He gripped the armrest pensively, his knuckles white, as if the slightest movement would trigger an explosion. The dry, desert scenery rolled by in a hurry outside the train window. A few prickly plants stuck out in defiance every once in a while among the bizarre rocks.
Nature could be truly revolting and beautiful, all at once.
He glanced at the picture gripped in his right hand, moving carefully to avoid waking his slumbering sister.
She snored softly on his shoulder, her short, pitch black hair falling into her face. She was a lot quieter in her sleep.
We're almost there, Yui. Auntie promised this would be good for us. Although, the whole thing would probably end up being a hoax, a rip-off, just like what happened to her... But Kohaku trusted his mother's best friend. Her word was good, when it all went down.
The creaking of the train car did nothing to soothe his nerves. What kinds of people lived in Sorawa Canyon? Were they kind? Hospitable? Would they accept him and Yui? Would the farm even be... Farmable? The cacti stuck out toward the train, as if to warn him to turn back.
But there was no turning back, not now, not ever. They had to leave that place, for better or for worse. He only wished they'd had more time.
Yui murmured incomprehensible phrases and cuddled closer to him.
He realized that was the only reason he'd done it. It was for Yui, for his little sister... Though they were close in age, he'd always see her as someone who needed to be protected. He was her guardian. He would stay like the sun over the landscape, like a sentinel.
If not for her, he surely would have ignored the pleadings for him to escape, whether or not it would've been good for him.
But, as the sizzling, heated rocks rushed by, he realized that a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. They could start anew. Chains no longer held them down from leading normal lives.
A tunnel obscured the scenery from view. A voice crackled on the intercom. "Please prepare to leave. The train is approaching Sorawa Canyon."
Yui stirred, sitting up groggily and rubbing her thin fingers in her eyes. "Almost there?" she yawned.
He nodded. "Yes." His throat felt tight, resisting any desires to talk. There were days like that - with no wish to utter a word. Sometimes it lasted for a long time.
She simply sat and blinked around at the cramped box, her misty blue eyes reflecting the dark wood. She took in the scene, looking from their luggage above their heads to the dark window to the floor, her feet swinging. She'd inherited her mother's small stature.
He huffed a weary sigh. He despised traveling. All the unnecessary packing, only to go out among bustling strangers and stuff himself into a train for hours. The deadweight feeling in his legs left the victim in a state of lethargy for too long. Not to mention the dreaded time difference over long distances.
He never understood his mother's love of travel. He probably never would. What was wrong with staying in one place, where you could get to know people? What was so very daunting about that? Well, she seemed to have been happy settling down with his father. Did she not miss traveling, then?
Another sigh.
"Stop sighing. Soon you won't have any air left," Yui chided dully, taking a book of crossword puzzles out of her bag and hunching over them. He never did understand why she liked them so much.
He could only respond with another sigh, feeling too drained to reply with anything else.
Yui rolled her eyes, saying nothing more.
Suddenly, light burst into the train, throwing the sun's rays back into their faces.
Sitting back, so Kohaku's body would shield her from the sun, Yui frowned. "I wish we could've stayed longer," she pouted.
"Me, too," he rumbled.
Having no answer, she remained silent.
Up ahead of the train rose two ginormous walls of rock, split down the middle in a thin line. The tracks ran straight through to Sorawa Canyon - their new home.
Occupations
All character slots are full and I'm no longer accepting OCs. Thank you all so very much!
Kohaku Takuro (Bachelor, age 20, farmer)
Yui Takuro (Bachelorette, age 17, farmer and explorer)
Alexis Camille Martin (Bachelorette, age 19, waitress 1)
Melba Jean Walton (Villager, 32, restaurant co-owner)
Hiro Tameru Lee (Bachelor, 19, livestock owner)
Shuku Pan (Bachelorette, 19, waitress 2)
Ona Pan (Villager, 50, restaurant co-owner)
Rimu Pan, (Bachelor, 23, Merchant)
Mallory Lorraine Grant (Bachelorette, 18, General Store owner)
Oliver David Grant (Villager, 25, Inn owner)
Matthew Smith [Matt Smith the doctor huehuehue] (Bachelor, 22, Doctor)
Olivia Johnston (Bachelorette, 21, nurse)
Danielle Autumn Peterson (Bachelorette, 18, barmaid)
Brooke Miller (Bachelorette, 19, Carpenter's Apprentice)
Edwin Washer (Bachelor, 25, Carpenter)
Ray Sohera (Bachelor, 19, Fisherman)
Ormond Greene (Villager, 43, Tavern/Bar owner)
Damian Ferry (Bachelor, 21, Jeweler)
Ryan Ferry (Bachelor, 21, Blacksmith)
Rosie May Caydence (Bachelorette, 17, Pet Shop Owner)
Zachary Hawkins (Villager, 27, Mailman)
Georgia "George" Cohen (Villager, 23, Artist/Novel writer)
Sadie Coleman (Villager, 28, Salon Owner)
Celeste/Merida Stansfield (Bachelorette, 250-300ish, Witch/Scientist)
Carter Lee Lynton (Bachelorette, 18, Tailor)
Kenton Arthur Finley (Bachelor, 19, Miner)
Raven Castiel (Bachelor, 18, Blacksmith's Apprentice)
Rine Steiner (Bachelorette, 17, Explorer)