bridgescribble | Planes, trains, automobiles

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Planes, trains, automobiles

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?

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[ Belle doesn't understand the concept of packing light.

Even in the carriage, even when they're supposed to be sightseeing around Arendelle, she has a pack with her, because you never know when you're going to need a change of shoes (or socks!), and we know she doesn't go anywhere without a book or three.

Whether on the floor of the cabin or on the seat next to her, it absolutely takes up too much space. The carriage is stopped — something about the horses, though the coachmen haven't explained exactly what's going on, and she's certainly thankful for Elsa's company (post-unofficial-divorce buddy supreme), but she's lost her ability to handle small enclosed spaces over the years. She rolls her shoulders to keep from squirming, gestures to the window. ] I'll just...

[ Belle doesn't finish the thought, instead slipping out from the carriage door, and she had no idea how much fresh air she was missing in Storybrooke. Holdups or not, this was needed.

Restless, Belle takes a moment to wander around the carriage and the coachmen as they move about the most important piece: the horses. One is clearly perturbed, shuffling its feet, almost limping, whinnying in annoyance, and she watches as the coachmen discuss and gesture to the horse's hooves. Through the trees, the sun catches a glint of silver on one hoof only.

Well. The coachmen shrug and chatter among themselves, but that's a pretty easy fix.

Belle's eyes light up with excitement, and she hurries back to the window of the coach, leaning in to Elsa. ]

Your horse - it lost a shoe! [ Fantastic observation skills! Her early years of bookish horse girlery are coming in absolutely clutch. She beams. ] The road ahead is too rocky without it, but if we can find it, I know how to fix it. [ She gestures for Elsa to follow her with a wave of her hand, and then she's already practically halfway back down the pathway. Let's go! ]

( it's the least elsa could do, really. inter-realm traveling is common for some, but she's only just getting a handle on it. and with anna and kristoff finally returning from their adventuring honeymoon, elsa's left the castle in capable hands which leaves her free to have her regular locale visitations. it's good for her, the anti-social sibling, and it's good politically after the whole childhood ice power lockdown thing.

her advisors were pleasantly surprised when it was elsa who suggested it, announcing a visiting friend would accompany her to see the sights. two birds with one stone, she thought, but it's far more humane with zero animal violence involved!

stalled in the cab, elsa is happy to sit quietly, hands in her lap as she lets her thoughts drift out the window, focusing on the sound of a babbling brook and the call of birds overhead. ( a queen has to zone out sometimes. ) she's only vaguely aware of belle's fidgeting until belle takes it upon herself to solve the horse issue. )

Wait, what?

( one of the guards has trailed after belle and while she's following her, elsa's pushed her door open and gathered the skirts of her navy traveling gown to hurry after her. ) Did you see it somewhere?

No, but if it fell off, it has to be on the road somewhere, right? [ Absolutely flawless logical execution here, folks. Belle is less than mindful of the guard trailing after, reassuring them that it's fine, they can handle it, but she does grin and allow Elsa a moment to catch up before slowing her pace. It might take them longer to reach their next destination on the great diplomacy tour, but Belle's thankful for the chance to stretch her legs. She takes a breath of the fresh air. ]

I used to ride when I was younger. [ Elsa may not have asked for an explanation, but Belle's happy to provide one anyway. ] Much better than being cooped up in the palace all day. Sometimes, when this happened, my father would tell me I'd have good luck if I found it.

[ A bribe which worked every time, apparently, given the way that she's scanning the ground every few feet. She gestures upward to the beams of light that fall upon them from between the leaves of the trees. ] See? With the sun like this, we'll find it in no time. [ That road is, well, not short, though. ]

That would be the logical conclusion, ( elsa murmurs bemusedly, not quite as quickfooted as her travel companion but eager to let her enjoy what is the start of her relative freedom. elsa has never been a divorce buddy, but she sure is trying here. )

I am unsurprised that you are a horse lover. ( real recognizes real. ) We do have lanterns to aid us, but I hope that this won't take us until sunset.

( she's potentially drafting her apologies to the next town just in case. they'll understand the queen's lateness, but elsa will surely think about this for weeks while laying in bed. )

We will have to lend you one of the horses when we return to the castle.

Or... [ She turns around, cloak flouncing around her heels as she walks backwards down the path. She is looking, even if she doesn't appear to be, and she lets her eyes fall to the path to scan for something shiny just to prove it. Government appointments are important, and she respects Elsa's time, okay. ]

We could all go together, couldn't we? With Anna and Kristoff? [ The more the merrier. Belle grins and turns back around, walking properly down the road. ] It sounds lovely. Out here, especially.

Or - ( elsa repeats playfully, like she would with anna while she's having an idea.

she's looking too, but she's a little more focused on watching belle. they're nearly the same age ( /waves hand ) but she can't help but act like the protector even with a handful of guards between them and the carriage. )

I think that sounds just splendid, ( she clasps her gloved hands together, the gloves being more for fashion than for protection of course. ) Kristoff can show us the paths he likes to take with Sven.

[ A D V E N T U R E.

Belle grins, wide, and glances up to admire the view of the foliage. These realms aren't bad places to be in when one actually wants to. She looks back to Elsa, head tilted. Elsa's regal form somehow contrasts with their surrounds as much as it compliments. ]

Honestly, I didn't exactly take you for the outdoors-y type.

I suppose I can see where you'd get that idea. Anna seems like the kind of person who'd be more comfortable dirtying her skirts, no? ( she chuckles. )

While I admit my ideal evening is a night in with a good novel, I have come to love nature and it seems to welcome me in its embrace, especially when I embraced my own powers. ( she's more of a gentle walk in the forest gal than a jump into muddy puddle gal. plus, contrary to what a show might imply, elsa has an outfit for literally every situation so there's no way she'd be in the mud in her pale blue outfits. )

[ Belle's nose crinkles as she smiles. She can appreciate the beginnings good poetry when she sees them in the literal wild. ]

You know, you don't need to choose. You'll have to show me the best clearings for resting and reading. [ She'll bring the medieval equivalent of iced tea, go puddle-stomping with Anna, and come back and make some reading headway until they lose light. Honestly, the ideal. ]

Oh, yes, of course! A part of me - I know it's a little silly - but a part of me feels that I should sometimes. ( queenly pressure!! )

We did show you the library, of course, but there are some wonderful nooks if you explore. Anna spent a great deal of time trying to play hide and seek with the servants when the castle was still closed. ( there's a bittersweet smile on her face, but she's happy her sister had fun where she could.

she's interrupted by a glint of something shiny several yards away and she points suddenly. ) Oh, what is that?

[ Belle knows about the jock/nerd dichotomy and she is against it!!! Even if she fell for it when she was younger. Growth.

She's about to comment, but Elsa's gesture cuts her off as she follows her friend's gaze. The sunlight drips from the trees and catches it, still gleaming, and she picks up the hem of her skirt and rushes over to it.

It's certainly a horseshoe! She turns it in her hand as she wanders back to Elsa, pondering it. ]

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure if this one actually belongs to your horse. But it seems like a good start?

( she hastens after her, a few paces behind still, picking up her skirts and politely turning down any offers to help her over fallen logs and large rocks and such. at this point, they're used to it by now, more from anna than elsa, but they do have a job out here.

when the guards seem to confirm belle's declaration, elsa gives a light, nervous laugh. ) Well, perhaps we'll hold onto it just in case.

I truly cannot imagine it landing any further from here! Unless dear Athena here has decided to take up dance. ( the horse seems to whinny in response. )

[ Belle is more than happy to hold on to the wayward horseshoe —and even happier to approach Athena with an outstretched hand toward her snout, mumbling nonsense words and greetings, because she respects critters. She wishes she'd thought to bring some apples for a snack for everyone. Missed opportunities!

She offers the horse a few affectionate pats on the nose and holds up the horseshoe, addressing Elsa and the guards. ]

Should we try? [ Or rather: should the guards try? She lets out a bashful chuckle. ] Horseshoe fittings unfortunately weren't part of my studies.

[ And that's okay, because the guards, likely annoyed at her absolute, uncontrollable, unabashed recklessness, seem all too eager to take the shoe from her and get to work. ]

( elsa chuckles and reaches out to pat guard leader before she sighs and moves around the carriage with the other guards to begin tending to the shoeless horse. the queen, meanwhile, stays back with belle, watching her fondly for a moment before clearing her throat. )

Belle, how are you faring thus far?

( which is the queenly version of the deep sigh and "how're you doing?" whenever someone gets divorced. except elsa genuinely wants to know how she's doing. )

This — ( and she elegantly sweeps an arm around, gesturing to the forest. ) is mere sampling of the beauty of Arendelle, too! There's much to be seen once we resume the trip.

I'm thankful for the downtime. Really. [ Her distraction complete, Belle steps back to stand with Elsa, hands folded in front of her. She knows that the immediate isn't exactly what Elsa means, but still — the reprieve is no burden on the guest whatsoever. What is vacation if you can't relax? ]

Overall, I think I'm doing as well as I can be. I see it as a chance to do more things, stay occupied. You're... the first to ask, actually.

[ CHARMING SHADE ALERT ]

Oh?

( her eyes widen briefly in surprise. sounds fake but. belle really has no reason to lie. elsa lightly touches belle's arm before extending the hand out to her. it's typically something she does with anna, but she's happy to extend the comfort to her as well. )

I can only imagine, ( she adds carefully, ) It certainly cannot be easy living in Storybrooke. ( and the whole...rumple thing. )

Anna has also very graciously offered to play tour guide should you find the need for more adventure after our jaunt. ( and, well, olaf too, but he's considerably less helpful than the princess of arendelle. still a+ for effort and enthusiasm, though. ) If you need distraction or if you need quiet, do let us know.

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Planes, trains, automobiles

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