The Adventrix train had seven cars. Car one was a wood-themed meeting room, with long purple sofas facing each other. Between them stood a brown table bearing a variety of materials for the show's opening segment—a stack of blue cards in a box at the center of the table. The host would spread the cards across the table, and the passengers would have to answer the questions written on them. This was the introduction session.
The windows behind the passenger seats were decorated with white curtains and arrangements of yellow artificial flowers. The room itself smelled of lavender, even though no one would be able to find a lavender flower anywhere inside it. It must be from aromatherapy hidden somewhere, Clara thought.
Car two was the dining car—a room filled with rows of dining tables for the passengers, along with a small kitchen in one corner. The passengers received free meals. Black and dark blue dominated this car. The food itself was neatly stored inside a metallic cabinet with numerous drawers.
Car three was for the female passengers. Each passenger received a small compartment containing a sleeping mattress, pillow, blanket, and wooden wardrobe. The car had eight compartments.
Car five was for the male passengers, with an interior similar to car three and eight compartments.
Cars four and six were lounge areas. Neither car had seats. They were simply covered in artificial grass, with wooden crates containing books, musical instruments, and anything else needed for games. Car four had a bright color scheme.
Car six had a darker feel because of the dark blue chosen for its walls. The windows in this car were oval, unlike those in the other cars, which were wide and rectangular.
The TV crew shared car seven with the train staff. It had eight compartments.
This luxury train departed at eight fifteen. Now, the passengers were receiving their blue cards in the meeting car.
“All right,” Aguin began. “While we wait for this train to reach Deinrow Station, viewers at home surely want to get to know this season’s passengers better. But first, I’d like to let you know that throughout the journey, passengers who successfully complete challenges will earn points that can be exchanged for money at the end of the show. One point is worth ten thousand reed. These points can also be used to buy costumes or anything else needed to improve their performance during the show.” Aguin smiled at the camera. “Now, let’s begin the introductions! Lasha, go ahead!”
Lasha jumped. “Me?” Lasha’s round eyes sparkled as she looked at Aguin. “Okay. Um...” Her gaze swept across the faces around her. “My name is Lasha. I’m from Munia village. I’m eight years old. I’m in second grade. And I really love dancing.”
Aguin looked impressed. “What kind of dancing can you do?”
“Oh.” Lasha looked at him for a moment. “I’m actually a ballerina.”
The other passengers began paying closer attention. Kei applauded, followed by Dianne, who was still grinning widely as she watched Lasha clearly enjoying the attention.
“In that case, I think we’ll have to add a dance game to our agenda!” Aguin commented.
Lasha laughed.
Clara jumped. A dance game? What now? No. There couldn’t be a dance game! she protested inwardly. She couldn’t even imagine dancing in front of a crowd, and she had never danced even by herself.