"WOOAH, huge! No matter how many times I see it, the Multicontinental is enormous. Did you know it's moved by [Stone-Works]? It feels like ages since we stopped using fuels," Jacob said excitedly to the others as the train stopped.
"You seem to like it quite a lot, don't you?" Íthil asked while Jacob could barely contain his joy. Just seeing the doors activate was enough to bring a wide smile to Jacob's face. The magic carts folded down to the lower part of the three-story train to store luggage. It was almost time to depart.
"There's no doubt that Stone-Works is more economical than other technologies. I myself came from Vael-Dragon in the north aboard the Luminiscence airship; with just a Quartz crystal, the Khuaryans can move mountains... it's truly incredible!" Mina said as they searched for room number 513 among the luxurious hallways.
"You rode the Vael-Dragon transport ship?" Jacob asked excitedly, doing little hops from side to side.
"Calm down, shorty! They'll think we're country bumpkins," Íthil grumbled, catching him mid-hop to stop his behavior.
"Excuse me, excuse me, it's just that my great-great-grandfather designed the Luminiscence's navigation system, and my grandfather designed the macro-levitators that propel it."
"Wait... Mahogany? From the Mahogany clan of Brodovya?! The magnate family of the world's coldest region?!" Íthil asked, completely astonished.
Jacob nodded his head, looking at them, unsure what to say.
"Mina, give me a rope, we'll demand a ransom, it's 60/40," Íthil said, extending his hand to Mina.
"Let's go 50/50, take the Hurofalcon's rope, that'll be enough," Mina replied, giving him a thin cord.
An hour and three knots later, the group decided to spend their time inside the carriage, and by unanimous agreement, to set aside their grumbling and the Strigiursa situation, as well as to bring Jacob down from the ceiling where he was tied.
"I refuse," Jacob said flatly and seriously; a determined look was on his face.
"Huh? Why?" Íthil asked, untying the knots.
"Because then I can look them in the face at the same height!" Íthil began to lower Jacob anyway.
"And you, Mina?... How do you know how to make these suspicious torture knots?" Íthil asked as he removed the main knot from a disappointed Jacob.
"When you're a tall woman like me, the world leads you down uncertain paths," Mina replied, her eyes wandering to the landscape outside the window as if remembering other times. A suspicious and silent look was directed by Íthil and Jacob at Mina, but afraid to ask more, they let the matter rest.
"Why don't we go get some breakfast? As you can see, I'm hungry," Íthil exclaimed while playing with a coin in his hand.
"Is that true? You're a bit thin, don't you think?" Mina asked.
"Yeah, you're right, they told us you were a Drakoorias in the guild when we formed the hunting party," Jacob exclaimed.
"True, true, when one imagines a Drakoorias man, one can only imagine a specimen with broad shoulders and strong arms," Mina said as a slight red tint rose to her face and she held her chin with her index finger and thumb.
"SHUT UP!! It's not my fault that Drakoorias of my species are thin, and though it may not seem like it, I'm just as resistant, or more so, than you, Mina, don't underestimate the pride of the Skelety Horros!" Íthil said, standing tall and proud.
"OOOOOH! Little one, I'll break you like a chicken wing, we Torrenta Ataradon can take on anyone!" Mina and Íthil looked into each other's eyes as a terrifying aura drove others away from the area.
"Calm down, both of you! We all know Drakoorias are strong," Jacob said, trying to stop the imminent fight. Several passengers and Multicontinental crew members fled the area in fear.
After a few minutes, everything seemed to reach a peaceful agreement as they all headed to the dining car.
"By the way, what's life like for a Sifrit? I've always wondered," Mina asked Jacob curiously.
"Well, I'm pretty resilient even if I don't look it, and I can survive many uncomfortable situations, like losing arms or big falls, though I've never actually experienced one. Still, blows hurt, but the most important thing is to keep your Dhragul out of danger; if we don't lose that, everything will be fine," Jacob said, playing with a vivid red crystal pendant; from it, set in the necklace, a velvety stone flickered when Jacob touched it.
"I see, it has its problems too," Íthil and Mina exclaimed together.
"Considering... being a Drakoorias isn't that hard! Right, Mina?" Íthil addressed Mina.
"No, it's not. We just have problems with our anger management, but being able to turn into a dragon and run freely over others is simply... calming," Mina once again drifted off into her own world, likely recalling previous encounters.
"You have a point, though I prefer to relax by resting. I suppose each of our many species has different tastes," Íthil replied as they drank coffee in the dining car.
"Drakoorias, but different!" Íthil and Mina exclaimed in unison.
"I suppose being a Human or a Dechnol has its benefits too," Mina pulled up a chair to the dining table.
"I have Human friends; despite not being as strong as you Drakoorias or Sifrit, almost all of them are geniuses, talented at something, or possess strong mental abilities," Jacob responded as they all ate breakfast.
"You're right, I ran into one a while ago in an alley in Naglesh. Their telekinesis powers are really annoying," Íthil exclaimed while biting into a sweet bun.
"The ones that sometimes cause me problems are the Dechnol; I don't hate them, but their monotonous way of saying things as if it doesn't matter, while telling you they care about others, is very contradictory to me. Plus, THEY DON'T EAT! How can they exist like that?" Mina picked up bread and bacon slices; it was clear how deeply the idea of not eating disturbed her.
"Oh, yes, I've seen it. They don't have a digestive system, it's a total enigma to me, but it seems to bother them too. Many of them stuff their torso with soft prosthetics to avoid drawing attention," Íthil drank coffee and took more meat from the center of the table. Apparently, the two Drakoorias were enjoying the meal with animosity, while Jacob alternated between fruit and other foods.
"Íthil is right, Dechnol cannot be healed or eat. Apparently, they reconstruct themselves with surrounding materials when they sleep. They are very different from what you might call organisms, but despite everything, they are very strong. I've heard stories of Dechnol with long hair that they use as weapons, the northernmost tribes have wings like angels, while those further south are organized into clans that possess animal characteristics, but they all possess weapons and equipment so advanced that they are almost indistinguishable from magic," Jacob exclaimed excitedly; apparently, the topic was not unfamiliar to him.
"Calm down, friend, we're having a quiet breakfast!" Íthil interrupted, noticing a sudden and enthusiastic change in his companion.
"I'm sorry, it's just that when I notice their bodies and abilities, I can't help but get excited about how they work, and no matter how much I've tried to convince the only Dechnol I knew in my village, she just ran away. I even offered her money, gifts, and sweets, she never even wanted to let me examine her! I can't just leave it like that, NOT AS A BLACKSMITH! NOT AS THE HEIR OF MY FAMILY OF FORGERS! I WILL REACH YOUR DEEPEST AND MOST INTIMATE SECRETS!" Jacob exclaimed excitedly, snorting through his nose while holding a hammer and a screwdriver in his hands.
"STALKER!" Mina said, knocking Jacob unconscious with a resounding blow. A "THUD" echoed through the carriage as everyone's tables and dishes jingled for a moment like bells.
So, madness runs in the family, Íthil thought as they continued their journey.