Going for the Fun Ride

[François Laffont]

At first, when Frank "Sunny" Laffont won him at the auction, he thought about asking her if she wouldn’t mind giving the prize to Jasper. He had been pretty down by the fact he lost him then. But Franck also wanted to teach him a lesson. Jasper needed to watch his temper and have a bit more faith in him. He had the right to see whoever he wanted, he was not the boy’s possession. So he was ready to go out with Frank. Not like he expected anything to happen. At most, it would be like about any time before when she would drag him out of his house to do whatever crazy idea that came over her head at the moment.

He seriously thought she’d pick the dinner though. Especially if she could eat everything she wanted. It might have been the most romantic of all packages, it was Frank. So, again, it was not like anything would happen. Instead, she picked the horseback riding.

Franck had never mounted a horse before. Ever. He had friends who enjoyed this activity but the closest he had been of a horse was what they told him about them. Or when he walked near the stables. He did wonder if that meant Frank would come over with her llama. Could you ride a llama? He supposed it was possible. He was not sure. Either way, Franck had her pick him up so they could go all the way to the Sleipner stables for their ‘date’.

“This isn’t so bad. It’s even pretty fun,” he said once they were on their horses. So far, Franck only went at a slow pace. He wanted to get used to being on the horse first. Still, he could easily see why he’d be sore tomorrow. For now though, he was just smiling. “I hope you know where we are going.”

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

In actuality, Frank had considered the whole llama riding thin. She did want to ride said llama from time to time, and Drama needed exercising and all. There had been a lengthy debate (mostly with herself) about whether or not she should take him along. However, what had been the thing that had actually finished said argument happened to be the fact that this was a horseback ride, and you couldn't very well go on one of those with a llama.

Unlike Franck, Frank had been on horses since about the time she could walk. That was always the advantage of being from an incredibly rich family: when you asked for the pony, you actually ended up getting it for your birthday. Frank had upgraded pretty quick to real horses (her parents were having none of that pony nonsense; their girl would ride a proper horse... just in her own way, apparently).

"I know!" Frank said as Franck commented on the funness. "That's totes why I picked it and all. was all like 'horse-back riding with my bffle will be super awesome," Frank closed her eyes and nodded a few times, totally convinced that she'd definitely made the super right decision this time around. Her horse just kept plodding. And we're going on an adventure!" she insisted, thrusting her hand triumphantly into the air. "That's where we're heading!" Frank then pointed. "Onward to adventure!"

And her horse took a few more clomping steps. Apparently she didn't take "adventure" to mean galloping off. It might have been frank's rather oversized straw sunhat throwing things off though. It did look pretty adorbs though.

[François Laffont]

Franck still had this fear that his horse might get scared over something, get on his rear and drop him on the ground. Or start galloping away without him being able to stop the horse at all. They named her by the very appropriate name of Lullaby. Because she was a dream, he supposed. His horse was calm indeed. They knew better than to give one hard to handle to a novice. Frank might know a thing or two but with her enthusiasm, it was best not to have one who was nervous by nature.

Since it was Frank next to him however, any nervousness the boy might have felt simply never showed up. It was hard to when you had a ray of sunshine next to you who seemed totally immune to any form of stress. He was still a bit hesitant at getting on the horse or taking the reins but it was all done with a good spirit and a bright smile.

“I was a little nervous at first. I told you I’ve never done that. But it was a great idea,” he assured her. Maybe it would have been best to have someone less wild around him for his first time but he could at least reassure himself over the fact she knew what she was doing. He laughed as she was certain this was an adventure. Of course, with Frank, everything was an adventure. So it didn’t mean much. “Alright,” he said with nearly as much enthusiasm as her, but less hand gestures. “Then lead the way, since you’re obviously the expert in adventure.”

As long as said adventure was done at the slow pace Lullaby remained at, he was fine with it.

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

Given her pick, Frank probably would've opted for Neptune for her horse (as that was Ellen's and she wanted to honor Ellen and be as CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO HER). Well, that was assuming she didn't opt to ride Drama. As it was, she wasn't even entirely sure what the name of her particular horse happened to be right now. The stablehands had gotten quiet lately and a lot less sexy, so Frank really didn't have anyone to flirt with and ask.

So she just called her mount Susan, because that's what all horses wanted to be called.

"It's not that hard," Frank said, twisting to look at Franck. "you'll get the hang of it really quick. Especially if you can use your power to feel if the horse is getting nervous and stuff. I mean," Frank patted her mount, "they know how to do the whole walking thing: you're just stuff that we happened to put on their back for whatever reason," Frank nodded and turned back, almost acting like she hadn't just dropped what sounded like really decent advice and knowledge that someone had probably drilled into her head at some point.

Instead she kicked her horse and Susan... sort of just kept plodding forward. "It's gonna be a slow adventure," Frank said, before leaning down and stage-whispering to the horse. "Which is totally okay: Franck couldn't handle a fast one right now," she gave it a pat before sitting back up. "I'm thinking we should ride out to, like, that one garden on the edge of town with all the flowers and junk and eat there. Or, or, maybe we could head back toward the school? there's supposed to be this cabin in the woods where people get shot. That could be fun," Frank was already twisting that way, her eyes gleaming with the thought of the adventure.

[François Laffont]

Franck believed they gave the name of Frank’s horse as well as his but he chose to concentrate on the horse they gave him and not pay too much attention to whatever recommendations they might have given his friend. She knew how to ride, they certainly gave her one that needed to be handled. Then again, if they paid enough attention to her, they probably also figured she might not have a firm enough hand. Even now as they rode together, he wondered how she could remain her very expressive self. Franck couldn’t let go of the reins.

He laughed a bit when she mentioned his power. “I’m afraid my power doesn’t extend to animals. Can’t feel anything Lullaby is thinking, but if I was a horse, I’d probably wonder why humans can’t leave my back in peace,” he said with a little laughter. Even mutants able to turn into an animal, it was hard for him to read their emotions in their animal form. Especially if they let the animal take over. He nodded though to Frank’s logic that, for once, might actually make sense. The horses seemed to know exactly where they were going and how they should get there, Franck just had to relax and enjoy the ride.

He watched Frank spur her horse and feared for a moment that Susan, since she chose to call her horse that for lack of knowing its true name, might start galloping and Lullaby would follow. Frank might know how to handle her horse then and make the two of them stop but Franck did not have that knowledge and was likely to let Lullaby gallop around until he was unhorsed. He’d rather not have that happening. “Hey, slow can be fun too. At least we can enjoy the scenery,” he replied, glad she said it was fine for his sake. “It’s not like the picnic will disappear,” he added to prove they were in no hurry. He was pretty sure that, should Frank suddenly gets hungry, she brought some more supplies on her person, just in case.

He was not sure about going to a cabin where people get shot, no matter what kind of shooting they experienced. “I like your garden. If you really want to see that cabin, maybe we can head out there once we’re done eating?” he suggested. And not stay too long. The thought than came to him she might mean a hunting lodge or something. Even so, he liked the garden better. He was not really into shooting anything.

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"Awww," Frank said, frowning slightly as Franck mentioned that his power didn't extend to animals. She couldn't help but think that it would be well and truly amazing if it actually did and that would be super cool and something that they should take advantage of. Franck had already turned the situation into a pretty funny joke, drawing a giggle out of Frank and a sort of "oh you" halfhearted wave in his general direction.

There was the spurring and the lack of movement and, well, pretty well everything involved there. Franck was insisting that it could be fun, and Frank bobbed her head slightly. "Well yeah, it can she admitted, "but I kinda wanted us to have the fast whirlwind kinda adventure now and do the slow thing on the way back when our tummies were filled up with this delicious pic-a-nic basket," she turned, but, of course, they'd made certain to tie the basket to Franck's horse, because both of them had spent more than ten seconds around Frank. "Garden it is!" Frank said. She gave Susan another kick and a tug and, well, at least this time the horse started alternating its path and heading in another direction.

"The cabin is in a totally different direction," Frank said, turning in her seat and pointing in what she was fairly certain was the right direction. "But it's okay: we'll totes find something supa-cool," Frank bobbed, then seemed to realize something, whirling to look at her friend. "Your vampire BF was totes cool with this, right? 'cuz I know he was all 'grr, I'ma eat that guy' or something during the whole auction thing."

See, Frank did care in her own special way.

[François Laffont]

In this situation, having an ability that might help him sense the emotions of their horses might be good. But, at the same time, he sort of wondered what would be the point? Knowing they are tired of travelling with humans on their back? Finding out that Susan was just a lazy ass who didn’t want to run with that weight on her back and Lullaby was a bitch just itching to bite them the moment she got a chance? Maybe it was best humans had no idea what animals felt. Who knows, they might just find out that this puppy with the cutest of eyes was just a manipulative bastard.

Frank was saddened by this though but this was Frank so it lasted only a second before her brain picked up something else to be happy about. Her explanation for the whole desire to gallop and feel the wind in her face made sense. “Hey, it’s my first ride, be gentle with me. Maybe we can have another some time and we can try that then,” he told her. He saw no reason why this would have to be their one and last time horseback riding together. Sure, it would require him to ‘borrow’ a horse at the stables but surely that was doable. He might think differently tomorrow should he be sore from their ride, and even more if they decided to gallop endlessly but for now he thought it’d be a great idea.

Just like giving him the picnic was a good idea. He was pretty sure Frank had food on herself to survive until they stopped to eat but it was still a good idea to keep the basket near him instead. Safer. Especially if Franck wanted to eat something out of it. “Oh I see,” he let out as she explained the cabin was at the opposite of where they were heading. He shrugged though and gave her a smile. “Doesn’t mean we cannot visit it later. It’s not like they’ve given us only an hour,” he pointed out. Although if it was really far at the opposite of their current destination, they might leave it for some other time. This was actually something Frank might remember about, just because it was tied with the word adventure.

He smiled as she brought up Jasper. He knew the guy was pissed but Franck still thought he should leave him alone for now and let him reflect on what happened. He was not sure he’d understand but he still had to do it, make him accept that Franck did not belong to him. “I’m sure he’s ok. He wanted to show people we were together by winning me at the auction and that plan sort of failed. He didn’t like another guy showed that much interest in me. But he knows you, and he knows we’re friend so I’m sure he’s cool with that.” Not like he had much of a choice though, Franck was not giving him one. “How about your other date? You did it already? How did that go?”

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"Well, since you got a vampire boyfriend, I bet it's not your first ride. Maybe your first on top," Frank replied, giving her friend a suggestive eyebrow wiggle before giggling again. She knew she probably shouldn't have made a joke about that sort of thing, but she couldn't help but actually be happy for her friend. The whole relationship with the vampire thing seemed to be working out for him. Like, maybe he'd eventually get kidnapped by a dark cartel or something along those lines. Franck was pretty well set up to be a great damsel in distress type, since, like, everyone would want to rescue him, but that was definitely going to be a few plot movements from now.

But they weren't even near the plot right now: this was just a sub-character development slash happy fun time slash comic relief event. "Well, we'll see. We gots lots on the plate already and we don't wanna get too into it or things'll get all unbalanced and messy."

Frank wiggled on the seat again, which again, didn't seem to bother her entirely too laidback horse. "Well, i can buy him, like, a basket of stuff and make him feel all better about himself and junk. Oh yeah, my date," Frank tilted her head. "I can't... I'm not really remembering it right now? I might latter, if, like, something happens or something. Time and memory are kinda weird around here, aren't they? Like, I could've sworn I did the dating thing, but I can't remember it, but I get this feeling we'll end up talking about it and---IS THAT A BUTTERFLY!?' Frank started twisting in her saddle, following the beautiful insect as it fluttered past.

[François Laffont]

Lullaby actually stopped after what Frank said. Franck didn’t realise that he squeezed the horse just enough to force her to stop. She had to go for that kind of joke. Because Franck obviously didn’t run right in them enough with the twins. And why everyone implied he wouldn’t be the one on top? Did he had the word bottom written on his forehead and he never noticed? What was he supposed to answer to that anyway? Please, let’s not talk about my sex life? It was Frank, she was bound to bring it out at some point. So, what then? “This isn’t exactly the same kind of ride. I hope I won’t get the same kind of feelings either.” And he let Lullaby start to peacefully trot again, walking the distance between the two horses now. The worst part in this was that Frank was actually happy. It made it hard to hold anything against her then.

“You’re right, we’ve got all the time we need. Plus if we don’t do something now, it doesn’t mean we cannot some other time,” he added, smiling to her. The fact he was smiling should be irrelevant. Franck was always smiling. But there were some people that just made him smile without even trying. Frank was one of those. With that bundle of joy next to him, it was impossible not to enjoy himself and the time they spent together. “I hope they planned that picnic with you in mind. I want to actually taste it too,” he teased her. Franck was about as laidback as their horses. Whatever was going to happen today would be great, he had no doubt about it.

He listened as she preferred to leave for later the details of her other date and before Franck could come out with something else to say, she was already going on about butterfly. “Careful Frank,” he said as he neared her horse and tried to get a hold on her. “You don’t want to fall off your horse. If you wanted to go butterfly hunting, you should have brought a net. But I’m sure there will be plenty of those in that garden. Flowers attract them after all.”

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

Nope, not the same kind of ride, something that Frank was well aware of despite how she happened to be acting for a bit. There was something in there about time and going back: not important. Food, on the other hand: "Oh, they totally did. I also, like, paid a bit more to make sure that there would be enough food for both of us. This basket weighs a ton, which is probably why the horse is all like, moving slow and stuff."

Frank paused then, seeming to recall that she'd been doing something. It seemed to have been important at the time, but now she couldn't quite recall what it was that she'd been doing. Franck mentioned the horse and he seemed close to her now, but she'd stopped to do the whole thing about the basket and---

"Oooh, yeah, that would be fun!" She said as her brain finally found the right track. "We should definitely go frolicking for butterflies in the gardens! Oh, wait," Frank leaned forward, whispering in a near stage whisper: "is that too gay? Because maybe you could just, like, sit on the picnic and shake your head in a manly fashion while I frolic and play. Totes wont' hurt my feelings at all, bro."

[François Laffont]

Franck was a little embarrassed to talk about how he was 'riding' Jasper. Sex was something he'd rather keep private. Whatever he liked to do, how often he did it and any other detail of the like was of no matter to anyone but himself and whoever he did it with. Jasper, obviously, as he would not sleep with anybody else.

Food was a safe topic though, and one that Franck could easily assume Frank would jump to if brought it up. He nodded, thinking it was a good idea to make sure they would put more food, even if that meant paying a bit more. She could afford it. "That was a good idea," he told her although he now felt a lot of sympathy for this poor horse that had not only to carry him but that super heavy basket of food as well.

Franck couldn't help but to laugh at the way she talked. Frolicking with the butterflies. As she said, it sounded a bit...gay. Or more like girly, because he was gay and he knew that frolicking for butterflies in the garden, unless it was a metaphor that he didn't get, was not really like him. But it would not be the first time Frank made him do something that was not exactly like him. "I think I can go chase some butterflies with you. Not that we will be able to catch any I think I am man enough to accept looking at butterflies in the middle of a garden." And if someone had anything to say about it, maybe they had a problem with how man they looked.

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

The horse was perfectly fine with the heavy basket; it was technically lighter than some of the things she had to carry (see: Frank). Plus, Frank had ended up with a fairly stout animal, and one on the older, put up with anything side of things. Clearly the stable operators had known who they were doing with.

"Well, alright then, if you're sure you're okay. If you change your mind you can totally dude out," like Frank would actually remember the butterfly thing in a few minutes. She twisted again, looking ahead. "I'm actually getting kinda hungry already. That's always the bummer about my power and stuff. But you already know that," Frank tilted her head. "see, this is technically a date, and so we should totes be doing small talk, but, like, we already know all that stuff about each other..."

Frank tilted her head to the side again. "And this is kinda a lot more boring than I thought," she gave the horse a few half-hearted kicks. The animal again refused to respond. "Yeah, kinda a lot boring," Frank said, almost glaring down at the horse (because that was totally what was at fault here, obviously).

[François Laffont]

Chasing after butterflies, especially in a frolicking manner, was certainly amongst the least manly activities one could think of. But Franck was fine with it. If people ever heard about it and wondered what came through his mind to think of that, he could simply say Frank was there and everything was explained with these simple words. She certainly made him do a lot of things he wouldn’t think he would ever do. But, at the same time, she was not forcing him. Her joy was enough for him not to have to participate but he did it happily. He would own the silliness of it and have a darn good time too.

“Frank, I think it’s time you stop thinking you force me to do anything I don’t want to do,” he told her. Sure, he sometimes went along with much hesitation or calmed things down a little compared to the original plan, but he didn’t think he ever did something that was against his morals or decision. Anyway, she might not even remember about the butterflies, even if there was one flying around her while they ate.

He chuckled, nodding as he indeed knew she was always kind of hungry. “You’d rather be emotional all the time?” Maybe a bunch of people might not like to see her stuff her face like this because they wouldn’t have enough food for themselves, or envy she still looked like this despite all she ate, he’d give her that. He, on the other hand, had people would might think of him as some sort of bitching diva, depending on what emotions he had inside at the moment. It was a good thing he was gay, since people like to go with the stereotypes of gay guys being super feminine and emotional.

Another laugh. He felt sorry for Frank who was bored. “I’m sorry they didn’t give us more energetic horses. They thought of me but not of you. Or they just figured you knew as much as I did for some reason. But we can do small talk. It’s not like I know every detail of every awesome adventures you’re having.” He fell silent after that, expecting her to share in such adventures, if she had any since last time they spoke about them. She told him of so many and added so many details that he couldn’t tell what really happened, what came from a movie she watched and what was just what she did in her last gaming night.

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"Well, it's less that I think I, like, force anyone to do these things beyond their will and more like I'm kinda this force that compels everyone to have fun and loosen up and just be themselves and junk. It's kinda what I want to do and have people realize all the goodness and fun to be had in the world," Frank finished with a slight shrug, not certain of what else she could really do there. It was pretty much her manifesto and reason for being, and what more explanation was needed when it came down to something like that?

Frank was still getting increasingly bored, though at least Franck was offering something to counter. Frank pursed her lips together and leaned forward onto the horse. She narrowed her eyes. "I'm not sure there's anything to report. I mean, I slept with Ellen and Selina, but I think DL's already been all over that or something. There's also the whole going into business with Ellen. And I'm working on a new cheerleader routine. Oh, and Barry and I are going for this high score in this one game! Also I have a llama and a sexy llama caretaker, but I think those are kinda old news now."

Frank bobbed her head a few times. Yeah, that definitely sounded about right.

[François Laffont]

Franck laughed at the way his friend brought it up. It still resulted in people doing things they might to have always wished to do at first. Or ever thought they could do. She could come up with such crazy ideas sometimes! He was certain even writers for comedy sitcoms could not come out with this on their own. She should sell her ideas to them, really. Sure, she didn’t really need the money but she should till do that. Then again, they might argue it was too crazy for it to happen for real. Then all she would have to do was to film her own life to prove otherwise. But they mentioned that reality show once before and he would not bring it out again.

“That’s a beautiful life goal. And I’m sure you’ll make it.” Yet, at the same time, the idea of Frank being a life coach was pretty amusing. Still, nothing was impossible with that girl and if she wanted to become a life coach, he was certain that she could become one. If that didn’t work out the way she planned it, she still had enough money not to end up ruined. So why shouldn’t she follow whatever dream of hers? “Being yourself’s good. Took me long enough to accept that. I want to help with that too.” He offered her a bright smile. Of course, his methods will likely differ from hers. He chuckled as he thought that. “That’s why I chose psychology as my major. What did you pick?”

She claimed there was nothing to report. And then dropped that bomb. Not the Barry and gaming one. Not the business partnership with Ellen. Or even Selina, someone he didn’t know about. The other one she slept with. He brought his horse in front of hers to stop them both. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, rewind here. You slept with Ellen!? She finally accepted who she is?” No way. Ellen and Frank? Really? His brain just exploded, he was certain of it