Somewhere, West Virginia, USA.
Jeb was still smiling as he made his way to work.
She kissed him. He wasn't expecting it, especially as they hardly knew each other. Then again, his own parents barely knew each other when they had him and that... didn't turn out very well, he thought.
He made a note to take her out on a date when he had a minute. If he wanted this to be something important he needed to make sure they knew more then what they did now, which wasn't much besides names, gender, and species.
"Wonder if she'll like jambalaya?" Jeb thought aloud as he pulled into the trainyard.
He clocked in and went to Engine Bay #4. It's been getting moodier lately. All these older models were like that. But at least it didn't stop working if some microchip fried.
Some railroads were switching to the newer stuff that were more "efficient" and "eco-friendly". But the company here in Somewhere was sticking to what was tried and true! The good 'ol American Iron Horse! Sure it took about a dozen guys to keep them running with back breaking work. But at least you KNEW it would run instead of hoping a wire wasn't crossed and it sent you flying to the Pearly Gates.
Jeb walked into the Engine Bay and beheld an American Marvel.
A Class D Shay Steam-powered Locomotive! Three cylinders, hauling four trucks, weighting at 100 and 150 short tons of raw American iron and steel barreling down the tracks at 26mph!
She may not be smooth and sleek looking but she got the job done.
Jeb patted the side of the great beast before entering the engine cab. Clive was there, covered in grease with his hands in the guts of the machine.
"So what's the damage today?" Jeb asked Clive.
"Boss is hoping its something simple like the levers not connecting fully."
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"And not somethin' expensive like replacein' an entire train?"
"Yup."
Jeb groaned and bent down to help Clive.
As the day progressed Clive kept looking towards Jeb like he wanted to ask something before stopping and returning to work. After about the 6th time Jeb just outright asked Clive what was it he wanted.
"You ever meet any little people Jeb?" Clive asked, unsure of the question he himself was asking.
Jeb stopped dead from working and turned to Clive.
"What do you mean by "little people" Clive?"
"You know, like dwarves! Short, 3ft, humans!" Clive said.
Breathing a sigh of relief Jeb chuckled.
"Not that I can recall. Might wanna ask Morty. He's more "cosmopolitan" than I am."
Clive still looked unsure.
"So you never heard of them refer to themselves as "Halflings" right?"
"The only "Halflin's" I know are from our games."
Clive looked deep in thought at that.
"Well, what do you remember of them from the games?
Jeb paused work trying to remember.
"Depends on which books or games. Most have 'em as honest and hard workin', keep to themselves, love their food. Some also have 'em bein' friskier than a dog in heat, but that usually depends on the book or game."
Clive looked deep in thought at that.
"Why, thinkin' of re-rolling one for our next session?" Jeb asked.
Clive just shook his head.
"No, just curious is all. Speaking of which. "Cosmopolitan?" You saw that word in a magazine didn't you?"
"Shut up Clive."
-----
Jeb clocked out and made his way to the coal mine.
When he got near the entrance to the mine yard he was greeted by a strange sight.
CONDEMED! Was written in bold on a sign and the gate was padlocked and chained tight.
"When did this happen!?" Jeb said aloud as he called Morty on his cell.
RRRIINNGG
RRIINNGG
RRRIIINGGG
"Laissez les bons temps rouler!" BEEP!
"Morty you lazy fuck! ANSWEAR THE PHONE!!! I'm at the mine and the place is closed up! The hell happen!? Anyway since your not answearin' and this place is closed I'm just gonna borrow some stuff from the shed. Not like your usin' it now huh?" He set his phone down and got a pair of bolt cutters from his truck and snapped the chains and pushed the gate open.
He drove his truck near the equipment shed on the far side of the mine near the entrance to the actual mine. He got out and tried to open the shed, only to find that it was also locked.
"Lets see if I can remember where that spare key was." Jeb said as he ran his hand above the door.
Skitter, scratch
Jeb turned towards the mine where the sound seemed to come from. When he saw nothing he returned to trying to find the key.
-----
A pair of beady yellow eyes watched Jeb from the darkness of the mine.
"Da Boss said dat we's make shur dat NOBODY got into da mine." The Goblin said to itself.
It cackled and held up a crude shiv.
"Time fer a lil "ax-a-dent!"
Pulling on a hood to help block the evening sun from it's dark-attuned eyes and crept towards Jeb.
As it closed in on Jeb it raised it's weapon ready to end him, but a dark blur rushed from the nearby bushes and grabbed it with barely a yelp and a crunch before speeding back into the bushes.
-----
Jeb turned towards the noise. Nothing but a bit of churned gravel and dust was all he could see. He looked around and other than some bushes rustling a little nothing was out of the ordinary.
"Must've been a deer." Jeb said as he finally found the key and unlocked the shed, filled his truck bed with picks and shovels, and made his way back home.
But not before stopping at the store to load up on more food for the Kobold Tribe, and some stuff for his date.