Chapter Text
"Hey..." Edo mumbled as he entered where Blastrain's puppet had been spending most of his time. It was where all the controls were. When all the other cardbots could control themselves without a puppet, he'd assume that a train would be the same, but he's not an expert in them. He's just fixed way too many of them. Honestly, he doesn't know what he's going to do with all of the extra skills he'd had to learn because they keep breaking themselves...he's not even sure how he managed to figure out how to fix Blastrain and all the fliers, much less whatever Deep Bite is.
"Ah! Hello, Mr. Edo. What brings you here?" Blastrain asked as he heard the door shut, jumping slightly when he had, as he wasn't expecting it. He turned to face Edo afterward, still seated in the conductor's seat, and, thankfully, not immediately plummeting into the sea. He doesn't think that Blastrain would've looked away if it meant he would lose focus immediately though--from what he's seen about the cardbot, he seems to be one of the most reasonable that Jun has on their current roster. He's certainly one of the most polite, he's never caused him much trouble, and he thanks god for that everyday. Cars were already bad enough, he doesn't know how he would handle a train ramming through his shop on a bi-weekly basis.
"I just need someone to talk to for a little while, I won't take up much of your time." Edo answered, sighing. He'd been getting increasingly worried about the situation ever since they had left. Jun was still a kid, and so were Anna, Crest, and Peruru...it didn't feel right. He didn't know why he was going to Blastrain for this, Blue Cop would've been a much better fit, but he's not very interested in going to an open car when they're who knows how high above the sea going who knows how fast. He'd rather have mental turmoil then be dead.
"Ah." Blastrain hummed at the answer, digital eyes softening in what Edo assumed was pity. He stood from his seat afterward, holding a hand toward it as an invitation for the human to take over.
"Will you?" Blastrain asked, blinking expectantly at Edo.
"Oh! I don't really know how to conduct a train--" Edo started, holding his hands up in protest.
"I will help you, don't worry. It would help me to focus on both staying afloat and what you want to talk about if you would work the controls." Blastrain pushed, not letting up. They stared at each other for a few long moments, and when the cardbot tilted his head, Edo finally gave in.
"Fine, fine...but if we all crash and die it's not my fault!" Edo gave, sitting down after clarifying the last part. Blastrain just chuckled. He wouldn't let that happen. He would correct it if he sensed anything amiss. That was why he would be standing behind him the entire time. Plus, he had found that people learn faster when they're shown, not told.
"Why can't you control yourself without a puppet like the others?" Edo asked as he listened to Blastrain guide him as to where his hands should be, and what not to push. He was paying attention, the topic had just been bothering him ever since he entered the room. He thought that the cardbots were interesting, he likes learning about them, even if a lot of them are very annoying...and destructive.
"I can. It's just easier for me to do it manually. I can also be asleep and still running if someone is working my controls, but that goes for all cardbots." Blastrain answered, remaining behind Edo, hovering above him. It was hard to focus when you're being watched so closely, but he'll try to distract himself with something else. That was easier said then done though...and distracting himself with driving wasn't working.
"So...if Blue Cop were asleep, we could still drive him manually?" Edo asked, deciding to distract himself with talking instead.
"Of course. Just like a normal car. As long as he has fuel." Blastrain clarified, seemingly smiling down at the human. Edo made a noise of recognition, eyes darting between the cardbots puppet, the controls, and the almost mist-like tracks that were forming before his eyes. They were mesmerizing, in a way, but not when you're paranoid of messing things up. He could feel himself get hotter with embarrassment the longer he was being watched by this damned train...
"I am going to stop controlling my speed--do you remember how to track and control it?" Blastrain stated after a short moment, leaning further down, over the humans shoulder to point at what looked like a lever. That startled him, and now they were close enough for him to actually feel the cardbot. He was...warm. Which was a little surprising, but he's not sure why. He's worked on enough of them for it to not shock him, although he doesn't think that he ever actually got used to it.
"Pull this up to go faster, and down to go slower. But don't go any faster then this." Blastrain explained, pulling the lever up and then down as an example, before putting it back to where it originally was and leaning back again. He stared at Edo for a while as he mumbled to himself, waiting for a nod to actually let go. When he did, nothing changed. Edo sucked in a breath as if he was expecting the train to instantly combust, but that never came, and he sighed in relief because of it. Maybe this won't be so hard after all.
"What is it that you wanted to talk about?" Blastrain asked after Edo got a little more used to the controls. It was fun watching humans learn, it was like a bird taking flight. He had put his hand on the back of the chair that Edo was sitting in, the tip of his fingers brushing against his back. He was leaning forward, which he shouldn't do, but he'll let him have his fun for now.
"I...I just feel bad." Edo admitted, lips twitching into a small frown from the almost smile that he had from being allowed to play around with the train's controls. Sure, trains weren't his specialty, this was his...technically second...time being in a train, but he was like a kid in a candy shop. Flying had never been appealing to him until he was dragged around by Cielo either, but now even Shadow X would be too slow for his liking.
"About the kids, I mean. They shouldn't have to go through all that." Edo clarified, hands planted firmly atop his knees. He wasn't sure where else to put them. Nothing on the control panel was big enough to put both his hands on, and he was too scared of messing anything up on accident if he were to put them on the control panel.
"They're strong. They'll be alright." Blastrain tried to reassure, but he had a feeling that it did nothing to help the human. Edo looked down at the response, sighing.
"I know! I mean...why couldn't it be someone else? Someone older, or at least, have happened when they're older?" Edo said, shaking his head. Those kids were more then strong to be able to handle all of this on top of homework and school, even if Jun has almost been suspended a few times too many. It's a wonder that his mother still lets him out of the house. But, that doesn't mean that he likes it, and he doesn't need to like it.
"...Many things happen when we don't like it to, or are not ready. This was the best time that this could happen, I assure you. Jun has adjusted well into his role with us. All of the metal cardbots will do their best to keep everyone out of both trouble and danger. I will do my best. Nothing will happen to any of them as long as they have their friends." Blastrain tried again, this time moving his hand to Edo's shoulder, squeezing it lightly. Cardbots are, of course, much stronger then humans though, so he can't say just how light it was to Edo.
"Sure...maybe." Edo said after a minute, shoulders slacking, placing a hand over the cardbot's. It wasn't exactly what he wanted, but it was reassurance enough. As long as he knew that someone, not just Blue Cop, was trying their best to keep Jun safe, he was much less paranoid of something happening. He still can't imagine how Jun's parents are so lenient.
"Thank you, Blastrain." Edo thanked after a short pause to mull everything over in his head, perking up again. He's not usually a gloom type of guy, he likes keeping spirits high. Situations are easier to manage when everyone's at least pretending to be happy, and he gets paranoid when things are dark.
"Anytime. I'm happy to help you with anything you may need." Blastrain responded, taking a step back to bow a little. He put both hands behind his back after straightening his posture again, staring at Edo again. He wasn't sure what to do now. The silence wasn't as heavy anymore, but there was still things left unfixed. That would be the case for a long time, he assumed. Even if Edo trusted the cardbots, there was still valid room for doubt, and of course, no one can guarantee that the kids will be left unscathed after all of the fights they've been in. After hearing what he's been through, he would be paranoid too.
"How about I help you? I can run the train for the night, and you can sleep!" Edo proposed after the silent staring got too much for him, turning to face Blastrain's puppet.
"But you don't know how to run it properly." Blastrain pointed out, tilting his head.
"I can...figure it out! And if anything goes wrong, i'll wake you up. It can't be that hard, can it?" Edo shot back, for some reason set on running the train overnight. Blastrain doesn't understand it. It would be much easier to run it during the day, but if he insists, then so be it, he supposes.
"...I'll watch over you for a while longer." Blastrain stated, giving in. Edo smiled, and turned back to the control panel. Damn, the visibility at night sucks even with the lights.