Itinerant blacksmith

The winds were breezing across the landscape, cooler this season it felt good on their skin, the wind whipping through their hair. Two people were waiting further down the platform, far enough away there was no reason to converse, they exchanged a wave A voice asked 'Aradia, what is the time?' Aradia glanced at their watch a quarter till.. In the distance, the low rumble of a train echoed as it navigated the tracks through the valley. Solaris and Aradia where on their way to the solar festival, in the city of Copper Ore, this festival marked the beginning of a new season, the longest night of the year was coming, but they were gathering to create and share and connect with peple about the ways they made new light, 0000 the solar festival was an expereicne that people from all over wanted to attend and participate in. The event lasted several days and on the longest night, people appreciated in the solar lantern parade, where people carry and wear their illuminated creations. every year was always a spectical, two years ago Solaris and Aradia connected with other community members to create a giant illuminated dove. the illuminated dove required 15 people to carry it, that's how large it was, not heavy just a massive white glowing dove. The festival rallied around that giant dove. The year they were headed early to connect with some other folks. in just a few days this station would be brim=ming with people, and their gear and gadgets. The wind picked up a bit more, an edge of brisk washing over everyone. It was crisp, it also announced the arrival of the machine pulling int to the station. As the machine rested to a stop, it sighed and the doors opened. Nobody every really got off at this station, this was a station to get on,  located in the base of the valley between the mountains there was not much near by, decades ago this station had been built for a large event, it's aged gracefully to a beautiful large station with sweeping panoramic views, iin small groups it's almost too large, but it stilkl feels welcoming . in large groups, the station feels appropriate and comfortable, always welcoming. . Solaris and Aradia loaded their cart in to the train, and found their cabin. The train offered all the desired features of travel one could want, cabins were often private, and the shared cabins were upgraded with more space. Every cabin had a theme, in the summer months trains that are out of service are taken to educational centers and community halls where artists decorate the room in themes from all over the land.. This particular cabins theme was corn, the walls were adored in a corn wallpaper, a smiling face in the corn kernels, the drapes were made to look like corn fields. The table, had a picture of a popped corn, from an older brand, the face of the mascot had been worn thin and was barely visible. Below a slogan of the company read 'Fun Pop Stop Top' they placed their other belongings down and got situated. the attendant checked the platform and blew her whistle, the doors closed and the train started to vibrate with motion. The journey was not quite two days, this time there was some things to think about n the way, considerations of the mind for them to share. As the train continued to move so did the sun, setting quickly, this canyon runs between east and west mountains so dusk came even earlier, and with how late in the year it was it was coming even faster. " Aradia,  do you want anything to eat?" Solaris asked. A pause. Not now, lets' settle a bit, and maybe in a little while. Yeah sounds good. The train pulled in to the distance, and the sun continued to set. Night fell in the cabin windows and it got dark, Aradia drew the corn field panels over the window and turned up the light in the cabin. Let's eat they said. In Solaris bag they had prepared a snack for this time, the trains were always stocked with great meals, but sometimes you were hungry and the snacks that the attendants offered were generally not filling enough and made you want something more or something better. A medium texture cheese encrusted with herbs and a tray of crackers. Perfect, both what thery were thinking and hoping for. The train lurched a bit, the cabin rumbled in response. They kept eating, and enjoying the snack. How was it? Was what? The snack? perfect.. How about your year, what did you get up to? Aradia had been busy since the Dove, they had finished their Blacksmith study, and had been traveling between towns, teaching the conservation core cohorts welding skills. There were many accomplishments that they were proud of this year, their classes, the discussions they had and the people they met. You know, it's been good, there was a lot of work, and many things happened. During one of the classes there were new discussions, and forms of thought shared with the next generation of graduates, the cohorts were lead to empower individuals to learn important skills. Aradia spoke at length, reflecting on the year with a mix of pride and longing. Solaris yawned a bit, Perhaps I'm tired and would like to take a little rest. Me too, Solaris, felt older this year, their body had changed in ways they didn't quite understand, they were feeling alive as ever but more in tune with what they needed. More gray in their hair but not so much that you coudn’t see the rich luscious brown it was underneath. Solaris reached in their bag and felt around for a smaller bag made of leather, and rubbed it between their fingers, they were checking to see if their item was still in the bag, a sense of re-assurance . After a brief nap, they both awoke to the panel near the door illuminated over the 'service car' meaning food was ready, they were unsure how long they had dozed but decided that getting some food was a goo idea. they left their cabin, secured the door and walked down the train to the service car, following the symbols in the hallway to the service-car. As they arrived staff stood behind the service counter, their uniforms were always impeccable, above the counter there was a menu, the choices were often limited on the train but they were always enjoyable today a sign read 'Beef Stroganoff', they both ordered, and added some sides tot their meals. They walked to the dining car attached to the service car and sat at a table, the tables and chairs were welcoming. A few other folks were seated but the rush of the dinner service had passed.. They Sat down and in just a few moments the staff brought their dinner selection, a deep bowl of Beef Stroganoff with a quarter loaf of bread, these meals always left one feeling full and nourished. They ate without much dialogue. Outside the night kept getting darker, and as the sky deepened in its depth one could look out the gazing glass window above the car and peer in to space, the sky illuminated with countless stars and constellations, the moon was waxing crescent, but crisply standing out in the depth of the deep dark of space. Peering deeper they could see the milky way, vast and expansive, full across the sky,  myriad of hues. They had both fallen in to a gaze, and time haD passed.. the service staff came to announce that the room was closing, they stacked their plates and headed back to their cabin. On their way back they decided to bed down and get some rest. as they crawled in to their corn themed husk sleep sacks, they exchanged pleasantries and said goodnight.