( Actions ) Open

[clevermind]

( Genessia | Library )

[Seeing Belle in the library is common enough however the last few weeks have brought in Belle more frequently than before. She's looking up information about different forms of literature as well as complimentary teaching guides. Belle is considering becoming a teacher of either literature, language or French but is unsure where to start. She knows how to teach but classes appear to require a more firm structure than the lessons her father had given her.

She pours over books for hours every afternoon before finally relenting and taking the long walk home to her apartment in Genessia. She always has a pile of books in her arms and at times has trouble navigating as she puts away some and checks out others.

Shaymin is sitting with her, curled up on one of the chairs at her side as she closes another guide to teaching.]

I don't know if I can do this Shay.

[Belle exhales a soft breath before looking back at the texts in front of her. She's determined but is that enough?]

( Genessia | Singing - Street in front of Stone Ridge )

[A few months ago, Belle had started building a music box. It is similar to the one her father had made though she doesn't have his eye for art. She has his mechanical mind and while the outside is different, the same song plays through the box as she carefully places the last piece into the clockwork. She hasn't seen her father for almost a year now and she misses him dearly. Belle is comforted by the fact that time doesn't pass the same way in Genessia as it does at home but she can't help but feel as if a part of herself is missing.

As the song plays Belle begins to sing. The windows to her house are open and the sweet sound of her voice echoes all the way to the streets. Belle has a beautiful singing voice but it's also quite sad too.]

How does a moment last forever?
How can a story never die?
It is love we must hold onto,
never easy, but we try.

Sometimes our happiness is captured.
somehow a time and place stand still
love lives on inside our hearts
and always will.

[Belle feels tears prickle on her cheeks as she closes the music box.]

( Fayren | Horseback Riding | CLOSED to Prompto )

[Belle had promised to teach Prompto how to rise a horse several months ago and, with the onset of spring, today is a perfect day to do just that. Belle has sent Prompto the time and place to meet and then waits with the horses. Her own horse is a Percheron breed of horse that's commonly used to pull carts and other heavy objects. This is a type of house that Belle is familiar with and has packed him with bags and the items needed for their outing. The second horse, the one intended for Prompto, is a pure black Friesian horse which is better known for it's agility. He stamps his hooves anxiously as Belle produces an apple from a bag that she has hanging around her shoulders.]

Be patient. [She speaks in a soothing voice.] We'll be riding soon.

[The horse greedily devours the apple before gently nudging it's head against Belle's hand. She has a brush in her other hand and begins to brush the horses as she waits for her date.]

Comments

[Action] Genessia | Library

[despisesthegods]

[Styxx had been making use of the library himself, searching for a book of his own to read. It wasn't as quiet as the library that had been in the palace so long ago, the thoughts of others constantly making noise inside his head and giving him a constant headache. He'd had to try and learn how to try and tune people out again, as the desert had been far quieter.

It was while he'd been looking through a book of plays that the thoughts came to him with a familiar tone to it. He'd heard the voice before, but it was the first he'd heard it in his own mind.

He closed the book, putting it back on the shelf as he went to investigate and found Belle curled up in a chair. He kept his distance from the girl and his back directly to a bookshelf to keep anyone from sneaking up on him from behind. Only a fighter would likely notice how on edge he tended to be all the time, ready to make a move at any moment, but to anyone else, he'd look fairly relaxed.]

It seems I'm not the only one who takes an interest in being here.

[Action] Genessia | Library

[clevermind]

[Belle's focus is on the small creature sitting next to her when Styxx finds her. There is a book open in her lap with her legs curled at her side on the chair. Taking into account the number of books on the table, both open and not yet touched, it's obvious that Belle's been in the library for at least an hour already.

The familiar voice makes her jump with a start as she looks up towards Styxx.]

Oh, please excuse me. I hadn't noticed you standing there.

[She closes her book after marking the page and shifts comfortably in the chair.] Yes. I come here often for research. There is a lot I have to catch up on. [Her time doesn't lend itself to having this much information.] What brings you here today?

[She knows the library well so she might be able to help and she could honestly use the break.]

[Action]

[despisesthegods]

My apologies for startling you. That hadn't been my intention. I just happened to see you as I was walking by and thought I'd say hello.

[It was a mild lie, but nobody needed to know about his ability to read their minds. People tended to not like it when their thoughts weren't private, and so he did decide to try and keep as quiet about it as he could.]

I was looking for some older plays. It's been a long time since I've read any new ones

[He hadn't really gotten much of a chance to figure out where to even find any before coming here, and once he'd moved into the desert, he'd just given up the interest, though the conversation with Belle before had sparked it again.]

[Action]

[clevermind]

No. You're fine. [She offers him a kind smile.] You're welcome to join my if you'd like or-- [Her voice trails off.]

If you'd like some recommendations. I know many plays and I've found a few new ones that I have enjoyed.

[She's spent a lot of time in the library and he'll be able to hear her already rattling through plays in her head, sorting them into categories.]

Re: [Action]

[despisesthegods]

I prefer the older ones.

[He understood them better after all.]

And your help would be completely welcomed, but before that, do you mind if I inquire if everything is alright? You seemed bothered by something.

[Action]

[clevermind]

I'm afraid that I'm from a time that many here classify as the past. So I'm unsure what you mean when you say older plays. Perhaps if you give me a time period?

[She'll do research, Belle enjoys research.]

Oh. I'm just a little worried about my new position. I've never done anything like it before but I want to do well.

[He'll find that what Belle says is exactly what's on her mind. She isn't one for deception.]

Re: [Action]

[despisesthegods]

I'm sure if that's the case then it must have been quite the culture shock here.

[It certainly had been for him when he'd gotten off the vanishing isle after 11,000 years or so.]

Do your best and I'm sure you'll do well. The best teachers are the ones that truly wish to educate others, and as long as that's what you truly wish to do then you can't go wrong.

[Action]

[clevermind]

A bit. I've always been a little odd in my small village. Maybe that's why I fit in so well here. [Women are not supposed to have Belle's thirst for knowledge.] Thank you for saying so. My father taught me everything I know and I hope to show the care and love that he had shown me. He's the reason I love books as much as I do.

Re: [Action]

[despisesthegods]

Odd? How so?

[Styxx smiled at the second part.]

I'm sure you'll manage it and be a wonderful teacher once you get started. Try not to worry about it too much.

[Action]

[clevermind]

Well, I'm the only woman in my village who knew how to read.

[Belle knows that she doesn't fit in but she could never leave because that means leaving her father behind as well. Her father is one of the most important people in her life.]

Thank you. I'm sure that you are right.

Re: [Action]

[despisesthegods]

Then you were likely in a village of small minded people. I feel it's just as important for a women to be educated as it is for a man to be.

[But then again, he was from Greece where education was more important in general.]

It's honestly nice to speak with a woman who has a mind of her own and is well educated. It seems such a rare thing to find anymore.

[He honestly was fond of women who he could have a legit conversation with about science, art, politics. He loved those kinds of conversations. Too many times had he run into women who just....couldn't keep a conversation with him.]

[Action]

[clevermind]

I don't know about that. [Belle's smile widens.] I've met many women here who are well educated, even those who aren't familiar with the technology of this world. It seems as if different worlds have different ideals. I've found it very interesting. [She reads some of the history books here at the library and has loved all of them. Belle doesn't always know the context or world that the history has been based in but each text has something that can be drawn from it.]

action. Sing!

[molestedbytailors]

[It so happens Mey-Rin was passing one day while running some errands with a Houndoom by her side. It was stressful in the Everglades lately and she was relieved to see Mrs. Grell returned. Still, it was a mess. But when Mey-Rin's ears picked up on a certain melody? And singing? She couldn't help but look up to the source. She sheltered her eyes with a hand to get a better glimpse of the window while her mind pride on the melody. She had heard that voice from somewhere, right? She couldn't remember.

While she tried to figure this out, her Houndoom let out a low howl along with the song. The dog pokemon played along.]

action. Sing!

[clevermind]

[Belle's voice abruptly cuts away at the sound of the barking outside. The music box continues for a few more notes and then ends as well. She doesn't remember anyone having a dog so she brushes away her tears and walks over to the window to peer outside. When she notices Mey-Rin she leans out and calls her friend over.]

Mey-Rin. Is everything alright?

[She heard a dog howl and hadn't thought it was music. Animals don't sing where Belle is from though furniture sometimes did.]

[chocobosnap]

[He's not nervous. Well, not about the horses at any rate, and hopefully they'll be like riding chocobos which is by far one of the more fun things he gets to do.

Prompto arrives, he's still got his jacket on, but it's open because of the nicer weather. It's too chilly for him to be bare armed.

He's still a little nervous about spending time with Belle, it isn't anything she's done, but rather he's still on the edge of terrified that she'll change her mind and walk away. It's an anxiety he's intimately familiar with, and although it's mainly baseless, he can't help it.

If it's come to pass, it isn't yet because she's there, brushing off the horses. He smiles brightly and offers a little wave as he approaches.]

Hey.

[clevermind]

[Belle turns and smiles when she see's Prompto approaching. He looks nervous though she assumes it's because of the large horses that she's standing next to.]

Hi. It's good to see you, as always. [He always makes her smile.] Are you alright? You look a little pale, if you aren't ready we can try riding another day. [She knows that a lot of people have to get used to horses before they're comfortable riding them.]

This black one is yours to ride. His name is Nightingale. The other is Evangeline.

[chocobosnap]

Oh n-no it's- I'm fine. [He's not sure when she got so good at reading him, but it makes him blush because she knows him a little better, doesn't she?]

Although, wow, that's huge. Much bigger than a chocobo. [He lets his excitement creep into his voice.]

How fast do you think he can go?

[clevermind]

[Belle places a hand against the mares neck with a warm smile.]

I don't know but it's a wonderful feeling. If you're comfortable enough we can see. [She doesn't mind racing with the horses though she won't push them further than they can go.]

Are you ready? The first step is climbing on and I thought I could help you. [She's already fastened the saddle and everything that Prompto will need.] Horses are very smart and they can sense your nervousness. It's better to try and be calm or introduce yourself first.

[Belle takes Prompto's hand and gently places it on the horses neck.]

[chocobosnap]

I think I'll be fine with the horse. I like all animals. [He grins brightly, he would never dream of causing harm to the horse and he reaches out carefully with her and touches the soft fur.]

Oh man. Hey there. I'm Prompto. I'm always a nervous wreck. [He laughs, self-deprecatingly.] But I'm not scared of you, if that helps? You're very pretty.

[clevermind]

I'm glad to hear that. [Belle's smile widens as Prompto and his horse began to get acquainted. She waits until it seems as if they've built a rapport before releasing the reigns and attending to her own horse. The horse snorts at Prompto and then shakes its head before turning so Prompto could get on. It's used to people riding him though it looks like he has a bit of an impatient temper.] It looks like he wants you to ride him. Do you need help? [Belle wants to make sure before she climbs onto her horse.]

[chocobosnap]

[It makes him smile and he shrugs helplessly and shakes his head.]

I think it's not too hard?

[It's bigger than a chocobo, but the saddle looks roughly similar. He grabs ahold of the saddle, raises one leg and hoists himself up with a groan, swinging his leg over the other side.]

Whoa, thank the Astrals I have core muscles!

[clevermind]

[Belle watches Prompto while an amused smile tugs at the corner of her lips. When she was small her father had to help her onto Philippe but she's since learned how to ride without assistance. When she's sure that Prompto is settle she lifts herself onto her horse and gently guides the horse so she's along side Prompto's.] We'll be riding to a clearing I found. It isn't too far from here and it should help you get used to him. Most commands are done with your heels but be gentle or the horse might run off with you on it. [He doesn't have to worry. She'll go after him.] Ready?

[chocobosnap]

I'm hoping I can manage it. It can't be too different from chocobo riding, I hope.

[He smiles and sits up straight, he has good posture at least, but they did ride chocobos a lot.]

If not this is gonna be really embarrassing. [He laughs softly.] Uh yeah, okay, are you going to lead then?

[He smiles brightly at her all the same.]

[clevermind]

For now. After lunch I thought that you could lead. [She wants to give him time to get used to riding and his new partner for the day. All horses are a little different.]

It's this way.

[She flashes him a smile before turning her horse and heading towards the forest. Belle is a skilled ride and after a few paces she turns back to make sure that Prompto is able to follow her. She can hold his reigns and guide him but she sees no fun in that and she wants to see him ride.]

Are you having fun yet.

[chocobosnap]

Oh no, you can lead back too if you want. [He laughs.] I was just wondering if you would show me where to go.

[He smiles shyly at her as they start off along the path. It's not too long before his horse relaxes and falls into the gentle pattern of following Belle's horse, even if he was impatient and willful. It was lucky.]

Yes I am. [He grins.] This is surprisingly different from a chocobo! [He leans forward and pets the horse's neck.]