EW   Hey, Maxie!

EW   Been a while. You've got plenty of space, right?

This station leads you back to your hometown - Letterpal. There's city, sure, but there's also that wide Kansas flatland you're accustomed to. And the strays who spawn with it.

MN   ( AND WHERE ARE YOU PITIFUL SOULS GOING? ]...

EW   North.

EW   Right, everyone?

You'd yell at the little brat for bringing his herd, but some of them are barely past their toddler years, huddled together like little penguins. Better tread carefully before they get spooked and scatter.

EW   Yeah. North.

EW   That's your specialty!

MN   ( THESE RAILS ARE CYCLICAL, FREE BIRD ]...

EW   Sick-lickle?

MN   ( IT GOES IN ALL DIRECTIONS ]...

EW   Oh yeah.

EW   Well, that means it goes north eventually, right?

EW   What do you all think?

Elwyn isn't the tallest man himself - he hardly comes up to your chest, though many men are unimpressive compared to your stature - but he has to bend down to speak with the group. Nervous eyes dart your way, and you find yourself folding your arms out of habit.

Would making yourself bigger help them trust you? Would that merely intimidate them further? Perhaps a mediator is necessary...

EW   See, up there on the sign. They've got little symbols...

EW   Don't think about it too hard.

EW   Even if we're just stopping by, a trip's a trip.

EW   ...

EW   Ehehe, you think?

EW   Ah, no harm in trying.

He pinches his fingers together and makes a sharp noise like a lark, startling you.

EW   Oh, Mr. Conductor~!

Now, all the eyes are on you.

EW   What would you recommend for us fair traveling folk?

EW   I know my way around the dirt roads, but these metal ones are your domain.

You bark out a laugh and step towards him.

MN   ( FIRST OF ALL, LITTLE BIRD ]...

You cast a broad shadow over them.

MN   ( IF YOU TRULY PAY HEED TO WHO RUNS THINGS HERE ]...

MN   ( YOU WOULDN'T DARE EMULATE THE FERRYMAN'S WHISTLE ]...

He has the audacity to pout at you.

EW   Aww, but it got your attention, didn't it?

MN   ( IT ALL OPERATES FOR THE SAKE OF CIVILIANS ]...

MN   ( INCLUDING YOU AND YOUR RAG-TAG TEAM ]...

MN   ( SO IF YOUR FEARLESS LEADER REALLY WANTED TO KEEP YOU ALL ALIVE ]...

You give the rest of them a meaningful glare.

MN   ( HE WOULDN'T PLAY GAMES IN THE REALM OF DEATH ]...

MN   ( GOT IT? ]...

Several of them huddle behind said leader, who yawns and scratches his neck.

EW   Alright, alright. Didn't mean cause any trouble.

EW   Well. Not serious trouble, anyway.

MN   ( I GET ENOUGH TROUBLE ON THE JOB ]...

MN   ( KNOW YOUR PLACE ]...

EW   Fine! Loud and clear.

EW   Can you at least chill out enough to show them around?

EW   Some of them haven't ridden a train before.

EW   There isn't a rush or anything, so the whole experience would be nice.

MN   ( ]...

You turn around, ensuring that they have a clear view of your silhouette. Then, with your arm out, you call forth your faithful companion, who leaps out gracefully from your hand onto the platform. You grin as you hear their gasps.

MN   ( IF A TOUR IS WHAT YOU DESIRE ]...

MN   ( MY EMISSARY CAN ASSIST YOU ]...

As practiced, Polaris does a little spin, bringing attention to their long, elegant form. Finally, with timed precision, the two of you face your audience in a matching pose. Fortunate that Elywn tends to fly in with the wind - it does wonders for your hair.

Some of them clap. Not an entirely necessary gesture, but it certainly doesn't hurt.

EW   Nice.

EW   Alright, kiddies. Follow the otter guide.

EW   Single file.

Polaris is the first to break the synchronized pose as they saunter up to the children, sizing them up. Sniffing.

theyve got goodies with them :}

tell them i accept tips :}

MN   ( POLARIS, VASSAL OF THE DARK PRINCE AND KNIGHT OF THE RAILS ]...

MN   ( SAYS THAT SNACKS ARE FOR SHARING ]...

Elywn gives his group a nod.

EW   Only if you want to.

EW   Be warned, though. You'll be feeding a cute face,

EW   But it'll all just go into that big guy's stomach.

MN   ( THAT ISN'T HOW THE SPECTRAL TETHER WORKS ]...

EW   Isn't it, though?

MN   ( AS IF YOU INGEST THE GRASS YOUR AGRARIAN PARTNER GRAZES UPON ]...

EW   Hmm, fair point.

EW   Just don't share too much, guys!

EW   It'll be a lo-o-ong journey after the tour.

EW   We don't have the budget to splurge on train snacks.

Polaris circles the group a few times before leading them to another platform. Despite the language barrier, they've gotten good at communicating in tandem with the signage posted throughout the station. If they need anything else, that's when they come to you.

EW   I'll be here with the big scary conductor. Have fun!

The little sprite waves fondly as they disappear.

MN   ( I SEE WHY YOU DO ALL THIS ]...

EW   Ah, you get it now?

EW   Finally. It's sad, seeing you live all lonely.

EW   I could see you being a good dad. Settling down, marrying a nice -

MN   ( STOP ]...

MN   ( YOU COULD NOT BE FURTHER FROM THE POINT ]...

EW   Ehehe. Then what?

MN   ( I REFER TO YOU AND YOU ALONE ]...

EW   Me?

MN   ( WHAT I SEE IS AN OUTLET OF RESPONSIBILITY ]...

MN   ( SOMETHING YOU LACK IF LEFT UNATTENDED ]...

MN   ( A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN MAN AND SEVERAL CHILDREN ]...

EW   ...

He makes a face, trying to decipher if your assessment was an insult.

EW   Uh... yeah. Whatever you're meaning to say,

EW   You're giving me too much credit.

EW   I know I'm doing them good. But it's the least I can do.

EW   What, just abandon kids with nothing left? Who'd do that?

MN   ( PEOPLE WHO LACK ATTACHMENT TO SUCH IDEALS ]...

MN   ( OR AT LEAST, PEOPLE WHO CLAIM TO ]...

EW   And you think I'm like that?

MN   ( THOSE WHO FLIT ABOUT AIMLESSLY ARE CAPABLE OF SUCH ]...

MN   ( CRUELTY DISGUISED AS INDIFFERENCE ]...

MN   ( I SEE ALL TOO MANY BEGGARS AND URCHINS ON MY TRAVELS ]...

MN   ( EVEN THE TYPICAL MORTAL DARE CAST ONLY A PITYING GLANCE ]...

EW   Yeah.

EW   Like I said. It's the least I can do.

He sighs and reaches into that raggedy satchel, uncorking a glass bottle. He takes a drink from it like a weary old man. You can't help but scoff.

EW   Sorry, big guy. I only brought enough for myself.

MN   ( DON'T INSULT ME ]...

MN   ( I WAS EXPRESSING DISDAIN AND NOTHING MORE ]...

EW   Are you sure?

MN   ( MORTALS, BY DEFAULT, LIVE PALTRY, INFERIOR LIVES ]...

MN   ( FURTHER LOWERING THEMSELVES THROUGH MEDIEVAL TRADITION ]...

MN   ( ONLY WORSENS THEIR ALREADY LAMENTABLE EXISTENCE ]...

EW   Hey, it tastes better this way.

MN   ( NOTHING TASTES BETTER LUKEWARM AND MIDDLING ]...

MN   ( YOU ARE FOOLING YOURSELF OTHERWISE ]...

EW   Then it makes me humble and down-to-earth. Ever thought of that?

Is this what having a little brother is like? You must extend your sympathies to her sometime. In a dignified way, of course.

EW   It's not like you're unfamiliar with a little roleplay.

MN   ( WHAT ]...

EW   That's why you put on a whole show, right?

EW   You love pretending you're this ancient train sorceror.

MN   ( SORCEROR?!?! ]...

EW   Is that not what this is?

EW   The ghosts... and the fog?

EW   Spooky stuff.

If he weren't related to the scariest woman alive, you would've thrown this fool in the Styx by now.