old train
"May I see your pass?"
In a sleep-haze daze, you scramble and bury your hands in your coat, digging for the pass you had carelessly stuffed in one of them before drifting off on the bench. Though you feel guilty for taking up the conductor's time, he says nothing, simply smiling as he waits for you to show your proof. The lantern in his hand glows idly, the glass windows protecting it from the winter's freezing air.
Finally feeling a piece of something in your left coat pocket, you yank it out and hold the pass out in front of you. The conductor chuckles under his breath and takes it from you before tipping his hat and stepping to the side. "Welcome aboard, please watch your step."
Lifting up your legs that felt stiff as a board from waiting so long, you place your foot down on the narrow metal step, testing it to make sure you won't slip. There was no ice covering it, thankfully. Content that you wouldn't be falling backwards, you take hold of the railing and step up the stairs.
"To your right," you hear the conductor say. Turning your head to the direction given, you see a door with a circular window at eye-height to you. It was made of mahogany, a contrast to the sleek black-painted metal of the train itself. The number '03' was painted on the door in gold, shimmering with the entrance's lacquer coating.
You reach down and a shiver goes through you as you feel the chilled metal of the doorknob. Without hesitation, you twist it and push the door open, desperately wanting to be out of winter's reach.
The warmth that could be felt immediately was beautifully pleasant, a sharp contrast the cold you had been sitting in for who knows how long. You had expected it to be somewhat chilly; a train like this surely had gaps in the window or some sort of drafts where movement had caused edges to separate. But no, there was no trace of winter in this lovely little space.
You barely register the conductor stepping in behind you and shutting the door as you gaze at the car's interior. There were 5 rows of red booth seats on each side of the cart, with a proportional table made of the same mahogany as the door in the middle of them. The borders of the seats were lined with a ribbon of gold as an accent, which shimmer when hit by the light at a perfect angle. A rug that looks to be made of the finest material and embroidered with endlessly spiraling ivy vines lines the center of the floor, leading from one end to the other. Lanterns that curve into lovely flower shapes illuminate the inside with a mellow light; not blinding but enough to view the minor details.
The windows were rounded at the tops, each one with a set of ivory-white curtains embroidered with Lily of the Valley patterns hanging above them, tied neately to the side as to not disrupt the view. Their rods were mostly hidden from view by the window's mahogany arches, of which had circular stained glass windows embedded into them, each one depicting a different species of flower. Raising your head a bit, you can see windows of thick glass in the ceiling of the cart, assuming to provide natural light during the day.
"If you would choose a seat now, the train will soon depart."
You quickly turn to the conductor and shake your head. "I must be on the wrong train, I do not remember buying a ticket for this. Not that I could possibly afford a seat on such a cart."
The conductor simply smiles at you though, his young face holding an angelic sweetness that could tell no lie. "This train does not discriminate, but what it can do is take you to where you belong. Have faith in what I say." He raises his head and looks to the direction of the train's engine as you too hear its mighty cry ring out. "Please enjoy your ride."
He takes his hat by the brim and tips it as he bows to you before walking past, opening the door opposite to the one you entered. The conductor seems to disappear as soon as the door is closed, as his figure disappears from the limited view of the window.
While you feel guilty knowing that you couldn't have possibly paid for this even by accident, you knew that it was either remaining on this train or having to wait out in the cold for another one to arrive. Unable to will yourself to step back out into the elements, you tell yourself that you'd pay what you owe for such a luxurious ride once you reach the next station.
Hearing the train cry out once more, you quickly step forward and choose the middle of the five booths on the left side. The material of the seats feels amazingly soft under your hands, to the standards of velvet, which surprises you. Glancing up, the stained glass above your seat depicts a Snow Drop, a Chrysanthemum, and a Star-Gazing Lily.
It is a bit longer before the train begins to actually move. While you wait, you wonder if maybe there are any other passengers aboard this train, as this cart is absent of others. Maybe they are in the other carts? Though of course it was also rather late as well. This could possibly be the train's longest distance, so they chose to traverse it at night and arrive in the morning.
The train shifts, and so begins its slow acceleration. At first you don't realize that the lights have dimmed themselves a bit, but when you do you simply chalk it up to faulty wiring due to the train's movements. From inside you can hear the muffled sounds of rhythmic chugging and the wind whistling past, and it puts you in a slight daze.
It's rather dark once the station is no longer in sight, the only light coming from the moon as it and a countless amount of stars brighten up the night sky. Being nighttime and with the lumbering transport moving fast, it was difficult for you to make out the scenery, but it was scenic nonetheless.
Despite knowing that you should stay awake so another stop wasn't missed, you yawn softly. With the warm and cozy setting of the cart and the rhythmic clicking of the train, you couldn't help but allow your eyes to ever so slowly flutter shut.
You were sure the conductor would wake you once you reach your destination.
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