@devilsmarksmanâ || REGULARÂ STARTERS
All that information given from the persistent cab driver felt useless now. Nothing about the âhousingâ heâd been assigned to felt remotely like a vacation the Railway Administration had supplied. Even then, heâd have been informed and chosen a set month to take off.Â
His movements had slowed from their prior panic. The weight of his uniform felt heavier than it should - hopelessness threatening to crush him and leave his body buried and forgotten underneath this endless sea of snow.
     â Oh⊠Nothing about this seems right. They would have killed
       me if Iâd broken a rule! Nothing in the handbook said anything
       about being exiled. â
Thatâs what if felt like. Exile. Left to waste away on a forgotten planet; but for what reason? Heâd always been careful. Strict. Diligent in his work. Always abiding by the rules. Reciting them from mere memory alone when it was necessary. Gloved hands swiped away a small mound of snow covering a park bench where he takes his seat with thumbs twirling in slow circles, thoughts swirling with them. Everything about this just bothered him so much.
It must have taken minutes before heâd noticed someone nearby staring at him. Being so still that a small pile of snow decors the top of oneâs shoulders and hat would do that. It startles him into action, shrugging off and swiping away the small mounds thatâd formed with a low and nervous chuckle.
     â M-My, My! I must have been lost in thought for a while. Say, you
       wouldnât happen to have the time, would you? â
Thereâs always checking his pocket watch to get his answer, but who knows for how long heâd been out or how much time is in a day for this planet.
Despite hating being stared at, the abnormality couldnât help but stare at the figure anxiously sitting at a bench. He looked a bit similar to himself minus the smoke, and that was enough to gain his interest. He was content to observe for the time being and mull over what he could possibly be under that large coat, when he found himself being spoken to. The time? He never carried a watch or anything on him, having learned long ago how to gauge the time by the sunâs position. After looking up for a moment, the shade responded.
âIt seems like itâs a bit past one.â Satisfied with just that, Frei fell silent once more. It didnât last long however, as his silent observation of the Conductor raised a question. He silently drifted a bit closer, but not too close as his glowing eyes studied him once again.
âYou seem a bit...fidgety. Are you new here, by any chance?â
He knew the disorienting feeling all too well, and judging by his behavior he was likely right. He had time to kill, so he could lend a hand if it was needed.