Stripes

Sorry about the three day pause between replies and the ignoring of the free coffee. I should be more punctual with my responses from now on.

@@genessee "Sahay, and it's not a problem." Sahay says, hiding the gauze away in his saddlebag. "The gauze will burn for a moment, but your cuts should close quickly." He looks up and turns an ear to the intercom, and listened. So, no alcohol or proper smoke? At least he was smart enough to leave whatever pleasures he had back in town, but the zebra was rather envious of the royalty seating's privileges. There was little comfort in hearing the safety record of the train, either, moreso that the security had the right to conscript and ​arm the passenger carts! @@Hazard Time Sahay looks back down at the floor as the second train whistle blows, leaning with the rocking of the train as it pulls forward. The music was barely there, but appreciated. Giving one last glance to the mare beside him, he wondered just where she got the sandwich from. Did he even receive his meal yet? He looks up at Lance as he reminisced with the photo, and wondered what it was- @@Driz The zebra sees a familiar-colored hoof rise from behind the colt's seat, but decides to just watch and see where this next encounter takes the two of them. He might not have any gauze left by the first stop.

@@Hazard Time @@genessee Sahay turns his head back towards the two, meeting both of their eyes as they stared. He blinks in surprise at the two suddenly taking an interest in him, nervously flashing them a smile in return. He's taken back by how brilliant Ophelia's gemstones and eyes were, feeling a strange, piercing gaze from a different angle as he stares back. It felt as though someone is peering into him, their eyes piercing a hole in his stripes. It took him a few moments before he could break his returning gaze, his chest tightening from a spike in anxiety. "Sorry, I- did you ask me something?" He asks, looking between the two. The zebra notes the other pony's knife and bloody hoof, and shifts in his seat to peer into his saddlebag. He searches it until he takes out a roll of white, semi-moist looking gauze. "Do you... need help with that?"

2, because you can share it with one other person.

@@Hazard Time Sahay shifts his attention to the peculiar mare beside her, wondering why she was whispering to the colt across her. He quickly looks away to keep himself from prying, but couldn't help himself in turning an ear towards the conversation. What kind of stops would they be going to, anyway? He wondered if the train'd be cutting it close by the Ever-End zones....

@@Driz Sahay quietly watched as Lory gave her vague answer, repressing his brows from furrowing. He contributed to the awkward silence with her for a few moments as she leans up against his seat, starting to struggle with keeping eye contact with the mare. This conversation didn't feel... natural, if any of her earlier reluctance hinted at anything. The zebra kept his silence as he listened to her spiel, tilting his head ever so slightly at all of this... advice. Maybe he should've made himself more clear on what he did. "Thank you, I can imagine this business is... temporary." Sahay says, nodding and forcing his smile back as Lory walked away. "I am sure that friendship will find a way in guiding Equestria out of this dark period, as it has many times before. Don't worry about me, though! I've walked more than my fair share of wilderness and roads." Sahay watched as the mare took her seat once more, leaving him reeling from what just happened. What in the gods' names did any of that mean?

@@Driz Sahay sat up as the light-reddish mare bounded over to him, repressing an eyebrow raise at her question. She probably meant no harm in asking that and how she phrased it, but it still irked him just slightly. Maybe it was just him still being anxious. He kept his smile up, not wanting to bring down the mood. "I've lived here a while before the Ever-End, mostly seeing and researching the countryside. I can't do that anymore, so there's... not much reason to stay. I even un-learned my rhyming-crutch when I spoke Equuish just a month before this all happened, too." "What about you? Why're you moving?"

@Driz Econ-Class Passenger Cabin Sahay unclasped his cloak and hung it on the leg-rest that he didn’t share with the mare beside him, his saddlebag following suit. The zebra sighs again, still surprised that he made it this far. His seat was comfortable, the cabin was sturdy, and for the first time in months, he felt safe. A smile forms on his face. The zebra laid back in his seat, taking the moment to glance over the seats across from him. His eyes meet with Lory’s, surprised that someone took notice of him already. He returns the smile and gives her a small wave, showing the worn underside of his hoof. Though, he wouldn’t be surprised if he was the first zebra she’s seen, the same going for most of the passengers aboard! Sahay decided to break the ice. “Hello!”

I'm enjoying it! It's got a good start, and I'd love to see what unfolds once the train takes off.

Sahay flicked his head and stowed his ticket away just as fast as he took it out, before giving Hoofington a nod. "Thank you," he says, still panting quietly, "you have no idea how far I ran for this." He weakly chuckles before entering the right door, peering into the cabin. The economy class cabin was quite luxurious compared to the other places he's had to camp out in, and found his seat next to a purple, strangely-reflective looking mare. The zebra gave her a small nod, not wanting to interrupt her conversation with another pony, and took his seat.

En-route to the Haybale City Train Station Sahay gallops down the streets of Haybale, taking great strides towards the train station. He can't be late -- not today. The Ever-End, much to its name, ended Sahay's nomadic life. At first, it was simply a detour around the Everfree, then it turned to wandering the eastern half of Equestria, before nearly dying while walking between neighboring towns. Staying in a single place for more than a few days was unheard of to him; it gave the poor zebra terrible anxiety when there was no new ground to tread. The walls of Haybale personified this anxiety, every passing day filling him with an urge to escape. This was one of the few bastions left for the pony kingdom, with travel between them relegated to deadly, expensive railroads. He would never be able to return to his old life, the only way he lived in Equestria. Sahay had to go home. Equestria could not support him any longer. He held hope that the Zebra Territories were unaffected by the Ever-End, and that the oceans between the two countries did not have an aquatic equivalent of the End. Manecouver had to have a port or some way of travel, right? The zebra rushes into the train station, his worn cloak billowing on his back. He pulls the ticket out of his saddlebag, making his way to the boarding area. Haybale CIty Train Station Sahay slows to a trot as he walks through the gate and up the ramp, the edge of his Econ-Class ticket held between his teeth. He gives the ticket collector a sheepish nod, leaning his head towards them to Hoofington.

May the rails never bend!