Hey everyone. I am resuming the story from my phone as my laptop has given up the ghost. Chapter 8 "As the World Spins" has been updated, by the way. Here's a fun little interlude that happens during chapter 8, but from a different perspective. I hope you all enjoy it!
"We've listened more to life's end gong than
The sound of life's sweet bells"
-Missed the Boat by Modest Mouse
"Look at you all dressed up!"
She coos teasingly as riot red lips pull into a teasing grin and deft hands swipe red curls back into a low bun.
"Fuck off." He flips her the bird and she cackles. "You need to get ready and we've less than an hour."
She simply grins. "Ó mo dheartháir beag*, I'm not the one who spends forever in front of his mirror every morning."
He gives her an exaggerated eye roll and another raising of his middle finger as she slides into the bathroom. He loves his loon of a sister. Really, he does. The lock on the door clicks and he rubs his temples.
"You are such a pain in the ass when máthair* and athair* aren't around."
Her giggles are easily heard through the door. "And you aren't?"
"I never said that I wasn't one, ó deirfiúr an-mhaith liom*."
She hums decisively and for a while there is only silence and running water. So he enjoys it while he can, lounging in the hotel chair and browsing the morning paper while he waits. The water stops and he assumes she'll be done soon.
"Any guesses as to how long until athair joins us?" Her voice drifts through the bathroom door.
He shrugs, knowing she can't see him. "Not too sure, honestly. But he'll probably show up when máthair does. It's rather uncanny how they manage it without communicating."
"Mm. Good point."
She exits the bathroom and swipes her hat off the bed, flipping it onto her head and striking a pose.
"I'm ready!"
He just shakes his head and puts on his jacket. "Tá tú ag a leithéid de lón*."
She straightens up, grinning like a mad woman. "Ah but you love me!" She swings the door open and steps out into the hallway. "Shall we, mianach deartháir*?"
He rolls his eyes, again, but there's no denying the affection curling at the edges of his mouth or warming her eyes.
"Yes, yes, mo dheirfiúr míshásta*. Besides, don't you have somewhere to be?"
He playfully shoves her out of the way so he can close the door behind them.
"Not like I'm going be late, tú asal*."
"There's a first time for everything, cailleach*."
The narrowing of her eyes is his only warning before she tries to shove him out a nearby window and takes off down the hallway. He doesn't hit the window, but it's a near thing and he slams into the wall. He knows she saw because she starts cackling like a madwoman.
"Trasna ort féin*!"
"Caithfidh tú a ghabháil liom at dtús*!"
He takes off after her but she already has a head start, waving at him as she flies down the stairs.
"Faigh ar ais anseo, mar sin cuidigh liom dia*!"
She just cackles.
.-.-.-.-.-.
Hazel eyes gleam as she adjusts her bun while waiting on the engineer to start the meeting. Johann isn't here, she remembers something about his wife but she hadn't really been listening. But it means they're now short a person so she's taking all of the cars or they're bringing on a temporary conductor. Then the door opens and there's a brunet with brown eyes.
"Everyone, this is Wilhelm Martin. He's covering for Johann since his wife gave birth last week. Wilhelm, you'll be working with our other conductor, Heloïse, to cover the train."
Done speaking, the man sits and takes a long drink of his coffee. Wilhelm just gives a small wave, tilting his head as he smiles.
"Hallo. I look forward to working with you all."
The greeting is given with a German accent and Heloïse hides her budding grin with the rim of her tea cup. Looks like she found athair. Now, she hopes her brat de dheartháir beag* finds heir máthair soon. Hazel eyes meet brown and her teacup doesn't hide her grin as his smile grows.
Some one groans and she thinks it's one of the porters. The French kid, maybe.
"Saint Mère de Dieu, il y en a deux*."
She called it. Definitely the French kid.
Translations (via google translate so please correct me if I messed something up):
Ó mo dheartháir beag- Irish; Oh my darling little brother
Máthair- Irish; mother
Athair- Irish; father
Ó deirfiúr an-mhaith liom- Irish; oh annoying sister of mine
Tá tú ag a leithéid de lón- Irish; you are such a loon.
Mianach dheartháir- Irish; brother mine
Mo dheirfiúr míshásta- Irish; my most annoying sister
Tú asal- Irish; you ass
Cailleach- Irish; witch
Trasna ort féin- Irish; go fuck yourself
Caithfidh tú a ghabháil liom at dtús- Irish; you have to catch me first
Faigh ar ais anseo, mar sin cuidigh liom dia- Irish; Get back here so help me god
Brat de dheartháir beag- Irish; brat of a little brother
Saint Mère de Dieu, il y en a deux- French; Holy Mother if God, there's two of them