That was just the kind of nap he needed.
But it’s strange. It’s colder than he remembers the 999 being. Instinct has him drawing his coat closer to him trying to weasel in a few extra minutes, though no salvation comes as he hears nearby shuffling. A heavy sigh full of mild irritation leaves a small puff of warm air visible in the air for his hazed vision to catch just before it dissipates.
Something’s not right. They weren’t scheduled to stop by another planet like Pluto for exactly a month or so.
“ Huh-? What’s all this? ”
The sight of endless white greets him next. Snow scattered on the ground matching the color of his gloves as his eyes adjust and sharpen from the fog of sleep rubbed away against his palm. It takes only seconds before his annoyance is replaced with shock, and with it, a startled gasp.
Imprints from his flailing about are left behind as he trails backwards kicking in an attempt to push himself away from the massive imprint in the ground inches from his person. It takes a bit, slipping from the wet slush before heels could find the concrete underneath, but once he’s a fair distance away, he surveys the area with growing concern. Where is he? More importantly - where was the Galaxy Express?
Why there were so many others stirring in their sleep or coming to had him biting his tongue. There were no words to explain what he was feeling; the emotions were all scattered, unable to be collected in their mass hysteria. Had the train been hijacked while he so foolishly slept on the job? No... That couldn’t be. Last he recalls, they were still en-route and a fair distance away from any nearby planets - let alone one this cold.
Slowly, the Conductor rises, his fingers twitching as the bitterness in the air finally begins to sting the only exposed parts of him. He wants to help - see if the other stranded individuals mulling about are alright - but his mind knows if he doesn’t find the Galaxy Express soon, there could be trouble. He could be executed.
“ O-Oh dear. Oh dear. I-I’m so sorry. Forgive me. ” Words come out in a helpless whimper as he slowly backs away from the scene. A nearby taxi driver seems to urge him to come closer, but the panic causes him to simply give them a wave in return, rushing off into the streets for a fair distance before his legs tire from the sudden journey. It’s only after his second burst of energy that he realizes the vehicle had been following him. Again, they seem to gesture for his attention, and hesitantly, he indulges them with shuffled steps.
Why was this stranger so unnervingly persistent?
“ ALRIGHT. Alright. You win. I-I’m coming... Just what is this place anyways? ”
