It had been around an hour since the boys had sat down to wait for the train’s arrival, and the viewing area outside the station had filled up considerably. Various canopies had been put up, shading those who were waiting for the train's arrival.
Up on the station platform, a stage, decorated with banners, stood, a podium placed upon it for a speaker. There were a few men in suits talking on the platform, gesturing in the general direction of the tracks while they spoke, but to the two boys their words were indecipherable.
Meanwhile, under the blazing sun, and sitting under the overhang of a small closed blacksmiths workshop…
“Now look, I’m just sayin’, carrots’re just not that good. Folks see my ears ‘N they’re like ‘Oh would you like a carrot lil feller?’ But I ain’t that kind of rabbit. Now strawberries? Them’s ta die for, I’ll follow a trail of them down fer miles.” Cole rambled on the typical idea that all rabbits like carrots, using his arms and gesticulating as he spoke for emphasis. Dill sat across from him, resting his chin in his palm and listening to the other boy go on about the vegetable vs his favorite fruit.
“Pshaw, come on now Cole, I don’t get what you’re so uppity about, people offer me fish all the time, and you know what? I love fish, so I think it’s a big win for me.” Dill teased back while leaning back, adjusting his posture to get some support from the wooden wall behind him. His tail was swaying behind him, hitting the wall every other sway causing a soft thump.
“Well now I’m just sayin’, it’d be nice if folks asked what food I’d like ‘fore just making a bunch’a carrot stuff. Cuz then I gotta eat it ‘er else it’ll all go to waste.” Cole groaned out, glancing towards Dill. “Plus all the rest of mah folks love carrots. So you can bet that five days outta seven we’re eating carrot something ‘er other.” Cole elaborated, his left ear flicking in annoyance at the tease he received from Dill.
The two were about to continue their discussion, but the shrill sound of bell ringing out interrupted them. The two boys took notice of the silence that fell over the waiting crowd, which was what made it apparent to them that it interrupted many others as well. Turning to look at the source, the boys spotted the lookout tower, a tall wooden structure with a little hut at the top to the left of the station, used to warn of any monsters approaching or other sources of danger.
“The train’s coming!” The man atop the tower called, pointing down the tracks. Excited murmurs began ringing through the crowd, and sure enough as they looked down the tracks a train’s approaching form was visible. However, Cole began to notice something different.
“Say, ain’t them trains always got a lotta of smoke comin’ out of ‘em?” Cole asked, reaching his arm over and nudging Dill’s shoulder and pointing to the oncoming train. Sure enough, there was no smoke coming from the top of the train like one would usually expect, with the train chugging along. The only plume that rose was the dust it kicked up as it moved. Dill put a hand on his chin and let out a quiet ‘Huh.’
“Well, you’re right about that Cole. I wonder how they did that…” Dill began, his ears flattening in thought as he tilted his head. “Maybe they just aren’t burning coal cuz they’re so close to us?” Dill posed back to Cole, looking over with a tilt of his head. The two boys looked at the train while they ate their licorice, before Cole nudged Dill again.
“Hey, look at the stage, yer mom’s up there.” Cole said through the licorice piece he had in his mouth, pointing to the stage and podium. Sure enough, there was a tall Feline woman up on the wooden stage with dark skin and black hair, holding a clipboard and a pencil. She was wearing a blue blouse with white frills under the collar, and a dress that went down to just above her ankles. She had a pair of large lens glasses on her face, and a small pair of heels. She was following around a rather short portly man, wearing a fanciful suit with coattails flapping in the wind. The man had a small gray mustache on his round face, and a black top hat to go with his suit, and shining black dress shoes. Behind the man was a long bushy ringed lemur tail, and under his hat could be seen a pair of almost luminescent yellow eyes. He was running to and fro, instructing people frantically for the very last second preparations to make sure everything was in order.
“Yeah, she’s been really busy helping the mayor with the fair.” Dill commented back idly, waving off the observation. “Apparently he’s doing a big speech to thank whoever Vandell Company sent with the train. Mom spent at least 3 nights helping him write it.” He added on with a roll of his eyes, taking a bite of his licorice, loudly chewing the candy rope. Cole nodded idly, taking his own bite of licorice and chewing as he started to look over again. “I still don’t really get what’s so special ‘bout this train. But I guess the mayor’ll tell us.” Cole replied through his chewing, grunting a bit as he stretched his back a bit.
With the two boys eating the candy they had bought, the train's chugging noises grew closer but quieter all at the same time, as the fuel was indeed no longer burning to allow the train to come to a halt. The squealing of the brakes suddenly echoed out, causing quite a few members of the crowd to cover their ears, including the two boys, Cole unintentionally covering his eyes due to his rabbit ears drooping over them when he pressed his hands down on them. When the noise died down at last with a final screech of the wheels and the train exhaling its unseen smoke, the boys uncovered their ears, with Cole leaning forward to listen just a bit to what was going on on the stage.
“Get those seats straight! We can’t have them reporting back to Mr. Vandell that our town didn’t give them the proper greeting!” The mayor was in full overdrive, running around the stage and podium getting the staff straightened up and making sure he looked right. Dill’s mother however, was as calm as ever, following behind the mayor quietly, taking notes silently on her clipboard. “Mr. North, they’re already disembarking. Shouldn’t you be greeting them?” Dill’s mother reminded the man, the mayor doing a quick hop and turning around. “Ah, good eye Dahlia! Please be a dear and make sure the microphone is working for me!” He said hurriedly, letting out a harrumph as he turned to the door of the train, moving towards it with a pep to his step.
While Mayor North moved to greet the passengers of the train, Dahlia moved to the podium and leaned towards the bronze cone that had been set up, clearing her throat before speaking into the mounted funnel. “Thank you all for your patience and participation in our annual founding Fair. Mayor North will be giving an address of the crowd soon, and then the games and festivities will resume. Please be sure to visit the polling booth before sundown, as votes will be getting counted this Saturday.” Dahlia began, listening carefully with the large black cat ears on her head, nodding in self assuredness when she saw a man in the back give a thumbs up, showing the noise amplifier was working properly. She adjusted her glasses, looking down at her clipboard and adding on an additional announcement. “We will be having a second speech after the mayors from Alice Chestnut in honor of our town's founder, Hudson Chestnut.” Dahlia added on, before curtseying to the crowd and leaving to attend the mayor once more.
This statement did not cause Cole comfort. “SHOOT, we gotta get outta here ‘fore she gets up there Dill! If she sees me down here, she’ll know I ain’t back at the farm with the cows!” Cole started out, quickly standing up and looking around in fear, wondering where his mother might be.
Dill lazily turned his head to Cole, raising an eyebrow. “Well, there’s not much reason to. I don’t think she’ll see us anyway with all the other taller people here, besides, none of the games and stuff are gonna be going until the mayor and your mom are done talking.” Dill commented, trying to get his friend to stop getting so worked up. “Besides, we’re here to look at the train, and there it is.” Dill said, pointing at the large metal beast of a train, with the engine easily taller than the station itself. With his attention drawn to the train, Cole’s posture notably slouched as he looked up at it in awe.
The train was colored a clay red, a darkened sheen coming off the new metal. It had a massive pair of frontmost wheels, looking like they were taller than a log cabin would be. The engine was mounted on top of them, kept high off the ground and only reachable from a ladder down near the base, which could only be reached by stepping through the spokes of the wheels while the train was stopped. Beyond that was a long trail of large train cars, the second one along being a heavily armored cargo car. Beyond that was a two story passenger car, with the luggage car being behind that. The train seemed to just go on and on, but Cole was too focused on what he could see. He understood why they said this thing couldn’t get attacked by anything short of a Draggon. It seemed impenetrable from all sides, and there was enough armor there to put a gold bank to shame.
Cole began to look it over, turning to look at the passenger car as a mob of people began to funnel out. They had fanciful clothing, lots of frills and suits, and puffy dresses. Cole rubbed his chin softly, before flicking his chin with his thumb. “Say, don’t most of them folk look a lil’ upset?” Cole posed to Dill, with the other boy’s ear flicking as he looked over, squinting to get a bit of a closer look.
“Huh, I guess they do look a bit miffed.” Dill agreed, looking over to the unloading passengers, quite a few of them angrily passing by the conductor, with multiple angrily talking to the poor attendant, but what they were saying couldn’t be heard by the two boys at their distance. With a mischievous grin rising, Cole stood up and turned to Dill. “Hey, wanna go check it out?” The white haired boy asked with a face screaming mischief, wanting to get the details on what the rich people were angry about with their train ride.
“Ehh, I don’t know Cole. The rich folk are awfully uppity, especially with kids like us.” Dill weakly protested, looking at the stern expressions on the faces of the train passengers. Ever nosy, Cole grabbed onto the sleeve of the hesitant Dill. “Aw come on, what’s the worst they could do, get loud?” Cole dismissed the nervous concerns and protests of Dill with the cautious boy's ears drooping in resignation.
With a dramatic sigh from Dill, the two boys began to quickly move through the crowd, slipping towards the offloading platform with their small size playing to their advantage. The only thing the adults around them felt was a slight bump as they shimmied past, the boys slinking through the spectators. Cole turned back to look at Dill, who wore an expression of apprehension. Seeing his friend's hesitance, Cole smiled and put his hand on the other boy's back, patting it twice. They continued walking, though Dill’s face turned up a little bit at the comfort his friend offered.
“Hey, look Dill, we'll just figure out what they’re complainin’ about, then we can go play some horseshoe- Oomph!” Cole began as they walked, finding himself interrupted by running into something, finding himself knocked to the ground and quickly looking towards the offending body.
Sitting across from him was a small girl, who looked to be around his and Dill’s own age. Right away, Cole’s eyes took note of her odd features. She had long sea green hair, and stark golden eyes.She was wearing a frilly blue dress as well, with a tiny little sunhat on her head. However, that wasn’t the most notable thing that Cole saw. This girl had six arms, three on each side of her body. She was using one of them to rub her head, before looking at Cole. A pout began to cross her lips, glaring at Cole as she opened her mouth to say something to him. However, she was cut off by one of the adults nearby reaching down and picking her up from under her arms.
“Oh dear, are you alright Madeline?” A man's voice asked the now named Madeline, who responded shortly and quickly. “I’m okay dad!” Madeline answered back, before she turned her head towards Cole and Dill, as Dill helped the other boy back on his feet. The man turned to the two boys, particularly Cole and looked him over. “And are you alright boy?”
Cole looked up to the speaker, deciding to take more note of who he was speaking to. The man was rather tall, but unlike his apparent daughter, he only had two arms. He had the sea green hair to match her own, but his eyes were a gentle brown instead of her almost luminescent gold. He wore a lower end suit, but a suit nonetheless. He had a gentle face, rounded with little facial hair. Not even really a mustache.
“I’m fine mister, sorry ‘bout bumping into you there missy.” Cole began, using the manners taught to him fiercely by his parents. “C’mon Dill, lets go an-'' He began to talk, before his eyes locked onto a very specific bunny-eared woman near where the passengers were offloading, his eyes widening as he quickly turned about face. “....And go play some horseshoes!” He said quickly, trying to pull Dill along in the opposite direction. However, the boys were stopped in their tracks by the man's voice sounding behind them.
“Oh, excuse me actually you two boys. You were off to go play horseshoes, yes?” The man asked, gently setting Madeline down on the ground. “Normally I wouldn’t ask something like this, but I know Madeline will be terribly bored during the mayor's speech. Would you two mind if she joined you?” He asked, before putting a hand against his face, giving himself a small palm to his face. “Ah, my mistake, I didn’t explain who I am yet. I’m only asking because I know your mother. You’re a Chestnut aren’t you?” He asked, looking at Cole after removing his hand from his face.
Cole frowned a bit, but nodded. “Yessir, my momma is the owner of the ranch.” He explained, figuring that the man was probably some buyer or something. “I guess she can come with us.” He answered, trying to get out of there as soon as possible, knowing that staying for too long was just increasing his chances of getting caught playing hooky by his mother. Dill however smirked and gave Cole a slap on the back. “Hey, I’m always ready to see you take third place instead of second.” Dill teased, deciding to play along with the escape plan his friend was desperately attempting, turning around already and leading the way instead of Cole. Cole laughed a bit and followed after Dill, glancing behind occasionally to make sure that Madeline was following behind.
Madeline was holding her dress with two of her arms, running after them swinging two arms for her running while her last set of arms waved bye to her dad. “Make sure to meet me at our new store before sundown!” Her father called after them, specifically to Madeline. The girl nodded at her father and waved one last time before she held her hair down with her top set of arms and kept running.
As the children ran off into the distance, the man slowly crossed his arms and watched them from behind, a small smile on his face.
“Y’know Danny, I figur’d he’d leave for the fair.” A woman's voice commented from behind the now named Danny, footsteps approaching him slowly. “I’ll punish him when he gets home, but I’ll let him enjoy it fer’ now.” The voice added, Danny turning to look at the voice addressing him. Before him stood a taller woman with stark white hair and vibrant pink eyes, with a notable pair of twitching bunny ears on her head. She wore a long blue dress made of sturdier material, and wore a pair of white gloves on her hands. She was unadorned mostly, aside from a single piece of jewelry, a necklace with a silver chain and a polished gem at its center.
“Ah, Alice. I’d been wondering if you were going to let him playing hooky slide.” Danny said with a chuckle, putting his hands in his pockets. “But I should have known better of you.” He said, chuckling a bit. Alice hummed and crossed her arms, looking over at her conversation partner.
“I’m surprised yer lettin’ Madeline outta your sight.” Alice added, glancing over at the direction the kids had gone in while she hummed softly. Danny pulled a hand out of his pocket to run through his hair, sweeping it back and looking at Alice through the corner of his eye.
“I trust those boys. And with Duke here, it’s not like any thugs will try anything. You’ve heard of him right?” He asked, glancing over towards Alice with a raised eyebrow. Alice put a hand under her chin, looking back over the station where the sheriff in question was looking over the crowd with his arms crossed over his chest.
“That upstart from Dip City right?” Alice asked, patting down her dress as she walked up closer to Danny. “I’ve heard of em. If his reputation is good enough ‘fer you to trust ‘em, I’ll give ‘em the benefit of the doubt.” She conceded, before looking out over the street the children ran down one last time.
“Oh, I have more than just trust in his reputation. Let me tell you what happened on the way here.” Danny said, a massive smile crossing his face as he got ready to recount the story in full.