The Façade of Quad in Nimrod ✓ | Satire, family drama, dark society

XVII

From Nimrod, the train lumbered down south to Crockensham and was on its way to Glavisland when the rain hit. It was only a trickle, but at a small-town station called Overfield in Crockensham the train had to stop to refuel and that was when the rain turned into a storm.

To keep passengers entertained, the conductor made everyone have their lunches in the dining car along with some tea and pastries. There was entertainment of a violinist who was claimed to have played for the king and his queen. 

Svenja Schimdt was thirty-five years old but looked twenty. Originally from Heiztnez, but having lived in Lwendolen since she was three, her Heiztnez accent was completely gone and neither could she speak much Heiztnese, which was quite a disappointment to many of the passengers.

Somehow though, they were able to get a Roktion that rode the train to teach them some swear words and obscenities in Roktion. The young man who was on his way to Wynex—a town south of Glavisland—with his young wife, seemed to enjoy the attention much to his wife's displeasure. She sat in the back watching uncomfortably as her husband taught bad Roktion words to his new admirers.

Georgina happened to be sitting nearby and the woman turned to her saying, "That is my husband, Kostya. Can you believe? Only a few moments he says! Now it has been ten minutes!"

"And that," Georgina pointed to Mordecai among the crowd of men eager to learn obscene Roktion words, "is my husband. No promises were made to stay out of trouble."

The two women shared a smile having found common ground. Georgina did it more out of politeness, however. She didn't really care what Mordecai did during the trip.

The Roktion woman sipped her tea. "Ah, the trouble we women have with our men. And so, you have traveled far." Her Roktion accent made her question sound like a statement and Georgina didn't know what to say.

"You come from where?" the woman said, putting her teacup down. "May I sit." She pointed to the empty seat across from Georgina where her husband had sat.

"Yes, yes you may," Georgina said. She was glad to have a little company. At least for a few moments she wouldn't have to think about the house party.

"We come from Nimrod," she said at last. "To go to Glavisland."

"Ah, the countryside."

"Mm." Georgina nodded. "Where are you two going?" She quickly switched the subject over to the woman. She didn't want to have to explain what they were going there for. It all seemed too complicated and private.

"To Azethia. To see the kanger-ooz," the woman said with difficulty. "I hear they are quite smart and adorable. Have you been to Azethia?"

"I haven't."

"Anywhere else have you been."

"I have not left Lwedolen." Georgina took a sip of her tea, somehow feeling uneasy as if she were lying about it. "Not once in my life."

"Ah, but doesn't the world intrigue you?" The woman rested her chin on her hands and gave a sly smile.

"Have you been to many places?"

"Well," Her eyes lit up, "I went from Roktia down to Brenlogia and then to Jonchin. Next door to Naibon. You should go to Naibon. The people there have very hospitality and kindness. Kezken was lovely as well. But you must be weary of pick-pocket."

"Ani!"

The woman stood at the call of her husband. She said something in Roktion in annoyance and he rolled his eyes. Turning back, she said, "It was nice talking to you..."