In the cab, Alley was lost in thought - mostly thoughts running over the events of the last few days.   She was wearing the little jade monkey medallion she had found in the cave lair of Grayfang - she had strung it on a new nylon cord - and she sometimes looked at the cross shaped medal she had found in the cave as well.  Maybe if I show it to Billy, he’ll know what kind of medal or award it is?  She thought.   Alley shrugged, and felt the uncomfortable tightness of her new brassiere get in the way again.   How does Stephanie put up with this thing?  She wondered.  It feels like I can’t breathe.  “It’s tight!  Urgh!” she said, trying to adjust the straps for the tenth time to get more comfortable.

 

“Tough time getting used to it, hon?”  Steph asked.  “It took me almost a year to get used to mine.”

 

“Yeah.”  Alley said, laughing a bit.  “And I suppose I’m too big to do without, right?”

 

“Probably, love.  You’d be pretty uncomfortable when you run or do anything physical without it.  You know, if you’re having a rough time getting used to a bra, why not try the elasticized sports bras for a few weeks – they’re usually more comfortable.  They’re not as dressy - but if you’re dressing casual, they might stand in for a week or two till you get used to wearing one.”

 

“I thought they were just for sports?”  Alley asked, a bit surprised. 

 

“Yeah, like track pants are only for working out.  Wear what makes you comfortable, Alley.”  Steph said.  “We can always try the fancy stuff or the more normal bras once you’re used to the sports bras.”

 

“Okay...”  Alley said.   “You had to get used to it too?”

 

“Oh hell yeah,” Stephanie said.  “I didn’t have anyone to help me, either so my fit was almost always wrong - I was constantly adjusting straps, hitching it up over a shoulder and trying to put the girls back in the cups when they fell out.  It was hell.   Eventually I got fitted properly when I got some courage and asked a clerk to help at a specialty store - and a little while after that it started to get easier.  It wasn’t until about a year later I stopped even noticing it.”   Steph smiled.  “Have you noticed anything else about ladies clothes yet?”

 

“Aside from the fact they have half as much fabric as men’s clothes, and cost twice as much - no, not really.”  Alley snorted in frustration - she remembered how shocked she was when she found out how much clothes cost for women, as compared to men.   And how much a good bra would cost when she needed to replace it.   Fifty dollars, plus?  Seriously?   It’s criminal.   Alley might be disgusted with the cost - but she couldn’t deny the uncomfortable bra she was wearing did make her look more sexy. I guess what I should be asking myself is Why is that a big deal for me right now? - because it kind of is...  I wonder how much I’ve changed - and how much more I’ll keep changing?

 

“Let me know if you feel the same way when you wear something other than jeans and a t-shirt.”  Steph said laughing.  “The first time I wore a dress I felt so self conscious and so... right, I guess is the only way to say it, it was like a transcendent experience.  And nylons or leggings?  That was a sensual experience and a half...   Seriously – women’s clothing is so damn sexy compared to men’s it’s ridiculous.   You’ll like it, I think.”

 

Alley smiled wryly.  “If you say so, Steph.  Right now I’m wondering if I’ll ever adjust.”   Alley was trying to adjust - but her clothes she knew, were as close to her boys clothes as she could reasonably get.  She had two pairs of blue jeans - slim fit, which hugged her every curve, plus a few pairs of shorts, a few blouses, a sweater, two t-shirts, three bras and a two sports bras, underwear, a pair of running shoes and a pair of sandals with a low heel.   Today she was wearing a pair of jeans, and a t-shirt, like Steph had said.  They felt mostly normal - but Alley felt more than a little self-conscious with the V-neck of her t-shirt revealing more of her new breasts than she felt comfortable with...  She felt both exposed and sexy at the same time, and couldn’t help remembering the looks of interest she had garnered while the three of them had waited for the Taxi to arrive. 

 

I’ll admit it felt good.  Alley thought.  But it felt scary too.  I guess it’s just because I’m not used to it - or I’m worried someone will discover I’m secretly Andrew or something.  Stupid.   Still, I guess if I didn’t want this somehow, mom wouldn’t have given it to me - and I did say I’d trade my problems for Alleys...  Be careful what you wish for?  Alley smirked.  It wasn’t that bad - just something to get used to.   At least my shirt covers my belly for now. 

 

The car ride continued mostly in silence as Steph and Alley turned back to their thoughts.  The remainder of the trip to Stuttgart took only 45 minutes; the entire trip was less than two hours.   As the car rolled up to the train station, Billy woke and got himself in order, straightening his jacket and pants.   Stephanie yawned and stretched her arms, and Alley looked eager to be out of the cab and standing.  

 

A few minutes later, Billy tipped the cabby and the three of them were standing outside the Stuttgart Central Station - a large building that could easily house a dozen or more trains.  They could see the large vaulted roof inside the building was a very attractive latticework of steel beams and plexiglass sheets to let in sunlight, but keep out unwanted weather.   It looked rather art-deco and modern at the same time - very attractive.  

 

“Well - this is it, you two.”  Billy said.  “I’m going to have to vamoose.  I can’t carry these weapons onto the train or across the borders - and I’m not leaving them behind.”

 

“Yeah.”  Stephanie said - a little sadly.  She had begun to grow fond of Billy’s presence, even if he did irritate the hell out of her at times.  “Is there anything we can do about that?”   Actually, she thought, I feel a good deal more than fond - I just don’t know how to explain it to myself.  Like he and I are bonded I guess - but not like Alley and I.  It’s weird.

 

“I’ll ask when I’m up in Valhalla, kay?”  He said.  “I might be able to - I might not.  You might have to find me a fake ID or something.  I dunno.  Maybe we can FedEx the weapons to Trondheim?”

 

“Well, we’ll summon you and the sprites as soon as we get there.”  Alley said.  She missed her sprites too.  “And we’ll try to keep our heads down while were travelling.”

 

“Good.”  Billy smiled.  “I know you’ll do okay - I mean, what’s the worst that could happen?”

 

“What!?”  Stephanie groaned.  “You did not just do that - you NEVER hand the universe a line like that - it begs for Hubris and Irony.  Goddamn.”

 

“Yeah, really.”  Alley said.  “The train could derail.  It could be taken by terrorists.  It could be shunted into another dimension.  We could get recruited into a cult, or kidnapped.  Spies could mistake us for enemy agents.  Tom Cruise could try to stop a deadly virus in our car - who the hell knows what could happen?   Seriously, dude - have you ever watched a movie or a TV show?”

 

“To be fair, most people never experience ANY of that, Alley.”  Billy said.  “Is it too much to assume you’ll probably have a boring train ride and get to Norway without much in the way of problems?”

 

“Maybe not - but Thorn was telling me about how weird coincidences followed people like Stephanie and I - and it’ll happen a lot more now that I’ve been fully accepted.  It’ll be worse when she gets accepted too.”  Alley explained.

 

“Ah - I hadn’t known Thorn was teaching you about that.”  Billy said.  “Steph, when I get back, remind me to tell you about Fateful Auras – it’s that coincidence thing Alley mentioned.   I suppose you’re right, Alley – I’ll try not to tempt fate again.”

 

Stephanie took Billy to a quiet spot nearby, and quickly banished him to Valhalla - again with a flash and a popping sound - and returned to Alley.   “I guess we should go in and get tickets, eh hon?”

 

“Beats walking.”  Alley answered smirking.  “Although now that my legs are better, I’ll bet I could backpack that far in time.”

 

“Bet you never thought you’d say that and not be lying, eh?”  Stephanie asked.

 

“Yeah - not really.  I really am shocked - happy, but shocked.   Thanks for your help in adjusting, love.”

 

“No problem, Alley.” Steph answered.  “Let’s get inside and get our tickets.   Stephanie fumbled for her phrase book and tried to find the phrase for ‘We would like to buy a ticket to Trondheim’ - but was having more than a little bit of difficulty.   As they walked inside, she kept searching for the proper phrase but had no luck.  “It was here a moment ago, really!  Argh!”

 

“What’s up Stephanie?”

 

“I’m trying to find the phrase to buy tickets.  I can’t find the stupid thing.”  She said, holding up the phrase book in frustration.

 

Alley nodded.  “Have you tried ‘Kann ich ein ticket nach Trondheim?’

 

Stephanie turned and stared at her girlfriend.  “Wha...?”  She looked more than a little surprised.  “That sounds like it - how did you know it?”

 

“I don’t know.”  Alley answered.  “I... I just knew it.  It popped into my head.  Come to think of it, I’ve been able to understand everyone we’ve met since yesterday.  It just didn’t register.   I don’t know how I know, Steph - I just know.”

 

“Welp, we don’t need this then!”  Steph said, laughing, tossing the phrase book into a garbage bin.  “You’re ordering the tickets then, hon.  We’re going to...”

 

“Trondheim, Norway.  I know hon.”  Alley smiled.  “I got it.”

 

They waited in the queue, and got their tickets... from the looks of it they would be in a small cabin - which was nice - but the trip was 38 hours, and there was no sleeper car.  It was going to be a long, arduous trip.   Tickets weren’t cheap either - about 400$ each, plus any food or drink they bought at various stops and train changes.  Even though they were dismayed by the duration of the trip, both girls were eager to watch half of Europe roll by their train window.  They wondered what they might see - and who they might meet.   The two of them gathered their luggage, and went down to the train platform to wait for their train and the first leg of their journey.

 

*              *              *

 

Hariko watched the two women blunder their way through the train station.  One was quite pretty, and graceful, if a bit boyish in her mode of dress. The other, probably her mother, Hariko thought, was rather plain and a little too masculine to be pretty - but whose clothes and makeup looked acceptable.   They were an odd couple - a mother and daughter heading somewhere on a train.  I wonder where?  Hariko thought.  Tourists were wonderful... Some were interesting, and no one really noticed when they went missing.  Unless someone knew they were missing, no one even looked until it was too late.   She smiled, and walked over to the ticket agent.  Hariko was short - and found she had to look up to see the agent, who was pretty average in height.   Being so short makes counters annoying, Hariko thought as she craned her neck up to see the ticket agent.  Hariko was curvy and sexy, and reeked of class - and walked with confidence and style.  Hariko’s clothes were pretty and stylish - she spent a great deal of money to look that way, and enjoyed the way she looked.   The custom sewn skirts cost a lot - but boy do they make it easier to hide my tails, she thought.  After all, can’t let them get too close a look at me, right?

 

“Excuse me, ma’am.”  Hariko asked the ticket agent in perfect German.  “My friend was just here with her mom getting her tickets...  Did she get mine too, or do I have to get one?”

 

“Umm... no, the young lady before you only bought two tickets - to Trondheim, Norway.”  The ticket agent explained.  “They’re 342 Marks if you need one.”

 

“Oh wow.”  Hariko said in mock surprise.  “Just a moment.”  She produced a credit card, and quickly bought a ticket to Trondheim, just as the couple in front of her had.   I wonder if I’ll even go all the way with them to the end?  She wondered.  I guess I’d better go catch up.  “Thanks!”

 

Hariko wondered why she was following these two strangers - but that’s how it was with her and her kind...  She was hunting for something to catch her interest - and they caught her fancy.   Time would tell if it would end well, or end poorly - with mortals it usually ended poorly, but not always.  Hariko remembered the time she spent a decade with a mortal monk about thirty years ago... he had somehow reminded her of her first husband, Shedo.   Mortals are sometimes good for something other than eating, she thought.  I wonder why these ones caught my attention?   She rushed to catch them at the train platform...  The train north to Berlin was due in less than fifteen minutes.  

 

The ticket agent looked at the quickly retreating woman, and couldn’t help but notice something - or somethings - under her skirt twitch, looking for all the world like a... a tail!   Shaking her head in disbelief, the ticket agent went back to work, obviously worried she was working too hard.

 

*              *              *

 

Stephanie and Alley watched the train platform, eyes exploring all the varied people in the crowd, the building and its architecture, and the many trains coming and going.  It was clear to most they were tourists, excited by things the commuters and expert travellers found boring long ago - but being a tourist and seeing it for the first time had the benefit of seeming quite exciting.   Alley couldn’t help but notice a number of young men - and a few women - giving her glances, and it was pretty plain that Stephanie noticed it too.  

 

“You okay?” She asked Alley.

 

Alley thought about it a few moments.   Yeah, she thought. I do like it... its part of why I wanted this.  “Yeah, Steph - I kinda like it!  I’m not used to it yet, but I like it.”  She found herself standing and moving like she was trying to show off a bit.   I guess I like attention a bit?  She thought.  Maybe more than a bit?  If it doesn’t hurt anyone, why not?

 

“Well, okay.”  Steph answered, pleased.  “I’m glad you’re okay with it.  I’d kill to have that many people staring at me like they’re staring at you right now.  Well, not really kill - but I’d think about it.  I’m a bit jealous, love.”

 

“That’s like saying a hurricane is a bit windy, Steph.  I know you want this – I’ll bet you a hundred dollars and a day at a spa that you get what I’ve got or more by the time you’re done your trial - and if I’m right you take Billy and I out to celebrate.  And get the Sprites presents.”

 

“Fair enough.”  Steph laughed.  “It’s a deal.   It’ll be the best dinner I ever bought if it comes through.”

 

At that point, conversation ceased as an electronic voice came over a speaker, and a train arrived on the platform.  Alley and Steph moved back to allow the passengers off the train, then moved onto the train to find their proper carriage and seat.   A conductor gave them some help - which helped immensely - and soon they were resting in a comfortable train car in a booth that could sit about four people, two across from each other.   It was comfy-ish, but was easily seen from the aisle.  It offered a little privacy, but not as much as they might have wished - but at least it would help them meet some people if they wanted to.   They got settled in, and people filed in one by one.   Eventually the doors shut, and the train began to move.   They were underway!

 

As the train left the station, Stephanie felt a small thrill of elation.   Were on our way!   Finally - oh god, I hope Alleys right.  I wasn’t lying - that will be the best dinner I’ve ever paid for if it’s true!   Assuming we don’t die fighting god knows what in the cave.   I wish Billy or the Sprites were here so we could ask what we might face.  Even dire warnings and wrong guesses are a bit better than not knowing and being afraid of something we couldn’t know.  

 

“Looks like it’s going to be a long trip, Alley – when’s the next switch to a new train?”  Steph asked.

 

“If I read the sign right, were looking at seven or eight hours, near Hanover.  We’ll probably have a layover of about an hour, then we’ll board another train to take us to Denmark.   38 Hours for the trip seems plausible, so we might as well get comfy.  I think there’s a dining car on the train - but I have no idea how much it costs.”  Alley said.  “How are our funds?”

 

“Well,” Stephanie whispered. “We spent about 1600$ getting to Stuttgart, and about 1300$ in Biederbach without including buying you new clothes... if we include that we spent about 1700$ in Biederbach.   The tickets to Norway were about 400$ each so that’s another 800$...  If you figure in the 300$ I gave Billy and another 300$ for meals and misc stuff we’ve spent, I’d say we’ve got about 15000$ left.   So about three quarters of what we started with.”

 

“Could be worse.”  Alley said out loud.  “Still, we’d better be careful for now.”

 

“Yeah - but I think we should splurge a bit, hon - were on a train in Europe having a magical adventure.  Surely we can afford one or two meals in the dining car?”

 

Alley smiled, and agreed.  “Yeah - you bet!”

 

The two sat next to each other, holding hands and watching the German countryside go by.   Several passengers moved a bit, settling themselves for a longer ride as well - but it was also obvious that many of the people in this car were commuters, and not people travelling across the country.  Still, the sheer excitement in the two women was palpable, as they watched the scene unfold before them in the train window... 

 

*              *              *

 

Hrmmm....  Hariko thought, watching the two women hold hands and whisper romantically to each other...  Not a mother - daughter pairing then; maybe they’re lovers?   Interesting.   Too bad too - May-December relationships don’t usually work, she thought.   It is going to be a long trip... Maybe I should go over and introduce myself - say hello - and see what unfolds.  If it gets too intense, I can always walk away, after all.  See where they’re going, and why.  See if anyone will miss them.

 

Hariko stood, and moved towards the semi-private seating area where Stephanie and Alley were sitting.  I wonder why they seem so fascinating, Hariko wondered, not for the first time.   Perhaps a little conversation will tell me... I sense something different about them, that’s for sure.  The Japanese woman quickly checked to make sure her tails were concealed by the special skirt she wore, and sat down near by the two women.   I wonder if they will be prey - or something else?   Hariko wondered.  Time would tell.