Hey, all-

Ready for a new chapter?

Here we go.

Deryn stood at the train platform, leaning over the rail, straining to see around the bend in the tracks. It was a cold, dank day in Scotland. It was cloudy, which was nothing new, and the sky was threatening to crack, and leak. Deryn had been out of the Air Service for about two years, which meant that she hadn't seen her brother in three years.

Of course, he had no clue that she was coming to meet him at the terminal.

Well, she and her boyfriend, Alek.

Deryn still wasn't sure to how her brother would react to the fact that she was dating the son of archduke Franz Ferdinand. In fact, she wasn't sure how he'd react to the fact that she had a gentleman caller.

Alek came up behind Deryn, with a mug of coffee. Their perspicacious loris, Bovril was perched on his shoulder, sniffing Alek's hair.

"You care for some coffee?" he asked her, and held the mug out. Deryn smiled, nodded her thanks, and took the coffee. She took a quick sip of it, then began to cough and sputter.

"Barking spiders! This is bloody hot!" she exclaimed, her mouth and throat burning in the flame. She felt her eyes water, and regretted taking a sip of the drink. She glanced over at Alek, who laughed at her struggle. She gave him a sharp look, "You cocky git, I've got half a mind to throw this at you for that."

"Sorry, couldn't help it." Alek said, and then raised his mug to his lips, a glint of humor in his eyes. Deryn hit his shoulder lightly, looking back over the railing.

Oh, she couldn't wait much longer. She very well may explode into little Deryn bits. You know… Fun- sized.

Over the trees, coming closer and closer to the station, was a tower of black, billowing smoke. Deryn's smile grew bigger, and bigger as the train got closer and closer.

"Alek, Alek! The train's coming!" Deryn nearly squealed. When she realized this, she mentally smacked herself across the face. She squealed. Like a girl…

Blasphemy.

The train was about thirty or forty cars long, and it was loud. It reminded Deryn faintly of the sounds of animals in the containment hold at the Zoological Society. Immediately, the activity in the waiting area picked up. People began to bustle around, and some were waving. Then, of course, there were people trying to get through, with trolleys packed high with cases.

Bovril climbed up onto Deryn shoulder, and seemed as excited as she was. "Train." It said, rolling the name off of its tongue, like it does every time it learns a new word.

"That's right, Bovril. Train." Deryn affirmed to the perspicacious loris.

The long train rolled to a stop, and let go of some steam. From outside, you hear the hustling and bustling, and the sounds of animals on board. Deryn and Alek moved back a few paces while the conductors led the beasties off the train first. Next, came the passengers.

Deryn drank the rest of her coffee, then threw it away, letting the sugar course through her veins. By now, she was hopping from foot to foot.

Alek put a hand on her shoulder. "Deryn, calm down."

She shook her head. "I can't. I haven't seen my brother in three years and I can't w- JASPERT!"

And Deryn was off.

She weaved through the crowd of people, pushing and shoving, running towards her brother. He looked the exact same as he did when they parted ways. His hair was blond, like hers, and cropped. He had bright green eyes, and was wearing his uniform. There was a bag slung on his shoulder.

Her turned at the last moment, to be tackled by Deryn.

"Deryn?" he exclaimed, putting his arms around her, too.

"Jaspert! Of course it's me you blethering idiot!" she said, letting go of him. "Alek and I came to pick you up from the station."

Jaspert smiled, mockingly. He clasped his hands together, and batted his eyelashes, like a lady. "Oh, you must mean the dreamy Aleksandar of Hohenberg, the brave boy who went up against the Germans!"

Deryn punched her brother's shoulder, none too lightly.

"Oh, cool it you little sod." She murmured, as Alek came up behind her. She had forgotten about Alek. She had kinda… Left him there.

"And you must be Jaspert." He said, sticking his arm out to the blond boy. Jaspert grasped his hand, and gave a hearty shake.

"In the flesh."

"I've heard so much about you."

"So then, you must know about how clever and witty I am, then." Jaspert said, thinking highly of himself. Yeah. Good ole' Jaspert, the boy with an ego bigger than an airship.

"jasper," Deryn began, "we should probably scram off the platform. We'll get in trouble if we wait here any longer. And besides, mother wants to see you. She's waiting outside." Deryn folded her arms, smirking.

Jaspert's face dropped at the mention of his mother. Deryn couldn't help the smile that came to her face as she watched her brother's turmoil. She felt Alek lean over.

"Mother?" he asked.

"You're going to love her." Deryn promised, unable to wait.

Okay, so there you go. I know, it's a bit… Sketchy around the edges. I've written sooooooo much today. But, I promise the next one will be much better.

Okay then.

So long, Darwinists!

Auf wiedersehen, Clankers!

~ Adrasdos Dark.

P.S. Please check out my other stories, and reviews are greatly appreciated! I accept anonymous ones, also…