A/N: I do not own Baccano or Claire Stanfield (or any other Baccano characters who happen to be mentioned)

The Curiosity of Children is Released in Many People

1931:

It had been Claire's first time conducting without Tony. And though it went exactly the same as every other time… It was interesting. It peaked his curiosity. Because. It was a new sensation.

Being alone in the last car.

Especially. Because. It was Tony's lady. He was conducting the Flying Pussyfoot.

And he languidly studied the compartment. A thing he had never had the time or the confidence to do before, in front of Tony. He was still guarded. Even with Tony. Because. He still wasn't sure. Sure of anything. And Claire didn't want to reveal that weakness to anyone. That he cared very much for his mentor. The fatherly old man who taught him so much.

In any case. Claire couldn't deny the fact. That he was fascinated. Fascinated with the trains. He hid it pretty well. But he so just wanted to know. To know everything about trains. Their shape. Their size. How they worked. Where they were going.

They were elegant. In a way he couldn't describe.

They were a thing that would become classic; they would be something ingrained in American culture. He was sure. Even if they were used less and less. Because. Trains were something special. And Claire knew. In his world, trains would always be treasured. At least. By someone. By him. And. That was all that mattered.

And then. That other man; the other one who would be conducting with him, walked in. And Claire couldn't help himself. Somehow. He was so elated. So curious. So on edge. So. He started his story.

Even though. That story. It had already been told that night. To a couple, this time.

She had long blonde hair. And. Wore an elegant red dress. She was lovely. Though she looked ditzy. And. She repeated her companion's words often. It was cute. They were obviously. Very close. And it had actually made Claire smile.

He couldn't remember.

The last time.

That he'd smiled and meant it.

The man was tall, with darker, sandy hair. He was wearing a cowboy getup. The two were totally conspicuous. From the top of their heads to the bottoms of their toes. But they went together so well. And.

They'd looked special.

Bright.

Curious.

Like children.

And that connection instantly made Claire want to protect them. Because. He had a feeling. A feeling that things were about to get interesting. And dangerous. Very dangerous.

But.

He told them the story.

And they'd looked so serious. Wide-eyed. He almost felt bad for telling them. Until. They'd grinned. And then. They gave him a thumbs-up. Told him that it was so very courteous to have told them. And. That he could beat off that monster for sure.

But, the man had said. If you can't, I'll handle it! I'll handle it.

And Claire laughed.

That was before he'd remembered.

What a funny thing.

That he'd forgotten why he was on this train. The Flying Pussyfoot. The train that ran from Chicago to New York. Nonstop.

He'd been called home. Called by his brothers. Because. The Gandors needed help. Help from him. And. When even those three couldn't handle something. It was a big deal. It was urgent.

And Claire could hardly wait to find out what was happening. He was curious. Excited. Flighty. Itching to get into the action. Willing to do anything to protect the people closest to him.

But. That was beside the point. He thought.

Because. As soon as that man. The other conductor. Began to tell his own story. Claire knew things were spiraling down. Out of control. But not his control. Because.

Claire Stanfield was very good at what he did.

And he wouldn't accept this man, trying to make his own story. To defile the Rail Tracer. And. To try and harm his passengers. Claire would not let that happen. Ever. Especially. Because of that couple. They were important. Important somehow. So very important.

And he had backed up. Feigned fear. He had this man dancing in the palm of his hand. And then, when the gun was held up. Claire kicked. And he grinned at the action. Catching the gun in his hand. Yeah. This felt right. And he pulled the trigger.

And then there had been another one. Another intruder. On his train. In that uniform. The one that had become sacred to him.

And something broke. When he heard that man had killed Tony. Something broke, deep inside of him. And the mercy went out the window. If it had ever been there. No. Claire would make sure. All of these people. These black suits. White suits. Yeah, they'd get what was coming to them. What was coming to anyone who tried to hurt his passengers. To anyone who harmed the people he cared about.

And it was curious.

It made him realize.

What he'd been pondering.

Because.

He'd known the Rail Tracer was 'out there'. But.

Out where?

And suddenly, his curiosity was assuaged. Because. The Rail Tracer was a creature of vengeance. And it was inside of him. And Claire realized. That everything had been leading up to this moment. The world was crashing around him. Like waves against the shore.

And the monster was in him.

And it was him.

And it was such a feeling. Something he'd never felt before. And. Claire was alive. Alive with passion and rage, and…

And there she was.

That woman.

Chane. Chane Laforet.

And damn, she was lovely. Beautiful.

And there was something special about her. Something fierce. And he'd hate to have to kill her.

So.

At least that white-suited psycho was good for something.

Because. He'd learned that Chane wasn't with the black suits. Wasn't agreeing with them. She wanted to protect her father. And she was… Different.

She was someone mysterious. Who Claire wanted to learn more about.

Because.

She could keep up with him. Unlike any other woman.

And she was perfect, in his eyes. Not without flaw, but perfect all the same.

And then, once again.

Curiosity.

That woman in the white dress.

So, she was truly, truly in love with that man. The one in the white suit. Who was so, so angry. The one who would die. But.

Claire didn't mean any harm to the woman. No. She'd done nothing to him. And. It wasn't his style to hurt an innocent woman like that. But. He so wanted to know. What would this white-suited thug do?

Yes. Claire had never encountered so many things that made him curious all at once. So. Tony's lady was a special lady indeed.

And when the man had dived off, had grabbed the woman, that Lua…

It almost warmed his heart. So.

He wasn't merely a thug. Huh.

How curious.

But he hadn't had time to rest.

Especially.

When that couple had been in danger.

He'd caught them. Of course. But.

Even Claire Stanfield wasn't strong enough to bring them in.

So he'd found someone who was.

Because. Claire Stanfield would not let his passengers die. Never.

Especially. Not two so curious and happy people like that.

And. All in all.

It was a crazy, flighty, curious, gory day.

And it was a day just like Claire Stanfield.

Vino.

Yeah.

Just another day.