Rubuska: ...
Who are you?
Rubuska: I'm Rubuska.
Rubuska: Are we done? This isn't funny, you know.
What's your purpose on this train?
Rubuska: I'm going to Budapest to find a job.
Rubuska: Let me go.
Do you have any companions aboard?
Rubuska: Hmph, vampires don't team up.
Rubuska: People are too scared of me.
Are you a vampire?
Rubuska: Yeah, I'm a vampire, okay?
Rubuska: But so what? I didn't do anything.
Rubuska: ...
She hangs her head, her whole body radiating defeat.
Semmelweis: She doesn't bear any signs of Manus Vindictae's rituals. She may indeed be innocent.
Semmelweis: But can't rule her out for definite yet. Best to be safe.
Semmelweis returns to the conductress's side.
Semmelweis: I've checked her over. She's not a threat, nor is she my target.
Corvus: Then this isn't any ordinary vampire you're searching for.
Semmelweis: I'm not at liberty to say.
Rubuska: You hear that? She says I'm not a threat!
Soon, she perks up again, a hint of color returning to her face.
Semmelweis: But, according to regulations, dangerous creatures like vampires should be contained in such situations.
Rubuska: Huh?
Semmelweis: It's for the safety of all passengers. A hungry young vampire in an enclosed space like the train is always a risk.
Rubuska: N-No, don't lock me up! I'm not even hungry!
Semmelweis: This is not a request; it's a notification. You've already admitted that you're a vampire.
Rubuska: Vampire, vampire, vampire! Yeah, I'm a vampire, so what?!
Her ruby eyes seem ablaze with fury.
Rubuska: Have I bitten anyone? Have I sucked any blood? Have I hurt even a single person?
Rubuska: I don't understand you people.
Rubuska: Always putting everyone in boxes and then treating them differently just because you put them there! It's like your brains are all square or something!
Rubuska: One minute we're friends, and then the next you're tying me up. All because of these boxes you're so obsessed with.
Rubuska: It's because of these boxes—these stupid labels—that this whole war started. Why I have nowhere to go?
Rubuska: And now you can't wait to do the same to me. Then, fine, go ahead!
Tears begin to streak down her face.
Rubuska: I'm a vampire! Everyone hates me! Go on! What are you waiting for?
Rubuska: Follow your rules! Pierce me through with a stake!
Corvus & Semmelweis: ...
Aima: Goodness, Rubuska, you ...
The carriage is silent for a moment. The passengers stare at the girl as if seeing her anew.
The conductress loosens the strings that bind her.
Corvus: Apologies, we had to tie you up to prevent you from—
Rubuska: Ah-ha! The weakness is revealed.
Rubuska: Take this, pal!
COMBAT
Rubuska: Argh! I didn't even get a good bite in!
Resistance is futile. The conductress pins her down with ease.
Corvus: You're brave.
Corvus: Bold, even.
Corvus: But you're not going anywhere for now.
Rubuska: Let me go! Let me—
Corvus: I'll leave her to you, Investigator. The "Danube Dawn" is not a detention center. We have no obligation to take care of your travel companion.
Semmelweis: ...
A minor nuisance, nothing more.
If it were not for her missing teammates, the investigator wouldn't mind playing chaperone for a day.
Aima: But, perhaps we could offer a personal favor to Ms. Semmelweis?
The stewardess, silent until now, finally speaks with a strange note of eagerness.
Aima: I'm sure I could find an empty room to take care of her, I mean, keep an eye on her.
Corvus: ...
Corvus: The train will arrive at the border checkpoint later today.
Corvus: She can stay with us until then.
Semmelweis lets out a steady, meaningful breath, resigned to this course of action.
Semmelweis: I appreciate your cooperation.
Rubuska: Wait, what about what I think? Where are you taking me?
Sensing the girl's unease, Aima gently takes her hand.
Aima: You can stay in my room, Rubi.
Aima: There's an extra sofa stuffed with goose feathers. It's ever so soft. You're welcome to have a rest there if you're tired.
Rubuska: Rubi?
Rubuska: Come to think of it, that sofa does sound tempting.
Corvus: Call it "house arrest."
Corvus: Allow us to escort you.
The two figures march down the narrow train corridor.
One dangles by her collar, the other nearly scraping the roof. Together, an inseparable, uncanny whole.
Rubuska: Ach, watch it! You're pulling my hair!
Rubuska: I'll bite you! All of you! I swear ...
If you ignore the faintest bit of noise, that is.