[RL with Sherry and Naoto] [Backdated to Claire's last post]

[immortal_vino]

Early in the evening, just past the supper hour, the Flying Pussyfoot chugged into the station in Salt Lake City, hissing steam. The first class cars at the front of the train were almost ridiculously ornate, gilded in gold over glossy black paint, the odd name of the train embossed on the side in gold lettering

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[vinodejerez]

Sherry stared at the train with a fair share of amazement. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been on a train, and it probably hadn't been one as nice as this.

"This is definitely the place, so Claire should be... right over there!" After spotting Claire, she waved at the conductor before making a beeline in that direction. Naoto could catch up.

[truthinfortune]

Naoto had just finished purchasing her ticket when Sherry hurried off toward the platform where the Flying Pussyfoot awaited.

"H-Hey! Wait just a moment--!" Naoto snatched the ticket from the vendor's hand and ran after the little girl. It wouldn't do for Birkin's daughter to get lost in the crowd before they'd even made it on board.

[immortal_vino]

Claire spotted Sherry and beamed, trotting in her direction and lifting his hand in a wave. In his cream-coloured uniform and hat with the word 'conductor' embossed on the front, he looked fresh-faced and very young. In fact, no one looking at him would have ever thought he was an assassin. The picture was definitely one of complete and utter harmlessness.

"Hi Sherry," he said cheerfully, dodging a family lugging their bags towards the train and skidding to a stop next to her. "I'm glad you came! Oh, and there's your friend, too." He waved to Naoto as well, offering her a smile that was only slightly less incandescent.

[vinodejerez]

"Hi Claire!" From her expression, it was hard to tell what had caused this whole trip in the first place. Sure, he was scary - but only in the dark when her mind got away from her. Right now, she was sure she was safe.

"Naoto and I don't know each other very well," she admitted. "I'm not sure why she wanted to stay."

[truthinfortune]

"I couldn't very well let a child go unaccompanied with a stranger," Naoto said in answer to Sherry's inquiry. "As a member of law enforcement, it's my duty to keep the peace and protect the innocent."

She cast her gaze toward the young conductor, taking in even the slightest detail and filing it away for later examination. He was young. Very young. Probably no older than twenty, give or take a year. Meticulously well-groomed. Good posture. He took his job as a conductor very seriously, it seemed. If Clarie hadn't made that startling announcement as to his other profession, Naoto would never have suspected him of being a cold-blooded killer.

Just like Adachi...

The petite detective spared a polite smile to the young conductor and inclined her head in a slight bow. She offered the ticket to him with one hand.

"Here is my ticket, as you requested. I trust we shall be departing shortly, yes?"

[immortal_vino]

"Besides, Naoto's afraid I'll do something awful to you if h--she doesn't chaperone," Claire added, nodding to Sherry and giving her a sheepish shrug

[vinodejerez]

"I don't think that..." Well, Sherry had considered it before accepting Claire's offer, but for one thing he wasn't stupid enough to hurt someone with very angry, very dangerous parents for no good reason. He really didn't seem like the type.

"Um, I don't need to stay long. I don't want to be bothersome, I'm sure you have plenty of work to do on the trip," she added as she followed him.

[truthinfortune]

Naoto answered the question promptly. "Seventeen. I've been working professionally as a detective since I was twelve, in case you were wondering."

She turned toward Sherry and offered her a warm smile. "You don't have to worry about keeping me," she said. "I don't have any pressing engagements, so feel free to stay for as long as you like."

The petite detective followed Sherry on board, staying close to her. "Besides, this is my first time riding a steam engine, and it appears to be rather luxurious..."

Naoto looked about the cabin, taking in the decor, and indeed, it appeared to be a luxury liner. Given the way Claire talking about the Flying Pussyfoot, she expected nothing less.

[immortal_vino]

"I was curious," Claire acknowledged to Naoto. "So you're not that young then, since I'm only 19 myself. But it's amazing that you've been a detective since you were Sherry's age. Are you that smart

[vinodejerez]

Sherry's eyes lit up as she saw the cabin, and she plopped onto the sofa with a small bounce. "It's amazing! Thank you so much, Claire!" Happily, she watched for Naoto's reaction before taking another look around.

She'd definitely never been on any train as nice as this, and wouldn't have been staying first-class anyway.

((Oh ho ho~ I don't know how long they'll be staying myself, but that would prove to be interesting, wouldn't it?))

[truthinfortune]

Well, most people were curious about the mysterious "Detective Prince," so answering questions about herself came as second nature. It was only fair, since detectives could be particularly nosy about other people, too.

"I suppose you could say I'm something of a prodigy..." she said with only the barest hint of amusement. There was something endearing about the way Claire so easily praised her abilities in an almost childlike manner.

As Naoto stepped into the cabin along with Sherry, it was difficult to hide her look of amazement. She made a soft sound of wonder and settled herself on the sofa next to Sherry. Her hand stroked the plush upholstery and she smiled. How could anyone not want to cut loose and relax in such an exquisite cabin?

"I have to admit, I am rather impressed with our accommodations. The ticket was well worth the price I paid." She looked toward Sherry once more. "Do you want anything to eat or drink? I have plenty of pocket change to spare."

((I don't think Naoto, in good conscience, could walk away from

[immortal_vino]

Claire perched himself on the table, drawing one leg up and letting the other one dangle. He would have to go soon, and help Tony get the train underway, but he should help his guests settle in first.

"You're welcome," he said to both of them, beaming. He was proud of his train, and that was obvious. "There's great food in the dining car once we're under way. I can have something brought to you, too. Since you're in first class, there is room service. And of course it won't cost you anything, since you're my guests."

((OOC: It would be terribly interesting getting them mixed up in all that chaos, IMO))

[vinodejerez]

"You're the best." Sherry was growing more and more excited about her trip by the second. "I'm sorry I can't invite you over to my place in return, but it isn't nearly as nice as this anyway. You're not missing much."

Free room service in a swank compartment? Amazing~

[truthinfortune]

"Is that so?" Naoto asked, a slight blush suffusing her face. She wasn't used to being afforded special treatment without paying for it in some fashion. "Ah... Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Stanfield."

Sherry sounded a bit disappointed in not being able to return the favor. Naoto would have been, too, if she'd been in the girl's shoes. She pressed a curled finger to her chin in thought.

"Why not invite Mr. Stanfield over to the Shirogane estate, instead?" Naoto said softly. "The staff are always willing to accommodate guests."

[immortal_vino]

Claire beamed. "It's all right, Sherry," he said. "I don't think your home is the place for me, or I'd be happy to go there and see it." In fact, he was pretty sure if he went there he'd wind up killing most of the inhabitants.

He blinked and perked up at this - if possible. "Shirogane Estate? That sounds exciting. Are you smart and rich?"

[vinodejerez]

Sherry figured he would say no. "Maybe I'll take pictures of the view and send you them. That's probably the best part."

She turned her head to Naoto. "But I can't invite him over to someone else's place, that's not polite."