A Visit to Baloffburg (Part 1)

            Dove looked out the train windows into the featureless plains stretching on indefinitely towards the jagged mountain range on the horizon. It was a sight he was very much unused to… Stahlburg castle was deep within the eastern mountains, and very much rocky and uneven. When the Ravenclock Academy was built, it had to be constructed over the sea on sturdy scaffolding and platforms in order for it to be built in sight of the fortress. The terrain of the mountains would never permit the building of a city without a daunting amount of terra-forming.

            Building the Ravenclock Academy would’ve been a much easier task out here, Dove thought to himself as the plains rushed by. Soon the sun began to be blotted out, but it wasn’t because of the sun setting. Looking to the left as much as the window would allow, he could see the darkened silhouette of Baloffburg jutting out from the land. The industrial city was a marvel of production, but it was the epitome of poverty and oppression as well. The heavy clouds of exhaust that looked as though it was pinned to a ceiling by the tallest skyscraper neatly represented that fact.

            Dove looked away to glance at his travelling cohorts. Phoenix sat right across from him in the apartment they were given glancing out the window more out of boredom than fascination, unlike Dove. Einhardt was sitting to her right, closest to the door. So in the case something should barge in with hostile intent, he’d be able to deal with it quickly. Every now and again, he would glance over at his wards. Beyond that, Einhardt maintained his usual stoicism, wearing no other emotion other than a look that would chill Dove if directed at him.

            Turning back to Phoenix, he tried to spark up a friendly conversation, “So what does the brilliant Phoenix Ravenclock have planned for the world next?”

“None of your business…” she said with bitter hatred.

            Dove glanced at the floor, trying to think of how he could salvage a conversation. “Look, I’m sorry that father didn’t like your machine…”

            Dove could tell right away he had used the wrong choice of words. Phoenix’s eyes contorted into a sharp glare, which actually made his blood run cold. His mistake was even mentioning the affair, even if he was apologizing for it. Since that affair, Phoenix grew even further from Dove, much to his dismay. He decided to shift the topic a little bit.

            “Hear me out, its really admirable that you want father’s attention, and in my own opinion I think you are infinitely more qualified for it than me… but you should be thankful that he doesn’t notice you.”

            Phoenix actually looked back, and despite how hard she attempted to mask it, her confusion and interest shone through her irritated face.

            “I mean, you have a whole life of freedom up ahead. You can travel the world with your inventions, have great adventures, and not be tied down by politics and obligations.” Dove then made another sad chuckle, and continued, “My life? I’ll inherit the family business… and all the nuisances and aggravations that come with it.”   

            “Oh please, being the head of the world-famous Ravenclock family?” Phoenix said in contempt. “That’s torture, is it? A lifetime of glory and renown is a death sentence?”

            Dove was about to respond, when a voice buzzed in.

            “Attention passengers, we are due to arrive at Baloffburg, station A21, in five minutes.”

            Phoenix turned away, gazing out the window, clearly not interested in further discussion. Dove, dispirited, dropped the conversation altogether, and began to put thoughts into the task he was given. Negotiating with Lord Baloff on the trade relations between Baloffburg and the Ravenclock Academy.