Speed up the train, Gideon's right hand spoke, the twitching of his fingertips like tiny earthquakes along the itchy velvet of his seat. His other hand held a whiskey, the ice cubes dancing among the gold. He had hoped the alcohol would calm his hand. Or dull its words. But he heard his hand screaming at him over and over, pushing him to do something foolish. 

No, Gideon spat, eyeing his hand; the flesh the worn, hardened leather of a sea captain's. This isn't the time nor the place.

It's never the time or place, the hand thought back, a twitching of nerves pulsing through his forefinger, sending tiny pains to Gideon's brain.

You're being stupid, Gideon lamented, wishing he hadn't run out of his smokes midway through his journey. He sighed.

You're being stupid, the hand retorted. Is the girl really worth all this?

With that, Gideon tore a piece of linen off his trousers and proceeded to wrap it tightly around his right hand. He couldn't stop it from speaking but he could muffle the bastard.

Mrgff- can't... silence... me...

Oh no. But I can try, Gideon said, smiling, as he took note of all the lush green that swam by him.

 The Reizen was passing through Reflection. He could taste the magic here; it wasn't as strong as in the Renewal but it was much more alluring. It tasted of iron and pine needles. He saw all sorts of fae and insect folk flitting about as the train slowly approached the platform. They were moving high along the tree tops of the Witchewood; black trunked trees that grew stories high, twisted, knotted branches reaching to the sky holding offerings of large purple flora to the gone gods.

Ravens took up nests in the Witchewoods- a pestilence of the forest Gideon wished he could remedy. The ravens' nests were large and unkempt, large twigs woven haphazardly to create their homes. They squawked about as if what they said held more interest than the rest of the magical community. Those sour creatures had no idea how much more valuable they were dead then alive. A raven's skull or bones could be ground up and used for all sorts of mid-level incantations or salves. Not to mention a raven skull here, or a full bird skeleton there really helped liven up the abodes of any sorcerer worth his salt. 

Underneath the linen of his bandage, Gideon heard his hand utter something. He slapped it hard against the wooden backing of the seat in front of him in hopes of shutting it up. He wished he could cut it off, but it was, if for nothing else, an interesting tool at the boy's disposal. 

Reflection was covered in dripping emerald moss. It clung to everything and if you lingered too long in its layer, the moss would cling to you too. The air was crisp here and the seasons changed as they did in Reason. There was always a sun in the sky; one too big and too bright. It kept the shadows away and those who preferred their shelter to that of the light. The sun's rays provided the only light needed on the platform, slats of the golden, hitting the dark chocolate of the platform. Growing on the platform were sprigs of mugwort, blooms of Mirthea, and moss, of course. Oxmen stood on the platform, joined by Grayflys and wind wisps. The Maidens Fair, were there, all six of them clad in royal purples and pastel emeralds, honey oak hair braided behind their backs. A gem of extraordinary color sat in each of their eyes; ruby, topaz, lapis, amethyst, pearl, and onyx. They tended to the flowers of Reason, ensuring their blooms held only the most vivid colors, displays of beauty that were talked about throughout the layers.

The train slowly came to a stop, the conductor got out, and repeated the color check. There weren't many looking to get their way into Reason and so Gideon hoped the train would be soon to move again. His whiskey was almost finished. And his cigarettes were long gone. His patience was waning.

You... mrgh.... could... argh... do

Gideon squeezed his right hand tightly, whiting the Captain's tan knuckles. He had had enough of his hand's mouth. He'd traveled too far to mess up now. When he got to Reason, he would let loose and give his hand a little something to truly relish. But for right now, it was important he got into Reason. Gideon watched the Maidens as they waiting patiently to get their colors read. Each of them had an exquisite form, fleshy and alluring and their auras all read the same- sky blue with tufts of cream and apricot. They had calming demeanors and smelled purely of light. They made their way easily on board. As did the Oxmen and wind wisps. Before long -and before Gideon emptied his glass- the Reizen was off, bound for Reason.

****

While on the train, Gideon saw an odd vision; a frightful thing for a man who hadn't been visited by visions or dreams in centuries. In it he saw a man, veiled in smoke, coming toward him, shackles in his disfigured hands, waiting to place them around Gideon's wrists. The man's aura was a strong crimson striped with violent streaks of ocher. Had this been a prophecy? 

Gideon couldn't tell, a Refracted creature couldn't see the future, only create alternate ones. He felt his aura outside, wise in its decision to leave a distance between them. Trying to quench his boredom and thirst for more liquor, he sorted through the Captain's memories. He saw images of Matilda, The Scarlet Reef, gun fights, canon fodder, scurvy and sea madness. It was all pretty commonplace- nothing struck him as overly original- but the pacing had been good and the plot engaging enough. It read well and held his attention until a tiny ringing of faerie bells told him he was finally in Reason.

"Reason," a voice boomed, emerging from the air and not the train's loosely hanging speaker boxes, alerting the Reizen's passengers to it's final stop. 

The platform in Reason was one in darkness, blanketed on both sides by frost and stars. They were in the mountains somewhere, far away from mundane eyes. Gideon moved to the train's doors and waited for them to part. The conductor appeared and ushered them all out.

"Have a good day," he said to each one as they passed him. Gideon gave him a courteous nod, and headed out into the snow, his eyes turning the color of the void.

"First things first, I load up on cigarettes," he said, as a portal a few inches in width appeared before him, a town blanketed in evening glow laid out before him. It's population 3,001. Soon to be 3,002.

"How picturesque," Gideon remarked as he slide through the portal, shedding Captain Stormholden's skin, his aura rejoining him. The Captain's form returned to page as he did so, being scattered along the cold tundra by an equally cold and merciless wind.