A/N Respect Erica, as she's my trainsona.
Erica was in the yard at Knapford and saw two female engines, one being Rebecca and the second, a yellow engine, like Rebecca, but not one she knew. While the smaller engine looked on from the edge of the yard, Rebecca's brakes failed and she began to cry due to bumping into Molly, though she hadn't hurt her friend. Rebecca's driver comforted her and so did her friend, giving her a buffer press and looking at her with empathy and compassion as she took in Rebecca's cues to understand what her friend was feeling. She wanted to let her unhappy friend know she was there for her as she tried to avoid being overbearing in her reassurance and empathy and look for opportunities that could help Rebecca in the environment. Molly thought, Practical comfort, as best I can's my goal as I patiently support my sad friend.
Rebecca sniffled, "Driver, I feel very unhappy about bumping into my friend, Molly," huge tears falling from her wide, dark eyes.
Her driver said, "There, there, Rebecca. It's fine. Molly's not hurt. You just need to go to the Steamworks. I understand how you feel, though, so let yourself go", as he dried her tears with a cloth, rubbing her cheeks and wiping her wet eyes.
Rebecca sniffled again, fresh tears pouring from eyes as she cried more, "I couldn't help myself. What if I had hurt or even heavily damaged her?".
Her driver said as he continued to wipe her tears away, "I know it's upsetting for you to have this happen. I'm here for you and shall give you comfort as long as you cry."
Slowly, Rebecca's tears and sniffles subsided and she managed to smile at her driver and friend. Her driver dried her last tears away, wiping her face and damp eyes. She had a drink and then they went off to the Steamworks.
After Rebecca left, Molly spotted Erica. The smaller engine was moving her eyes around.
"Hello, I'm Molly," she said quietly.
"I'm Erica," the smaller engine replied, smiling cheekily.
"I know Rosie said she had a sister that recently came here," Molly said. "You resemble her. I need to get back to work now." And she steamed away to her next job.
Erica watched Molly leave, still smiling. She was happy to have another friend.
Thomas whistled upon arriving in Knapford. My "little sister", if she's available, could be my back engine for the train I'm picking up here. I need one this time, he thought. He went to the yard and asked Erica if she was available to act as a back engine.
Erica said, "I just finished a job, so I can." and whistled happily. She was coupled to the back of her "big brother"'s train. Her dark eyes twinkled and she chattered and laughed to herself.
The "siblings" arrived at the end of the line with their train. Thomas was tired, so he rested on a siding, as his "sister" went back home to Knapford. Then, she, too, rested on a siding, as her crew were going on break. Erica thought of her friends, her crew, her engine friends and Timmy. Then, she thought of the Hatts, her parent figures. She thought of the mean diesels and that made her angry, because she thought of how they delighted in making Thomas sob over his siblings. I hope Diesel 10 never finds out about Rosie and me losing our oldest brother, because then, I'll be like Thomas. Mention of my oldest brother by someone else would make me so sad.
Thomas, during his rest, thought of his "little sister" and how cheerful she could be. I know she's had some tough patches because of the way she is, but she managed to keep her optimistic outlook and smile. She's had a great many tears, though. But I've sobbed myself out of tears, like when she was in her coma or when I've had to face death, my siblings, some of my human friends, like my first driver and also my first love Ashima. But then, I found new love in Rosie, who comforted me, along with my other friends. I've had so much comfort when life's sent unhappiness my way.
The "siblings" got on with the remainder of their day after resting and they each went to their respective sheds, another day over.
A/N Molly's the one Erica didn't know. My FanFiction buddy said Molly and Rebecca, if Molly was used when Rebecca came, could be friends due to similar personalities, introverted and sensitive. Molly's way of comforting Rebecca's based on her personality, according to my FanFiction buddy, as Molly's the type to comfort as I described, according to her. I talk to myself at times, maybe a verbal stim type behavior. Erica's diagnosis story mimics mine, as I was diagnosed with Asperger's in '94, which is true for her.
