It feels like it’s been months since my last entry, but it hasn't really been that long. A lot has changed.

Manehattan's no longer visible, but the memories are still as clear as though they happened hours ago. Some of the workers have gotten homesick, but we're helping them to continue. At the pace we're going, they'll be back to their families by Hearth Warming's Eve.

Others are having difficulties as well, next to all of which involve some variant of physical exhaustion. We all get equal shifts, but a few guys have to take an hour's rest or so. No one wants to quit out now, not after how far we've gotten. Besides, the walk back to Manehattan's a long way.

I'm worried, it seems like the mentality of the crew is beginning to change under stress. I was about to end my shift when I saw a zebra already out, picking up where I'd left off. I had forgotten to refill my lantern, and it shorted out as he brought his mallet down. It seemed like the world came to a momentary halt as that unforgettable sound of cracking bone filled the air. I rushed over and carried the helped the poor screaming striped stallion to a medical tent and it turns out that he only sustained a minor fracture to his left shin.

The doctor says he'll be out of work for a couple of days, but even after he's able to work again, he'll be restricted to "lightweight work" for another few weeks.

While it may sound morbid, even a bit selfish, that zebra's injury isn't the most worrying thing that happened that night. Actually, it was the looks, or lack thereof, that we got on the way to the medical tent. Even with the rapidly dwindling night, I could easily see hostility in some equines' eyes, and total indifference in others'. The scant few looks of concern I got from some of the workers did little to comfort my nerves. I actually got pulled aside by Big Iron and told to "leave the zebras to more qualified personnel"! What the hay does that even mean? I thought every member of the entire Railway effort believed in racial equality?

It's a bit sad to say that that incident was probably the most noteworthy thing to happen in some time. I've taken up trying to learn a bit of both Zebra and Ibex. If anything, it'll help along the railway a bit smoother.

I can't dwell solely on the bad, though. I've gotten to know Rook, Swan, and Jack all a bit better now. Rook's been working overtime when it comes to pulling the Profectus along. Somehow, he always has enough energy left in him for a game of chess or two. He may be a machine on the job, but he makes for a great pillow when off it.

Swan Song's been cycling through more songs than I believed physically capable of remembering. She has yet to repeat one (unless otherwise requested), and she sings each song with such grace that, before we know it, the sun is setting and another mile or so of track has been laid. She's by far the pony with the highest spirits out of the 200 of us. I can see why Jack likes her.

Speaking of Mr. Skittish, the pegasus seems to have grown more comfortable with his surroundings. That seems to have helped him out a lot. He's reaching out, trying to make new friends, but he still has us, Swan especially. I get the sense we're all he really wants.

The four of us have taken up a few different card games as a sort of "end of the day" kind of thing, just a way to wind down after roughly 10 or more hours of work. We've taken a particular liking in 21 Blackjack. It's quick, fun, and easy to learn. One of the first rules we were told before we joined the Manehattan Trunkline was that gambling using any sort of currency was strictly prohibited. We use bottle caps and sometimes moderately sized rocks instead. It's funny, really. Jack gets some of the worst hands in the game, but he can scare all of us out of staying whenever he wants to. The stallion flinches at an unfamiliar shadow, but he has a poker face that could discourage a fully grown cockatrice. Still, he lets Swan Song win every time.

All in all, we're the best of friends. It's a nice feeling.

I may not be able to add a new entry until much later. The Trunkline crew has to punch a hole in the side of Hollow Shades Mountain Range.

Until then.