Comments | stoatshead_hill: RP: Slow Ride

shh_eleanor in stoatshead_hill

RP: Slow Ride

Mar 07, 2007 12:39

Date: 7 March 2005
Characters: Ernie Macmillan & Eleanor Branstone
Location: Tewkesbury and the surrounding area.
Status: Private
Summary: Eleanor takes Ernie for his first car ride.
Completion: InComplete

( Why this car is automatic. It’s systematic. It’s hydromatic… )

eleanor branstone, ernie macmillan, march 2005

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shh_eleanor March 8 2007, 04:16:24 UTC

Eleanor frowned slightly. She didn't really like the thought of not really seeing Ernie for five days. Nor did she really like the idea of him working at night, especially if he wasn't filing, but she bit her tongue. She didn't reckon it was her place to say so.

"Just let me know if you're finished with it by your next day off, and we'll do it then," she said, reaching across the table to give his hand a squeeze.

When the meal was finished Eleanor smiled over at him. "So, what would you like to do next?"

shh_ernie March 8 2007, 04:33:48 UTC

Ernie shrugged. "Er...I dunno. I'm partial to the idea of just driving around and...talking...if that's alright with you." Although he wasn't opposed to more kissing either.

The waitress brought the check and he snatched it up before Eleanor could. Heading off any protests, he insisted that it was only fair that he pay since she was driving him around. He'd sold a few comic books in London for money.

Once he'd received his change and carefully calculated the proper tip, they left. On the way out, he took Eleanor's hand again and they walked back to the car. After she unlocked the door, he held it open for her.

shh_eleanor March 8 2007, 04:47:10 UTC

Eleanor nodded. "Sounds good to me." She liked the idea of just talking with him.

She shook her head with a smile as he insisted on paying. She squeezed his hand before letting go to unlock the door. Before she started the car, she leaned over him and rummanged through the glove box. "Gum?" she asked, offering the pack to him after taking a stick for herself.

She pulled out onto the road, and headed off toward somewhere quieter than town. So they wouldn't have to make so many stops, she told herself.

shh_ernie March 8 2007, 04:56:57 UTC

Ernie squeezed his eyes shut when she leaned over him. Eleanor was right there, so close, but he was determined to be a gentleman. When she moved away, he opened his eyes again and took a stick of gum from the pack before returning it to the glove box.

"Any idea when you'll take your OWLs?" he asked, curious about how the new school was run. He glanced out the window every so often, wondering if they were getting back on the motorway or if they were going somewhere else.

shh_eleanor March 8 2007, 05:34:06 UTC

Eleanor shrugged. "Not really. They're working on rebuilding a permanant school I've heard. The building they are using now is just temporary. I don't really think they're set up for OWLs yet, so it might be a while."

Eleanor headed to a country road. They'd still be able to go faster than in town, but there wouldn't be quite so many cars around, which appealed to Eleanor for some reason.

shh_ernie March 8 2007, 05:40:14 UTC

This was definitely not the way back to the motorway, Ernie thought. He wanted to ask where exactly they were going, but decided it really didn't matter. He'd said he wanted to drive around and talk.

"It's lovely here," he said. Although he wasn't exactly looking out the window when he said that.

shh_eleanor March 8 2007, 05:43:13 UTC

Eleanor looked over and smiled at him for a moment. "It is, isn't it?"

She looked out the window and spotted a dirt road up ahead. "Hey, would you like to learn how to drive?"

shh_ernie March 8 2007, 05:48:27 UTC

Surely she was kidding. But she looked serious.

"Really? I'm allowed to do that? I mean...don't you need a permit or such?"

Before he knew it, Eleanor was pulling the car off to the side of the dirt road. She turned to him and he realized she was waiting for an answer to her question.

"Of course I would! What do I need to do?"

shh_eleanor March 8 2007, 06:02:30 UTC

"Well, yes, technically. You do need a permit, but it's pretty deserted here. We just won't have you drive on the paved road ( ... )

shh_ernie March 8 2007, 06:11:00 UTC

First, second, third, fourth, fifth, reverse. That seemed easy enough to understand. Ernie nodded as she gave him directions. Three pedals? But he only had two feet. But he reckoned that if muggles could do this, he could too.

He pushed down on the clutch with his left foot and shifted into first gear. He let the clutch pedal come up while pushing down on the fuel pedal with his right foot. The car jumped and shuddered before the engine completely stopped.

"Sorry. I'm sorry," he apologized. Eleanor just smiled encouragingly and Ernie nodded, determined to master this.

After several false starts, he managed to let up on the clutch and push down on the fuel in the right proportion. Slowly, they moved down the dirt road.

"I did it!" Ernie said, looking over at Eleanor, and whooping loudly. When he looked forward again, they were heading for a tree. He twisted the wheel hard and jammed on the brake pedal with both his right and left foot. The car ground to a halt.

Now, he understood what seatbelts were for.

shh_eleanor March 8 2007, 06:43:11 UTC

Eleanor gave Ernie an encouraging smile when the car stalled on his first attempt. It hadn't been all that long since she'd learned to drive herself, and she knew he'd get it right eventually.

It took him a few tries, but he eventually got the car moving. Eleanor grinned over at him clapped her hands together excitedly. "You did!"

Her eyes widened when she turned back toward the windscreen and realized they where headed toward a tree. "Brake," she gasped, gripping the door and the dash, just in case.

Slumping in relief, Eleanor took a few moments to let her heart beat and breathing get back to normal. Then she looked over at Ernie. "Could have happened to anyone," she said sincerely, her eyes still round as saucers. She reached over and took his hand. "You did good, though. Just have to remember to keep your eyes on the road next time."

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