𝚟𝚊𝚛𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚓𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚝 // 𝚊𝚗 𝚊𝚖𝚙𝚑𝚒𝚋𝚒𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚝

𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚘

A snail rode down a road, the amphibians and humans on top of it looking happy and relaxed. 

"Ah, a leisurely outing with Bessie," Hop Pop said. "Why, we could really go anywhere. Do anything."

"Oh Ooh! Can we get swamp slushies," Sprig pleaded. "They have new flavors!"

Hop Pop chuckled. "Nope."

"Can we go off road," Polly said as she did a flip. "Do some crazy stunts?"

"Double no?"

"Can we have fun?" Y/N sarcastically said. "If not I need more fabric."

"Triple no," Hop Pop said. 

"Ooh! Can I drive?" Anne smiled. 

"Sure."

"Aww, come on Hop Pop." Then Anne realized what he said. "Wait really?"

"Absolutely," Hop Pop smiled. "I've been trying to teach this guy for years," he said, poking Sprig, who was now up on Y/N's shoulder. 

"It's true," Sprig confirmed. 

"Isn't Pinky like, 10?" Y/N looked at Hop Pop. 

"All right," Anne pumped her fist. "Give me those reins, I'm ready to drive."

"Oh, Anne," Y/N sighed and shook her head. "You sweet summer child."

---

"Not before reading this you ain't," Hop Pop said as he dropped a huge book on a table. "Ain't that right Y/N."

"It is the boringest book of boring books," Y/N groaned. 

"What?" Anne blinked. 

"This is Bessie's history," Hop Pop said. "Before touching a snails reins, you gotta know them. Feel their heartbeat next to yours, and become one."

"It's such a scam," Y/N scoffed. 

"Hop Pop, it's just a vehicle," Anne said. "We had a family car back home. It's no biggie."

"Anne, Bessie is very much alive, I fed her yesterday," Y/N said. 

Hop Pop shoved the book into Anne's hands. "You can't drive Bessie unless you read this cover to cover, and that's final."

"Are there pictures?" Anne asked. 

"There are diagrams," Hop Pop smiled. 

"NOOOOOOOOOO!"

"Dramatic much?" Hop Pop frowned. "Now if you'll excuse me, Polly's due for a wash."

He walked over to Polly, who was playing in a mud puddle, seemingly enjoying herself. 

"Wait NO NO NO NO," Polly pleaded. "I'll just get dirty again! You can't stop me! I learned this from watching you Anne!"

Anne groaned. "I'll be old before I finish this thing."

"Yeah, page 5 is as far as I got," Sprig said as he played with a fly. "Too much description, not enough plot."

"This is ridiculous," Anne complained. "I don't need history, I need experience."

Y/N shrugged. "Suit yourself, Anne."

"Hey, what do you say we take a harmless test drive," Anne smirked. "Prove to Hop Pop we're fast learners."

"Hop Pop just told you to read the book," Y/N said. "Now, I need to go fix the-"

"Oh come on, don't be a stick in the mud," Anne smiled. "How bad can it be?"