FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Leon did not immediately head to the saloon car as soon as he finished his latte. Instead, he went back to his compartment to seek a small moment of peace and quiet. The conversation heavy atmosphere for the past few hours was getting a bit too much for him. He needed somewhere where he could sit back and think, preferably in a calm and quiet place.

Without knocking, Leon opened the door, looking up in surprise as Erichsen--who was sitting by the window and writing on a notebook on the small foldable table--gave a jerk of surprise and hastily closed his notebook before he noticed who was standing by the doorway.

"Oh, it's you..." The vulpine exhaled, his moment of panic dissipating within a split second.

Leon was naturally curious of Erichsen's reaction of course, but he let the matter slide. For the moment. "Yes, it's just me." He suppressed a chuckle as he hung his coat by the door. He blinked once he saw the number of books and papers cluttered about the large seat.

"Researching something?" He went to ask as he opened the washbasin cabinet and splashed some water to his face.

"More or less, yes." Came Erichsen's reply. The arctic fox was writing again when Leon sat down by the armchair opposite the fox. He noted that the reporter was positioning himself so he couldn't see what the fox was writing. That did not stop Leon from trying to have a peek however, which was not difficult considering the space between the table and the seats.

After a while, Erichsen must've felt Leon's eyes on him as he went to say, "I'm completing an article which I must submit to my editor when we arrive at Luciere."

"Ah, I see. What is it about?"

"Oh, er... it's about the recently discovered labyrinth below the Great Lion."

Leon nodded. It was quite the sensation when archeologists found a hidden structure beneath the giant lion sculpture which guards the pyramids of Mirsarya. "Was it interesting down there?"

Erichsen hummed as he continued to write. "Not really. Just a bunch of dusty limestones and hieroglyphs." He said somewhat distractedly.

Sensing that he won't get anything more by pestering the fox, Leon nodded and turned to look out to the window. The drizzle had turned into a continuous shower, pattering the glass and completely obscuring the view. There was really nothing much to see outside as it had gotten really dark however, so Leon busied himself by studying his and his roommate's distorted reflections on the window instead, thinking silently.

Erichsen soon finished his writing and was presently reading one of the books that were scattered about. It was not long before he took out several sheets of paper and began writing once more.

Both passengers glanced to the window once they felt the train slowing down with the hissing and squealing of the wheels. They could see the darkness was broken my faint, dim lights of the city they were entering.

"Le train entre en gare de Bus?mir! Gare de Bus?mir! Trois minutes d'arrêt!"

"Bus?mir?" Erichsen blinked. "That was fast."

Leon nodded. "Indeed." He voiced as they watched the Mercurius Express slowed down to a stop with a loud hiss. The platform outside was not sheltered it would seem, as the rain continued to pour down in a steady stream.

The fox leaned back to the sofa, rubbing his arms together. "Is it just me or has it gotten quite cold in here?"

Leon turned back to Erichsen, and quickly realizing that in fact, it had gotten somewhat cold. "You can turn up the heating if you want." He said.

Erichsen did just so, and Leon couldn't help but chuckle.

"I guess spending a few years in southern Gallia must have made you more accustomed to the sun?" He remarked.

"Perhaps, perhaps." Erichsen let out a soft laugh. "I'm not too terribly fond of the coldness of the north nowadays... I know, an arctic fox who dislikes cold." He said, before he blinked at Leon. "Wait... how did you figure I had spent a few years in southern Gallia?"

Leon chuckled. "It was your friend, monsieur Casseaux, who gave me the thought." He revealed.

A blink. "Specks did that?"

It was Leon's turn to blink in confusion. "Sorry, who?"

Before the fox could answer however, the train gave a mighty jerk as it began to move, causing several of Erichsen's books to topple off the seat. Leon quickly bent down and gathered it all together.

"Ah thanks." Erichsen smiled gratefully as he placed the books on the corner of the sofa. He turned to the window to look as the train left Bus?mir, picking up speed as its whistles boomed loudly through the rain. He then turned back to Leon."Hmm... what were we talking again?"

"We were talking about this 'Specks' individual."

"Ah right." Erichsen nodded. "I called Lucien, 'Specks'. It's sort of a silly nickname between us." He explained with a small chuckle. "Anyway, I guess Specks, er, Lucien told you about me?"

Shaking his head, Leon continued his explanation. "Not quite. You see, I know that you're a Norvdallian native, and so, it is most curious to see you speaking fluent Gallian with Casseaux at dinner. Also, what is more curious is that you had used several specific southern Gallian terms when you speak. Then it struck me. A Norvdallian who works in southern Gallia as a journalist? Wasn't there a Norvdallian journalist who was quite famous for his series of first hand articles on the unsuccessful five year coup for the Firebird Throne in Rosvenia? It had been quite sometime, but I finally remembered that journalist was of course you, Mr. Erichsen."

Erichsen was stunned silence for a few moments. His icy blue eyes were wide with awe. It took him a few moments to speak out.

"I... wow. I never expected you to remember that part of my career." He finally said, rubbing the back of his neck shyly. "It wasn't one of my best moments honestly. Writing a report in the midst of the battlefield."

"Yes, yes. Your articles were quite enlightening however." Leon nodded. "Shame of what happened to the royal family."

Erichsen seemed to sober up quickly, his head turned to the side, seemingly lost in thought. "With the crown prince still missing, Rosvenia is pretty much still in political turmoil." He murmured, before he shook his head, turning his attention back to the cougar in front of him, his brows knit. "However... how did you know I was a Norvdallian in the first place?"

Leon grinned. "It is quite simple actually. It's your clothing." He nodded to Erichsen's clothes. "Thick wool sweater vest with that distinctive interlooping knots could only be manufactured in Norvdall... and it has a distinctive smell of highland-wool... which also could only be farmed in Norvdall." He chuckled, before nodding to the notebook on the table. "Then, you had been writing in Northern Norvdallian dialect for the past few minutes."

And on another note, Leon had also noticed that Erichsen was writing in Rosvenian cyrillic script after he wrote the article. It was simply peculiar for a native Norvdallian to be able to understand Rosvenian cyrillic, much less writing them in formal honorifics like a seasoned scribe. Perhaps it has something to do with the fox spending five years in Rosvenia, but Leon had a feeling that there might be more to Erichsen than it seems.

"Oh... wow." The arctic fox managed to voice. "W-wait. You read my handwriting upside down?"

"It's among of my other skills, yes." Leon couldn't help but grin at Erichsen. "I tend to notice these little things about people. They always tell some sort of story of themselves. For example, I managed to gather that you had recently taken several trips to the pyramids of Al-Q'air in the past month and you will be continuing your journey to Pierogard, Rosvenia, after after we arrived at Gare de Pontmercy in Luciere, possibly along with your rabbit friend."

Erichsen was stunned for the second time. "How did you..." He stammered.

Leon smiled cheekily. "A magician never reveals his secrets."

"...you eavesdropped us at dinner didn't you?"

"That's half of the effort, yes." Leon couldn't help but chuckle. Erichsen gave a huff, but he still looked impressed nonetheless.

"But... how did you know that I'm heading to Rosvenia with Lucien--"

It was then another announcement came from the corridor outside. "Deuxième service! Le dîner est servi sur la voiture-restaurant!" It was repeated in Bretonian and Arleman twice.

Leon turned to look at his watch. It was nine o'clock sharp. "Hmm... you know what? I'm thinking of heading to the saloon car. My brother and the colonel had headed there a little while ago." He said.

"Ah, I'll come with you," said Erichsen with a nod as he closed his notebook and began to tidy up the mess he had made.

Erichsen called for conductor Dupont to lock their compartment once they were out in the corridor. When it was securely locked, they quickly made their way into the second sleeping car--the Vermeil coach-- where it has slightly more activity going on. The passengers who did not attend the first service dinner were beginning to make their way towards the restaurant car up front.

Leon and Erichsen had to make way for a group of five passengers who were discussing quite spiritedly in Arleman about a concert in the city of Vinoa, and also to a family of solemn looking huskies who spoke lowly amongst themselves in Rosvenian. As they continued through the sleeping car, they passed through a number of other compartments, some of which their doors were left open. Leon saw Casseaux sitting inside compartment 6, speaking rather animatedly with his roommate, a sickly looking male otter who was nursing a cup of hot tea.

Halfway through the third sleeping car, Erichsen nearly ran into a pair of Maine Coon kittens, who couldn't be more than two years apart. Their aunt, another Maine Coon who looked like someone who enjoyed the finer things in life, exasperatedly told them not to run around and apologized to Erichsen, who took it in stride. They were followed by a pleasant faced vixen who Leon quickly identified as the kitten's nanny. She was particularly watchful for the youngest kitten, a male who seemed to possess a boundless amount of energy.

"Didn't realize this train is quite long." Erichsen remarked as they entered the fourth--and last--sleeping car.

Leon took note of the deep green of the carpeting and the window blinds. "I guess this is the Veridien coach." he said, quickly spotting the uniformed Ram whom he had met this afternoon. He was currently standing in front one of the compartments, speaking to the occupants in fluent Anatolish and bowed before he turned and closed the door.

"Ah, bonsoir monsieur." He said with a small bow and a tip of his hat as Leon and Erichsen walked past him.

"Conductor." Leon returned the greeting, thanking the ram while he gave cursory glanced into the compartment which doors were left open by their owners. The bull from earlier today was tinkering with a bulky camera equipment, which was laid across the sofa, while humming a song to himself. A few compartments down, a pair of young women; a peterel and a hawk owl were giggling and conversing in whispers among themselves over the contents of the latest fashion magazines. While on the very last compartment, Leon thought he saw a pair of bright amber eyes peering through the crack of the door, before it slid shut with a loud click.

Staring at the last compartment in confusion, he shook his head and thought it as a passenger who was feeling inquisitive. He and Erichsen were soon entering the saloon car at last.

The saloon car itself was a wide, long room filled with large, plush armchairs, sofas, and ottomans in groups of two and three. The entire car was paneled with dark lacquered wood inlaid with golden accents and gleaming brass fittings with partitions made from intricate glasswork enframed with wood. Wide, panoramic windows would give a spectacular view of the scenery outside had it not been night and raining quite heavily at the present.

There was only a small number of passengers inside the saloon at this hour in the evening. Leon found the Colonel and his brother were sitting on the small bar area, manned by a gryphon bartender. Both seemed to be engaged in a light conversation as it would seem.

"And there's our cougar!" Graves exclaimed. A glass of unfinished brandy was on his paw. "Where did you go? We've been waiting for a while now."

Leon shrugged. "Got cornered by a journalist before I went to my compartment to refresh." He said, "And I invited my roommate along." He gestured to Erichsen.

Pleasantries were exchanged as Leon and Erichsen sat on the bar. They gave out their own separate orders as the bartender approached them.

"Cognac, please." Leon said to the bartender, who was a well groomed gryphon.

"Just whiskey for me thanks," said Erichsen.

The golden feathered gryphon nodded. "Very well, sir." He said and went to prepare their drinks, whistling a tune to himself.

Gideon, ever inquisitive, went to ask who's the journalist that had cornered his twin brother.

"A rabbit by the name Lucien Casseaux. He works for La Tribune Métropolitaine as an investigative journalist and photographer."

Erichsen looked mildly surprised, before he sighed, as if he had expected this kind of behaviour. "Typical of him. He likes to press around for stories whenever he feels like it."

"Those kind of journalists are the worst." Gideon uttered, frowning. "No offense of course." he added apologetically to Erichsen before he turned back to his brother. "What did he want?"

"Well, he wanted details about your case, Colonel." Leon replied, looking at the Panther. "However, he didn't ask anything further than stating his interest before leaving."

Graves' brow knitted. "Absolutely not." He remarked, placing down his cup. "Tell him he'd have to come to the army headquarters in Bretonia if he wanted to write about any martial incidents and cases." He said with an air of finality.

"I'll be sure to tell him that." Leon nodded with a small smirk before turning to address the barkeep who had handed him a glass of cognac.

With the drink in his paws, Leon let his gaze wander over the passengers who had made themselves home in the saloon.

A pair of lions were sitting together side by side on a large sofa nearby. It would seem they were a couple, judging by how close the female was sitting to the male and the identical rings they wore on their paws. Both of them were dressed in a fine, but casual travelling suit and dress. The lioness was reading a magazine and was gushing over the contents.

And, Leon noticed, she was heavily pregnant.

"Oh, just look how lovely these clothes are." She said with a small sigh. "Pity I won't be able to fit in them for a while." She chuckled.

Her husband gave her a small, tender smile. "You look lovely just about in everything, meine liebe Frau."

A small party consisting of a wolverine, a red fox, and the Bretonian sparrowhawk from the dining car had occupied cluster of armchairs closest to the bar, embroiled in a game of poker while idly discussing about business.

The Arleman drake who had been the dining company of Mr. Ainsworth was occupying the farthest seat in the saloon alone, smoking a cigarette. A bottle of whiskey and a shot glass was set on the small table. Also, sitting right across him was Mr. Förstner, sharing a glass of brandy with a Sheperd Dog. They seemed to be good friends judging by how they were talking and laughing animatedly.

"By the way, you never mentioned who you told to look after the office." Leon turned to his twin brother after he was done with his observations.

"Oh, I told Flint to man the fort," replied Gideon.

Leon nearly choked on his drink. "Flint? But... I don't believe he was to work until next week?"

"I called him day before you were to leave for Anatolia." Gideon chuckled. "You left before I could have the chance to tell you. He was quite excited to do the job it would seem... and don't worry. He's got Lieutenant Valeriano manning the perimeters."

If anything, that does not reassure Leon.

"You mean to tell me that cat is probably in our office right now?"

Gideon made a placating gesture. "Hey, hey, calm down... it's not like she would dig through your files..."

Leon groaned. "Have you forgotten the time she barged in and tried to steal my notes for the theft of 'Eye of the Rose' and forced me to spill the details of the Roscoe murder case at gunpoint?"

"Well now, you've got to tell me of this Lieutenant Valeriano and Mr. Flint." Graves interjected with an interested glint on his steely grey eyes. "Sounds like the two of you had the company of the most interesting people."

"I guess you could say that." Leon said exasperatedly. "I much prefer simple, regular cases. Great jewel thefts and cult kidnappings are definitely off my wishlist." He half joked.

Graves burst into laughter. "Now you really have you tell me about them." He announced with a huge grin.

"Is it just me or the train's slowing down?" Erichsen queried suddenly, looking out to the window. Everyone on the bar turned to look at the window, where they could see spots of lights from buildings from afar. The train was indeed slowing down as it pulled into a large, dimly lit, and definitely busy station. The downpour of water suddenly cleared, leaving a trail of droplets on the windows.

"Ah, I believe we have arrived in Agrapolis, sir." The bartender said helpfully. "They'll be coupling a second class sleeper car and a regular coach up front as the engine refueled."

Graves nodded. "I guess we'll be here for a while." He said, before turning to Leon with a wide grin. "So, what's this about Lieutenant Valeriano and Mr. Flint?"

Leon let off a soft groan before he slowly, and somewhat reluctantly told about the Eye of the Rose case first. He could always tell about the kidnapping of young Jarred Flint later. Looks like his plans to stretch his legs just went off the proverbial window.

It wasn't until the Mercurius Express left Agrapolis sometime later that the saloon got a little bit livelier. More passengers had came in, settling by the armchairs and sofas, engaging in conversation over coffee or liquor, or playing games.

The lion couple was joined by the Maine Coon aunt. Her nephew and niece were nowhere around, probably sent to their compartment to sleep. The middle aged feline seemed to quickly bond with the lioness, discussing about motherhood and raising kits.

Mr. Forstner and the Shepherd left the saloon car just as the peterel and hawk owl whom Leon had seen a while earlier entered and started gossiping away in Gallian once they were settled in comfortably.

Following them was the brown bull, who was now dressed more casually. He did not have his jacket with him, and his vest hung loosely around his impressive frame. The Rosvenian husky that followed after him was also clad in similar manner. They seemed to be getting along pretty well, judging by how relaxed the two seemed to be with each other. Leon did a double take when he heard the husky speaking to the bull in fluent Bretonian as they passed by the bar.

"So you took pictures for various publications?"

The bull nodded as they settled into one of the armchairs. "Yes, among other things. Concerts, official events, advertisements, people..." He said with a small grin. "However, my interest solely lay on individuals. I'm particularly fascinated by the, ah, male anatomy, you see..." he added in a lower tone.

"You have a pretty interesting line of work," said the husky with a small chuckle just as the waiter came and asked if they would like anything to drink.

The three-man poker game between Ainsworth and the two men had continued with high stakes as it would seem. More and more money had been placed onto the table from the three players, and none of them had spoken anything outside the occasional remarks and bluffs.

"...and full house boys! I win!"

It was the red fox who had shouted, and not a moment sooner.

"Yes, yes. Congratulations" Said Mr. Ainsworth, puffing his cigar somewhat defeatedly as the fox gathered up his winnings.

His wolverine friend gave a sigh as he leaned back on his armchair. "Well, there goes all my pocket money." He joked.

"Yes... a rather bad luck for us." Said Mr. Ainsworth neutrally. "Perhaps I could interest you in another game tomorrow?"

The fox smiled widely. "But of course!"

Ainsworth nodded, stubbing out his cigar. "Good, good. I always enjoy a tricky good game." He chuckled, downing his liquor. "Hmm... ah, right. As I was saying before..." His sharp black eyes glanced from the wolverine and to the red fox expectantly. "I trust you gentlemen will hold your end of your deal, yes?"

"Of course, Mr. Ainsworth." The wolverine replied placatingly, glancing to the red fox, who nodded. "You'll receive the merchandise before you reach Milos. Now, why don't we discuss this in our compartment? See the trinket for yourself perhaps?"

Mr. Ainsworth agreed and the three soon left the saloon car.

'Now that's something quite interesting...' thought Leon as he returned to his drink, turning to his twin brother who was also looking at the door where the three men had left.

"Something on your mind?"

"I'm really curious about what this merchandise is." The cougar answered him. "I might sound prejudiced, but the fox doesn't seem to be the kind to hold to the end of the deal... that, and he cheated during the game."

Leon chuckled in amusement. "Noticed that too did you?"

"Yes. The three have been talking about this trinket the bird bought from the wolverine." Gideon answered, drinking from his glass. "The fox seemed to be the one who procured this merchandise however, and the Bretonian bird was most anxious to see it." He said. "I think he fell into the stereotype that foxes are inherently untrustworthy and a cheat, but I think his wolverine friend would keep him grounded at least." He added.

"I agree." Gideon laughed, downing his brandy. "However, stereotypes didn't stop the fox from cheating in their poker game."

"You never know with foxes." Leon agreed. "No offense." He added to Erichsen.

"None taken." He said with a lighthearted chuckle.. "Ah, by the way, you didn't mention how or where you managed to retrieve the Eye of the Rose! Where was it hidden?" Erichsen proceeded to ask, drawing the conversation back to the Leon's story much to the cougar's chagrin.

"Ah... well, it's quite an accidental finding for my part. Young Mr. Jarred was the one who figured it out. You see..."

As time wore on, the conversation soon turned to other topic of interest, mostly lead by the Colonel who wanted to know about Erichsen's recent excursions. Gideon was more than interested to hear, especially when he learned that the fox had his fair share of adventures across the continent.

Erichsen was telling about his latest excursion in Misaryan tombs for his travel article when lightning flashed through the windows, followed by a series of thunderous booms soon after, startling quite a few passengers in the saloon. There was a momentary silence as the thunder continued, before conversations resumed again.

"Looks we're going to have to sleep through a thunderstorm." Erichsen said with a slight groan, rubbing his ears.

"Hope the storm will pass soon." The lioness remarked with a hint of worry. "I won't be able to sleep if it keeps flashing and thundering..."

There was another boom of thunder before Leon noticed that it was half past ten. He hadn't even noticed the time. "Is it that late already?" He remarked.

"Time sure flies when you're with good company." Graves chuckled, finishing his third round of brandy.

"That's true." Gideon agreed with a grin.

"Well, I'm heading to bed." Leon said as he stood up. "I haven't had much sleep last night and I think I could do with some early sleep."

Graves nodded. "Alright, I will be around here for a while longer. How about you two? Fancy a game of chess?"

Gideon voiced his interest, but Erichsen was less than inclined however.

"Oh, I'm good for another hour, but I'm not good with chess." Said the arctic fox with a nervous smile.

"It's no problem. We could play cards instead. Blackjack, Poker..."

After saying goodnight to the others, Leon paid for his drink to the bartender and went out from the saloon and back to the sleeper cars. He passed by a few passengers who were simply roaming about. However, he stopped short as he saw one of the Crezovokian passengers crouching in front one of the compartments in the middle, seemingly in an attempt to listen to whatever was inside. The conductor was nowhere to be seen.

The tallest, a boxer dog quickly stood up when he noticed Leon at the end of the corridor, turning on his heels and disappeared into one of the middle compartments. Sounds of rapid conversation could be heard a moment later.

Curious...

Leon's mind was latched on the small mystery of the Crezovokian passenger as he continued on his way to his sleeping car. Why was he sneaking around? Come to think of it, why there were four passengers who would looked would be more comfortable--and afford--the regular coaches occupying First or Second Class sleeping cars?

As the line of thought would be getting nowhere without sufficient extra information, Leon stowed the question to the back of his mind and thought nothing more of it. All was quiet in the rest of the sleeping cars. He could even hear loud snores coming from one of the compartments once he reached the Azuré coach.

"Ah, attendant, would you unlock my compartment please?" He asked as approached the uniformed caracal. Dupont the conductor seemed to be preoccupied by the passenger in the front compartments.

"Certainly sir. Just a moment," said the attendant with a nod as he went to fetch the master key from the conductor. "Would you like me to make up the bed?" He asked once the door was unlocked.

Leon nodded. "Yes, and uh... perhaps also a bottle of mineral water for the night." He added.

"Very well sir. I'll be a moment." With a nod, the caracal went into the compartment first.

Leon watched in fascination as the attendant worked to transform the large sofa into a comfortable, plush bunk bed in less than five minutes. With the cushions put away, the backrest was pulled upwards and secured into place. From the small compartment which was hidden under the seat, the caracal pulled out pillows, mattresses, bed sheets, and blankets. In no time at all he had the pillows fluffed, sheets properly pulled over the mattress, and the blankets folded neatly on the newly made beds. He was also kind enough to draw the blinds down.

"And here's your mineral water, sir," said the young feline with a tip of his hat as he disappeared down the corridor, and reappeared a few seconds later with a bottle of mineral water.

"Thank you." Leon nodded with a smile. "Ah, your name is Herschel?" He added once he saw the name tag pinned on the caracal's breast. It read: P. Herschel | Steward

"Ja," The caracal smiled. "If you need anything, just ring for me or Herr Dupont the conductor." He said just as a lightning flashed and followed by an ear splitting thunder right after.

Both flinched. Herschel's tail was swinging agitatedly.

"Well, I hope you'll have a good rest." He said once again and tipped his hat in a polite gesture. "Guten nacht."

Leon nodded back at the attendant with a smile. "Of course. Good night." He said as he went into his compartment.

Closing the door behind him, Leon took off his outer clothing and went to take his toiletries from his suitcase. The sleeping cars on the Mercurius Express were equipped with a shower at both ends of the car, albeit it was a very small one. Leon intended to make use of it the first chance he had.

However, showering meant that he would have to detach his mechanical arm unless he wanted to get short circuited. And so, Leon began the careful process of separating the mechanized prosthetic from his flesh. It took a while, and the prosthetic let out several loud hisses as it was slowly detached.

Grunting slightly, the cougar finally managed to release the last of the nodes from the sockets grafted into the stump of his upper right arm. Detaching the connector nodes always left his upper right arm to feel somewhat numb, and followed by a weird tingling sensation that coursed through his spine.

The prosthetic now lay limp on the table. Leon went to fold it carefully and placed it inside the suitcase which was made just to secure his prosthetic. Satisfied, the feline wrapped a bathing robe around himself and exited his compartment, going into one of the showers at the end of the sleeping car.

It was not an easy task trying to shower while the coach swayed while the train rumbled across the tracks. Leon had to keep balancing himself in the tiny cubicle as the drizzle of warm water trickled through his body. It took him the better part of an hour to get sufficiently cleaned and dried.

Now that he was not smelling of cigars, smoke, and alcohol, the cougar draped the bathrobe around himself and went back into his compartment. It seemed that Erichsen had not yet returned, as the compartment was still devoid of his white furred roommate. Shrugging the bathing robe off, Leon switched off the lights and made himself comfortable on the upper bed completely in the buff, wrapping the blanket around himself. He had found out, from early of age, that he rather liked sleeping in high places for some odd reason.

However, sleep didn't come easily for the cougar as heavy wind and rain rattled against the window, and lightning flashed inside the compartment at random intervals. Leon didn't know for how long he laid on the bed, waiting himself to fall asleep as he tossed and turned on the bed. Just as he was about to slip into deep slumber, his neighbors would make some random noise that woke him up.

Doors would creak open and close, the ring of the bells as the passengers called for the conductor or attendant, hurried footsteps, and even some rather graphic swearing as someone seemed to have stubbed their toe on the door. And there was also the announcements whenever they're entering stations. Even though those announcements were muted for the night, it's still quite distractingly annoying for Leon.

It felt like forever, but Leon found himself drifting to sleep as the noises seemed to die down around him. However, just as he thought he was really going to sleep, the compartment door slid open with a thud. The light from the corridor outside quickly flooding in. The cougar quickly sat up and switched on the reading light. He squinted at the form of the white fox who had just entered.

"Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to wake you up." Came Erichsen's quiet voice as he quickly closed the door, bathing the room in darkness once again.

"It's okay..." Leon replied sleepily, frowning slightly as he felt that the whole train was still. It was deathly quiet too. "What time is it? Where are we?"

"We've stopped in Basir station a little while ago. It's uh... just past 2 am." Erichsen replied as he switched on the washbasin cabinet lights and went to brush his teeth.

"I see..." Leon nodded as he laid back on the bed, closing his eyes. "Hope you don't mind me taking the top bunk." He added with an afterthought.

Erichsen waved his paw dismissively. "Oh, not at all." He said. "Well, good night Mr. Cross."

"Good night." Leon yawned turning on his bed and switched off the reading light, grateful for the moment of silence. Slowly and finally, the cougar fell into much needed, if not fitful, sleep.

****** ****** ******

Leon woke up the next morning with the gentle rocking of the train. The morning light was shining through the window blind, casting a dim light into the compartment. Blinking tiredly, the cougar went to check his watch and saw that it was twenty minutes to nine.

Groaning, he pulled himself up and slowly climbed down the ladder, careful not to wake Erichsen who was snoring soundly. The fox was sprawled across the bed on a rather awkward angle, the blanket was halfway on the floor. Also, Leon quickly realized, he was not the only one who like to sleep bare of anything.

Taking his eyes off his roommate, the cougar's fingers went to push the window blind a few inches. He was greeted with the sight of sprawling grassy plains and vast stretches of woodlands under the shadows of a mountain range so tall that the peaks breached the clouds. A vast stretch of gleaming sea could be seen in the distance, going as far as the eye can see.

The view would have been more beautiful had it not been winter, and Leon realized that they must be in Illadia. Only in this country that such a scenery could be found. However, the countryside was quite barren under the pale, winter sun. Drawing away from the window, Leon went to look at the time before he quickly went to get himself ready for the day as quietly as he could.

Erichsen rose just as Leon had just finished brushing his teeth. The young journalist yawned loudly and looked around sleepily, murmuring his greetings as he went to open the blind. Both males blinked at the sudden brightness which enveloped the whole room.

"What time is it?" Erichsen asked groggily.

Leon rinsed his mouth. "Five minutes to nine."

The fox nodded and rose, groaning somewhat as he stretched his limbs.

"Couldn't sleep last night?" Leon observed as he close the washbasin cabinet.

" Unfortunately no. Usually, I can shut my eyes and be asleep in no time, but not with all the distractions last night." Erichsen said with a sigh. "You slept quite soundly though." He added with a small chuckle.

Leon smiled wanly. "I could hardly say I slept soundly." He said tiredly before sighing and glancing out the window again. "Well then, I think they have breakfast served in the dining car." he said as he went to take pull his travelling bag from the rack above and went to look for a fresh pair of clothes.

Perhaps it was then Erichsen realized that Leon himself wasn't wearing anything but an untied bathrobe. Leon turned just in time to see the fox looking away, feigning a yawn and surreptitiously pulled the blanket to cover his bareness. The white fur on his cheeks flushed with a tinge of red. Chuckling inwardly, Leon quickly laid out his day clothes on the armchair before he went to retrieve his prosthetic case.

Erichsen watched in unabashed fascination as Leon went to reconnect the mechanized prosthesis to the sockets on his left arm. It was when the last nodes was reconnected and the mechanical arm moved with its signature soft hissing and whirring that Erichsen suddenly asked, "Does it hurt?"

"Hmm?" Leon turned with a blink to the fox, making a few test flexes. The journalist decidedly looked sheepish.

"Ah, I couldn't help but wonder about your arm... sorry." He trailed off, his pale blue eyes fixed upon the prosthesis with a look of awe and a hint of wonder. Erichsen quickly drew his gaze away, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

"It's fine." Leon replied with a reassuring smile as he dropped his dressing robe and went to change into his clothes. "It hasn't hurt for years now."

Erichsen nodded slowly. "I see. And, uh... how did you get it?"

"An accident, during one of our early cases." Leon replied simply, looking at his mechanical arm and flexed the metallic paw digits. "You really don't want to hear it." He added with a flat smile as he pulled up his trousers. "Perhaps some other time."

"Alright." The fox nodded before he turned to the window. "Say, where are we?" He asked as he moved to the washbasin.

"Illadia. I'd wager we'll be arriving in Pallas any moment soon," said Leon, now buttoning his shirt and clipped the suspenders on the waist of his trousers. Looking back to the view outside once again, he could see small farmhouses and hamlets spread through the hills.

He watched as Erichsen got himself prepared and changed into a fresh pair of clothes. He had to admit, the fox was pretty lean and had a well built form under his winter coat. Must have done a lot of running and perhaps gymnastics at some point... also, he couldn't deny that Erichsen had quite the pleasant looking backside.

The cougar shook his head away from the line of thoughts and stood up, straightening his jacket. "Well then, I'll be waiting outside." He told Erichsen.

"Oh, alright. Sure."

Leaving the compartment, Leon busied himself looking at the barren, but no less impressive Illadian scenery from the windows in the corridor. The great mountain range were basically everywhere as far as Leon can see, and it would seem that the train was slowly going towards higher ground as the view of the sea was getting further and lower away.

It was then Leon saw something he did not expect to see, especially in a mildly temperate country like Illadia.

"Snow?"

Leon turned to Erichsen who had spoken. The arctic fox closed the door behind him as he joined Leon's side on the corridor, looking mystified at the delicate flakes of snow which were falling in the earnest.

"Well then, this day just got interesting."

Leon chuckled in agreement. "It certainly has." He said with a nod, watching as the barren brown and grey hillside began to turn white. "I guess the cold wave from the north finally reached the southern parts of the continent."

Content from watching the snow, the cougar and fox made their way to the restaurant car up front. Breakfast was already in full swing when they arrived. Leon noted that the restaurant car was filled with more passengers compared to dinner last night. There were certainly a lot of new faces today.

Breakfast was served in a large buffet table by both ends of the restaurant, which had been set up by the staff. Rows of cold cut meat, eggs, bread, cheese, fruits, cereals, soup, and an assortment of fruits were carefully lined and arranged on the big serving table.

"Ah, welcome messieurs," greeted Matteo the waiter with his customary smile. "We have a nice table just for you in the corner. Follow me if you please." He proceeded to lead them to a small table by the far end of the car, which Leon had saw had just been rearranged and cleaned by the other waiters.

"Anything you'd like from the menu, sir?" The feathered dragon asked once they were seated, waving to the menu card which had been provided.

"Hmm, a cup of orange juice and the ham omelette for me please." Erichsen said.

Leon's eyes scanned the menu card and found that he could simply take a few toasts and ham from the buffet. "Just coffee for me, with cream and sugar." He told the waiter.

Matteo nodded politely. "Certainly sir. Please feel free to enjoy the buffet. Have a pleasant breakfast." He said and walked away with their order.

"Would you like anything from the buffet?" Leon asked as he stood up, turning to Erichsen.

Shaking his head with a grateful smile, Erichsen said. "Thanks, but I'm good."

Nodding, Leon rose from his seat and went to the buffet table, joining the small line of passengers to get the rest of his breakfast. To his annoyance, he found himself standing right behind Casseaux.

"Oh, fancy meeting you here, Cross." The rabbit intoned amicably once he noticed the cougar behind him.

"Casseaux." Leon gave the journalist a polite nod, noticing the bags under the rabbit's eyes. His entire demeanor was far from tired however.

Grinning, Casseaux began to take a few pieces of the cold cut meat from the table. "Some storm last night huh? Did you sleep well?"

Leon pursed his lips. "Not quite as I liked." He said as he grabbed a plate and began to pick a few slices of toast and baked sausages.

"You too then? Let's hope tonight will be a more pleasant journey. My roommate didn't fare quite well."

Leon simply hummed. "It's a wonder if anyone slept through that thunderstorm." He remarked.

"Oh he took a couple of sleeping pills after he was kept awake by the noise." said Casseaux as he went to take several scrambled eggs. "Me, I read till morning. Fell asleep just as we arrived at... what's that station again? Oh yes, Ionus. Just past four this morning."

Leon nodded, taking a couple of sunny side ups and hash browns to his plate. "Hmm, didn't really notice we stopped at all." He said, turning his attention to the other occupants in the restaurant car.

It would seem like almost everyone was slowly getting comfortable with each other, judging by how most of the passengers were now freely mingling with each other, engaged in idle conversation over their breakfast.

"...and this snow is something quite peculiar." Casseaux continued to say. "Well, what do you think?"

"Hmm? Oh, it might be an interesting article for you to write." Leon said offhandedly as they moved away from the buffet and back to their respective table.

"...perhaps." said the rabbit somewhat flatly.

"I don't know, but your colleague seemed to be quite interested in the snow. I mean, it's not everyday Illadian mainland get to see snow in winter." Leon mused as he sat down on his table.

"What's this about?" Erichsen, who had been watching Leon and Casseaux for a while, went to ask with a bemused look.

Leon shrugged with a small grin. "I suggested that your friend could write about this strange snowfall in Illadia for his next article."

Casseaux snorted. "I'm an investigative journalist, not a meteorologist, M. Cross. I don't write about weather."

"Well, M. Cross had a point." Erichsen chuckled, waving his paw to the window, where snow was falling in the earnest outside.

Casseaux conceded with a small sigh and a roll of his sharp brown eyes. "D'accord." He said, adjusting his tray on his paws before giving both Leon and Erichsen a nod. "Eh bien, bonne journée à vous."

"À plus, Specks," said Erichsen, giving a small wave at his friend.

Leon dug into his breakfast, watching Casseux sitting down a few tables away, right opposite a sandy furred jackal. "Interesting friend you have there."

"He is, yes." The fox nodded. "Ah, merci." He added to Matteo, who had came in rolling a tray of food and hand Erichsen his omelet and orange juice, and coffee for Leon.

The morning went by uneventfully. After breakfast, Erichsen went to find Casseaux, mentioning something about their next article as he left. Bidding the fox goodbye, Leon went back to his compartment, where he found that it was sufficiently cleaned and the beds had been reverted back to the sofa configuration. The cougar then proceeded to make himself comfortable with a book.

Around ten, the Mercurius Express rolled into the city of Pallas. As the capital city of the country, it was also celebrated as the oldest city in Illadia and boasting numerous historical landmarks. The ancient city looked very much different blanketed in snow. Thankfully, the station where the train was slowly coming to a stop was well protected from the weather, but it still looked exceedingly cold outside. Leon could see numerous people milling about on the station outside, dressed in thick coats and scarves. Some were even muffled up to the ear.

Deciding that he could do with a walk and some fresh air, the cougar bundled up with layers of coats and several scarves. It would seem that he wasn't the only passenger with that line of thought. A small number of the train's passengers had got down and were walking somewhat aimlessly in the station platform outside.

Walking down the length of the narrow corridor, Leon passed by conductor Dupont and Faber who were discussing inside the small staff compartment at the end of the coach.

"Nous devrions arriver il y a trente minutes," said Dupont somewhat vexedly.

"Parts of the tracks had been iced over, so the driver had to slow down the train." Conductor Faber replied to his colleague in the same fashion. "I just received reports from the station that there are heavy snowfall up north."

"That can't be good... oh yes, may I see your passenger manifest?"

Faber nodded and handed a slip of paper, hidden between the pages of the magazine he held on his paw to the Malinois. "Here it is."

"Looks like we have quite a lot of children on board..." Dupont's voice disappeared as Leon stepped out from the car.

"Brrr..." The cougar shivered as he walked down to the platform and slowly made his way along the carriages. He instantly wished he had brought a thicker scarf with him as he felt the cold seeping through his neck.. He could even see his own breath puffing in the air.

There was a light tap of boots as someone fell into step beside him. Leon did not need to look to know it was Gideon.

"Looks like the cold wave has affected the southern parts of the continent too."

"It certainly has." Leon nodded, turning to his twin brother who was wrapped up to the neck in several layers of coats. They quickly fell into a slow, leisure pace together, almost in sync as they walked the length of the train, towards the back. It was a trait that the brothers shared as twins, and a constant source of amusement for their parents.

Gideon chuckled under the folds of thick woolen scarf. "Your colonel seemed to be having a bad case of hangover this evening. Saw him ringing for your conductor this morning, asking for his breakfast to be brought into his compartment, looking quite miserable."

"Ah, that's a pity," Leon sighed. "He is a heavy drinker, yes. I guessed he spent the entire night in the saloon car?"

"That he did. Erichsen and I left an hour or so after you went back to your compartment." Gideon replied. "He was having a drinking contest with a Rosvenian hare. Didn't stick around to see who won. Anyway, I gave him some painkillers to dull his suffering and asked your conductor to bring him lots of water."

Leon nodded, rubbing his shoulders together. "This cold is certainly something..." He shivered, teeth chattering.

"At least it will be an interesting journey," remarked Gideon, looking up and down the platform, "with this snow in the warm, southern parts of the continent and whatnot... Oh, and we have a couple of musicians on board too."

Leon blinked. "Musicians?"

"Oh yes. I believe they are members of an orchestra. Five of them at least. I heard them practicing as I made my way back to my compartment last night."

"Ah, that's interesting." Leon hummed thoughtfully. "Perhaps we might even hear them performing a small concert. Are they any good?"

"Let's just say I enjoyed their classical slow pieces so much that I fell asleep peacefully." Gideon replied with a grin.

"Lucky you." Leon sighed as they proceeded to make their way to the front of the train.

The conductors were now standing in front of the doors of each sleeping car, keeping watch. Leon watched as a pair of middle aged tigers walking up to the conductor on the fourth sleeper car-- the Veridien-- with porters rolling their luggage. The ram conductor welcomed them in and directed them to their compartments.

After a long walk, Leon and Gideon decided to sit down on one of the benches on the platform watching with an amount of fascination as several more cars proceeded to be coupled with the current set of the Mercurius Express. Leon counted that the the train was now sporting three regular coaches, six sleeper cars, two restaurant cars, and an extra lounge car.

"Let's get back inside," said Gideon with a shiver as he stood up. "The cold is getting to me."

With an affirmative nod, the brothers quickly climbed into the Vermeil coach. It was evident that the conductors had cranked up the heating as it felt exceedingly warm as the cougars made their way across the corridor. Gideon was quick to shed his coats and scarves, and so did Leon.

The passengers of the Vermeil coach were huddled in the comforts of their own compartments it would seem, and the conductor was bringing a cup of hot tea in a wooden tray.

"Mrs. Bergman? It's your tea, madam," said the otter as he knocked on one of the compartments.

The coach was not completely silent however, as Leon could detect a faint lilting of strings. A waltz he guessed. The sound grew steadily louder as they approached Gideon's compartment. In fact, it came from the compartment next to the one Gideon was occupying. It was a slow, peaceful tune, somewhat springy at certain parts, but it resembled more of a lullaby.

Also, it would seem that his twin brother wasn't the only passenger berthed in the second class compartment.

Gideon went to hang his coats by the washroom door, turning to the heavy-eyed red wolf, who was nursing a cup of coffee. "Slept well Signor Lucciano?"

"Not really." Lucciano muttered as he turned to Gideon, and blinked a couple of times, shaking his head. "Am I still dreaming? I see two of you, Mr. Cross."

"You're perfectly awake, I assure you." Gideon laughed, gesturing to Leon, who was chuckling to himself, with his paw. "This is my twin brother, Leon Cross."

"Ah, si, si... you mention him last night." The red wolf nodded, extending a paw and giving Leon a sleepy smile. "Arlo Lucciano."

"Leon Cross." The cougar introduced himself, grasping Lucciano's paw firmly.

The train let out a loud whistle, and the wolf swore loudly, ears flattening against his scalp. Leon had to grasp the door handle to steady himself as the train jerked into motion. Gideon was not so lucky however. He fell down to the seat, limbs sprawled awkwardly, almost flattening Lucciano.

"Sorry my friend. These trains are unstable when they move." Gideon said apologetically as he straightened himself and his clothes.

"It's fine." The wolf chuckled good naturedly.

Leon watched as the train pulled away from the station, once again buffeted by the snow.

"It's amazing no? Heavy snow in Pallas." Lucciano remarked. "This year is starting to look pretty remarkable." He chuckled.

Leon nodded in agreement. "That it is." He said. "So what do you do Signor Lucciano?"

"Me? I'm an automobile manufacturer." Came the red wolf's proud reply as he stood up and reached for his coat, fishing out his wallet. He pulled out a business card, which he promptly gave to Leon.

"Hmm... I've never heard of 'Giove Auto' before." Leon remarked after giving the card a prompt read.

Lucciano smiled sleepily. "That is because it's new my friend." He said with a small yawn. "Scusami... I really didn't get much sleep."

Gideon nodded in understanding. "Well, we'll leave you be for now. Go get some rest."

"I have to check on Graves anyway." Leon added as he moved to the corridor.

With another yawn, the wolf nodded and Gideon slid the door close. The musicians on the next compartment was still playing the lullaby with a slight flourish. It was no wonder Lucciano felt compelled to sleep.

His attention was drawn to the compartment a few doors down on the next second. Muffled sounds of argument could be heard from inside. Leon glanced to his twin brother, who himself turned to look at him inquisitively, just as the door of said compartment slid open.

The occupants were the wolverine and fox from the saloon car last night, and their voice immediately quieted down when they realized that they have an audience. The two began to talk in harsh whispers as they passed the twin cougars. Unfortunately for them, even Leon, who did not have superior hearing, could still hear what they are arguing about.

"...couldn't have just disappeared! You must've misplaced it somewhere."

"I didn't. I remembered placing that trinket back in the case after we showed it to Ainsworth," replied the wolverine. "Someone must've sneaked into our compartment..."

"It couldn't have. We've been there all night."

"Who says someone couldn't sneak in during the day, hmm?" The fox asked, folding his arms.

"It was still there this morning when I checked it!" The wolverine hissed.

"Nevertheless, Ainsworth won't be happy about this..."

Their voices grew smaller as the two continued on along the corridor. It looked like they were going to find the conductor.

"Well then. A theft on the Mercurius Express." Gideon remarked. "This day is getting more and more interesting."

Leon shook his head. "Only you would say that, brother." He said, looking to the two passengers as they approached the conductor on the end of the corridor, speaking in low tones. "One of them could simply have misplaced this trinket of theirs."

Gideon shrugged his shoulders. "One could only guess." He said. "However... something tells me that their 'trinket' is not a simple souvenir."

Leon hummed as he moved to make way for the conductor and the two passengers, who were making their way back to their compartment.

"Perhaps..." He muttered, shaking his head. "Though, I'm pretty sure this is just a simple case of misplaced item." He nodded to himself, giving his twin brother a pat on the shoulder. "Well then, I better go check on the colonel in the meanwhile."

"Sure, sure." Gideon nodded. "If you need anything, come find me in the saloon."

"Will do."