Big Daddy, how did you turn into a figure?
Tian An took the figure and examined it closely.
"What's this?" March 7th and Star both crowded around to look.
Seeing the three of them huddled together inspecting the tiny object, Tian Ning turned her gaze towards Himeko at the side, then looked at Pom-Pom again.
"Do you want to play with Pom-Pom?" Himeko saw through her little scheme – bartering.
"Ah, what a hassle. Who exactly threw you onto our train?" Himeko sighed helplessly. She walked over to Tian Ning, crouched down, and patted her head.
"If you want to play with Pom-Pom, you have to ask for its permission, okay?"
Hearing this, Tian Ning cast an enthusiastic gaze upon Pom-Pom. Her round, slightly chubby cheeks screamed cuteness, paired with her little skirt and black jacket, making her look like some kind of mafia daughter.
Though small in stature, she already seemed to have shrewdness written all over her face.
"Hey, this Conductor doesn't play with kids! W-What are you doing, don't come over here!!"
"Such an imposing figure, but this ram-like helmet...." March 7th didn't quite understand the imagery of the "ram head."
Tian An placed the object on the table, but her eyes were fixed on Tian Ning, who was now chasing Pom-Pom.
Don't misunderstand, it wasn't her idea; Theresia had asked her to observe this loli of unknown origin.
"Quick, save me, Pom! Don't we still have to go to... Jarilo?!" Pom-Pom took two steps at once, hiding behind Theresia (Tian An's body) and trembling.
"Oh right, I almost forgot our objective this time." Himeko was reminded, looking out the window at the white planet.
"So... who is this little girl?" Dan Heng had appeared behind Star at some point, nearly scaring her.
Hearing Dan Heng's question, the others could only shake their heads, indicating they didn't know either.
"Little Tian An, I'm temporarily taking control of the body for a moment." Theresia's voice suddenly sounded.
"Huh? Oh, okay." Although Tian An had some questions, she agreed without hesitation.
Upon receiving Tian An's consent, Theresia instantly took control of the body, and Tian An's consciousness was pulled into her mind.
Presenting, the complete Teacher Te!
"Theresia?"
"Mm-hmm." Having taken control, Theresia moved the body around a bit. She felt the sensation of the energy within the body after a long time—that feeling of carrying many burdens with nowhere to place them.
"Little Tian An, there's actually another reason why I didn't take the body back."
"?"
"I can't maintain control over this body for too long right now." Theresia watched the little one trot over to her, smiling gently.
"Ooh ah..." Tian Ning's eyes widened almost like saucers, but not directed at Pom-Pom, rather at this big pink-haired sister.
As a professional expert in handling young children, Teacher Theresia knew best how to capture a child's heart. Although Tian Ning's age was unknown, as long as they were this size, it was guaranteed to work.
Theresia and Tian Ning began a staring contest.
Tian Ning started to waver.
Tian Ning pulled another object out of her pocket.
....
This time it was the White Rabbit, FrostNova.
"Little Tian Ning, can you tell me where you got these things?" Theresia gently pinched Tian Ning's little cheek, asking with a smile.
Perhaps Tian Ning considered these items as bargaining chips to play with Pom-Pom.
Tian Ning took off her jacket, shook it out, indicating she didn't know where these things came from either.
And she didn't have any more.
Doraemon's pocket?
That was Tian An's first thought.
"What's that?" Theresia asked mentally.
"Ahem, nothing."
However, Tian An couldn't shake the feeling that this little loli named Tian Ning resembled an old acquaintance.
Tian Ning wasn't interested in these character figures, so she handed FrostNova to Theresia as well.
Theresia accepted it reverently and placed it on the table too.
Now father and daughter were reunited (not really).
Theresia slowly picked Tian Ning up. Tian Ning, surprisingly, didn't resist, allowing Theresia to hold her.
Theresia tames another child (not really).
"Aren't you going to ask anything?" Tian An inquired doubtfully.
"There's nothing to ask. I've already seen clearly." Theresia continued stroking Tian Ning's head.
You could guess our Teacher Te already used her abilities.
"Well then, let's plan our itinerary for this trip," Himeko finally spoke up, seeing that Tian Ning had quieted down.
"Jarilo-VI, you mean this ice ball?" March 7th looked out the window.
"Yes. After all these years, the planet has become like this."
"Um... while I don't want to disturb your enjoyment, I have to mention something," Pom-Pom weakly stepped away from Theresia's feet.
"The Star Rail's stability has dropped by 11%. Our originally scheduled 7-day stop has become indefinite."
"Huh? Why?" Star was a bit clueless.
"My guess.... is because of the Stellaron."
"Me?" Star pointed at herself.
"Not you, silly," March 7th tapped Star's head.
"Encountering such a situation, it can only be a Stellaron. You can never imagine what the Cancer of All Worlds will bring," Welt said gravely.
"Mmm.... Mmm!" Tian Ning chimed in agreement.
.....
"Let's just get straight to the Trailblazing part," Tian An was back online, as Theresia had gone off to study these "figures."
"Yes, we need to send people down," Himeko confirmed. "The target is the Stellaron that might be causing this disaster."
"So this time, you all..." Himeko hadn't finished speaking when the people in front of her shot their hands up—swish swish swish. Star, seeing everyone else raise their hands, belatedly raised hers too.
Tian Ning also raised her hand.....
"Tian Ning, you stay here with Himeko and the others, okay?"
Tian Ning puffs cheeks.JPG
Tian An, mimicking Theresia's technique, continued to rua Tian Ning's head, watching her play with the FrostNova "figure," which was even emitting light.
Emitting light.....
Wait!
Just as Tian An thought to stand up, she vanished instantly, along with the figure.
Thump! Tian Ning fell onto the floor.
"What the—?" The Express crew were all stunned. What kind of vanishing magic trick was that?!
"Wait... where's my Theresia?" Star started scratching her head frantically.
"Huh?" She looked around, her eyes vacant.
"Where did my huge Theresia go?!"
———————————————————
Theresia: Doctor, Doctor, although I really hope to listen to the concert with you, I probably can't accompany you anymore.
Why? Are you leaving again?
Theresia: I couldn't get tickets for Ambience Synesthesia.
Then Star Rail's, Star Rail's is fine too!
Couldn't get those either.
...