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The only sound on the Express was the quiet song playing from the phonograph as Pom pom swept the main car. It was a time of rest for the trailblazers, having just finished their stop at Penacony. Caelus and March entertained the conductor with the tales from their adventure, meeting another Galaxy Ranger, getting to walk around the Paperfold University, fixing whatever problem arose; but by that point Pom pom had lost track of exactly what they were telling them about.
As the conductor continues to sweep, they try and remember where the Express’ next stop is. They have a temporary passenger, what was her name… Grey Goose? She has a room in the second passenger car, but Pom pom has never seen her even enter it. Miss Himeko did tell them, however, that the room for the lady was merely a formality; so they suppose they shouldn’t be too worried for her. As for the next planet the Express is heading to…. The conductor droops, sad that they cannot remember. Thankfully they aren’t the navigator, otherwise this would be bad!
A faint knock from outside the train startles Pom pom. Curiously, they wander to the door the knock came from. Who would be knocking on the express at a time like this? Especially when they are docked just outside the Reverie. Perhaps someone needs help? Pom pom slides the door open, looking up and seeing a desperate, unfamiliar face. The man stares back at him, the wings behind his ears fluttering slightly. Pom pom’s eyes drift to the man’s halo before looking him in the eyes.
“How can I help you, sir?” they chirp happily. This man looks clearly distressed, so Pom pom feels inclined to help him! The conductor talking seems to shock the man out of his silence, taking a knee.
“H-hello,” his voice waivers, “you are the conductor of the Astral Express, right?” Pom pom nods their head but the man looks no less relieved. “Ah… I apologize for my… sudden appearance, but this was the only place I could think to come….” The man trails off and Pom pom tilts their head. He looks away, ashamed and sad; making Pom pom feel sad for him! Setting their resolve, the conductor sets their broom against the wall and extends a stubby paw to the man.
“If you need a place to stay, the Astral Express will gladly have you! We’re actually planning to depart from Penacony soon, so if you need anything, I would collect it soon!” They beam up at him. The man hesitates before putting his hand in Pom pom’s paw. His hand is callused, kind of like Mr. Yang’s, a clear sign of a hard worker from what Pom pom’s experienced. The man stands and the conductor leads him inside the train car, the door sliding shut behind him.
“No…. I— I believe I will be fine coming as I am.” The man speaks softly, sadly. Pom pom tilts their head once more.
“Don’t you have anyone to say goodbye to?” They ask, quickly realizing it was the wrong thing to say as the man’s expression sours. His free hand clenches into itself, and Pom pom whines as he sees his nails dig into his bare palms. As Pom pom goes to apologize, the man interrupts them.
“Anyone I might’ve had… has already said their goodbye’s to me long ago….” He trails off. Pom pom decides to leave it, wisely not poking the issue further.
They lead the man through the first passenger car, past all the sleeping trailblazers. There’s soft sounds from Dan Heng’s room, ones that Pom pom has memorized from the man’s many nightmares. March’s room emits a loud snoring sound as she peacefully snoozes away. Miss Himeko’s room emits an ever present smell of coffee, but the window displays no light, so she is asleep like the rest. Mr. Yang’s room is always sealed tightly; Pom pom isn’t quite sure how. The man has his secrets, and who is the conductor to refuse him his privacy? As they pass the occupied rooms, the man looks nervous. Perhaps concerned if they might wake.
“Don’t worry,” Pom pom whispers to the man as they lead him along, “everyone here is quite the heavy sleeper.” They wink at the man. His wings flutter against his cheek, covering his mouth slightly. He seems to be suppressing a chuckle. They enter the second passenger car, passing Caelus’ room and the room prepared for the lady that sometimes appears on the Express; finally arriving at an empty room. The man stares at the door as it slides open, displaying a blank room, a simple bed and desk with a chair making up one half of the room, while the other wall held only an empty shelf.
“Here’s your room!” The conductor exclaims with a smile. The man looks a little lost in thought, a forlorn look on his face. He looks back to the conductor, frowning.
“Wh… what do I have to do to earn it?” He asks hesitantly. It’s Pom pom’s turn to frown, feeling sad for the man again.
“You don’t have to earn anything, silly!” They reach into the pocket of their coat and pull out a shiny gold ticket badge with a red stub and hold it out to the man. “You’re traveling with the Astral Express, looking to carve a path for yourself, no?” The man looks taken aback by the conductor’s astute observation. They smile at him once more as he gingerly takes it.
“I… I’ve already tried to carve a path for myself. It did not end well.” The man’s voice is quiet. Pom pom tilts their head.
“Did you try to carve it for yourself? Or for others?” The man doesn’t reply. Pom pom pats his hand with their paw in a soothing motion. “When you’re part of the Trailblaze, the path you carve is unique, rarely traveled before.” Pom pom takes the badge from the man’s limp grip and pins it to the bottom of the man’s coat. “You owe the Trailblaze nothing, because your journey fuels it. Even if you end up leaving, or following another path, the Trailblaze would never reject one who needs it.” They look up at the man, his eyes covered by his wings. But his mouth is in a shaky smile, and Pom pom knows that they said the right thing.
The man steps into his room, kneeling in the doorway and pulling the conductor into a stiff hug, as if he hasn’t given many and has since forgotten exactly how they work. Pom pom tries their best to wrap their stubby arms around him and return the action. As he hugs the conductor, he whispers to them, desperate.
“Could you… please not tell the rest of the Trailblazers that I’m here? I… I would like to gather myself and introduce myself when I’m ready.” The man begs the conductor. Pom pom tilts their head, curious, but nods in confidence.
“I won’t even tell them you’re here until you’re ready, Mr…?” Pom pom leads and the man looks surprised. He stands and gives the conductor a small smile, speaking before the door to his room closes.
“Please, just call me Sunday.”