Strange was relative. After all, Belle had just come from a palace where there were enchanted objects with more personality than most of the people who lived in the town she did. Time travel, well, that was definitely up there and an adventure. One she hadn't even read about so she had no idea on what to expect. But all the heroines in her stories had one trait in common. They took everything in stride and didn't let it overwhelm them. They found a way to overcome the obstacles placed before them and therefore, so would she.
The bitter tone wasn't lost on Belle at the comment about little toys in the middle. Most of the people she was surrounded by were always so optimistic. Though they were also gossips and had nothing interesting to talk about beyond what the neighbors did and exaggerate it to make their dull lives have some sort of meaning. So to see someone who was openly bitter? It was different. At least in a she wasn't going to fly off the handle and try to kill her mode like the Beast had done.
"I see...."
This really was a lot to take in despite it all and Belle was exhausted. But she also needed to get as much information as she could so she could either find a way back to her father, or at least survive. At least Emma explained the word sentient because Belle had never heard it before. It was a good word, one Belle would have to file away for later use. For now, it was information gathering.
Or... she could be told that there was no way home and that if she did get sent back, she'd end up where she left. So about to be eaten by wolves. That wasn't something to look forward to, but if she had a chance to live here? At least her father would still think her alive because he wouldn't know. There was that, at least. She worried about him, worried about how he might react if she were to die as they had already lost her mother. But if he was suspended in time?
"That... is a lot to take in.... Though between everything I saw at home just today, I suppose it could be worse..."
She... was going to need to figure out how to survive here. How to manage and make her way.
"There are others, you mentioned. Is this place just full of people like us? Or is there somewhere to stay where questions may not be asked? I can make my way, but..." Shrugging weakly, Belle absently twisted her hair around her finger in thought. She was self sufficient, yes, but she still needed the information.