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˚₊‧꒰ა 𓂋 ໒꒱ ‧₊˚
Only a few short days had passed since Sunday found his way into the home of the nameless; yet he already knew he’d never tire of the sight of the stars.
The vast and seemingly endless expanse of space drew him in every time he wandered near a window. It was tranquil, yet frightening all the same.
Not to mention, the lingering sight of Penacony still in view.
He sat at his small table of choice in the so called “party car”; letting his thoughts wander as he looked off into the expanse of the planet he once knew as his home. His jaw unknowingly clenched at the sight.
To see the flashing lights and exuberant exterior from afar was breathtaking, to say the very least. He couldn’t help but linger on every memory and experience he’d had on Penacony; knowing he wouldn’t be seeing it again for a long time.
It wasn’t as if he held regrets regarding his departure, considering he’d already put his past self to rest a few nights ago, and bid his farewells to those he loved. He no longer had a purpose in Penacony, and now had to find his purpose among the radiant sea of stars. But that didn’t mean the feelings wouldn’t linger with him on his newfound journey and purpose, much to his chagrin. As much as he wanted to face Amphoreus with nothing but a determined, unwavering resolve to do good and create peace for humanity, he’d still have to live with the consequences of his decisions. There was a good chance he’d never be able to truly escape his past sins; all he had to do -or rather, all he could do- was accept them. Which of course, was no easy feat.
With how quickly his thoughts roared and raced without care in his mind, he felt as if he wasn’t connected to his own body anymore. So drawn to the past, and what it meant for his future, he couldn’t truly feel the pounding in his head, or the clenching of his fists. Neither could he sense the familiar presence approaching the table, or the smell of freshly-made tea wafting through the air. It took a loud click of a mug being set down for the grey-haired man to realize how lost he truly was.
“My apologies if I startled you, young man.” Sundays head snapped up to reveal the sight of Mr. Yang standing before him; carrying his familiar cane and a mug, second to the one he’d already set before him. “Mind if I join you?”
“Ah,” Sunday spoke with a rather startled tone, but keeping his composure was an effortless task. Or rather, he liked to believe it was. “The honor would be mine, Mr. Yang.”
With a grumble, the older man sits in the seat across from him; setting his mug on the table, and resting his cane against the wall beside them. Welt reaches over, and gently pushes the first mug -the one he’d accidentally startled the halovian with- closer to Sunday. “I’m not aware of your drink of choice, but I thought herbal tea was agreeable enough.”
Fully inspecting the drink placed before him, Sunday noticed the rather.. questionable soundness of the mug. It looked to be handmade by someone with a much different taste than his own. Painted pink, with blobs -he believed- were meant to be bears and flowers. From across the table he heard Welt let out a short chuckle; looking up to see the older man adjusting his glasses. A habit of the older man’s, he was finding. “Ah, well. If you couldn’t tell, the kids get a little bored when we’re stuck waiting around on the express, and they wanted to try their hand at pottery after visiting the Loufu not long ago. That one was made by March, if that wasn’t already clear. It is safe to drink out of, I promise. She -unlike someone else- actually followed the instructions rather well.”
Sunday let out a short laugh; covering his mouth politely. He couldn’t lie, the many quirks of the express’s younger members was rather entertaining. “Thank you for the tea, Mr. Yang. I’ll put Miss. March’s craftsmanship to good use.”
Welt smiled, and hummed contently in response.
It didn’t take long for their eyes to quickly fall back to the expanse of the cosmos just outside the car’s window. The two fell into a rather comfortable silence- something Sunday would have never expected. Just a few short months ago, the same man who now sits across him was standing against him in battle. He, and the rest of the trailblazers, protected the people of Penacony; the same people Sunday had never wished to bring harm upon, despite his differing actions.
The nameless, despite knowing who he is and what sins he’s committed, welcomed him into not just their space, but their peace; their home.
As the days passed, he watched as they accepted him more and more; as if slowly welcoming him into their “oddly-formed family” of sorts. He certainly didn’t find himself deserving, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be grateful. Quite the opposite, really.
He appreciated the conductor, Pom-pom, for making sure he was comfortable and had a good place to rest each night; no matter how insignificant that may seem. He appreciated the days when Dan Heng would walk him through the express’s data bank, helping him navigate his complicated journey. He appreciated when Ms. Himeko would spare him a fresh cup of coffee in the morning, even going as far to memorize his preferences. He appreciated when -even if it did escape him greatly- Caelus would try explaining those video games he plays to him, or sharing odd stories about his journey since embarking on the path of trailblazing. Aeons, he even appreciated when Miss. March would call him a plethora of nicknames, and include him in her jokes during meals or group meetings. He especially appreciated when Mr. Yang vowed for him; giving him an opportunity to restart and grow anew, and find his place alongside the nameless.
Completely unaware of how mixed up within his own thoughts he’d gotten -one again-, he was snapped back to reality by the sound of Mr. Yang speaking softly from the other side of the table. “Your tea’s getting cold, young man.”
The halovian couldn’t help but blush with embarrassment at his awkwardness; realizing he’d completely forgotten to taste the drink Mr. Yang prepared for him. “Oh- my apologies. My mind is rather preoccupied at the moment, if you couldn’t already tell.” Sunday held the mug in his hands; reveling in the warmth, even through the fabric of his gloves. Bringing it to his lips, he took a courteous, somewhat cautious sip. Thankfully, he had nothing to worry about regarding Mr. Yang’s tea-making abilities.
“You have much to think about, it’s only natural.” Welt responded before following suit; taking a long sip of his tea. He then set the black, green, and red mug back down on the table’s surface with a soft click. “I imagine seeing your home from the stars is an interesting experience.”
“It certainly is.” Sunday replied; his gaze unable to pull away from the lively, buoyant display of Penacony. “Though, I’m not certain I can call it my home any longer; not after everything that has happened.”
“Hmm.” Welt hummed solemnly. “I suppose that’s one of the first things a nameless has to learn on their journey. The expanse of space is your new home.”
The halovian paused for quite a long time; thinking back to not just his appreciation for the nameless and their surprising acceptance of him, but as well as his future and goals. “I am indebted to you and the rest of the nameless; that I am very aware. But you and I know that I cannot remain on the express forever. Your guidance is only the first step to achieving my life’s goal.”
“Seven rest days, an eternal paradise, a safe haven from the violent grip of reality.” Mr. Yang recited, before pausing to let out a short laugh; though there wasn’t much humor in it. “I must say, young man, that’s an ambitious goal. Though I’m sure you already know that very well; especially after the events on Penacony.”
Sunday let out a long breath and shut his eyes before he spoke. “Of course.”
“I don’t mean to offend with my words, but I wish to ask regardless.” The two went silent for a moment, before Mr. Yang spoke up once more; carefully considering his words before getting them out. “Your goal, as ideal as it is on the surface, may be nothing but a dream; an impossible feat. Do you still wish to pursue that path regardless?”
The halovian’s breath hitched in his chest. He glanced over at the older man, almost in an attempt to further understand the meaning behind his bold words. When he looked into Mr. Yang’s brown eyes, he saw no malicious intent. Instead, he was met with a kind, gentle gaze; one he wasn’t exactly expecting. Raptly averting his eyes down at the surface table, Sunday took a deep breath as he considered the older man’s words. When he found the strength to respond, he did. “I do. Even if..” he paused, only to take another -far more ragged- breath. His thoughts were filled with pictures of a reality where his ambitions led him nowhere; a dead end. “Even if my dreams are rendered fruitless, I would rather die trying, than waste away in a world where I cannot smile properly.”
“I understand.” Mr. Yang smiled sorrowfully, yet kindly. “Thank you for your answer, Sunday.”
Sunday nodded, hanging his head a little low to the table. (It was an almost stark contrast to the old version of himself; the man who never expressed an ounce of his emotion. Or at least, he was discouraged greatly from doing so by elders in the family.)
But he was once again pulled away from the rush of his deprecating thoughts; Mr. Yang gently tapping on the table’s surface in his view. Lifting his head, the halovian met Mr. Yang’s gaze once more. “Your ambition is truly admirable, young man. I know, without a doubt, that your heart alone will lead you far.”
Sunday’s eyes widened just slightly; taken aback by the sudden compliment. But, it was very much appreciated. The grey-haired man smiled softly with a nod. “..Thank you, Mr. Yang.”
Almost as if on cue, the two suddenly heard a rush coming from above; making its way down the stairs of the party car. Due to the bar standing firmly in the way, neither could see the racing figure. But, neither of them had to be detectives to figure it out. Or, to put it more bluntly, they had common sense.
“Mr. Yang!” March 7th had suddenly called out; rounding the corner of the bar so quickly she nearly slid into the wall. How she managed that speed in heels without breaking her neck, neither of them had a clue. “Caelus is a total liar!”
“March-“ Poor Mr. Yang spluttered. No matter how often events like these seemed to happen, the older man would never grow accustomed to their antics. “Slow down; you’re gonna seriously hurt yourself at that speed, and that’s putting it lightly!”
“Okay, okay- but!” March rushed out, somehow completely unaware of the danger she almost faced by practically catapulting herself across the room. “Caelus is being a bully again! I can’t catch a break!!” (Aeons, neither could Mr. Yang.)
Suddenly, a second cacophony of noises came from above once again, until Caelus stood from the top of the stairs; out of view from the group, but somehow loud enough to be heard. “Boo, why are you telling?!”
The pink haired girl whips her head around so fast, the two men can’t comprehend how her head isn’t spinning. “Oh, so you admit there’s something to tell??”
Instead of an actual response -though, that may prove even more surprising to everyone on board- Caelus simply blows a raspberry before marching back off to his bedroom. (How he managed to project the noise loud enough to be heard from across the bar was beyond everyone).
March grumbles in annoyance; puffing up her cheeks and crossing her arms as if she were a young child. “I’m never playing board games with that guy again.”
Despite her lack of a positive attitude, Sunday can see an endeared smile grow across Mr. Yang’s features; his aged eyes crinkling as he gently reaches up to pat the top of her light pink hair. “Cheer up, March. How about you join us for some tea and cool off, hmm? Maybe we can restart whatever game you two were playing later, if you’re up for it. Call it rewriting a negative experience with a good one.”
The young girl seems to calm down, but her pout isn’t fully gone just yet. She sighs. “Alright. At least I know neither you nor Sunny are gonna eat the pieces when I’m not looking.”
‘Sunny.. how unfamiliar.’ Sunday couldn’t help but be taken aback by her confident use of such a.. personal nickname; never mind the implication that Caelus was eating plastic game pieces mere minutes ago.
Mr. Yang shakes his head in disbelief at the idea, before turning his head back to the halovian sitting across from him. That warm, comforting look in his wrinkled eyes never faded; as if he could genuinely face the grey-haired man in the same manner as he did the youthful members of the Express. “That’s if you’ll be joining us, young man. It’s up to you.”
Sunday couldn’t exactly place what he felt in that very moment, but there was a burning in his heart. He’d like to think it was some sort of aliment, considering how much easier of a route that would be, compared to genuine affection; but of course, that was very unlikely. Not to mention, he had felt like this before after all; it wasn’t an unfamiliar range of emotions by a long shot. In the days spent with his dear sister -in the moments they had clung to each other as true family, outside of their obligations and racing lives- he had felt a familiar sensation of safety and comfort. It was unlike anything he’d ever felt with the family heads in Penacony, so vastly different than the almost fearful obligation he felt towards Mr. Gopher Wood. But why was he feeling such a way now? As much appreciation as he held for the Express’s hospitality, he knew he couldn’t stay by their side very long. Not only did he have an obligation to follow his life’s goals, but he had no true place in their rambunctious family. As comforting as this moment was, it was fleeting; and Sunday knew that better than anyone.
But yet, all he could do in that moment was smile in return, let out a short laugh without much of a purpose, before responding with an unfamiliar note of pure joy in his voice. “It would be my honor to join you both.”
˚₊‧꒰ა 𓂋 ໒꒱ ‧₊˚