcana cards! XD

[runningracingdancingchasing]

Reblog if you will NOT roleplay with those under 18.

NOTE TO MINORS: Many of those who reblog this and similar posts are adults who write mature content, which may include sexual content, and as such it is for their legal protection as much as yours that their blogs are age restricted.

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Reblog if you will NOT roleplay with those under 18.

NOTE TO MINORS: Many of those who reblog this and similar posts are adults who write mature content, which may include sexual content, and as such it is for their legal protection as much as yours that their blogs are age restricted.