The sun, still high up in the sky though only sinking a little, relatively beautiful to look at as the clouds dance with the wind. The train, clacking down the track undisturbed as the scenery would gradually shift from a more luscious greenery to the shifting sands of a more desert type biome.
Trees, gradually having shrunk into bushes, now gradually into cacti, and to few of anything; forest birds now becoming buzzards with coyotes clearly resting in shady areas, though some awakening at the sound and sight of the train though not too many.
On board in the dining cart, Dawn would have herself sat against a window with subtle glances out looking around whilst Francis, still stuffing his face, would sit on the other side of the room, most of the others also present at tables. Moving up next to her and sitting across the table, Shawn.
“Hey sis, have you tried the muffins yet? They are incredible!”
“Oh uh, no not yet, I’m just sorta thinking.”
“About?”
“About what’s out there… I’ve never done actual combat before you know.”
“Hey, neither have I but I wouldn’t worry about it. I bet those shadow bastard guys aren’t all that terrible.”
“Heh, I appreciate your optimism,” she’d chuckle raising a cup of tea to her lips, gradually sipping before placing it back down on the plate still looking out as if day dreaming at present.
“I’m telling you Erin, nothing will happen, we have some of the best with us. Francis may be a big gorilla but he can probably take the head off a goat if he wanted to.”
“Uh...”
“… right behind me isn’t he?”
“Mhmm.”
Turning around, Shawn would lock eyes with Francis who would be standing right there behind him with a bit of a grin.
“Oh uh, hi sir.”
“Ya know kid… that last part just saved your skin.”
Walking away from them both, Francis would bark at the waiter for more fried chicken, leaving Shawn to simply sigh, “Damn… close one...”
The sound of the door sliding into the room as a man stepped forward, speaking, “Everyone, please be ready for our next stop here shortly as we pick up an official for the Church itself.”
With those words, the train would begin to slow, up ahead a platform catching the eyes of some in surprise.
“A stop?”
“Out here in the middle of nowhere?”
“I thought it was supposed to be in a city.”
In mere moments the train would come to a halt, people in gold robes and hoods standing with staffs, amongst them a man dressed in black with a book, a clergyman, all of which would soon step forward and disappear, most likely onto the train despite the sight of this being limited.
“Was that the Gold Guard Steven?”
“Yes Erin, I believe it was. It’s rare for me to even see it myself… but they won’t be with us for long. In about 8 hours it will be night and by then we should be in a dock port for the night… and then tomorrow as I recall, they’re getting off at the city before our destination.”
“So… what do we do?”
“Absolutely nothing Shawn, we let them do their own thing in their cabin and must not disturb them. The Gold Guard is supposed to take care of the Church officials, not us.”
“Oh uh, alright then.”
“Has anyone seen our three newbies?”
“Probably in their cabins yet sir, they don’t seem to like to mingle with us...”
“Well they’re new so what can you really say.”
Looking down and then to a wall, Shawn would let out a sigh, “Well… they’ll have to get used to it eventually right?”
“That’s the spirit, haha.”
“Yeah...”
“Hey Shawn, why don’t you go and see how Ellie is doing, win her over, ya know?”
“You think that’ll work Stevenson?”
“Probably.”
“Well… alright.”
Shawn would turn and quickly walk to the door, shutting it behind him, leaving Steven who would look at Stevenson, “You really like to stir the pot don’t you?”
“Eh, it’s a natural talent Steven.”
-
Opening the door to Cabin Six, Shawn would walk inside, giving a general look around and then see Ellie on the floor in the corner, holding her legs looking down at the floor, at least until the door slid open. One glance up and she shot up, “What do you want?”
“Hey, we’re partners now, can’t we at least talk?”
“Hell no, I have nothing to say to you, pretty sure.”
“Yeah but… we’re comrades now, we should at the very least get to know one another, don’t you think?”
“Pft… yeah comrades whatever… just leave me alone.”
“Alright, fine...”
Exiting and shutting the door, Shawn would let out a sigh, “Damn...”
Walking forward back to the dining cart he’d glance back, “What is it that troubles you Ellie… surely there is something on your mind and I intend to find out what it is...”
Walking back into the car with the others, Shawn would look up and shake his head, “I don’t think she likes me.”
“Gee whatever gave you that impression? Haha!”
“Oh shut up Francis, at least women talk to me.”
“Oooooohhhh……… bad move Shawn.”
“Wait wha-”
“HRRRRRRRRRRYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WILL PUNCH YOUR FACE INTO YOUR ASS YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!”
“Oh shit!”
ns 15.158.61.5da2
