Tangled in a Knot

13. The Overwhelming Beauty of Water and Earth

In about a day's time, Eugene, Rapunzel, and Cassandra all arrived in the beautiful kingdom surrounded by bodies of water. The most striking part that caught Rapunzel's eyes were Neserdnia's perfectly flowing waterfalls. Without even thinking, Rapunzel ran towards the waterfalls like a young child full of innocence and wonder, and jumped in them. Cassandra and Eugene ran after her and watched her play in the waterfalls. 

"How about you go in there too?" Eugene suggested. "I'll push you in." 

"Don't you dare," Cassandra said, crossing her arms. "I hate getting wet." 

"You really are no fun," Eugene said, pushing her into the giant waterfalls. 

Rapunzel laughed. "Glad you could join me, Cass! Aren't they beautiful?" 

"Wet," Cassandra grumbled. "Let's go." 

"Oh come on, Cass. You can't be afraid of a little water, can you?" Rapunzel said. She laughed as she splashed Cassandra. 

At first, Cassandra appeared irate, but took a few seconds to finally warm up. After she had warmed up, Rapunzel and Cassandra had a splash war. And Cassandra could admit, that despite how childish the activities seemed, it was fun. Both girls laughed. 

"Come on, Eugene! You're missing out on all the fun!" Rapunzel said, splashing Eugene with the water from the waterfalls. 

"Oh no, no, no, Blondie. I don't do getting wet," Eugene said. 

"That's the exact same thing Cass said, but she tried it and she likes it!" Rapunzel said. "Jump in before I push you in." 

"Oh, I see what you're doing, Rapunzel. And I don't like being repeated," Eugene said, crossing his arms. "I am not getting in that water, and that's final." 

"Then take off your shirt," Rapunzel said. "Maybe that'll make you more comfortable to get in the water." 

"Then what am I to do? I don't quite have any swim clothes to wear, so my pants are gonna be soaked," Eugene said. 

"My dress is soaked, my underwear is soaked, my body is soaked. Basically, everything is soaked from head to toe. Oh! And all seventy feet of my hair is soaked. But I am loving it." 

"Of course you are, Blondie," Eugene said. "I have no doubts that you do. You certainly are having a lot of fun in there." Crossing his arms, a small smile crossed his face. "Eh, what the hell?" 

Eugene jumped in the waterfalls, and at first did not engage in the splashing that Rapunzel and Cassandra were engaging in. That is until Rapunzel splashed him. 

"OK, Blondie. This is war," Eugene said, a smile crossing his face. He laughed and splashed Rapunzel back. 

The splash fight lasted until nightfall.