The Island of Sodor was in the middle between the Main Island and Chuggington Town. Here, a wide, short man with a black top hat, walked up the little yard stairs with a young girl walking a few steps behind him while holding her suitcase handle in one hand.
The place was a wide courtyard with no fence and there stood 3 big mansion housings, one on the left, middle, and right. The one on their right was the biggest, then the middle one, then the smallest one was on the left- which was pretty big as well.
In the middle of the cobblestone yard, there was a big oak tree. Not very big, but big enough for people to climb on it and won't risk its branch snap under their weight.
The man with a black suit and top hat smiled at the young girl and told her to "Wait here for a moment." before going to each of the houses, rang the bell, told something to the one person opening the door, and so on. Eventually, the young girl saw people, young and old, teenagers and adults, coming out of the mansions or staying on their doorway or even leaning out of their windows. There are probably 50 or 60 people and more which made sense since the mansions are quite big. But one thing for certain, all of them are there (mostly) and they were all looking at the young girl in the middle of the courtyard.
The young girl's eyes were hidden under the navy blue newsboy cap on her head. She wears somewhat baggy clothes which were a simple white long buttoned shirt, black trousers, socks, and shoes, while her small figure was also covered with a worn out blue overcoat which made her look smaller. They can see that she has gray hair at least, which was tied down in a low middle chest-long ponytail. The color itself was not surprising even at her age, people have colourful natural hair colour, considering there are Anomaly People who have anomaly powers.
Sir Topham Hatt, the man with the black suit and top hat cleared his throat to get their attention, "Good afternoon everyone, as you can see, we have a new member to join our number, specifically she is going to stay at the Steamies House. Now, Jimena, can you introduce yourself?" Sir Topham smiled at the young girl who nodded and nervously removed her cap as a manner of politeness.
They all can see that she also has the same shade of grey eyes like her hair. Her eyes nervously darted here and there before she finally introduced herself, "Hello.. my name is Jimena Greysworth.. Nice to meet you all and Uhm- I'm looking forward to stay and work with you all.." she bowed a little before straightening up.
James then spoke up from the window he was leaning on at the 2nd floor, "Hey, I know you! You're the girl who bumped into me this morning after I pulled my passenger train!" he said indignantly.
Jimena frantically placated with nervousness radiating all over her body language, "I- I already said I'm sorry- I'm sorry really- I-"
Sir Topham calmly put his hand on her shoulder, "Calm down Jimena, it's alright. It was a small accident. None of you was hurt and James was just teasing." He lightly narrowed his eyes at James who harrumphed and looked away, but didn't give her anymore grief over it for now.
"I- o-okay.." Jimena looked down and felt embarrassed that everyone saw that.
Meanwhile, the adults either look on with raised eyebrows or slight concern regarding her reaction at James' jab. But otherwise no one said anything about it.
Sir Topham Hatt smiled reassuringly at her before continuing, "She is 13 years old with a lightning anomaly which is perfect for her to be our technician intern. She will mostly interning at Sodor Steamworks with Victor, as the head of our Steamworks," he motioned for Victor, a Hispanic man with kind eyes waved to her, "Along with Luke as our part-time technician who is not here for the moment. As an intern, there are other random jobs that I will personally brief her later in the week. I hope you all gave her a warm welcome and make her comfortable in her stay. Other information like her guardian will be followed up later in the week. Any questions?"
James shot his hand up and when Sir Topham asked, "Yes James?" the 16 year old teenager immediately asked, "Are you sure she is 13 Sir? She doesn't look like she's more than 9 with how small she is."
Indeed she is, which was what others thought as well, especially the adults. Jimena herself looked down and didn't dare to say anything. James was not that far off and she did lie about that, but she really needs this job..
There's a lot Sir Topham still didn't know about Jimena, but one certain fact was glaringly obvious to him that she should be a teenager already, "That might be James, but genes are a curious unknown thing that we should not judge and she also has her anomaly, which to everyone who has it, can only manifest their anomalies when they are 13 and up. The youngest case I've heard is probably 12, and her I.D also says she is 13. So I hope you all respect her for that." There were murmurs of compliance and agreement for that, but since James had said it out loud, it's hard for the adults to see her as a teenager since she does look like a small child.
The youngest case was 12 which was normal for a manifestation. But the public still didn't know that anomaly powers can also be manifest when the child has an extreme traumatic experience, which she has. And faking her I.D was easy if you know the right people which she did when she ran away from home..
Jimena shook her head from all of her over thoughts when Sir Topham spoke again, "Are there any more questions?" when there was none, he continued on, "Then that is all for today. Edward, can you help showing her around the houses and the occupants? I will ask Luke tomorrow to give her a brief of what her general job would be like."
Edward smiled and nodded, "Of course Sir. I'll be happy to."
Sir Topham nodded, "Good. Thank you Edward." He then looked down at Jimena and softened at the nervous and scared look in her face that she's trying desperately to hide but failing, "I will see you soon Jimena. Don't worry, you'll be taken care of for all your needs and Edward will be in charge as your temporary guardian for now until we choose the official one." He chuckled at her confused expression, "If you are curious about this 'guardian' thing, you can ask the kids in the house for some explanation and I'm sure the others would be kind enough to explain it to you." He patted her shoulder warmly, "Good day Jimena."
Jimena quickly nodded, "Good day to you too Sir Topham Hatt.." she saw him left and Edward lightly touched her shoulder from behind to get her attention, but Jimena flinched away which Edward purposely ignored for now and smiled warmly to the child.
"Come with me Dear, I'll show you around after we put your stuff into your room. Is this all of it?" he asked kindly while gesturing to her suitcase which was by her feet.
"Oh- uh- yes, yes- it's- it's all of it." She scrambled in her attempts of words, which Edward only smiled softly at her before reaching for her suitcase.
"W-Wait, it's okay I can carry it on my own.." she trailed off when Edward carried her suitcase in one hand.
"It's alright Dear, I'm happy to help. Now let's go inside the house you're going to stay with. The Steamies House." He gestured to the house and walked in. Jimena only hesitated for a moment before she followed suit, nervousness radiating all over her when entering what she would say a homey private establishment. She also realized belatedly that everyone had already returned to their own houses between the three mansions, so she and Edward were the last ones to get inside.
Edward showed her of the hall near the entryway where there were multiple shoe drawers on the left side and was already individually named. Edward showed her the one drawer for her to put hers in.
On the right side there were multiple hangers to hang coats and caps on. This was also individually named. But Jimena didn't take off her coat yet and her cap is on her head for now.
They passed what looked like a wide living room, dining room, and bathrooms before Edward gestured for her to follow him and went up the stairs. Where the 1st floor only has a door for their bathrooms and one other room that Jimena still hasn't know what, the 2nd floor was full of many doors which Jimena assumed that this was everyone's personal rooms, which she was proven right when Edward opened one door directly in front of the stairs and went in.
"This will be your room Jimena." Edward gestured to the simple square room with a bed, a chair, a desk, a wardrobe, and a bookcase, "You can decorate it however you like after you settle in. Now, let's have a tour and meet the others, shall we?" he put her suitcase in the room before Edward closed it again.
"The second floor is for bedrooms. Directly beside you is Duck's, and the one across from Duck's is the Scottish Twins, and the one beside the Scottish Twins is Emily's. We'll get on to the others later, while the door beside the stairs here, beside your bedroom are for bathrooms. There are individual stalls in the bathroom and there are 5 of them on the second floor. The one we passed on at the first floor has 15 stalls, but even then if we have to shower at the same time or clean up to eat, we'll have to go fast to get clean up first or else we'll have to wait for our turns. But don't worry, you won't have to worry about it for today and for the next few. You'll be given the privilege to go first since you are new here." Edward smiled and motioned for her to follow him down the stairs.
"This here on the stairs' left is the dining room. There are two doorways, one near the stairs and one near the front door entryway. Near that doorway, there's a big whiteboard for everyone to write their shifts and duties, along with the chores turn so everyone will be easily reminded and can be reminded by everyone. Don't worry about the chores for now, since you will do much more learning for the next few days to familiarize yourself, you'll be spared from the chores." The whiteboard also has a hanging box beside it which was filled with colourful markers to write on and some board erasers.
The room in the back, where the door was right before the stairs, was their reading room and was filled with a small library of bookshelves, 4 long tables that were put in a square position, lots of chairs, and a few armchairs at the corners of the room. Edward told her that this room was usually used for learning and private studies which she will also have some schedule for the studies she will have like the other teenagers do in the house, when she has settled in for the week.
Edward then steered her to go to the right side which was their living room, and inside, were the occupants of the Steamies House, "This here is our living room, and.." he smiled, almost cheekily, not mean and still was kind but that did nothing to sooth Jimena's nerves when she saw how many people in the room filled with wide long couches and armchairs, "Let's meet all of the people in the house, shall we? The only quiz for the day is the names of all the people in the three mansions, so.. let's start the introduction." The people in the room started smirking in kind and smiled cheekily. None of them has any ill-meaning, but that didn't stop Jimena from gulping in a spike of nervousness.
She hoped her memory capacity in her mind didn't fail her today.
After the long various introductions, Edward asked her to point our everyone and their names to help her remember who is who, so she did, "Erm.. you're Edward, James," she would remember the older tall boy who she bumped with at her first time in Knapford Station, "Henry, Hen-ri..etta?" at the older woman smiled and encouraged her with a nod so she continued on, "Uhm- Montague," there's no way she's calling the man 'Duck' when they are still basically strangers, "Donald and Douglas," she pointed at the right person for the name and surprised the identical twins, but the twins thought that she probably remember their sitting position so it was easier for her to remember, "Bill and Ben.. Timothy, Ryan, Stanley, Char-les?"
Charlie chuckled, "Close, you can call me Charlie."
"Right, erm- Gordon, Rex, Emily, Marion, Kevin, Victor, Rheneas, Skarloey? Falcon- or Sir Handel.. Peter Sam, Glynn, Millie-" and so on and on, Jimena named all of the occupants in the house who are currently present. She forgets a few names but all and all, she's done good for her first time guessing.
"That was very good Jimena. You have a good memory." Edward said proudly which made her perked up a bit, "Now, let's continue to the Chuggers House." And.. she's back to deflating to her nervous state which was noticed and brings out chuckles from some of the older occupants.
At the second house she met the 'Chuggers' who work at Chuggington Railway at Chuggington Town. She remembers Chatsworth, Wilson, Irving, Koko, Hoot and Toot as they were called, little 4 year old Piper who was probably the only one younger than her from all the people here and the granddaughter of Old Puffer Pete, and so on.
Edward repeated the quiz also in the third house which housed the 'Diesels' who drive Diesel trains. She remembered more nicknames than she had ever been before in her life with Diesel, Diesel-10? There's even Salty, normal ones like Mavis, Philip, Sydney, and so on.
By the end of the day, which was late afternoon, Jimena was already beat and her head was almost exploded with the excessive information of 50 to 60 people's names, and not all of them were in the house either. There were probably still more people that she wasn't introduced to yet, but Edward took pity on her and brought her back to the house to clean up for dinner.
Dinner itself was another different affair..
It was quite loud, so many people were talking to each other that it was intangible. Some were already seated and some served the food around the table. Not knowing what she should do and not used to this kind of crowd makes her head throb which she unconsciously rubbed her forehead to sooth it.
"Jimena? Are you alright?" Edward asked her with a worried frown.
Jimena quickly nodded, "I'm fine.. uhm.."
Edward, bless him, knew immediately what Jimena was about to ask, "You can sit right here near the door. I'm sitting right here." Edward showed that he sat at the head of the table near the door at the very end which was northwest sideways from her.
Relieved that Edward was nearby, Jimena sat at her seat and waited nervously for the food to be served. The Scottish Twins, Donald and Douglas apparently sat across from her while beside them sat Emily and then James, Gordon, and so on. The one beside her was Montague, and then Rex, Mike, Bert, and so on.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Jimena quickly focused back on the task when the food was served.
Jimena was so used to having little food on the street, she didn't realize she ate so little for someone her 'age'. She didn't even realize the frowns from the adults nearby when they noticed how little she ate.
Donald and Douglas looked at each other before Donald suddenly said, "Ay Duck, why don't ye eat more of this cheese soup bread? We're already full, ain't we Dougie?"
"Yes, we can't finish them off on our own. Why don't ye help as well Jimena? Duck can't possibly finish it off on 'is own." Douglas added. Duck shot them a weird pointed look for putting him on the spot while Jimena froze, not knowing what to respond.
Duck sighed but played along since he also noticed how little the child ate, "As much as I'm already full as well," Duck shot a pointed look to the twins who innocently grinned, "We do need to finish it. Is it okay with you Dear?" he asked Jimena who nodded, "Yes.. it's alright.."
Duck spreaded the cheese soup inside the bread before giving it to Jimena who thanked him and ate it gratefully. Subtly, Duck put more on her plate while the Scottish Twins gave her some to 'taste test'. When they noticed she ate more slowly than before they stopped offering since they don't want to upset her stomach.
"Full?" Duck asked which Jimena nodded to, "Then let's put the dishes away. Come." Duck took over since Edward was still busy conversing with Gordon, so he showed Jimena where to put the dirty dishes and where the clean ones are, the utensils, the fridge, and everything else in the kitchen.
Jimena likes how Duck subtly and soft spokenly showed her around the kitchen without necessarily pulling the attention of people nearby who still ate. It admittedly calms her nerves quite a lot more than any of them realize.
"-And that's it. You can go and have a bath now if you like. I'm going now as well, before the others finish and crowd the bathrooms." Duck said and turned to his attentive listener who nodded and muttered a grateful thanks before quietly following him out of the dining room and went upstairs to get their clean clothes and went to the bathrooms.
Still feeling nervous in a new place, Jimena cleaned up quickly and showered before going back to her room, unpacking her suitcase and turning off for the night.
It was quite nice for the first day..
She thought too soon about that..
Jimena sat up and lightly panting while quietly assuring herself that she was safe in The Steamies House.
She's not in the House anymore.. She's not even on the street. She's safe.. She's..
Dang it, she was still too anxious to fall asleep again.
Tossing and turning on the soft bed, Jimena then gives up on sleeping when she doesn't even feel sleepy anymore. She just felt..
Tired..
Sighing, Jimena stumbled out of bed and went out of her bedroom quietly.
Not having any specific thing to do in mind and not wanting to go out in the chilly night, Jimena went to the dining room and sat down on her previous chair.
Sighing, the child slumped down on her seat and lightly thunked her head down on the table.
She was alone for probably 10 or so minutes when suddenly she heard footsteps at the stairs. Jimena didn't lift up her head, but she recognized the person when she heard the voice.
"Jimena?" Jimena lifted her head up and slowly looked behind her to see one of the Scottish Twins at the bottom of the stairs, looking at her incredulously, "What are yee daein' here, Las'? And why are yee still up?"
Jimena blinked and rubbed her eyes. She was tired but not sleepy, "Hello Mr. Donald.. Sorry, did I wake you up?"
Donald was surprised that she guessed his name right on the bat, but figured it was probably just luck, "Nae, I'm up tae get some watter. Noe dinnae change the subject." he lightly scolded with a light amusement in his voice which made the girl relaxed a little.
"I.. can't sleep." She admitted, "I'm sorry.." she added. She knew the younger occupants including her have curfew when they don't have any work to do at night. Edward had explained it to her earlier.
Donald looked at the girl, scrutinizing her rigid and tense posture, combined with her tired eyes, he understood completely what she's going through, "Nae, dinnae apologize. It's nae yer fault. First night jitters, am Ah right?"
Surprised that he's not mad, which was noticed by Donald when her grey eyes widened, Jimena nodded hesitantly, "I'm tired, but I just can't sleep.." she admitted.
Donald nodded in understanding, "How aboot Ah make yee some warm milk? It will help yee fall asleep."
Jimena hesitates, "You really don't have to.. I'm fine, really." She said rather nervously.
Donald shot her a knowing grin, "Yee know, sometimes the ane who says that is not always alright like thae said," he says nonchalantly, Jimena looked away, not admitting to anything, "But how aboot this? Ah'll make warm milk fur both of us. Soonds good?"
Jimena can't really refuse the offer. She doesn't know anything else to help her sudden insomnia, and Donald is also making one for himself, so she nodded shyly, "Thank you Sir.."
Donald smiled softly, "Yer welcome. An drop the 'sir' Las', it's too formal fur me and Dougie." Jimena offered him a wan smile for that and he'll take it as a win.
Donald made two warm glasses of milk as he said and they both drank it quietly in comfortable silence. The Scotsman let the child stay up until she let out a tired yawn before he sent her to bed.
"Good night, Las'. Trah tae get some sleep, alright?"
Jimena tiredly nod, "Good night Mr. Donald.. Thank you again for the milk." before she trudged up the stairs and to her new room.
When Donald heard the soft 'click' sound from the child's bedroom door, he finally let out a weary sigh.
He had to remind himself that the Las' is 13 for numerous times because honestly? She looks and sounds so young, it didn't make sense.
He and Dougie suspected that she lied about her true age like James insinuated earlier, but then again.. she already showed Sir Topham Hatt that she has an anomaly power which usually manifested when a child was 13 years old or maybe 12, so there's no chance that she's younger than that.
Right?
He has a feeling she's younger than what she said, but he can't prove anything against it. Not to mention her grey eyes look so guarded.
Why?
Rubbing his tired eyes, Donald sighed again. He can't think of this alone. He needs reinforcement. Douglas was a definite choice.
Other people though.. he has some people in mind to confide in.
For now though, he has to go to sleep. He has work in the morning.