The World at Her Feet

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

This was it!  She was really going on this crazy adventure with an almost-complete stranger!  But what the heck, Kelle was ready, she was jumping in with full gusto, and had all sorts of notions that she hoped would pale to the real thing.  She'd tried to be good and not ramble on incessantly, but from the moment Scott had picked her up she'd been flying high, feeling like a princess in a fairy tale, and even the fact that she had hardly slept the night before didn't quell her excitement.

And while she'd flown before, it had always been in what she fondly referred to as 'steerage', so first class was a treat!  And it really was exceptional...they got to be first on the plane, you know, those people who were already settled into their seats and who looked at you like you were annoying scum, interrupting their coffee as you shuffled through to the cattle-car...and you can't help but glare at them with envy as you pass by, hoping you can find a place to store your little backpack in the overhead....

But this time, she was one of those]/i] people, flopped into a recliner that still had room for another her in it, sipping wine (yes, it was only 0800, but it was FREE!), smiling sweetly at the masses that shuffled by. 

And even though she was dressed in white slacks and a nice blouse, she couldn't help but think that she didn't belong and that she'd be found out and unceremoniously escorted to the back of the plane, where she belonged.  In fact, she thought it was likely only because she was here with Scott that she was allowed to stay.

"This is amazing!" she declared, again...she'd have to save up adjectives, she was already out and hadn't even started the real part of the vacation yet!  And she was sure that Scott was getting tired of her gushing.

She would have to thank him, again, but she'd done that a dozen times already, too, and figured ht might be sick of hearing it by now.

"Um, how long is the flight?  It'll be great to actually be comfortable on a plane, one of those people, with our own stewardesses and that curtain that separates us from the riff-raff!"

Scott Cooper

[Scott Cooper]

She was right there. The entire way over to her place to pick her up he had gone through the reasons why not to take the trip with a stranger. He expected a thanks but no thanks conversation at the other side of a door with a chain across it but no. Much to his surprise and delight she had chosen to go with him and her excitement showed which caused him to smile all the way to the airport. It made a change to see someone so happy to be going anywhere with him and he had to say doing things the right way for a change, well it was like a whole other side of life.

First class was nice, he preferred the back of the plane when it was businesses related for blending purposes and first class to make an impression but this time it was first class for Kelle. Scott tried to act as calmly and as natural as possible but he was far too happy for that and her excitement was rubbing off on him a little as he couldnt get rid of the smile on his face even if he had wanted to. In his eyes Kelle looked every part the first class flyer, the woman deserved it and so much more in his eyes but unless she wanted to fly the plane it was the furthest forward he could get her.

“So you approve?” He asked though by the sound of it and words she had used already he guessed it was a yes though hearing her gush about it. Well it never really did get old as it was nice to see it through someone elses eyes for a change. “It’s ten hours five minutes to Edinburgh, then from there it is wherever you would like to go first.” He said with a smile, well this really had to be the best time off he had ever taken and the the best woman he could have possibly been with too. In a strange way he almost wished he had kidnapped her earlier though that hadn’t exactly gone well for her.

Still he nodded as he motioned to her. “Only the best for the most beautiful woman aboard this flight and she most certainly wont be sitting with riff-raff, unless you count me as that but I can also go the other side of the curtain.” He teased still smiling as he reclined the seat a little. “Bonuses are lots of leg room, wine whenever you want it and seats that don’t have you invading the person space of the person behind you... plus no one kicking the seat either.” He said knowing that kicking the seats was a pet hate of his but then it was a plane so sitting toward the back, what could he expect.

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"That all sounds wonderful!" Kelle grinned approval, stretching her legs out in front of her. "You know, though, as bad as having your knees all crammed up and that tray in your chest anyway, I really hate when the person in front of you reclines in your lap!"

Bad enough the space in front of you was confined enough, but to have half of that taken by the seat in front of you was annoying, and Kelle was too polite to recline her seat more than just a bit.

For a moment she tensed as the plane started down the runway. "I hate this part," she muttered, "statistically it's the most dangerous part of flying..." Her fingers gripped onto the armrest. "Although statistically, flying is far safer than..."

The wheels left the ground and her hand reached over to clamp on his wrist, but a few seconds later she let go, grinning brightly.

"WHOO!" Raising her hands in the air, she let out the whoop. "We're doing this!"

Just as quickly she let her hands drop into her lap as the other passengers looked their way. "Sorry, won't happen again." Her cheeks were bright res, but she was still grinning from ear to ear.

[Scott Cooper]

“Oh I understand that, I like talking to people but there is a limit when it’s a forced ‘hey how are you there’.” He said with a grin, flying he enjoyed at ten thousand feet it wasn’t as if anyone could be arrested or well it would be as complicated as hell and a jurisdictional nightmare. Still there was something calming about it when you were in first class.

Scott tensed for a moment, if she was a nervous flyer then it was going to be a long journey for her as he nodded and debated holding her hand for a moment. He kept his hand on the arm rest being used to flying. First class was a nice change, usually cargo holds or the back of a military plane or just a tin can at times but this was nice.

He looked over when her hand clamped on his wrist. “It’ll be fine.” He said though the few seconds it took for her to grin brightly and whoop he couldnt stop himself from laughing lightly. “Don’t be sorry about it, it’s good to fly with someone as happy about it.” He said grinning himself as he glanced at the passengers that looked their way. “Not sorry, just having fun.” He stated as he nudged her lightly. “Feeling better about being in the air now?” He asked just to make sure that she wasn’t sitting there terrified by it all.

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"Yeah, yeah, I'm good." She glanced at him with a smile, then shrugged. "Maybe more wine, but I'm not going to get sauced and miss anything!" For a moment, she looked out the window, watching the ground fall away and the buildings get smaller and smaller.

"Anyway, it really is silly...I mean, heck, we race around in that ambulance at the mercy of idiot drivers all the time."

Looking over at Scott, she was still smiling widely, trying very hard not to seem like a silly kid, but this was all so exciting for her...her first time out of the country, and she just wasn't the sort to sit still for that sort of thing!

Of course, exuberance can only last so long, and soon after breakfast, Kelle drifted to sleep. The rest of the flight was more quiet, she was still fascinated with gazing out the window, and she still talked quite a bit, although if she really thought about it, it was pretty much a one-sided conversation, as she replied to subtly worded questions that delved into her past, that she easily discussed.

Another brief nap, more talk, a few rounds of 'Battleship' played on paper, and they were over Edinburgh, and Kelle had her nose glued to the window, staring out at the green rolling hills and mish-mash of buildings that spanned several centuries.

This was it!!

((Hope you don't mind I fast-forwarded some))

[Scott Cooper]

“Good to hear and even if that was what you wanted to do, its your trip.” He said with a smile though he was glad that he wasn’t going to have to deal with her if she was absolutely sauced. Flying with someone like that could be a stressful thing though he listened to her and smiled as she shook his head.

“Not silly at all, it’s the other drivers that are dangerous and this is something different. Probably I’d be the same racing around in your ambulance.” He said with a grin, seeing her smile widely it was nice to see someone so excited over the trip. Usually when he flew he was sat next to some high flyer who was more interested in the financial times or glued to a laptop to notice what was going on around then.

After breakfast Scott couldnt help but stare a little as Kelle slept, he was one lucky guy to be going on this trip with her he thought as the flight was quiet after that. It was easy to ask questions toward her past as she answered them freely though he was surprised at how unguarded she was with his questions. However it was maybe more like he had been hanging around with the wrong sort of people for years.

Once they were over Edinburgh Scott grinned watching as Kelle had her nose glued to the window. “Can you see the castle or Turnhouse Golf Course?” He asked with a smile, it was strange to be going home in a way as the UK was once a home to him though it was a strange feeling coming back to a place he knew.

((I don’t mind at all, you’re welcome to any time.))

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"Yeah, castle is there." She leaned back and pointed to the fortress so he could see. It was hard to miss the castle on the hill, with the North Sea behind it and a mish-mash of new and ancient buildings spread out below, and beyond that green fields divided by stone fences. "It's so cool! It looks just like it should! And that's got to be the Royal Mile and Holyrood!"

Of course, she'd seen plenty of pictures, taken 'virtual tours', but it didn't compare to actually looking at the real thing!

"This is just so cool!" Yeah, she'd said that, but...it was true! "I can't believe we're really here!" She wanted to see it all and do it all, even though she knew that it wasn't practical and she'd try not to get too anxious and ask too many questions. She liked the idea of the itinerary being a mystery to her, and she honestly did like being spontaneous, ready to change plans if something they saw struck their fancy. Heck, just driving and seeing what was there would suit her.

For now, though, she was hungry and worn out, despite the luxury of first class, not that she'd say anything -- she was ready to jump in with both feet!

"Hey, what time is it here anyway? It's a six hour difference, right?"

[Scott Cooper]

Scott followed where she had pointed to and smiled as he saw the castle. It was something that wasn’t easily missed at all but it looked as if nothing had changed over the years though if the castle had he would have been worried. “Yes, would you like to go on the tour there? See the art and architecture and they have some beautiful gardens too.” He offered glad to see that she thought it was cool. It was nice to travel with someone who was genuinely excited to do so.

He chuckled lightly as she said it was cool again. “Yes we are really here, anything you want to do just say and we shall.” He said with a grin, he knew there was a lot and to do everything well it would take a lot longer than the time they had but there was always next time he thought. Next time as long as he didnt do anything to screw the entire thing up. Scott had a few ideas of where to go and places to visit, surprises were good when he could let others have them and sticking to a rigid itinerary well it was better to just go with things and see where the tide went.

“Yeah its the six hours, so its about 1pm here give or take a few minutes. Are you hungry because there’s a lovely restaurant called The Castle Terrace not too far from the airport if you want? Or we can go and get settled at The Balmoral Hotel? Figured you could have a first night of luxury and then the B&Bs.” He said with a cheeky smile, well she was worth any luxury he thought and for one night she could at least sleep like a princess or as close as he could get to that for her.

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"Yeah, food's a good start." Kelle nodded as the little seatbelt signs went off, indicating that they could stand and get off, and she found yet another advantage to first class...none of that long waiting, shuffling behind other people!

As she grabbed her carry-on, she glanced at Scott. "I'm the 'Innocent Abroad' here, whatever you say sounds good, but we need to dump the luggage, right?" It was still fairly early in the day -- well, evening for them -- and now that they were here she was more than anxious to get started. "I am kinda curious, though, what you mean by 'luxury'?"

She had a feeling it was more than she might start to imagine...

[Scott Cooper]

Scott saw the seatbelt sign as he took his off, glad to have his feet firmly on the ground or well at least to have landed. First class had a lot of advantages, while the other passengers were waiting they could just take their pick and mosey on out and into the new world that awaited them. Scott grabbed his bag as he grinned hearing her speak. “Sure hotel then we can go in search of food.” He said grinning, Kelle was right it would be better to dump the luggage first.

“Oh for you, it’s only the best so luxury is whatever you want it to be. Room service, Champaign, rose petals in the bath if you’re into that. Name it and it’s yours.” He said as he held his hand out for her bag, “But being the ‘Innocent Abroad’, might I have your bag to carry Ma’am?” He asked joking but being serious about carrying her bag for her. Scott bowed a little as he grinned. It was after all her holiday and the last thing he wanted was for her to feel like she was being a pack mule for the trip.

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

This was all so unaccustomed for Kelle, although flattering and really appealing in that she didn't mind being coddled and pampered, and there really was no reason to resist it, heck she was not likely to get this opportunity again, and he seemed to be enjoying making her happy.

"Rose petals in the bath?" She raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Never thought about that, but I like it! Now, if you asked me to name things, besides the castles and abbeys and all, I'd have said something like, oh, roller coasters, of course, or paintball..." Silly tomboy that she was! "Although dancing...real dancing, like waltzes and polkas, with the hoop-skirts and all...You'd have to wear tails, of course!"

She laughed, willingly handing him her pack then following him off the plane, her grin widening. "Just don't forget yourself, okay? You get to have some fun, too, as long as it doesn't involve Rap or football...either kind!"

[Scott Cooper]

Scott enjoyed the fact that she seemed to be happy and maybe he was over doing things a little but he had a lot to make up for even if she didnt realise it. She deserved the best and if he could at least make things better for her for the trip then he was going to do it. No budget in mind and no expense spared for her at all.

“I offer rose petals in the bath and you want roller coaster and paintball?” He said with a grin, “Well if you want roller coasters there’s a great place called M & D’s not too far away and paintball I am sure I can make that happen on castle grounds.” He offered though when she spoke about dancing he nodded, he had tails surprisingly not exactly what he had packed but he could get hold of them. “Tails it is but you’d have to wear the most beautiful dress if we are to go dancing. We could go to Princes Street and see what they have?”

Scott grinned as he nodded to her. “Oh I am having fun and I wont forget about me but are you serious about the football?” He asked pretending to be disappointed as he pouted at her for a moment. “How about cricket? All British sport with afternoon tea on the green?” He asked as he took her pack and walked from the plane into the arrivals area.

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"Cricket?" Kelle glanced at him then smiled playfully. "Isn't that what the Red Queen plays in Alice in Wonderland? 'Off with their heads!'" Yeah, she knew that was croquet, but was there really a difference? "Afternoon tea sounds grand! I can hold out my pinky with the best of them!" Holding up her hand, she demonstrated.

"So, it sounds like there's plenty for both of us...but right now I'm not sure I have the energy for too much." She shrugged, then added, "Of course, lunch and shopping doesn't take much, right? Then we can have a slow evening, rest up and hit it hard tomorrow?"

Didn't matter, she was open to about anything besides sitting too long when there was so much to see and do!

"Paintball in a castle? Really? Now that would be awesome!" Girly things were fine, but there was no harm in getting a little dirty, either, so long as the bruises weren't too visible later!

"Lead on, and I will follow!"

[Scott Cooper]

Scott pretended to be horrified that she had put the two things together before he grinned. “Similar but it’s a game of gentlemen and women of course... probably better if I can show you.” He said deciding that to try and explain the game well he could talk about it all day. He laughed seeing her hold up her hand, “Oh you’ve got the British thing down, all we need is a cup and saucer and you’d be outfitted for life.” He teased.

“It sounds like a good plan, long flight and slow easy day.” He replied wondering what he could plan for the next day though shopping and lunch or the lunch part sounded good. Scott knew she wanted to see and do things and there was so much to show her he just wasn’t exactly sure where to start though there was a lot of history in the shopping. Mostly buildings and places where shops had decided to put down their roots.

“Yeah, paintball in a castle just try not to be too good a shot though.” He teased as he nodded, Scott was glad that she wasn’t all girly as most he knew would back off at the first thought of paintball. “Well it’s this way for our lift, or so the exit sign says anyway.” He said pointing to a board hanging from the roof with the word exit written on it among several other important things like food, toilets, terminals and a few other exits.

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"Lead on!" Kelle fell in step beside him, anxious to actually get out and on the road, to see real sights and not just the airport. "And don't worry too much about my aim, I can hit a barn, but that's about it." She laughed and shrugged. "I've only played a couple times, didn't do too bad, except that my instincts are to render aid to the 'enemy' that I shoot!"

Another laugh, then she breathed in a deep lungful of Scottish air, savoring it even though it was misty and a bit dank out...after all, this was Scotland, just the way she imagined it!

Once in the cab she kept her nose to the window, taking in the buildings, the people, the statues and monuments and signs...it was fantastic, and this was only the beginning!

(We can skim over any parts you want to, although I think dress shopping might be fun!)