“Uh-huh!” Damian nodded.
“… gimme a hint!” Kite groaned.
“Do we know any other Kasshens?” Damian prompted.
“… that Elian Kasshen kid who knew that reverse cowboy position?”
“Celeste’s cousin!” Catalin exploded, certain that he didn’t want to hear about the reverse cowboy position. “Celeste’s cousin, Catalin Kasshen, Second Division Commandant, okay? I’m not here to see you.”
“… oh right!” Kite snapped his fingers. “Yeah, you’re supposed to be a Kasshen too… right, I get it now.” He extended a meaty hand, still grinning. “Kite Brigham, Third Division Commandant.” He gestured to a large, black war hammer that leaned against the wall as an explanation. “‘s a pleasure.”
Catalin kept both arms tightly crossed. “Sure.”
“Kite, I’m sure that Lord Kasshen doesn’t want to touch that hand.”
All three heads swiveled around to face the newcomer, who regarded them with a placid but stern expression. Her shoulder-length blonde hair was pulled back so tightly that the edges of her forehead were a little reddened, and a quiver of arrows was slung across her shoulder. Behind her stood Victor and Saphie, both looking embarrassed.
“I’m so sorry, Damian, Cat…” Victor scratched the back of his head, smiling contritely. “But I always lose track of this place… good thing you guys found Kite before anything happened, huh?”
“Yeah…” Catalin glared at Victor. “Fantastic.”
“Been a while, you guys!” Kite waved jovially. “Hopefully Tal didn’t depress you too much.”
“Forgive my late introduction, Lord Kasshen.” The blonde ignored Kite’s comment and bowed low to Catalin. “I am Fifth Division Commandant Talia Hentoff. I hope we may work well together in the future.”
Catalin almost recoiled a little, thrown off by the respectful greeting. This Talia was completely different from the others; for one, while the others loved to carry on about his relation to Celeste, this woman was actually treating him like nobility.
“T-There’s no need for that.” Catalin shifted awkwardly. “That ‘Lord’ business.”
As Talia straightened from her bow, she looked at him questioningly. “Why not?”
“… forget it,” he mumbled, unwilling to argue the point. “Do what you like.”
“It’s ‘cause he goes by ‘Cat,’ Talia!” Damian butted in.
“For the last time—” Catalin began hotly.
“Well, let’s not just stand around here babblin’, right?” Kite slung an arm around Catalin’s shoulders. “Let’s get goin’ to that train station!”
On the upside, the arrival of this Kite Brigham had given Catalin’s desire to escape a new, fervent fire.
***
“If I’m going to be riding on a train with you all night, we’re going to need some ground rules. Are you listening?”
“Sure, Cat,” Kite yawned as they entered the train.
“You will not sit next to me. Actually, you will not sit anywhere near me. You will sit there.” Catalin pointed to one end of the row. “And I will sit here.” He then pointed to the window seat.
“Can I switch with someone?”
“No. No, you cannot switch with anyone. You see this?” Catalin drew a square around himself with his fingers before taking his seat by the window. “This is my space. You are not allowed in my space. If you so much as put one finger in my space, this is not going to be a pleasant ride for either of us. Are we clear?”
“Crystal clear, Kitty Cat,” Kite sniggered as he made a move to sit next to the window seat. But in the first stroke of luck Catalin had gotten since his kidnapping, Victor got there first.
“Oh, sorry, Kite!” Victor looked at the muscular man innocently. “Were you going to sit here?”
“… no,” Kite grumbled, hefting his war hammer over one shoulder and moving to a different seat.
Victor leaned close to Catalin, chuckling softly. “See? He’s not that hard to handle.”
Catalin looked over at Victor, deciding that the older man was his favorite person ever. “Thanks.” As the train slowly shuddered to a start, Catalin quietly said, “Hey… can I ask you something?”
