Thim did not look as if it was eagerly awaiting the Trammelbuggy, but did stay close to her side as she stood and picked up her bag.
“Oh, look. There are some more people on this one. Good. Maybe we can talk to someone while we ride.”
Squip.
“Don’t be shy. I’ll be with you all the time. I promise.”
The Trammelbuggy slowed with a rattling sort of squeak, and Dorothea kept hold of Thim’s claw while they waited for the passengers to disembark.
Once the flow was down to a trickle, they stepped inside and took a couple of empty seats. It wasn’t difficult to see that this Trammelbuggy was heading down. The passengers were silent, the seats not terribly comfortable.
Dorothea squared her shoulders. This was what she had wanted—a chance to experience life as a real and free person, not a toy doll obeying every order. But she did admit to herself that she was glad to be wearing ordinary clothing. She had a strong suspicion that anything too...too fancy, or betraying her top-level status, would not have been very welcome.
She cuddled Thim near her legs, and kept herself to herself. This was the last part of her journey. Two more levels and she would be in The Undercroft.
And there, perhaps, she’d be able to find some temporary lodgings. After that…well, her plans were a little vague, but she had enough confidence in her own mechanical skills to believe she could find work somewhere.
Thim nudged her knees, attracting her attention as the Trammelbuggy slowed once more. The tracks were getting bumpier now, and the ride wasn’t nearly as comfortable as before. But with only two levels to go, she wasn’t about to complain.
Once again, it screeched its way into the Depot, and this time, while few passengers exited, more got on. And one caught Dorothea’s eye.
A little girl, by the looks of her, scared, and possibly alone? She was peering into the car, looking one way and the other. Most of the seats were filling quickly, so Dorothea gave her a little wave and beckoned her over.
“Hello,” she said quietly. “Are you looking for your Mama?”
The girl shivered, and then nodded.
“Here, sit by me. I’m warm.” She glanced down. “This is Thim. My tickerkin, and my friend. Would you like to say hello to it?”
She nodded, still looking quite nervous as Thim moved a little and slowly held out its claw to her.
Cautiously, she touched it. “Hello.”
Squeeeeee.
The little girl’s face creased into a smile, and she looked at Dorothea. “It spoke to me.”
“It did,” she replied. “And since you know its name, perhaps you should tell it yours?”
After a few moments of thought, she nodded and leaned toward the tickerkin. “My name is Genevieve. But...” She hesitated.
“But what, little one?” asked Dorothea.
“But everyone calls me Gen.”
“Then we shall call you Gen, too. And you can call me...Thea.” Reassuringly, Dorothea touched the little girl’s arm, torn between the need to take care of her, and to conceal her own identity. “Now tell me about your Mama and Papa. That way, perhaps we can find them for you.”
“My Mama was supposed to be here,” she whimpered. “But I couldn’t find her, so I got on the train...I thought she might be here already.”
The Trammelbuggy coughed and burped and began to move.
“Mama,” whispered Gen. “She’s not here...I’m...what do I do? I’m afraid...”
“Don’t be, my dear. You’re with me. I’m having an adventure with Thim. So you could join our adventure, and we’ll go about finding your Mama and Papa at the same time.”
Gen bit her lip, tears ready to fall. “I don’t have a Papa. He died. But is it all right if I go with you, Miss Thea? Will you help me find Mama?”
“Of course. I wouldn’thave it any other way. You’re my first new friend, apart from Thim here, and that makes you special.”
