Chapter Text
With all the excitement regarding the Stellaron on Jarilo VI, and then the detour to the Xianzhou Luofu, it had completely slipped everyone’s mind that there was in fact one extra person on the Astral Express now. Even Caelus himself had forgotten he has yet to actually receive a space of his own… in space. That is, until the chaos and confusion dissipate, leaving everyone in a varying state of fatigue, paranoia, and lethargy. Caelus realises that there were no longer hotel rooms or inns where he’d be staying the night.
Everyone recovered in their own way prior to the next warp jump, Caelus noticed. Dan Heng appeared the most agitated, and rightfully so, considering what he went through, and his past and present identity. Caelus notices how Dan Heng is more curt than before, and how he keeps looking out the window at the Luofu. Maybe he has unfinished business?
Caelus decides to keep his distance for the time being.
The next most affected person was Mr. Yang. As of late, he appears more and more deep in thought, and it took a lot more than saying his name once to shake him out of his stupor. Himeko had even resorted to flicking him in the forehead, which was hilarious on its own but compiled with the previous oddities - and the fact that Mr Yang is typically the most attentive person on the Express, so it’s incredibly out of character for him, - left Caelus feeling more uneasy. Himeko worked hard to try to cheer up Mr. Yang, but he still seemed so out of it.
Caelus decides to keep his distance for the time being.
The only other people on the Express were March and Pom-Pom. The former, surprisingly, took to holing up in her own room. Not refusing to come out, but only ever leaving for food and bathroom breaks. Pom-Pom consistently tried to console March. Caelus could hear the pleading, could hear the bribery, could hear every tactic Pom-Pom deployed to try and coax March out of her slump, to no avail thus far. It frightens him to see such a happy-go-lucky girl be so down.
Caelus decides to keep his distance for the time being.
But what does that leave Caelus with? He supposed maybe he could try talking with the others more, about his own struggles, but they seemed so… busy with each other. It hits him now. How he’s still ‘The New Guy’ in the grand scheme of things. He’s maybe spent a couple of weeks maximum with these people. It seems better if he stays out of their personal problems and waits for a point in time when everyone feels more chipper.
And so, he resolves to wait it out. He didn't know how long it would take, but in his head, if it helped everyone, he’d tough it out.
The grandfather clock they kept in the hallway ticked quietly, the time it indicated reading somewhere near two in the morning. Himeko had modified the clock slightly to make little noise because according to March, everyone got jumpscared by the loud chiming sounds it used to make. Caelus chuckles as he thinks about Dan Heng’s reaction to something like that. He sat on an armchair opposite the clock, staring at the pendulum as it swung back and forth, like a tennis ball on a string.
“Caelus? What are you doing up so early?”
Welt Yang, clothed in his matching set of silk pyjamas sat in the neighbouring armchair He set his cane aside and looked at Caelus with a frown etched on his forehead.
“Mr Yang. I… wasn't expecting you to be up either. Why are you up?”
“I heard you laughing to yourself and I woke up. I’m a light sleeper and it often worsens when I’m stressed. Are you alright?”
Caelus nods, perhaps a touch too quickly.
“I’m fine! I just woke up at a weird time, you know? I was gonna get a glass of water but I got distracted with the clock. It’s... Uh, pretty isn’t it?”
Caelus lied through his teeth. Welt hummed.
“Alright. Try not to stay up too late, okay? It’s not healthy. Oh, and I recommend you drink some warm milk with honey. That will make you sleepy. I used to make it for my son all the time when he refused to go to sleep.”
Caelus chokes on his saliva.
“You have a son!?”
“Shh. Not so loud.” Welt grimaces. “Yes, I have a son. Is that so out of the ordinary?”
“It’s not, just surprising… What’s honey? Why would I add it to puffergoat milk?”
Welt stood, reaching for his cane.
“Come with me, I’ll show you. I could actually use a glass myself. Honey is a by-product of an Earth insect known as bees. It is a sweet, viscous food with medicinal properties. Also, on Earth, we use cow milk. Arguably, the best type of milk in my opinion.”
Caelus nods as he scrambles to follow Welt to the kitchen.
“Okay…”
The two work together to make two warm, sweet glasses of milk, which Caelus enjoys enthusiastically. Welt sighs nostalgically.
“Ah, reminds me of Earth.”
Welt and Caelus tidy their dishes, and part ways.
“Don’t stay up too late. Go to sleep.” Welt yawned. Caelus finds himself yawning as well. Was what March said about yawns being contagious real!?
“Uh- yep! No need to worry ‘bout me!” Caelus smiles nervously when he catches Welt squinting at him. “Goodnight, Mister Yang!”
Welt nods, a small amused smile tugging at his lips, and he disappears into his room, leaving Caelus alone.
Caelus stood briefly, twiddling his thumbs as he thought about where he could sleep. The main cart is his first thought, so he goes to the door leading there.
Upon entering the carriage, he finds it bathed in the gentle glow of the galaxy. Billions and billions of stars cast their radiance upon the Express, and yet it wasn’t too bright at all. It was peaceful. The red, velvety couches looked so inviting, but Caelus soon found that they were only comfortable if one was sat up straight. The ridges and dips in the multitude of cushions made it a very uncomfortable bed.
It’s okay. He can try to sleep.
…
There’s an odd feeling. It's like something is… creeping up on him. Watching him. It made his skin crawl. Caelus flips over on the couch and finds nothing there. It’s okay. Nothing’s there.
The shadows move out of the corner of Caelus’s eye. He sat up, finding nothing but the phonograph. And the entire expanse of the universe. Why did it feel like the entire cosmos had its eyes on him?
The world feels too big all of a sudden. Why now does it blind him, when moments ago the stars were barely brighter than a candle?
Caelus pursed his lips and looked around the carriage, and he spotted a sizeable cupboard in the corner by the chessboard. He isn’t thinking when he immediately goes and climbs right in, bringing a cushion from the couch with him and snuggles into the cool hard surface, shutting the door. When he reorients himself and takes in his surroundings, - the wooden smell of the dust, the almost greyscale box he’s deposited himself in, he finds he doesn’t mind. It reminds him of a little fun fact Himeko had told him a little while ago, how cats found closed-in places comforting. Maybe he was similar. March was always calling him a raccoon. Maybe they were all related in a way. Caelus wouldn’t find it surprising if Kafka had made him by using a raccoon’s brain. Or a raccoon heart. Would that even be possible? Probably not. Kafka probably didn’t even make him in the first place. But she did fight to keep him alive - that much he did know, thanks to Blade.
Before he closes his eyes, he tells himself that when all the tension dissolves, and everyone has worked through their conflicting thoughts, then he’d discuss his bedroom with Himeko and Pom-Pom.