to paris with love

[coeur_de_lion]

Alli's school is not a terribly interesting school. It is, as far as Alli is concerned, a perfectly boring and average school in all possible respects. But some alumnus went and made themselves a bunch of money, and apparently they think it's a good idea to spend some of this money on "improving the cultural exposure of today's youth". (Alli has never met the alumnus in question, much less heard them speak, but she persists in picturing this spoken with a haughty British accent.) What this means for Alli is that she and a number of other 'deserving students' are being shipped over to France for free for a week. Alli's not quite sure why she counts as deserving- because her mom's single, maybe?- but she's hardly complaining. It's a free trip to France, after all.

In her usual style, Alli packs an hour before she has to leave and ultimately makes it out the door only ten minutes late after forgetting at least three vitally important items (her eyeliner!). But she makes it through Pearson security with plenty of time... well, more like barely enough time. But the important thing is, she's safely ensconced in her seat when they take off.

Once she's gotten her bag stowed and her legs rearranged in a doomed attempt at comfort and generally considers herself suitably settled, she turns to her seatmate. "Is your brain doing an Eeeeee France! thing too?"

Comments

[horsefeathered]

"Thaaaaaat is actually probably about the length of the speech. But I'll repeat it if you want anyway."

[hatchedplan]

"Another perspective couldn't hurt."

[horsefeathered]

"Cool! Speech at the hotel it is." Jenny bounces slightly in place. "It will probably go horribly because I am so tired but eeeeee this is exciting!"

[hatchedplan]

"I'm tired too," yawns May. "How long until we go to the hotel...?"

[horsefeathered]

"Seventeen minutes," Jenny says immediately.

[coeur_de_lion]

"Counting much?"

[horsefeathered]

"Naps are important!"

[hatchedplan]

"I want a full eight hours," snorts May. "Maybe eighteen."

[horsefeathered]

"See? May's sensible!"

[coeur_de_lion]

"I want to nap too," Alli defends herself. "I was just a little distracted."

[hatchedplan]

"It's entirely possible that I am asleep right now and when I wake up certain things will have been a dream."

[coeur_de_lion]

"Oh man, you say that now, I cannot wait till we get you in an Avalon."

[hatchedplan]

"I look forward to it, I assure you, I just can't totally credit this all right away. While really really sleep-deprived."

[coeur_de_lion]

Alli yawns. "I am right there with you. Today has been an experience."

See: dragons! No longer extinct!

[hatchedplan]

And with that May does actually nod off in her chair. Slump. Zzz.

[horsefeathered]

"Awwww," Jenny whispers to Alli.

[coeur_de_lion]

"I'm just jealous," Alli whispers back, but she's smiling.

She manages to manhandle the wheelchair back to the bus; given the uneven ground, by the time they reach the group it's pretty much time to go anyway. Alli nudges May on the off chance the bumpy ride didn't already wake her. "Hey, sleepypants, lunch and hotel."

[hatchedplan]

"Mmmmmunch," mumbles May; she wound up napping with her jaw pressed on her chest and couldn't talk in her sleep but upon being nudged she stirs. "Food?"

[horsefeathered]

"Food!" Jenny confirms, offering what looks like a cold cuts sandwich in shrink wrap. "Eat up, it's good for you."

[hatchedplan]

May nibbles her way through the sandwich. "Thanks."

[horsefeathered]

"No problem!" Jenny says brightly. "I mean. They were free. I carried it all the way here?"

[coeur_de_lion]

Alli has a mouthful of sandwich, but she rolls her eyes at Jenny speakingly.

[horsefeathered]

Jenny just sticks her tongue out in response. "We can't all be as strong as you!"

[hatchedplan]

"Thanks for waking me up instead of letting me sleep through food," clarifies May.

[horsefeathered]

"Oh. Yeah, of course. That was sorta Alli, actually. I'll take the credit, though!"