Reincarnation

07

Their target was a train almost as big as Beforang village itself. The red, steel train producing smoke that rose into the air as high as the hills of their earthbound city. A small, flat land ringed the train, presumably giving people space to settle until the train arrived. Most of the area was dirty and unhygienic but as the pair walked further and further down, Kaycee caught a glimpse of exquisite felt tents dotting the opposite area. Most likely only to be used by the higher class.

'Are we nearly there yet?' Kaycee asked, shuffling closer to Sean's side, as she plugged her nose every time she passed a smoker on the street.

'Nearly. Just two more minutes and then we can sit down on a seat in the train. Nearly' Sean answered, a map in his hand as he trailed his finger down the roads inscripted on them. 'How dp you even use this thing?' Sean groaned, flipping the map upside down and to the sides. 'Just great. I accidentally took an old map. No wonder the roads are all named different' he added, whining as he read the date at the top. Beforang village, 1934-1987.

Kaycee giggled, peering over his shoulder as she examined the map in his hand. 'Looks familiar' she thought aloud.

'Unless you were born like thirty years ago during Princess Blanches' time then I doubt it seems familiar' Sean joked, moving the map closer to his face.

'What? That's crazy.' Kaycee gasped. She wasn't there 20 years ago. Obviously. But if she was possibly the reincarnation of Princess Blanches then she would have some familiarity with the map. Maybe she is princess? Nope, no way.

'Geez, it was just a joke' Sean chuckled, pointing at one empty chair as he led Kaycee towards it. 'Sit'.

'No, that's okay. You can sit. I'll stand' Kaycee waved off dismissively, holding onto his shoulders and pushing him onto the chair. Who in the world designs a train waiting area to only have one chair? Who does that?

'Sit with me then' he smiled, pulling her onto his lap, and wrapping his arms around her waist. 'Help me figure this stupid map?' Kaycee nodded her head weakly, holding onto the map as Sean rested his chin on her shoulder.

'It looks like we're right here' Sean started, pointing at a dot in the middle. 'Then we take the train down this way...' Kaycee had zoned out after Sean said those words, too focused on the way Sean's arms wrapped around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder-one move closckwise and his lips would be on her neck.

'It's here! Finally' Sean exclaimed, squeezing her wasit so that she'd stand up. She hummed in response, her cheeks still tinted red at their previous proximity and she was sure he noticed this, because a second later, he connected their foreheads, kissing the top of her nose.

'You look cute with rosy cheeks' he chuckled, intertwining their fingers and leading her inside the train.

The train was...not as expected. It was packed with people, all flushed against each other, very few sitting down in the seats provided.

'You said we could sit down in the train' Kaycee shouted over the chatter coming from different people.

'I clearly had the concept of a train wrong' he whispered into her ear. 'Sorry...if you want I can give you a piggyback if your legs are tired' he offered.

'No-um that's okay. I like standing. I'm fine' Kaycee visibly gulped, giving his hand a light squeeze.

'Well hold on tight, I'm pretty sure trains go super fast' Sean murmured, lacing his hand through both of hers as he pulled her back so that her back pressed against his front. 

And again, Sean was wrong. The train moved slow, well not extremely slow. But slow enough for the ride to be boring and annoying. People continued their chatter with strangers, not caring if they butted into someone else's space.