Chapter Text
“What’s with that ‘star’ thing you say sometimes?”
Blue glanced down at his engineer, cocking an eyebrow in question. “What?” the engine replied with a slight tilt of his head.
James adjusted his hat on his head, gesturing with his free hand. “It’s something I’ve heard you say to Throttle and the others before. Often when you’re exasperated with some trouble they’ve caused,” he joked. Blue blinked in confusion for a moment, before it clicked suddenly.
“Oh, that? You mean the Starlight?” he asked, to which the railway man nodded. Blue gave a soft laugh. “It’s an old steamer folk tale. The Starlight gave us our fire.”
The engineer dragged a hand across his face. “Alright, you had me, but now I’m lost,” he said with a shake of his head. “I thought you were built up in a factory in the northeast? Wouldn’t the workers there have been the ones to light an engine’s fire?” James pointed out. “That’s how we get engines started up after all.”
Blue hummed in thought. “It’s not exactly literal like that, it’s… it’s like-” He crossed his arms, tapping his fingers against his plating. “Oh! I guess it’s sort of like how you and the other yard workers talk about that person in the sky,” he explained.
“Engines can be religious now? Wonder what else they got going on in the factories,” James said with a laugh. “That Starlight fella must be good company though, I suppose. Even if I’m still wrapping my head around it,” he added, to which Blue gave a friendly smile.
“I can tell you the story if you want. You might like it,” the engine offered.
James cocked an eyebrow. “You know one?”
Blue simply nodded. “An older engine taught it to me years ago back in my home yard, when I was first built. She said-”
“Wait, ‘she’? I thought you said all your old yardmates were guys?” James interrupted, genuinely surprised. Blue huffed and playfully tipped the man’s hat over his eyes.
“Yes, she. And not all of them,” the excursion engine insisted, stifling a laugh as his engineer fixed his hat. “Maybe I’ll tell you more about her later. But for now, let me explain the Starlight Express,” he offered. James merely shrugged, pulled a crate over from the side of the shed, and dropped himself onto it.
“I’m all ears, big guy,” the man said with a curious look in his eye. Blue seemed to brighten up, obviously pleased to have an audience.
“The Starlight Express is an engine who runs across the night sky on gleaming silver rails. They watch over engines, coaches, freight, any rolling stock really and act as a guide through tough times. It’s said that they’re the one who gave steam engines their fire by giving up a piece of their own coal and lighting a spark. The stars in the sky are believed to be the flames of those who’ve returned to the Starlight, gone from the rails, but still guiding those who remain. That’s why we sometimes talk to the stars, to give thanks or ask for advice,” the steamer explained, gesturing to the sky outside. Blue allowed himself a small smile. “It’s a comforting thought, isn’t it? That there’s someone watching out for you?”
James thought for a moment, and simply nodded. “You know, you’re right, bud. You wanna tell me more about all this?”
“Huh? R-Really?” Blue stammered, surprised that the man was still interested. Throttle and the others hadn’t really… He tilted his head slightly. “Well… what else do you want to know?”
“Hmm… what’s he look like?” the engineer asked with a glance up at his engine.
Blue shrugged, chuckling lightly. “Dunno. Everyone says different things. I think they look different to whoever they choose to speak to. But everyone who claims to have seen them always says they’re a steam engine,” he explained.
“Huh. Have you ever met them?” James asked, half joking.
“Yeah, actually. I think so, at least. Before I was brought here,” Blue said quietly. He shifted in place somewhat. “I… wasn’t in a great place, mentally. I was scared, terrified really, of what was happening at the time. But then they just… showed up. I thought it was one of my yardmates playing a joke at first. We… just talked, for what felt like hours,” he replied, smiling fondly at the memory. “And then I felt things would work out, even though I was still a bit scared.”
“I can’t imagine you scared, so it must’ve been something,” James pointed out with a shrug.
Blue hummed in thought, before nodding slowly. “I know I never mentioned it at the time, but even the restoration frightened me because I didn’t want to lose what made me, me. My fire,” he explained, placing a hand over his chest, almost protectively. “I was scared I’d lose my belief in Starlight too,” he added, a somber tone to his voice.
James reached up to place a comforting hand on the engine. “But you didn’t. You’re still yourself, belief and all,” he replied with a warm smile. “And I think you’re better for it!”
Blue smiled at that. “Thanks, James.”
And thank you too, Starlight.