Arthur & Beatrice | And Felix Makes Three
Mar. 22nd, 2024 02:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
xp_birdy posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
xp_logsBeatrice joins Arthur in the city to take Felix for a walk.
Shoulders were tight as Beatrice followed Arthur closely. Her hands almost touched the sleeve of his coat, before they returned to laying flat against her thighs. "American public transportation feels very different," she murmured, "though, you know what, I say that and I also can't even really clearly remember public transport in Canada."
"Isn't it great how every city is different?" Arthur beamed while obeying all of the unspoken rules of the New York City public transport system: keep your eyes forward, move with purpose, mind your own business, and remember compromise and chatter are for tourists. Felix, who was stuffed into an internal frame backpack, turned his head to give Beatrice a sympathetic look — or that might have been all he could move. Regardless, the dog's tongue was dangling enthusiastically. "Most of my experience with Canada was being dropped from burning planes over the tundra," Arthur added, "I bet the subways are nicer. More polite."
Her mouth opened, brows raising before pinching together as her head cocked in thought. There was no immediate answer to that that wouldn't be asking what exactly the man had been doing in the Canadian tundra, but, well, that really wasn't any of her business, was it. Avoiding the shoulder of another patron, Bea did take the moment to gently grasp Arthur's arm, not wanting to get seperated, as her eyes darted across the platform. A soft exhale as she looked away. "They were, when I used them, I mean. Back when I worked in the city it was quite polite, or at least I was never really afraid being alone," she chirped idly.
A bright smile as she took in Felix. "That's a lovely backpack, I don't think I said it, but it really is great and Felix seems to not mind it."
One of the man's hands came up to give Felix a pat. "No person may bring any animal on or into any conveyance or facility unless enclosed in a container,” he stated in a voice that was full New York, circa that of a radio announcer from the 1930s. "It is brilliantly New York," and he emphasized the capital letters, "to only follow the letter of the law. One of my favorite parts of the city, honestly."
"There's a word for that, isn't there? For following the law but to the t so that it’s technically a loophole? Do they have any weird laws, New York? Some places have that I heard." The small string of questions was to fill the silence, unsure what most people talked about on their commutes. The swarm of people behind her had Bea tightening her hold on Arthur. “Do you like this place we’re going? For Felix?”
"Central Park was the plan," he said. Bea's grip wasn't noticed, but Arthur didn't move to pull away or adjust. "I planned to wow you with views of the city matched with enough space where we could actually chat. You know, for all three of us."
"I don't think I've ever been, uh, to Central Park, I mean," Bea murmured. "Is it pretty in March?" This finally had a grin joined with it, though her eyes were on Felix again. The dog seemed very relaxed for all that was being done, and all the people. She chewed on her lower lip gently.
"It is a well-kept garden all year round. Nature with all of the perks of a big city," Arthur said with a shrug. "But you just confirmed something — Bea, you don't get out of the mansion much, do you?"
This earned Arthur a confused cock of the head, lip released so she could speak without tearing the skin. "Arthur, I've already told you, I haven't left since you brought me back. This is, uh, this is my first time out since. And I don't-" she stopped herself from digging her nails into the soft meat of her palm, "people are loud."
This got a nod, and Arthur's eyes narrowed only slightly as he filed those facts away for later. "I thought the park would be a nice change," he said with an uptilt in tone.
The crowd was thinning as they made their way out of the white-tiled station. It was, fortunately, a light day in terms of foot traffic at Columbus Circle. It was this fact that made it easy for Arthur to note something peculiar as they passed by the camera station kiosk during their exit. "Huh, neat," he mused with a brief gesture toward the empty screens without pausing, "That's a funny thing."
A flicker of eyes and a small laugh chirped out from Beatrice. “Oh that is funny. Probably a system update.” And arriving out in fresh air, well New York fresh, she sighed, finally releasing her hold on Arthur’s sleeve. “I, uh, sorry about that, thank you for indulging me.”
“A park. . .a park does sound nice. You said there was a garden? Is it just taken care of or is it a botanical garden.”
"There's a few gardens," Arthur admitted, but he spun in turn, arms wide, to indicate the area around them. They had emerged right in the middle of a bunch of shops and buildings flanked by the looming presence of trees that indicated Central Park South. The real jewel was a moment topped with a golden figure flanked by horses on all sides. "Central Park is more of an experience. You signed up for a walk Miss Davis," and Arthur paused to get Felix unslung out the bag, "which was poor planning on your part. I only know how to hike."
Beatrice's steps quickened as she followed Arthur and the now unleashed — in the metaphorical sense — dog she'd eagerly agreed to going on a walk with. Slowly a smile spread, a hand coming up to tuck away loose strands of hair out of her eyes and behind her ear. "That. . . that sounds really nice, honestly. It's been a long time since I've been for a hike. I uh, I used to be a wilderness guide, once upon a time, up where I was born." Her face flushed as she looked back to Felix, clearing her throat. "And that, I have to assume, is the most boring thing you've ever heard."
Arthur's grin was radiant. "Wait wait, that's at least two facts I've learned about you today. Are we becoming best friends, Bea?" He continued walking past the park's gates, stride unbroken. "I used to travel to wild places, you know — when it wasn't planes and trains or anything on location. What parks?"
"Before you were jumping out of planes that were on fire?" A perfectly maintained brow rose in amused curiosity. "I, uh, I think I'd like that, Arthur." This time her smile showed slightly crooked teeth before she ducked her chin down, raising a hand to cover her mouth. "If that's alright."
"I had a very particular hook, you know. Six season's worth." He cocked his head, still smiling. His phone buzzed, then, and he apologetically slipped it from his pocket. A frown marred his smile for just a moment, like a cloud in front of the sun.
The question that had been on the tip of her tongue stopped as his expression changed. A hand moved towards him instinctively, gentle as she placed it against his elbow and ready to withdraw it if he shook her off. “Everything alright, Arthur?”
"Oh, just work," the man lied, clearly distracted. It was not his finest acting. A breath passed before he put the phone away without having typed anything. Instead, his eyes drifted to Bea's hand gratefully. "At least," he admittedly hesitantly, "It feels like work. It shouldn't."
"Oh, I'm sorry." A soft smile spread as Bea looked up at him, though her brows pinched together. Her eyes dropped. "I didn't think about your work, I apologize, here you are putting off work and it didn't even occur to me. I hope everything's okay?"
He waved that off. "The glorious life of an investigator with nothing to investigate means that I can claim all of my time as being valuable. Like a consultant. Or an executive producer. Just with more paperwork."
She opened her mouth to ask what he meant but instead shook her head. "Well, I think it's very valuable. And this makes me realize, I don't think I'm cut out for TV then, or movies. I like to keep busy. But. . . I admit, searching for a job isn't something I look forward to. I'll leave that problem for Future Bea, if that's alright." A slight laugh escaped.
"I hope Future Bea forgives you," Arthur laughed right back. "Or save her the trouble and just come work for X-Factor. Wham, job search solved."
This earned a delighted chirp of laughter, as Bea patted Arthur's arm. "Aw, Arthur, you're so funny. But I don't think I'd be any good at being an investigator," she shook her head with another laugh, looking to Felix as she let herself giggle once more at the thought. The back of her neck tingled and she brought up her free hand to rub the feeling away.
The man found himself smiling by reflex, and he closed his eyes and tilted his head backward to appreciate the sunshine. Felix obediently followed at heel, his eyes passing between the two as they continued forward. "Anyway," he found himself admitting, "it isn't XFI. Not that kind of work." He rolled his shoulders back, stretching, and his voice was suddenly teasing. "How are you keeping yourself busy in this life of leisure? Viewers at home want to know."
The question that was starting, head already cocked, before Beatrice righted herself quickly. She wasn't going to push if it wasn't something he wanted to talk about, that was impolite. "Oh I, Jessica has some books from the library that I'll read through, or I'll go pick up some from the library myself. I'll walk around the grounds on a nice day. I've thought about picking up sewing, if only to keep myself busy again, but, well, supplies cost money. Everything costs money actually," this she murmured to herself.
"Capitalism," Arthur agreed, voice mournful but equal parts amused. "You could turn to a life of crime. The great robber queen, Beatrice, whose greatest secret is her heart of gold."
This earned another giggle as Bea playfully swatted Arthur’s arm. “Goodness, Arthur, you’re too funny. But, if I’m being honestly, I don’t know what I’ll do. I want to stick around, to help when I can, but I think. . . I think maybe I’m a little useless. So maybe I’ll learn something new and try it out.” With that said, she flashed Arthur a smile and a wink. “And maybe I’ll take you up on a job.”
Shoulders were tight as Beatrice followed Arthur closely. Her hands almost touched the sleeve of his coat, before they returned to laying flat against her thighs. "American public transportation feels very different," she murmured, "though, you know what, I say that and I also can't even really clearly remember public transport in Canada."
"Isn't it great how every city is different?" Arthur beamed while obeying all of the unspoken rules of the New York City public transport system: keep your eyes forward, move with purpose, mind your own business, and remember compromise and chatter are for tourists. Felix, who was stuffed into an internal frame backpack, turned his head to give Beatrice a sympathetic look — or that might have been all he could move. Regardless, the dog's tongue was dangling enthusiastically. "Most of my experience with Canada was being dropped from burning planes over the tundra," Arthur added, "I bet the subways are nicer. More polite."
Her mouth opened, brows raising before pinching together as her head cocked in thought. There was no immediate answer to that that wouldn't be asking what exactly the man had been doing in the Canadian tundra, but, well, that really wasn't any of her business, was it. Avoiding the shoulder of another patron, Bea did take the moment to gently grasp Arthur's arm, not wanting to get seperated, as her eyes darted across the platform. A soft exhale as she looked away. "They were, when I used them, I mean. Back when I worked in the city it was quite polite, or at least I was never really afraid being alone," she chirped idly.
A bright smile as she took in Felix. "That's a lovely backpack, I don't think I said it, but it really is great and Felix seems to not mind it."
One of the man's hands came up to give Felix a pat. "No person may bring any animal on or into any conveyance or facility unless enclosed in a container,” he stated in a voice that was full New York, circa that of a radio announcer from the 1930s. "It is brilliantly New York," and he emphasized the capital letters, "to only follow the letter of the law. One of my favorite parts of the city, honestly."
"There's a word for that, isn't there? For following the law but to the t so that it’s technically a loophole? Do they have any weird laws, New York? Some places have that I heard." The small string of questions was to fill the silence, unsure what most people talked about on their commutes. The swarm of people behind her had Bea tightening her hold on Arthur. “Do you like this place we’re going? For Felix?”
"Central Park was the plan," he said. Bea's grip wasn't noticed, but Arthur didn't move to pull away or adjust. "I planned to wow you with views of the city matched with enough space where we could actually chat. You know, for all three of us."
"I don't think I've ever been, uh, to Central Park, I mean," Bea murmured. "Is it pretty in March?" This finally had a grin joined with it, though her eyes were on Felix again. The dog seemed very relaxed for all that was being done, and all the people. She chewed on her lower lip gently.
"It is a well-kept garden all year round. Nature with all of the perks of a big city," Arthur said with a shrug. "But you just confirmed something — Bea, you don't get out of the mansion much, do you?"
This earned Arthur a confused cock of the head, lip released so she could speak without tearing the skin. "Arthur, I've already told you, I haven't left since you brought me back. This is, uh, this is my first time out since. And I don't-" she stopped herself from digging her nails into the soft meat of her palm, "people are loud."
This got a nod, and Arthur's eyes narrowed only slightly as he filed those facts away for later. "I thought the park would be a nice change," he said with an uptilt in tone.
The crowd was thinning as they made their way out of the white-tiled station. It was, fortunately, a light day in terms of foot traffic at Columbus Circle. It was this fact that made it easy for Arthur to note something peculiar as they passed by the camera station kiosk during their exit. "Huh, neat," he mused with a brief gesture toward the empty screens without pausing, "That's a funny thing."
A flicker of eyes and a small laugh chirped out from Beatrice. “Oh that is funny. Probably a system update.” And arriving out in fresh air, well New York fresh, she sighed, finally releasing her hold on Arthur’s sleeve. “I, uh, sorry about that, thank you for indulging me.”
“A park. . .a park does sound nice. You said there was a garden? Is it just taken care of or is it a botanical garden.”
"There's a few gardens," Arthur admitted, but he spun in turn, arms wide, to indicate the area around them. They had emerged right in the middle of a bunch of shops and buildings flanked by the looming presence of trees that indicated Central Park South. The real jewel was a moment topped with a golden figure flanked by horses on all sides. "Central Park is more of an experience. You signed up for a walk Miss Davis," and Arthur paused to get Felix unslung out the bag, "which was poor planning on your part. I only know how to hike."
Beatrice's steps quickened as she followed Arthur and the now unleashed — in the metaphorical sense — dog she'd eagerly agreed to going on a walk with. Slowly a smile spread, a hand coming up to tuck away loose strands of hair out of her eyes and behind her ear. "That. . . that sounds really nice, honestly. It's been a long time since I've been for a hike. I uh, I used to be a wilderness guide, once upon a time, up where I was born." Her face flushed as she looked back to Felix, clearing her throat. "And that, I have to assume, is the most boring thing you've ever heard."
Arthur's grin was radiant. "Wait wait, that's at least two facts I've learned about you today. Are we becoming best friends, Bea?" He continued walking past the park's gates, stride unbroken. "I used to travel to wild places, you know — when it wasn't planes and trains or anything on location. What parks?"
"Before you were jumping out of planes that were on fire?" A perfectly maintained brow rose in amused curiosity. "I, uh, I think I'd like that, Arthur." This time her smile showed slightly crooked teeth before she ducked her chin down, raising a hand to cover her mouth. "If that's alright."
"I had a very particular hook, you know. Six season's worth." He cocked his head, still smiling. His phone buzzed, then, and he apologetically slipped it from his pocket. A frown marred his smile for just a moment, like a cloud in front of the sun.
The question that had been on the tip of her tongue stopped as his expression changed. A hand moved towards him instinctively, gentle as she placed it against his elbow and ready to withdraw it if he shook her off. “Everything alright, Arthur?”
"Oh, just work," the man lied, clearly distracted. It was not his finest acting. A breath passed before he put the phone away without having typed anything. Instead, his eyes drifted to Bea's hand gratefully. "At least," he admittedly hesitantly, "It feels like work. It shouldn't."
"Oh, I'm sorry." A soft smile spread as Bea looked up at him, though her brows pinched together. Her eyes dropped. "I didn't think about your work, I apologize, here you are putting off work and it didn't even occur to me. I hope everything's okay?"
He waved that off. "The glorious life of an investigator with nothing to investigate means that I can claim all of my time as being valuable. Like a consultant. Or an executive producer. Just with more paperwork."
She opened her mouth to ask what he meant but instead shook her head. "Well, I think it's very valuable. And this makes me realize, I don't think I'm cut out for TV then, or movies. I like to keep busy. But. . . I admit, searching for a job isn't something I look forward to. I'll leave that problem for Future Bea, if that's alright." A slight laugh escaped.
"I hope Future Bea forgives you," Arthur laughed right back. "Or save her the trouble and just come work for X-Factor. Wham, job search solved."
This earned a delighted chirp of laughter, as Bea patted Arthur's arm. "Aw, Arthur, you're so funny. But I don't think I'd be any good at being an investigator," she shook her head with another laugh, looking to Felix as she let herself giggle once more at the thought. The back of her neck tingled and she brought up her free hand to rub the feeling away.
The man found himself smiling by reflex, and he closed his eyes and tilted his head backward to appreciate the sunshine. Felix obediently followed at heel, his eyes passing between the two as they continued forward. "Anyway," he found himself admitting, "it isn't XFI. Not that kind of work." He rolled his shoulders back, stretching, and his voice was suddenly teasing. "How are you keeping yourself busy in this life of leisure? Viewers at home want to know."
The question that was starting, head already cocked, before Beatrice righted herself quickly. She wasn't going to push if it wasn't something he wanted to talk about, that was impolite. "Oh I, Jessica has some books from the library that I'll read through, or I'll go pick up some from the library myself. I'll walk around the grounds on a nice day. I've thought about picking up sewing, if only to keep myself busy again, but, well, supplies cost money. Everything costs money actually," this she murmured to herself.
"Capitalism," Arthur agreed, voice mournful but equal parts amused. "You could turn to a life of crime. The great robber queen, Beatrice, whose greatest secret is her heart of gold."
This earned another giggle as Bea playfully swatted Arthur’s arm. “Goodness, Arthur, you’re too funny. But, if I’m being honestly, I don’t know what I’ll do. I want to stick around, to help when I can, but I think. . . I think maybe I’m a little useless. So maybe I’ll learn something new and try it out.” With that said, she flashed Arthur a smile and a wink. “And maybe I’ll take you up on a job.”
