The Marvel of Underworlds

5: Reunion

Talori tapped her foot, face red with anger, as she waited for her friends. She already planned how she would scold them.

However, it was partially her fault. Still, even if she got there on time, the boys would have still made her miss the train.

She began to pace back and forth, muttering under her breath. She hoped there would be another train that day, but it was unlikely. Durak was a long train ride away especially because of the detour.

Durak was located just south of the Ankariian capital. However, the Tarnaq Mountains laid between them. Since it was far too dangerous to travel through them, the only other option was to go around along the coastline.

Talori only waited there for ten minutes after she arrived, but to her, it felt like decades. Not a single person was there at the train station, besides the sweaty ticket booth worker.

"Tal!" A familiar voice called, out of breath. Talori felt her heart leap out of her chest as a smile spread across her face.

The blonde ran towards her, wearing a silly grin.

"Felix!" Talori exclaimed as she threw her arms into the air, running up and strangling him in a hug.

"Hey now," Felix laughed, pushing her off of him.

"Oh my gosh, you're here!" She jumped up and down, ecstatic at seeing her best friend for the first time in months.

"How could I miss it?" He laughed again, "Hey, what time is the train coming?"

"Thirty minutes ago."

"Huh?"

"We missed it."

"Oh well, we'll just take the next one," Felix grinned, putting down his heavy satchel, "But in the meantime, how are you?"

"I'm great now that you're here!" Talori squealed, "Look at you! You're all messy. What have you been doing?"

"I dunno, living?"

"You're so weird," she toyed with his hair, standing on her toes. Felix practically towered over her, "You should style it."

"Eh," He shrugged, "What's the point?"

"Anything new?" She asked sweetly.

"Not really, just the same old stuff. You?"

"Well, you know. Singing for the palace and all."

"By the way, how did you even get that gig?"

"Some palace minister was visiting Ankarii and somehow stumbled into Abel's bakery."

"How is Abel?"

"How is Rosaleen?"

"I asked you first."

"Well," she tapped her foot, letting out a much-needed sigh, "He's fine I guess."

"Tell him I said 'Hi'."

"How's your imaginary friend?" She giggled.

"She's not imaginary," Felix countered, shooting her a playful scowl.

"Yeah yeah."

The two friends were so invested in their reunion that they barely noticed another friend approaching the train station.

"Hey," muttered the familiar, deadpan voice.

"Leo? That you?" Felix turned around to face the source. Leonidas barely managed a smile at seeing his friends.

"Oh my gosh! You actually decided to come!" Talori said, jumping in the air, "You're so much taller than the last time we saw you. How's it going?"