Mallard catches up with his eldest sister, Quicksilver and Tornado is surprised to find out Blue Peter's history from an unlikely source.
18 - Urgent Matters
Mallard sat down in the chair opposite his eldest sister and smiled at her.
"You're like me," he mused, looking her up and down and Quicksilver chuckled.
"Not quite dear," she smiled at him. "But something similar."
Mallard nodded, not really understanding as Herbet hopped down onto the table. The Raven surprisingly avoided the tea and cake on it and immediately hopped over to Quicksilver, surveying her carefully.
"I must say, your friend is very brave," Quicksilver smiled down at the bird and surveyed him. "Got a little bit of magic to them one could say."
"He just, appeared to me when I found myself like this," Mallard explained with a shrug. "He never left my side even when I tried to make him go away and be with his flock. His name is Herbert."
"You named him after Sir Gresley?" Quicksilver asked as she scratched behind the raven's ears. "I don't think he'd like that, you know how he was about Sir Vincent."
"I did think of that, but he never responded to any other name," Mallard mused, staring at the bird as it snuggled closer to Quicksilver. "I think if he could, Sir Gresley would be a mallard. And besides, he loved birds."
"He did love his Mallards," Quicksilver chuckled as Herbert shook himself and hopped back towards the table now eyeing the cake on the table hungrily.
Quicksilver chuckled and cut a piece off for him before turning her attention to Mallard. He was staring at his knees blankly as if trying to think of something to say.
"You seem sad dearest Mallard, would you like to tell your big sister why?" Quicksilver asked with a smile.
Mallard didn't look up at her, instead, he gave a deep sigh and fiddled with his hands.
"I- before I came here I, I came from the museum," he started uncomfortably. Talking to his elder sister was always stressful, especially when he had to tell her difficult things.
"Mallard, please don't be afraid of me. I know I could be judgement and bossy," Quicksilver remarked. "But we can still talk, just like the old days."
Mallard gave a shudder but still refused to look up at Quicksilver.
"According to Sir Nigel, you should be afraid of me, being soulless as I am," he muttered sadly.
Quicksilver stared silently before giving a humph.
"I knew he had trouble with being tactful!" Quicksilver snapped. "I am quite annoyed with him. I will have a word with him later. He never did handle dealing with you in a meaningful way!"
Mallard looked up at Quicksilver hesitantly, she looked furious.
"You knew about me?" He asked and she nodded to him.
"Merlin told me a lot in the hopes that I would protect you should I be saved from the cutters torch," She explained. "The only other engine he told was Scotsman, although Scotsman had limited knowledge due to him being too cowardly to take up the role as ambassador. He was gifted the knowledge of Gold Dust far too late and he is still far too naive to its uses and power. Had he actually not been a coward, I think he would have been able to help you long before this mess started."
"Merlin trusted you?" Mallard asked hopefully and Quicksilver gave him a gentle and understanding smile.
"Merlin didn't trust Sir Nigel, he thought him too stuffy and by the book. Not the most compassionate engine which Sir Gresley wanted as his representative but still he was the best choice of the remaining LNER engines," she told him. "Merlin trusted King, Myself, Polly and he went to Scotsman for help too."
Mallard looked up at the mention of Merlin.
"Merlin never met Flying Scotsman," Mallard pointed out. "He always saw him as an arrogant show off."
Quicksilver nodded to him. "Merlin did take offence to Scotsman certainly, but after Thompson stole your soul and we began to be scrapped, he grew desperate. Merlin made Scotsman vow to protect you and he did, despite your actions against him."
"Protect me? Scotsman didn't protect me, how did I become this?! How is this protecting me? I don't even know what happened to me!" Mallard shouted furiously. "Everyone seems to think I'm some kind of villain! I get it! I went overboard with boasting about my record but, but! I don't- I don't know who I am anymore. Maybe I never knew."
Mallard had gotten up mid-rant and stalked away from the gazebo, almost tripping on a rock snapping him out of his anger. He turned and looked at Quicksilver who was looking at him empathetically while Herbert was staring at him, making soft almost mournful cawing noises, distressed at seeing Mallard like this.
"Quicksilver, what happened to me? Why am I… this?" Mallard asked her, a defeated look in his gaze.
"How much do you remember dear?" Quicksilver asked and Mallard strained, furrowing his brow as he tried to remember.
"I-" Mallard stared ahead, deep in thought.
The memories were unclear and hazy. The more he tried to grasp them, the more they slipped through his fingers.
It was almost as if someone had severed them as if a thick black fog clouded his view. Yet he could things, hateful things, malicious things that scared him yet… They were his feelings.
It feel as if he could finally breathe, as if his boiler tubes had been blocked for decades and now they had been cleaned, the steam clean and flowing freely. He felt 'alive' for the first time in ages.
"I just feel like… a large part of my life was stolen from me," Mallard exclaimed shakily as a cold slowly crept over him, making his extremities tremble. "I don't know if I want to remember what I did. Especially if what Sir Nigel said is true. Merlin wouldn't be proud of me I was those things he said."
Quicksilver gazed at him sympathetically.
"I know dear," she remarked before holding a hand out. "It's alright, sit down, we can work through slowly and together. But other things take precedence right now."
Mallard nodded, confused and unsure of what to do. He didn't understand what was going on, but he knew that he could at least rely on his eldest sister.
"What things?" He asked, unsure.
"Someone has gone and stolen Ms Gresley's Golden Whistle," Quicksilver explained with a grim tone and Mallard looked deeply concerned. He had been drawn to that golden whistle around her neck. It held importance, he didn't need to have been told that.
He faintly remembered his designer having something similar. He wondered if had been passed down.
"That… thing she wears around her neck?" He asked and his sister nodded.
"Yes," Quicksilver confirmed. "We have no engines able to go and retrieve it from our suspect. And as you can imagine being engines they can't really do much to investigate a human."
"You… want me to go and look for it?" Mallard asked, annoyed slightly. He had wanted to catch up with his sister, he wanted answers and he did not want to be tasked like some luggage boy. "Why can't you look for it?"
Quicksilver nodded to him.
"It seems odd to ask you out of nowhere but the little human life I've carved out for myself has my attention," she explained. "The only other we could send is Cock 'O the North but he's returning to Scotland to attend to his farm. And besides, this could be a good way to prove yourself."
"Rooster is still around?" Mallard sat up suddenly, excited that the old P2 has somehow survived. Mallard had always liked the big engine, he was an incredibly delightful, yet boisterous soul. Rooster had liked Mallard and his little brother Gadwall, happily entertaining the two whenever they saw him in Scotland. Though, he hadn't been pleased to hear that Rooster had managed to get Gadwall and Great Northern to be somewhat friends.
"I knew you'd be happy to learn about that," Quicksilver smiled. "That said, do you like Ms Olivia?"
"She reminds me of Sir Gresley, even though she's, well."
"A woman?" Quicksilver questioned and Mallard looked sheepish and nodded.
"Attitudes towards women have changed in this day and age, be careful what you say," she warned and Mallard nodded again hearing Quicksilver's 'disapproving' voice.
Olivia being director had been his first indication of that.
"I like Ms Olivia, I think she's wonderful," " Mallard corrected himself, trying to not step on any toes. "Is she alright?"
"She was taken ill after her golden whistle from Scotsman was stolen," Quicksilver explained grimly and Mallard seemed to flinch at the mention of the famous A3 and he looked away worried.
He had according to Sir Nigel tried to kill Olivia yet, Olivia had treated him with nothing but respect. Not only that but she had been incredibly vulnerable had he possibly been violent. Although something told him that Olivia would have won a fight against him despite being heavily pregnant.
Gresley's just had that 'fight' in them and Olivia seemed to be no exception.
"Why would you even trust me?" Mallard sighed. "Aren't I supposed to be some terrible monster? Aren't you afraid of me hurting Olivia like Sir Nigel was? Aren't you afraid of me stealing this… golden whistle of Scotsman's?"
Quicksilver did not answer, only holding her hand out to him.
"Come little brother," she gave him an encouraging smile. "I want to show you something."
Mallard stared at her confused but relented and took her hand. If it meant answers, he would happily take her up on the request.
"It wasn't us we swear Edward," Bill called to the elder blue engine.
"No, no, it was that growly diesel!" Ben insisted and Edward frowned at both of the saddle tanks before him.
"I've told you before about taking advantage of Bear's excitable nature!" Edward scolded and the twins looked at each other, almost offended by the blue engine's assumption.
"How can we take advantage of him if he ain't even here?" Ben asked pointedly.
"Yes, don't look at us Edward, that diesel never turned up to work and us and Timothy have been overworked since yesterday morning!" Bill backed his brother up.
Edward now looked concerned.
"Bear never showed up to work?" Edward suddenly asked and the two saddletanks glanced at each other.
"That's what we just said!" Ben complained but Edward barely heard the saddletank as he looked away, his thoughts elsewhere.
"I apologise for making assumptions," Edward quickly corrected himself and gazed at the now irritated twins who were now puffed up and looking incredibly annoyed. "Do you know where Bear is?"
"If we knew that we'd have dragged him here to help us!" Bill shouted loudly, very annoyed.
"Yeah, it's not fair on us, always having to work overtime!" Ben agreed and backed up his brother.
Edward profusely muttered apologies to the two huffed-up twins before he hurried away to try and find the Class 35.
It was extremely out of character for the engine. Bear was incredibly diligent and he was very reliable. For him to just suddenly not show up for work, even with the twins as troublesome as they were, was extremely out of character for him.
Edward was about to search along the mainline when he suddenly saw Sir Topham flagging him down.
"Hello, Edward!" the man cheerily waved to him despite the worried look on his face.
"Hello sir, is everything alright?"
" I was wondering if you knew where Bear was?"
Edward frowned. "I'm currently searching for him sir, the branch line director told me that the Claypits were behind schedule because Bear didn't show up. It's highly unusual for him sir, Bear is usually one of the most reliable engines on my branch line."
Sir Topham looked incredibly worried and nodded to Edward.
"I agree, it is highly unusual," Sir Topham remarked. "He only yesterday had his engine serviced and maintained, I doubt he broke down. I wonder if it has anything to do with Ms Parsons…"
"Sir?" Edward looked at him confused but the Controller just shook his head and gestured for Edward to continue.
"If you do find him, let me know won't you Edward?"
"Yes sir, I will sir!" The old Furness promised cheerily and Sir Topham nodded to him, waving him off before going back into Wellsworth station.
Edward frowned as soon as the man was out of sight.
He had a feeling and it wasn't a good one.
Bear often went up to the castle to see Stephen whenever he had some spare time. With Coppernob being famous around Barrow, Bear would have no doubt tried to talk to him and be fanatical.
He had a very good idea of what had happened.
The trouble was finding the Hymek.
Edward set off down the line, determination on his face.
"Are you sure that using a Golden Whistle will work?" King Edward I asked Ms Parsons as the woman paced beside him in the shed.
The woman narrowed her eyes and glared at him. The King Class was unflinching, however. He had put his trust in this woman. He did not want it to be unfounded.
"Engines shouldn't question humans," Ms Parsons scolded and King Edward I glared at her. "It is not the Great Western Way."
King Edward I bit his lip and wanted to retort but held back. She was right of course, it wasn't the Great Western Way to question superiors. It was however if an engine didn't understand instructions.
He evened out his expression and smiled at the elder woman.
"I apologise, ma'am, you of course are right," The King Class's tone became clipped and proper. "I only wish to understand. I have trust in you, of course, but I am still trying to comprehend how such a small device will be powerful enough for what we want to achieve."
There was a pause and Ms Parsons stopped her pacing. She looked at him, stern and deeply irritated.
King Edward I knew that Ms Parsons held contempt for engines, it was plain as day on that ugly face of hers. Never had a care for anyone other than herself, even when her husband still ran the Great Western Engines.
King Edward I paid it no heed however, she was a human, someone with a short life and who wasn't long for the world. He would be on this Earth long after her and her ego had gone.
"I suppose it would be a bit much for a simple engine to understand," she relented with a dismissive gesture. "Think of the whistle like a valve. It's not the thing that stores the gold dust but a device to release it."
The King Class supposed that it made sense. The Golden Whistle was merely a conduit to the source of the Gold Dust. Which then begged the question, wouldn't Flying Scotsman notice that his Golden Dust was being siphoned off? He frowned, concerned now.
He didn't particularly want to entangle the Scotsman in their plans. The engine had a lot of weight and persuasion when it came to the heritage authorities even when he wasn't the LNER representative.
"Ms Parsons, this may alert Flying Scotsman, we cannot risk him interfering," The King Class advised and Ms Parsons just glared at him.
"He probably already knows because that spoilt brat told him, yet he has done nothing!"
King Edward I frowned. Scotsman most definitely would have not stood idly by. He would have done something. This woman was too arrogant to acknowledge that however and he knew that she wouldn't listen to him.
"This was-" He was about to chastise the woman but then caught himself. This woman was volatile and wouldn't stand for even the slightest suggestion from someone else, the only thing he could do was urge her to quicken her plans. "I suggest we move fast. We can use the Golden Well at Ulfstead instead of the whistle. Lady Olivia will not take threats lightly. She or Scotsman may have already sent people to stop us."
Ms Parsons glared at him and he could tell she was about to start screaming at him but was stopped when one of the mechanics entered.
"Someone here to see you, ma'am," the mechanic gruffly informed her before sauntering off as a large man approached them.
Ms Parsons stared at him annoyed.
"What is it Aaron!?" She snapped.
Aaron said nothing, only pulling a golden whistle out of his jacket pocket. Ms Parson's vile grin reached her eyes and she eagerly eyed the artifact. She turned to the King Class with an arrogant look.
"I won't have you question me again, engine," she snapped at him before turning back to Aaron and greedily snatching the whistle out of his hand. "Tonight I want you to get that young engine here and I won't have any excuses!"
With that the woman stormed out of the engine sheds, King Edward glaring at her back all the way. The sooner he rid of this woman, the better.
"What about my money!" Aaron shouted at her but she was already gone. He glanced at the King Class who was now looking down at him distastefully.
Aaron sneered at the engine and quickly rushed off to chase down the woman while the King Class merely watched on.
Horrible little things, these humans.
Journeying to the Bluebell had been awkward to say the very least.
There was an awkward air between King Edward II and the young iron, Tornado, neither of them saying a word while their crew prepared and set off for the South.
Tornado could tell that the King Class wanted to say something, even when she was coupled behind him, she could tell from the restless rocking of his frames that his smokebox was agitated with thoughts and questions.
It distracted her from Chloe, or Kestrel, as she was apparently called, her sister of all things. An A1 Peppercorn that had hidden themselves in plain sight to her all this time. Her engineer, sister, was on her footplate at the invitation of Matthias.
Her driver had tried to get the two to talk to each other but Tornado had refused much to his confusion. They had after all been very close when Tornado had been newly built. Chloe just stood awkwardly, trying not to get in the way of her crew and answering their questions as quickly as she could.
Tornado honestly didn't know how to feel about it. On one hand, she felt grateful that after all this time, one of her siblings was still around to pass on her knowledge. On the other hand, she felt betrayed, hurt that Chloe had not come out and just told her who she was. She doubted that Olivia would have known, even Iain and the other engineers hadn't known until the previous day.
She had seen how her engineers had jumped at the chance to ask Chloe questions and how she had admittedly almost run away and hide from them in response.
She could understand her sister not revealing herself in that regard. She probably didn't understand what they were saying any better than she did.
Still, it had been 16 years and Chloe had not said a thing to her. Tornado felt it only natural that she'd feel some kind of resentment.
"Am I the reason why Truro gave up his position as leader of the Great Western?" King Edward II suddenly asked out of nowhere shaking Tornado's thoughts from her smokebox.
"Huh? What?" Tornado blurted out of confusion. She'd been so stuck in her smokebox that she hadn't even heard the King Class's question.
"Truro, he retired from the position of leader for the Great Western's old guard," King Edward II repeated sounding a tad annoyed.
"He did?" This was the first Tornado had heard of it. "Why did he do that? Did something happen?"
Tornado knew that Truro had been quite unwell after the incident with Mallard. But the last time she had seemed him, he seemed to be fine. That said, Truro often put on a brave face and cloaked the fact he was quite ill.
Something Scotsman used to do and still did occasionally. Tornado silently tutted. They were quite hopeless those two lovebirds. It was no wonder that both of them were infatuated with each other.
"I just asked if he retired because of me!" King Edward II snapped annoyed.
"I'm sorry I didn't hear you the first time!" Tornado snapped back. "Don't get irritated at me, my mind was on other things you snotty engine!"
"Tornado," Matthias warned but Tornado just humphed in response.
"He was being rude to me," she muttered. "You expect me to just take it lying down? You all were saying I could defend myself."
"I apologise," King Edward II hurriedly explained sensing Tornado's irritation. "I just want to know if it was my fault that the City of Truro has given up his role as leader."
"Why would it be your fault?" Tornado asked confused.
"For leaving him to Mallard, for not standing up to my brother sooner, for being a pathetic coward," King Edward lamented.
Tornado stared at the back of his tender confused. Why was King Edward II blaming himself for Truro's apparent resignation?
"I doubt Truro resigned because of you," She said after a while. "He's got many things going on in his life. He wouldn't resign because one engine pissed him off. He's not like that."
King Edward II said nothing and only travelled in silence for the longest time.
Finally, he spoke, "So Truro is angry with me for more than how I treated Tydfil and abandoned him to Mallard."
Tornado didn't want to bite back at the King Class, he sounded solemn and deeply hurt. Truro's opinion of him obviously meant the world to him.
"You really value Truro's opinion of you don't you?" She observed quietly. "Would you be the same about Lode Star or his replacement?"
King Edward rumbled deep in his boiler in response.
"Are you calling me a director's pet?" He scolded. "If so, I greatly resent that young Tornado. I do not care for the opinions of Lode Star or my elder brother."
"Elder brother? You mean King Edward the First?" Tornado asked innocently and King Edward II bit his tongue so as to not lash out at her comment.
"I am the elder of my twin brother and I," King Edward II explained bitterly and Tornado looked confused.
"Then why are you the second?"
"Our class were named backwards, eldest with newer Kings and youngest with older Kings," he explained and Tornado gave a snort in response.
"That's stupid," she scoffed.
"I agree," King Edward remarked. "But the Great Western Directors were insistent."
There was a brief moment of silence. It was a more comfortable silence than before however, Tornado felt more at ease with the King Class.
"I'm worried that Truro is upset at me, I know that he was before about how we treated Tydfil but, none of that was my fault. My brother-"
"You still chose to treat Tydfil like shit, no matter what your brother says or did," Tornado suddenly scolded. "You could have, you know, been a good person to her regardless."
"But my brother-"
"Your brother has nothing to do with it! He's not responsible for your actions! You are!" Tornado snapped angrily. "Stop making excuses for being an asshole! Do you think I didn't see the look in people's eyes when they were rude to me because they thought they had to? There was never any actual maliciousness behind their words! They were cowards who were afraid of some stupid rules that made them feel 'worthy' in this stupid 'society' you old farts have. It's ridiculous!"
"You don't know what it was like to get preserved! You had to earn your place to be put into preservation! You did not!" The King Class suddenly snapped.
"I know that! So why are you all judging me like I was an engine that had to fight for preservation if I'm not? If you all don't want me in your little 'boys club' fine, I couldn't care less, but I'm not like you lot so why should I be held to standards that don't apply to me?!" Tornado shouted at him. "Why are you judging Tydfil or Evening Star like that? We're not like you!"
King Edward said nothing for a while.
"You… have a point," he reluctantly admitted.
"I know I do!" She huffed. "Maybe Blue Peter will get it through his smokebox that I'm his cousin, no matter what he says!"
"Blue Peter is… a complicated engine, I doubt he will see reason," King Edward II remarked and Tornado's interest was piqued.
"Oh? Why would that be?"
"Blue Peter suffered a lot during preservation," King Edward II explained. "He was abused and neglected and he had no one to turn to for decades. He was extremely alone."
"What do you mean?"
"Blue Peter was left in a shed on his last day of service. His crew abandoned him, never even bothered to clean his firebox out," King Edward tutted and Tornado winched.
Not having your firebox cleaned out after a run was a horrible thing, even if it was for a little while.
"He was left in that shed for a long time, waiting to be scrapped, but he held on to hope that if he wasn't scrapped, he'd at least be able to see Saint Mungo again seeing as Mungo had been slated for preservation," King Edward II continued.
There was a tense silence as the King Class's words felt heavy. It made sense now, why Blue Peter was so obsessed with bringing Blue Peter back.
"Eventually, a man came along looking to purchase a Gresley A3 but Scotsman was the only one left and he was Pegler's precious engine. He reluctantly bought Blue Peter but he made it very clear to your cousin that he was angry that he wasn't an A3," King Edward II explained regretfully. "Blue Peter began to resent the world, especially when he became 'the children's show engine'."
"For Blue Peter?"
"Yes, he hated it but put on a show for the kids," King Edward II mused. "Always complained about it whenever he came to visit his boyfriend at the time."
"Boyfriend? Blue Peter had a boyfriend? I didn't know he was into guys!" Tornado exclaimed in shock.
"He certainly is, into classy ones too," King Edward II gave a soft laugh. "But back then it was frowned upon, so he and my brother, King George, kept it secret. King George was the one who got the Queen's Engine to appoint Blue Peter as part of her entourage after his cylinders exploded. My twin brother despised it."
Tornado stared at the back of the King Class's tender.
"I had… no idea about any of this," Tornado muttered. "Are they still together?"
"No, no, King George broke it off with Blue Peter after he found out how he was treating you," King Edward II muttered, somewhat embarrassed. "King George was furious at how he was treating you and tried to stop him from… ah well, Gold Dust stuff you know?"
"Blue Peter tried to kill me, I know," Tornado growled bitterly. She then gave a small smile.
King Edward II had given her more information than he'd ever hoped for.
"Thank you for this, King Edward," Tornado finally said after a brief moment of silence. "You've told me more than my crews and friends have. I'm truly grateful."
"For what it's worth, I am truly sorry, Ms Peppercorn," the King apologised. "My past behaviour towards you was not good and I, I shamed myself in Truro's eyes."
"You really care about Truro's opinion, don't you?" Tornado asked, this time genuinely concerned.
"I do, he is my hero. He always has been," King Edward II responded with an air of sadness about him. "I should have stood up to my brother, I shouldn't have let things get so bad with Tydfil."
"Yes you should have," Tornado agreed. "You should try to actually help her, not turn her into a spoilt brat."
"I'll try," King Edward II murmured. "If it's not too late."
"What do you mean?"
"I- my brother hid plans from me because he knew I would not agree…" King Edward II stopped himself. "I should not be telling you this."
"If you won't tell it to me then you can tell it to Truro, see how he feels about it!" Tornado threatened and even though she couldn't see his face, she knew King Edward II was horrified.
"My brother's going to do the same thing to Tydfil as Blue Peter was going to do to you!" The King Class blurted out and Tornado's eyes widened in fear.
"Wha- what?! What do you mean?" Tornado squeaked.
"He had plans to erase Tydfil's soul and use her engine to bring back Maindy Hall," King Edward II stated grimly. "I voiced my concerns and he cut me off."
Tornado gave a soft hum. Maybe this was why the King class's attitude had changed. Being cut off from his sibling, his twin sibling had made him lonely or made him rethink his actions.
"I'm sorry, that must suck," Tornado murmured. It was an understatement and they both knew it.
She could literally 'feel' the confusion of the Great Western at her words but sensed the humour in his retort.
"It indeed does suck, Young Tornado."
Gordon found Green Arrow resting in the sheds at Ulfstead after apparently picking a fight with Coppernob. The old Furness engine was taking his anger out on the museum volunteers the poor devils.
For once, Gordon didn't blame Arrow. Coppernob could be a real piece of work at times and Arrow just so happened to like stirring up trouble. Of course, he would antagonise the old Furness engine in his spare time just to amuse himself.
"Hello, cousin! Nice of a 'refined' engine to come and visit silly little me in my lowly squalor. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Green Arrow snidely greeted him and Gordon humphed annoyed. He knew that he would immediately regret this.
But Scotsman had told him that Green Arrow was good at getting answers.
"Great Northern has gone missing," Gordon informed him, deciding to get straight to the point.
Green Arrow raised an eyebrow in response.
"And I'm supposed to care because?" He asked just as bluntly. "No offence Gordon but your brother was one of the nastiest engines on the LNER back in the day. Sure he saved Truro but I don't have any steam to spare for that uptight wretched fool"
"Believe me I don't care for him either," Gordon growled, equally as annoyed. "But he is Lady Olivia's servant. She has fallen ill and her Golden Whistle stolen. Scotsman believes that someone may have kidnapped him to get to Olivia. He recommended that I talk to you, he said you were good at getting information."
"Well then, it is certainly nice to be recognised by the most famous engine in the world," Arrow acknowledged coldly, his voice bitter and sarcastic. "Someone who I don't constantly get compared to enough."
Gordon frowned and gritted his teeth angrily, annoyed at Arrow's dismissal of his brother.
"Be serious," Gordon snapped at him. "I know you don't care for me and my brothers but Olivia is the one who saved you from being turned into an exhibit! You could at least return that courtesy!"
Green Arrow stared at him for a long time. He gave a soft hum before giving Gordon a devious smile.
"I suppose you're right," Green Arrow relented. "But I need some assurance that you're not taking me for a fool."
"Pah!" Gordon humphed. "You take me for the kind of silly engine that plays pranks?"
Green Arrow hummed mysteriously.
"I think James would say that you do," the V2 smirked at him and Gordon immediately started glaring at his cousin. "Thomas would have a few words to add to that."
Gordon wheeshed steam annoyed. Curse the Arrow, his brother was right, somehow Green Arrow had gotten information on him.
"Don't be so sour Gordon, I just like to gather my cards in case I need to play them," Arrow explained cheerily. "Like right now for example."
"I'm being genuine," Gordon resisted the urge to add, 'unlike you,' to the end of the statement.
Green Arrow seemed to consider his words before smiling at Gordon.
"Tell you what Gordon, I'll bite," the V2 surprisingly agreed. "But you have to do one favour for me in return."
Gordon gritted his teeth and bit back his annoyance.
"What is it?" He growled out, expecting something horrendous or horrible.
"Every time you see Thomas, you have to compliment him," Arrow ordered and Gordon raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"Really? Is that all?"
"Yes, and I'll know if you aren't doing it, I speak to Thomas regularly,so when he comes back from the Bluebell you'll be nice or we'll have issues," Green Arrow smiled at him sweetly.
"Why? Is this a joke? A prank?"
"No prank, Thomas is my friend and I like it when he's cheerful, confused but cheerful," Arrow gave a soft genuine laugh. "But fear not, I'll have a snoop around, and see what I can find. Compliments to Thomas or no info nuggets for you dear fellow."
"My brother also offered to speak on your behalf if you wanted to go to a railway or gala," Gordon offered but Arrow just immediately scoffed and began glaring at Gordon.
"Don't patronise me! I don't need the Flying Scotsman's blessing," he snarled angrily. "I spent more than enough time being ignored by him and his siblings. I have my own fans just as he does! You can take his offer and tell him to shove it up his-"
"Alright, alright I get it," Gordon quickly cut Green Arrow off sensing his cousin about to go on a rant.
Green Arrow released steam from his valves and looked to be trying to calm himself. He seemed to shake his frames before focusing on Gordon.
"You know you're a lot better than your siblings," Green Arrow mused and Gordon stared at him confused. "You're a jerk to me for sure but it doesn't hide the fact you're a big softy unlike those who worked on the LNER. They were always more concerned about being selfish pricks than recognising an engine's good work."
"I am not a big softy," Gordon argued but Arrow just chuckled. "My brother is the big softy."
"I've seen how you interact with the other Sudrian engines," Arrow pointed out. "I'm observant, no matter how much you try to hide it, it's obvious to me how much you care for your friends and how much they care for you."
"Is this what your little thing with complimenting Thomas is? You trying to prove a point?" Gordon asked annoyed, but secretly touched that Arrow had noticed how much he cared for his friends. Not that he would ever admit it.
"No, Thomas was complaining to me that you don't show your friendship as much as you should, I'd like to change that," Arrow explained matter of factly.
Gordon stared at him before giving Green Arrow a faint smile. It made him feel guilty, knowing that Thomas didn't feel appreciated.
"Alright, I'll compliment Thomas," Gordon finally agreed and Arrow returned his smile.
"Would it also trouble you to return greetings to me too? Or is that a bit much for an A3?" Arrow suddenly spoke up.
"For an A3? Perhaps," Gordon huffed. "But for an A1 like me? I'll consider it."
A look of genuine happiness seemed to wash over Green Arrow as a wide smile spread across the V2's face.
"That's all I ask Gordon," Green Arrow grinned at him and for some reason, Gordon felt his boiler feel a little lighter.
Hello! It's been a month, or just a little over a month. My ass is being kicked by work and I've also started delving back into Godzilla things for the one or two people who know of my Shin Monsterverse series. I'm revisiting it and doing a few new things for it so if you're curious, maybe check out my other stuff as Bakunawa?