Stalled Tracks and Risky Card Bets
The train showed no signs of starting up again. Peering out the window in worry, nothing seemed amiss—no train robbers or monsters, at least. Just the sun slowly dipping below the wide horizon. Ah, it was a pretty sight, sure, but...
A groan echoed as Veronica, still lounging in her seat, stretched languidly. Her skin gleamed smooth and bare.
"Why'd it stop all of a sudden like this?"
"...Since Claudia went to check, we'll know soon enough, right?"
Claudia had decided it wasn't something requiring brute force and headed out of the compartment to investigate. She should be back any minute. Doubting anything serious had happened, I rested my chin on my hand and gazed at the sunset.
Then the compartment door slid open, and Claudia returned—wearing an oddly peculiar expression. She trudged over, plopped into a chair, and let out a heavy sigh.
"What happened?"
"Well... it's like this."
As Claudia began to speak, Cecil, who had been watching the fading sunset, and Veronica, sprawled lazily in her seat, both perked up their ears and gathered around the table. Seizing the moment, Claudia leaned in close, whispering conspiratorially as if sharing a grave secret.
"Seems there's some issue with the engine room. And this is top secret, but... the repair crew's way off somewhere, so no telling when we'll get moving again."
I had a pretty good idea what was up. Fixing a marvel of magic and alchemy like this train required expertise in both fields—or at least two people with the know-how. And who the hell would take on such a grueling job unless they were passionate about trains?
"But how'd you find that out?"
"A wolf beastkin has her ways."
She flashed a sly grin, curling the corner of her mouth upward, and for some reason, she looked utterly reliable. At the same time, I got the distinct vibe not to pry further.
"...So we just sit tight and wait?"
"Yep. It's not like we're in a rush to reach the capital, right?"
"Well... not exactly urgent."
"Good, then."
If my mentor had already left, we might cross paths awkwardly, but since she'd arrived with that letter last time, odds were high she was still at her workshop. God knows what she was up to, though.
In the end, it just meant a longer trip—nothing major changed. But with the train at a standstill, time dragged on tediously. Maybe the ghost of my old hurry-hurry life was still casting its shadow over me.
I stood and approached the backpack Cecil had brought. As I rummaged inside, Veronica's voice piped up.
"Whatcha doing?"
I paused my search and replied.
"Research... ing?"
Not Veronica, but Claudia shook her head and strode over. With a look of utter dismay, she slipped her hands under my armpits and hoisted me up effortlessly. My hand flailed out of the bag, leaving me dangling in midair. From afar, I heard Veronica stifling laughter.
Embarrassed, I squirmed wildly.
"Wh-what the hell!"
"You finally step out of that workshop, and you're the one burying yourself in work?"
Claudia plunked me back into my chair with practiced ease. Veronica was still giggling away. Cecil apparently found my airborne flailing hilarious and begged Claudia to lift her too. Claudia obliged, scooping up Cecil, who burst into delighted squeals. Her pristine white dress fluttered, flashing black panties underneath.
I turned and jabbed Veronica's side while she was still snickering.
"Guh!"
With Claudia distracted by Cecil, I got my revenge on Veronica. Soon after, Claudia and Cecil wrapped up their game of airplane and settled back into their seats. I stroked Cecil's excitedly chattering head and asked Claudia,
"...So what're we supposed to do? You were all chatty earlier."
What did people do for fun, anyway? Memories of leisure felt faint. My closest thing to a hobby was... reading books? Or...
...drinking milk?
Others might call it a boring life, but I loved alchemy. Money was great too, of course. Somehow, Veronica was eyeing me with lukewarm disinterest.
After a moment's thought, Claudia pulled something from her own backpack—a deck of cards. She shuffled them deftly, then with a flourish, tossed the stack from her right hand to her left in a smooth cascade. Was she about to do magic tricks? Unlike my indifference, Cecil clapped softly in delight. Even Veronica perked up with interest.
Am I the weird one here?
Gathering our attention, Claudia chuckled.
"Sorry to disappoint you ladies, but no—how about a card game?"
"Card game?"
Cecil tilted her head curiously, so Claudia pondered briefly before explaining the rules. It was simple—a game much like UNO from my past-life memories. She'd picked something straightforward for Cecil, who seemed totally new to it. Surprisingly considerate.
Unlike my first impression as Sha'a or even as Asha.
Once the rules were clear, Cecil's eyes sparkled with excitement. Veronica straightened up too, clearly hooked. Finally, Claudia turned to me. I shrugged helplessly—what could I do? No way to bow out now.
The cards were dealt, and the game began.
"Game over!"
"Sha'a's last again?"
Veronica snickered, scooping up the cards. She wiggled her fingers at me, urging me to dump mine.
"...!"
Swallowing my boiling frustration, I dumped my cards in a clattering heap. How was this possible? Not a single win? Fine, not taking first place could happen—but how hadn't I once emptied my hand? It defied logic!
"Even Sha'a has her weaknesses, huh?"
"...Just bad luck."
"Sure, sure."
Claudia grinned and chugged her drink. My throat parched, I gulped down mine from the table. Meanwhile, Veronica shuffled and dealt the next round. Glancing at Cecil beside me, she clenched her fist encouragingly—you got this!
...Then throw the game a little.
No, my pride wouldn't allow it.
I sorted my cards sharply, glaring daggers. This time, for sure.
Claudia's amused voice cut in.
"Isn't plain play getting kinda stale?"
"...Win and then run?"
"No, no—not that. How about a little wager? Light stakes."
"Wager? No gambling."
I shot a glance at Cecil, and Claudia waved it off playfully.
"Gambling's not my thing either."
"Then what?"
"Like this: Winner gives the loser one command. Keep it fun—pet their head, make 'em dance, whatever."
"...!"
Not thrilled. My track record screamed I'd be last. Sure, I'd just been growling about winning, but pointless fights didn't appeal.
"Ah, not into it?"
"Kinda obvious she'll lose again—smart choice, in a way?"
Claudia and Veronica smirked, prodding me. It felt like they were saying chicken? Did they think I'd fall for such lame bait? Then I noticed even Cecil fidgeting, avoiding my eyes—like she pitied me and didn't want to make it awkward.
Or that's how it looked to me.
...Men awaken in crises, right?
"Fine. But no whining after you lose."
"Of course."
"Naturally."
"Got it!"
The wager began.
"Cecil takes first!"
Cecil slammed her last card down with a beaming smile. Left were Claudia and Veronica. Tension mounted. Veronica's turn—she played an attack card. Luckily, I had a match and passed it to Claudia. She countered smoothly. The snowballing attacks piled onto Veronica, who shrugged them off like she'd seen it coming. My turn—I sweated bullets but passed them on. Whoever got buried under this avalanche was toast.
I swallowed hard, eyeing Claudia. Her poker face was flawless—unreadable. She paused, selected a card, and held it.
She could pass, it seemed. Glancing at Veronica, her face was stiff, staring at Claudia's hand. Out of passes? She'd dodge last place. Smirking inwardly, I checked Claudia's played card.
"...What."
"Your turn, Sha'a."
A direction-reversal card. Meaning...
I was up now.
Veronica sighed in relief. My hand trembled slightly. The mountain of cards crashed into mine.
...Not over yet. From here, steadily—
"Done."
"Me too."
No miracles. Claudia and Veronica smacked their lips in mock pity, gathering their cards.
"So Cecil gets to command Sha'a-nim?"
"...Yeah."
Cecil bounded over, her mouth opening wide.