---

San was not pleased to be bundled under Jenoc’s cloak again and herded back out into the stifling dead air of the strange world outside. Muffled words were exchanged between Jenoc and Maika, a quick discussion of sorts about something called a “Dimensional train” and “impatient conductors”. Not grasping the words like he felt he should, San instead brushed them away in favor of pouting at his misfortune. Of all the places he could have been whisked off to- this was where he was landed. Hoping against all hope that they were leaving this place for good, San allowed the grasping hand of his master take hold of his leg just above the knee and hike him up to wrap his legs around the tall man’s waist- he vaguely observed the same being done to the odd feline girl, sighing at her high giggle as he felt his master begin another long trudge.

Minutes passed in silence and San was startled to find it eventually disturbed by a familiar voice. He hadn’t realized Maika had followed along and strained to hear the other boy’s soft muttering.

“You shouldn’t have lingered so long in my study- the conductors barely pause for a second when they go through here. If they came early and saw no one, they’ll have just plowed right through- and then what? You’ll be stranded here till tomorrow, that’s what.”

Jenoc’s amused chuckle could be heard clearly through the thick material of his cloak and San felt it rumble through the chest he was half clinging to. “Dimensional trains never show up early or late. They show up exactly when they are supposed to.”

“But, if-“

“Where is all the optimism I left you with in my last visit? Stop with your gloomy theories, they have no use in my reasoning.”

“Hmph.”

The conversation seemed to end and San allowed himself to relax. At least, as much as one can when they can’t breathe properly. Surprisingly, the walk from that point was fairly short. San found himself moved from a daydream of sweet bread and was fleetingly disoriented as the cloak was tossed back. San blinked tear-filled eyes against the polluted air stinging his vision, stubbornly forcing them to stay open enough to take a quick look around.

Dirt. Dirt, dirt, more dirt, and behind them was the looming presence of dirty brown buildings. Lovely. A sad little twig of what might have been some sort of tree drooped to the ground, just to the side of a pair of deep indents. Two lines had been ingrained into the cracking, dry ground, stretching out as far as the eye could see before they disappeared in a blur of dust and clay. Tracks of some sort.

“They’re late. I told you, they probably already came through-“

“Your watch is slow and from a completely different world. Do not lecture me on time.” Jenoc grumbled, beginning to show small signs of annoyance towards his cynical friend. Maika wisely put his squabble to rest. The shorter boy was almost put-out to see thick headlights breaking through the murky fog.

“Oh... Here it comes then.” Maika said glumly.

Once again, San was amazed. Despite the discomfort, he felt his eyes widen impossibly at seeing the large metal -thing- that was rattling at break-neck speed towards them. How was it moving? Was it alive? Were there people running underneath?!

Jenoc swished his cloak to cover his three companions as a harsh dust cloud flew into the air around them. Unseen by the others, he cringed and spat a mouthful of gooey sludge from his tongue as the kicked up dirt flew into his mouth. The train seemed hesitant as it seemed to speed up, then, changing its mind, screech to a halt. Jenoc scowled at the bright head that poked out from a dusty widow.

“Zenoc! Pwhat are yew doin’ h-har?!” The woman called out in a high, unusual accent- almost as if she had trouble twisting her tongue around certain letter pronunciations, resulting in a rather disturbing hissing effect. Her wild purple hair waved in the motionless air, seeming to have a life of its own. “Ey h-hazzan’t sheen yew een farh-hever!”

“Peezara.” Jenoc tilted his head in grudging acknowledgement, appearing rather miffed and ruffled in his dusty clothes with three body lumps beneath his cloak.

“Dhon’t jasht shtand ou-aht thar! Came een, sho Ey can clozah ta weendow!”

---

Nieni: Short, I know, but I’m tired. (yawns) Tis three in the morning- I’m goin’ ta bed. Sorry if there’s any errors, I’m too tired to check... With Peezara's accent, you're just gonna have to tough it out. It sounds as it's spelled, you just gotta look. G'night... or morning. Ugh.... I'm gonna be grumpy tomorrow.... - -'