10 Minute Tales

Jul 1 - Clack

The tube was packed again. Bodies crowded against bodies, swaying gently with the rush of the train. He sighed to himself as he glanced around, looking through what small amount of the window he could see. They were still in the tunnel they had entered five minutes ago, maddening strobes of a dull yellow flicking past regularly. The lights above, at least, were always on but maintained a pale glow that made everybody look tired. He turned the page of his book, a throwaway fantasy one. At least he had his own little world. He continued reading, bored out of his mind, when there was a feminine squeal of surprise. He glanced to the source, as did several others.

"P-pervert!" the squealer snapped, slapping a man that had been stood behind her.

"What do you mean?" he asked, a hand going to his reddening cheek. "I didn't even touch you, I had my back to you!"

"You're a pervert and a liar! I-I know you did it!"

"I didn't even know you were there!" The two continued arguing, getting louder. He gritted his teeth and looked back to his book. He wasn't alone here, after all. There was another elf on the train. The lights overhead suddenly switched off with a clunk as they finally exited the tunnel. To his back was now a wonderful view of fields stretching over to the blue sea. The side he could see, however, was more of the dull brown cliff they had just exited. The Spiral Rail was living up to its name, at least. The speakers chimed an announcement chime, the sound tinny.

"We will be arriving at Hogosha Station in ten minutes." a bored voice declared. "Ten minutes until Hogosha Station." He shuffled a little, the hard seat getting to him.

"What's up?" a new voice asked him. He flinched in surprise and looked over. It was the elf he had suspected was present, invisible to the world except for him. She had very pale skin, almost glowing, and large green eyes that seemed too big for her head. A river of blonde hair flowed from her head, wrapping around her body in a semblance of modesty - however, a leather tunic covered her torso down to her calves.

"... you made that fuss, didn't you?" he whispered, glancing briefly at the still-arguing couple. She grinned, showing triangular teeth.

"Hey, you can see me!" she backed off a bit. "Train rides are so boring when nobody knows you're there..."

"Answer the question."

"Yeah, yeah, I did. So what?" she shrugged. "Not like they can do anything about it."

"You're strong enough to be intangible, aren't you?"

"Pretty sharp~" she grins. "Yeah, I am."

"... I don't have the right stuff. Just, please, show some restraint."

"Right stuff?" she frowned, tilting her head slightly. "Right stuff for what?"

"Containing you."

"Ooh, big shot, huh? Thinks he can control magical creatures." She sat up and grinned again, obviously unimpressed.

"No, not quite." he looked up, staring into her eyes. She blinked as she realised something. He was an elf too! "I know I can control magical creatures."