bridgescribble | Did you pack socks?

The Traveling Meme

You're on your way from point A to point B, and you've chosen one of the many forms of communal conveyance to do so! Let's see what your trip looks like today.

Train: The Orient Express if you're feeling fancy, your standard intercity line if you're not, but no matter how humble the train there's always a little bit of romance to the rail.
Plane: It may be the type of travel we least look forward to. Go ahead and stuff your character in coach--unless they're one of the blessed few who can afford knee room in business class.
Ship: The heyday of the grand passenger liners, a tall ship (preferably with a star to steer her by), or the ferry.
Bus: Whether it's a school bus, a Greyhound, or your regular commuter ride... we know you're not wearing the seatbelt like you're supposed to.
Stagecoach: Some old-timey fun!
Airship: Listen, JRPGs had it right when they decided these should be a normal thing.
Spaceship: For that sci-fi feel! To boldly get Ubered where no one has Ubered before.

Scenarios

I brought a book for a REASON: You're just trying to make this journey in peace and quiet but for the person in the seat next to you....
Stalled: Well, now you're really not there yet, because your mode of transport has stopped working--thrown a wheel or can't get off the tarmac or lost the breeze. Better figure out something to do in the meantime.
Stand and deliver! Dammit, it's bandits, or robbers, or some other kind of ne'er do well--or maybe you're the one pulling the heist.
Running: Not literally, obviously, but you're trying to get away from something bad. Let's hope it's not catching up to you a few seats down....
Disaster! This isn't just inconvenient, it's catastrophic! Good thing you're here to save the day, right? ...Right?
Actually having a nice time: It's just pleasant to sit and look out windows while someone else does the steering, you know?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Perhaps. Perhaps not.

[The Dark Fae said evenly. Humanity had made great strides over the centuries but he'd just as often seen them backslide when someone cruel and intolerant of others came into power. It was a sad, old story.]

I am Borra of the Desert Fae.

[He gave a polite nod, the movement accentuated by the large pair of horns he possessed. They twisted upwards and looked vaguely like those that could be found on an antelope.]

Borra of the Desert Fae. That sounds like a regal name for a Fae. I was named after my great-grandfather and I have my dad’s name as my middle name. Not exactly the most exciting or impressive sounding of names in all of Wizarding Britain.

(He politely nods in return, not being too surprised by the horns’ large size compared to some of the bus passengers who seem to act as if they have never seen horns on Fae and animals before. They look impressive in scale, compared to his stag Patronus’ horns.)

[Borra chuckled softly at Harry's words.]

Names mean very little in the end. It is what is in the heart of a being that matters most. Someone I have known for a very long time is a Forest Fae named Maleficent. Not a very friendly-sounding name, is it? But she is kind and wise, with a heart far larger than she'd like to ever let on.

True. Names don’t really mean that much compared to what most people would like to think. I honestly don’t pay much attention people recognizing me that often due to whatever reputation it has been to attached since I was a baby.

Wow, that is quite amazing. She must be a well respected and upstanding figure among the Fae. I do wonder what kinds of action she is very capable of doing that have earned her such admiration.

[Borra thought of what Harry had told him thus far. A reputation that had been attached since he was a baby...hmm...then it clicked.] Are you-- [Then he lowered his voice so no nosy snoops could overhear.] Are you Harry Potter then?

[Even among the Dark Fae, they had heard of The Boy Who Lived. One or two very foolish and young of their kind had even sided with Voldemort, though the wizarding world had allowed them to punish those youthful idiots in the way they sought best rather than imposing anything upon their people.

He nodded at the mention of Maleficent, a soft look coming into his orange-red eyes.]

She formed a bridge between the Dark Fae and humanity a long time ago. She became mother to a human princess, a beautiful young girl who she had cursed once in a moment of rash anger. It turned out only she held the key to breaking the spell she had cast, using the love in her heart. That first loving relationship between Fae and a human allowed everything else to occur. The steps that were taken afterwards could not have happened without her.

Why yes, yes that is definitely my name.

A young human princess born from her and a human and being an important key to form a bridge for Dark Fae and humans alike. Wow: That is quite amazing that this princess did played a key role in staring those first important steps to repair relations between our people.

I’m also quite happy that Maleficent was able to break the curse she accidentally placed onto her daughter with that strong love for her in the end too.

Interesting. Not quite what I expected.

[More humble and tolerant than he expected a wizard who was a living legend to be.

He chuckled at the idea he'd accidentally given Harry given the way he'd worded things.]

Oh no, the child wasn't her own flesh and blood. At the time, she knew of no other Dark Fae. She was adopted by Maleficent some time after she'd placed the curse on the girl and was fully human. In a way, it was even better, for Maleficent learned to love the girl simply on her own merit and because of her lovely personality.

Oh sorry for the mistake, Borra. I just got a bit mixed up myself. At least she and the young girl do get to love each in spite of not being related to each other.

I do know what is it like having a second family though. My relatives on my mum’s side weren’t the greatest people in the world: in fact outside of my cousin, they aren’t the kind of people you would love to have a tea party with. It wasn’t a great environment to live in their home for most of my life. No one should get treated horribly by their relatives.

Luckily I was able to find friends who would go out of their way to treat me well and care for me regardless. Some of my best connections are with the family of one of my best friends. They don’t have much in terms of personal wealth but they do make up for it with a lot of love and care for the people they meet.

In a way, it was what led her to the rest of us, so I never could disapprove too much of her human daughter.

[Aurora had been kind enough. For a human at least. Borra was always a little prickly no matter who he talked to.]

One may not always choose the family they are born into but they can choose a new one that is not bound by ties of blood.

I can agree with that. Just because people can be related by blood doesn’t mean that they will be close with each other. It can be tough finding people who will love and accept one for who they are. But it is always worth making strong bonds outside of one’s kin and being happy with them everyday.

I don’t regret associating myself with my friends than my relatives ever since I got to meet them years ago.

Take it from someone who has lived a long, long time: live your life with as few regrets as possible.

[The bus came to a screeching halt. The conductor called out the stop and Borra stood up, stretching his wings out to work out some of the cramps that had developed during the long journey. After a brisk shake which ruffled all of his feathers, he looked down at Harry.]

This was an interesting meeting, young wizard. If you ever have cause to make it to the island of the Dark Fae, I would be happy to show you my home.

Yes indeed, it has been quite interesting meeting in a bus, Borra. I would be honoured to come visit your home on the island of the Dark Fae someday whenever I get the chance to do.

(He couldn’t help letting out a soft smile, having learned a lot about the Dark Fae and getting to meet one in Borra. Maybe he will get the opportunity to visit him and the Dark Fae eventually when he does get some free time.)

Did you pack socks?

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