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Being on a train for who knows how long, minutes? hours? maybe even day? (how different is time here?) is really messing with this poor girl Joey’s head. She doesn’t tend to be this active and useful to others for an entire day let alone to a different species! Shoving herself through different sections of the train, having to stop two trolls fighting, finding evidence for a trial and participating in it? Gosh it was a lot for her.
She peeped through a window at the cerulean cart. It was dark and the sky was awfully pretty, she isn’t used to seeing a sky like this, no bright blue covered in clouds, just some light and a pretty dark atmosphere. She has a strict bedtime and she likes sticking to it. She yawned subconsciously as she was lost in thought, stretching her arms to then flopping them down back to her sides again.
Xefros must’ve noticed this as he leaned in beside her “Joey you doing okay?” his voice was quiet yet Joey flinched a bit, startled by the sound.
“Sorry haha… I got a bit distracted by the sky, it’s awfully pretty,” she gets interrupted by another yawn of hers “I don’t think I’m used to staying up this late, that’s all!” Joey continues avoiding eye contact with Xefros, her cheeks turning a light pink from embarrassment.
“‘Staying up this late?’” Xefros repeats what Joey said but sounds more monotone. His eyes narrow in confusion, turning his body to face the window as he looks into the sky as well.
Joey nods and hums a “Mm-hmm” to Xefros, pausing her speech unsure what to say next.
“Are you .. used to seeing the sun?” Xefros asks, trying to remember Joey’s perspective. She’s human and from an entire different planet, who knows how different it is.
“Yeah! Aren’t you?” Joey replies enthusiastically, raising her voice unintentionally, turning herself to face Xefros’s side and tilting her head as she grins. She thought of her home back on earth, how she would play with Jude, running around in the back garden, looking at clouds and figuring out what they look like. Daytime was fun and it made her more tired for when it was time for her to sleep, it’s amazing.
Xefros pauses, his fingers curling up a bit as he moves them to scratch his right arm. “The sun here on alternia is too hot.. we can’t really go outside so we sleep while it’s out and we’re awake while it’s cold and dark.”
“Wow that must suck! I think I rather to be awake during the day,” Joey looks down at Xefros’s body language seeming like she must’ve said something wrong. “No offense though of course! Maybe it would be nice playing in the dark too… I haven’t stayed up that late on earth to do it yet.. but being with you has been really fun so far!” Joey rubs her eyes, yawning once more, her voice is more quiet now.
Xefros looks down at her hoodie, Dammek’s hoodie.. Dammek is on earth isn’t he? He wonders how his moirail is doing on earth, watching himself reflecting from the mirror as he gets lost in his own scenarios and daydreams.
—————-
All of that chatting brought some attention to a certain troll on the train however. Elwurd glances at the two from a distance eavesdropping on their conversation as much as she could hear from. Elwurd decided to stand up from the soft couch she was sitting on and walk over to them, most noticeably, Joey.
“Messed up sleep schedule?” Elwurd looks at Joey who seems to be struggling to keep her eyes open.
“She had a tough night that’s all.. couldn’t sleep that well.” Xefros replies to her before Joey could think of a response as he looking up and down at her, trying to think if Joey’s outfit is deceiving enough. The horns look okay right?
Elwurd hums in response, deciding to not ask more questions. Joey exhales through her nose in relief, that did sound quite believable. She reaches her arms to stretch once more and scratches the side of her cheek.
“Happens to the best of us cutie,” Elwurd grins at Joey giving her a subtle wink aswell. “I’m sure taking a nap on this train won’t do you no harm.”
Joey cheeks turn a light pink as she has her eyes look to the elevator door, not making any eye contact in embarrassment.
“Hey I ain’t going to get you in trouble or anything, besides going back to your original cart is a long walk, it’ll tire you out even more. You can just rest with me.” Xefros sweats, seemed suspicious of Elwurd’s offer, especially being so forward about it.
“Joey..” Xefros turns his head to her as he whispers. “I don’t know if this is a good idea..”
“I can hear you whispering,” Elwurd interrupts. “It’s not like I am paying her to do or get something for me to sleep here, just a suggestion.”
Joey looks like she’s about to just knock herself out on the floor and sleep there, getting out another yawn out of her mouth. Elwurd walks back to the couch she was sitting on, enough room for Joey to be at. She pats a spot gesturing for her to come over.
Xefros can’t protest much as she looks exhausted, it’s what’s best for her. Besides, arguing with a higher blood caste than him isn’t going to go well. Joey doesn’t hesitate to walk over to Elwurd, her feet stumbling a bit but manages to get there on her own.
Joey quickly adjusts and gets comfortable to the texture and softness of the couch, her eyesight drifting off once she closes them. She out like a lightbulb soon enough and unintentionally tilts her body to lean against Elwurd. Elwurd smiles softly and carefully moves Joey to lay down, moving her head to lay on Elwurd’s lap.
Joey seems comfortable to both Xefros and Elwurd, so he doesn’t seem as worried as before. Elwurd places her fingers underneath Joey’s hood, moving some hair to be free as she plays with it messily.
Joey rests so peacefully to Elwurd which she can’t help but smile again. It’s quite obvious this isn’t a burgundy troll but it’s nice to play along, to make her happy.