A few days later, Raven was doing some paperwork in her throne room when she received a call from Apple.
"Hey Raven," said Apple.
"Hey Apple, do you need something?" asked Raven. Neither girl could help but smile as they talked while looking at the other on their screen.
"I just wanted to let you know that Cerise, Maddie, a few others and I will be going swimming tomorrow at the Enchanted Lake near my house and I thought I should invite you too," said Apple.
"I… I can't go," said Raven who dropped the smile and instead became worried.
"Oh, it's alright, you are a Queen and have a lot of paperwork, so I understand that you can't just come hang out with us when you want," said Apple who also dropped her smile and instead became sad.
"It's not that; can I come over real quick using my magic, I need to tell you this in person," said Raven.
"Sure," said Apple. The two then hung up and Raven quickly appeared in the blonde's room in a puff of purple smoke.
"I'm sorry about this, it's just that it's something to say in person not over a mirrorphone," said Raven who was extremely nervous.
"You can tell me anything, Raven," said Apple.
"My back is covered in scars because of my mother," said Raven while crossing her arms and looking down at the floor.
"What?" asked a shocked Apple.
"Any time I messed up as a child she would beat me and they never healed as they were made with magic, so if I wore a swimsuit then they would be visible, that's why I can't go swimming," said Raven.
"Just… just how bad are they?" asked Apple who was feeling a mixture of anger and sadness.
"This bad," said Raven as she turned around while her magic caused the back of her dress to turn invisible.
"Dear Godmother," said Apple as she looked at dozens upon dozens of whip marks.
"I don't want to disgust you all tomorrow whe…," said Raven before the blond hugged her from behind.
"We would never be disgusted, just angered and sad that you had to go through this," said Apple.
"Besides, we can find a one piece to help cover them, so please reconsider coming with us," said Apple as she let go and turned Raven around to look at her.
"How can I say no?" asked Raven, who was close to crying from all the feelings rushing over her.