Detective Conan FF: ♤The Poisoned Trio♤ (English)

Chapter 25 Bell Tree Express 2.0 Part III

Warm sunbeams caressed his face, his brown hair blew in the gentle breeze. With his ice-blue eyes he watched the hustle and bustle of people getting off the trains, lugging their suitcases, or running back and forth in panic. Only one train stood out from the crowd. It was black, it was an older locomotive. All the other cars were a dark, slightly reddish brown. 

The sight alone was enough to make one feel as if they were traveling around the world. Minoru for once, had dressed differently; instead of the yellow jacket, he wore a dark overcoat and a beige turtleneck sweater underneath. The Frenchman eyed the pocket watch in his hand, the hands moving rhythmically clockwise. Would she not come? 

This would be the first time Brennevin didn't show up for a mission. Maybe there was a reason...His thoughts wandered when a conductor approached him cautiously. "Excuse me, but would you like me to bring the bag in already?" he wanted to know. It was a slim man, with brown hair tied in a braid at the back. He wore a black and white uniform, with brown long gloves. "Yes, that would be very kind," Minoru thanked him as he tucked away his pocket watch. The man carried the bag away when suddenly someone appeared behind Minoru "What are you waiting for, old geezer?" a female voice said. 

Chardonnay turned and looked into the face of Ash. "You're plenty late," he remarked. She had chosen a French plaid coat and a pair of loose, dark jeans. Over that, an olive-green knit sweater. "I had to scrounge up another outfit to match," she explained, her hand rambling. "Well, let's get going," Minoru prompted her. 

The two boarded the train, where the conductor led them to the very back. "Your rooms are in the second to last car," the conductor told them. At that, Minoru's watchful gaze fell on his name tag. Sebastian. He definitely wasn't from around here, but Minoru didn't have to care. The two entered the penultimate carriage when there was a crack above them. 

Puzzled, everyone raised their eyes, but there was nothing but the ceiling to be seen. "Probably just the wood. Don't worry about it," Sebastian laughed, unlocking the room. "Here you go, your room," with that he said goodbye and Minoru and Ash entered the cabin. "I have to admit, it looks pretty cozy," Ash whistled through her teeth, the ring gleaming on her hand. Minoru didn't feel particularly comfortable, the memories of the fall on that train plaguing him. 

And that...though the memories weren't even bad. Maybe it was just that bad feeling. Probably it was stress. Too much had happened in the last few hours. "Did Vermouth actually say what we're here for?", Brennevin echoed, tilting her head. Minoru shook his head. "Oddly enough, no. She just said we should go by train and...everything else would come later," he recalled Vermouth's words. 

"Hmm...maybe she's playing with us. Doesn't matter, all the better if we can relax that long," Ash grumbled and stretched. The Frenchman thought for a moment, maybe Ash was right. He was probably just worrying too much. After a while, the train began to move, a loud whistle sounded, then the carriages rolled off. They left the station as the train went faster and faster.

 Ash leaned against the window, looking bored at the scenery, while Minoru studied the interior of the cabin. The blue-gray seats blended perfectly into the ambiance with the light and dark wood. Memories swept up in Ash, again she had to think of Dubonnet. She remembered his grinning face when they met for the first time. Already since that second, she had developed a hatred for him-but...was it really hatred?

She was standing next to Vodka when another person walked by. Inwardly, she hoped for no more conversation, especially with strangers. The boy narrowed his eyes. He was wearing a red camouflage jacket, his brown hair stuck to his forehead. 

"That's it, if you have any questions, ask Gin," Vodka finished his explanation, giving the guy a quick nod. Ash agreed with Vodka, but paid no attention to the boy. Why should she? Vodka turned and disappeared behind the corner. Ash also wanted to leave, but suddenly she felt something. This...feeling... When the guy looked at the girl as she walked by, he noticed that she had a black mask pulled up to her nose. Her brown hair had been put into a tight ponytail, her cool, dark eyes almost piercing him.