A New Platform [Intro Post February]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Three days after the Voidtreckers return to the void after their adventures on the biosphere world, they are awoken by a familiar announcement.

"Good morning passengers, it is day Sixteen of the month of Jelly. Points have been updated on the system."

They have indeed, and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train for a while will also be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A lurch and a jolt and the windows fill with the fog that means they are at a platform. The fog seems thicker than usual and as they step out onto the platform they will find it is cold, very cold. Icy fog sticks to their clothing, makes it hard to see very far; the atmosphere is dark and gloomy.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Alexis Rhodes, Elfnein, Itsuki Myoudouin, Ken Ichijouji, MT, Neku Sakuraba, Nike Lemercier, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Rainbow Dash, Rei Saotome, Taichi Yagami, Tsubomi Hanasaki, Yuri Tsukikage and Zechs Merquise all pass through the platform, not looking back before they disappear through the barriers and into the fog beyond.

But on the platform itself there are new faces. Wearing hoodies in all four colours, in various states of confusion.

For New Passengers

At first all they can see is steam, billowing around them as they come to their senses. As their eyes adjust, they will see they are on a platform, glass and dark stone rising in sturdy arches around them. Behind them is a set of barriers, and in front of them is a single track extending both ways into thick fog.

They are standing, in clothes that are not their own and a style they might not even recognise. They are carrying a rucksack on their back. For a moment it seems to just be them, alone in the white haze; then the steam begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform is not large with sixteen figures scattered around, all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. To both the left and right, tracks disappear into the mist. Then there is a roaring sound and out of the fog arrives a train. Jet black with gold writing on the side. The Voidtrecker Express. There is a hiss as the doors slide open and out step a strange assortment of people. Some are human, some are less so. Most are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple, though some are sporting different clothes in a variety of styles.

The Train

After a short time, the doors hiss open again. Those from the train may encourage those on the platform to board. It’s not like there's anywhere else to go and even if there was, you feel a pull. A need to board, a feeling that staying on the platform would lead to something terrible. If that is not enough, there are plenty of people on the platform now, to encourage them onto the train.

Each ICP shows the same message and next to the screens there are stacks of leaflets written by those on the train, with further information (see
'Publications'). The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, including several crates of avocados, the ingredient of the month of Jelly, as well as all sundries.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags.

New passengers will find their ticket allows them into their cabins. They may need to negotiate for beds, especially if they want a top bunk!

Room is tight but there are storage cubbies at the head of each bed, beds fold up and the bottom bunks double as benches for the small table. There is storage under those benches full of spare blankets and pillows.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers braving the freezing fog, and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view again as it picks up speed.

"Welcome aboard, passengers of the Voidtrecker Express." A female-coded artificial sounding voice echoes throughout the train. "Please take the time to read the passenger information displayed on the Information and Communication points and familiarise yourself with the layout and emergency exits."

The train begins to tilt, leaving the ground and rising up into the fog-filled sky.

"Entrance into Voidspace imminent. New passengers are advised to remain seated. Entry into Voidspace in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

A shudder, a jolt, a lurch to the left. A flash of light, colourful and blinding. As quick as it happens it is done. The train seems to steady itself. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!

Comments

seto kaiba | ota

[blue_ice]

platform

Kaiba still doesn't like the orange, but he reluctantly wears it for platform days. Best to help the group find each other, they're supposed to be a (mostly) cohesive unit.

He feels a twinge of regret at the departures...he hadn't really gotten to know Rei as well as he'd have liked to. Maybe Alexis could've come around eventually. And Ken...he was a good guy. He bowed his head a moment, his usual goodbye.

But then it was onward to greeting newcomers, in his usual gruff way. "Breathe. It sucks, but we'll explain what we can on the way."

games car

If anyone's here to check out the games, well. There's a guy in a slick black and blue dress suit here, looking a little out of place. He's standing near a table with a silk sheet thrown over it, and...now he's trying to...pose? He tries perching on the chair, leaning against the chair, standing with a pen pressed to his lip...got to find that perfect pose.

"How much longer? Or is he just not...ugh. Should've asked."

after (any car)

Later, Kaiba will have changed back into his more casual blue tunic and dress pants, with one notable addition: the card-shaped locket he always wears now has a shining titanium ring hanging above it. He doesn't stop to handle it like a dweeb...much...

Okay, he stops to admire it a little.

games car

[blitzcheer]

"Should I have dressed up?"

There's plenty of reasons to be passing through the games car, but there's fewer for the sight that Kaiba is providing. Caught with that coy pen to lips pose. Oh, very sexy, guy.

Tidus stands taking in the scene, a hand on his waist a tilt of his brow to match with the small smirk on his lips.

"This is something."

[blue_ice]

"Um..."

Kaiba's cheeks turn a light shade of pink when he realizes he's been caught. This is definitely different behavior from him! He's aware of that much. He straightens posture and shrugs.

"I'm committing to Yugi tonight. Almost like a proposal, I guess. Didn't want to risk waiting a few more months for a nice world to do it on."

[blitzcheer]

"Wha-" Committing? Almost like a proposal? Sounds like a proposal from where Tidus is standing, and it takes him by surprise for a second, brows raising.

"Must be serious!" If Seto's thinking about doing that! He looks from the table, to how Seto's dressed now. "So what, is this a practice run?"

[blue_ice]

"Right. He should be coming through this car soon...and I'm going to ask him then. We both already promised to pour everything into finding each other if the train separates us...I've crossed dimensions to do the impossible and find someone before, if anyone can find people I can."

It's still a concern, but he's doing everything to project confidence on that point.

"And besides that...well, I love him. I want everyone to know, because he's incredible and should think more highly of himself."

[blitzcheer]

...well, doesn't that touch on some unexpected feelings. Searching for each other no matter what, doing the impossible--it closes Tidus's throat of the joking lightness he may have taken all this otherwise, offering to stand in if Seto really wanted to practice an engagement.

He's given up. ...but other people won't, will they?

The feelings settle, or Tidus's smile does, only a second or so passing after Seto's done talking. The smile on Tidus's face softening, sincere. A light fond hum behind his lips.

"That's pretty romantic. Didn't know you had it in you."

Well, he can still tease a little after all.

[blue_ice]

Seto's embarrassment returns in full force. He's always been passionate about the things that matter to him most: his pride, his strategy game, and his brother, but love for a partner is still new. It really has changed him.

"Yugi made me a better man. I owe him the world."

He squeezed the ring box with a wistful expression, then pocketed it once more. "...hey, did you come here to play a game? I still have time, if you're interested."

[blitzcheer]

"If you want some company before the big moment." Hah. Tidus walks closer to the prepped table, not sure if they'd want to do anything at it after Seto's nicely set it out, but using the spot to eye the boxes of games in view.

"Might be an easy two player one around here. Know any?"

[blue_ice]

"I still can't believe it's happening. But one look at Ichigo and Grimmjow...I'm pretty sure of it now."

Kaiba thinks a moment, then drops a checkers box onto the table. Simple enough rules, and a simple enough game that it's just enough to keep him busy.

"I need to get my mind on anything else. I don't think obsessing over how it's going to go is helping. So...anything new with you?"

[ After ]

[subcircuits]

Devero's not trying to creep, honest, but he does notice Kaiba admiring the accessory, and he can't help but try to crane for a peek at it. "Get something good delivered today?"

[blue_ice]

While Kaiba might normally shy away from this kind of behavior, today he's elated enough to share his happiness with anyone unlucky enough to cross paths with him. So Devero gets a small nod and smile, and he pulls the chain forward to let him get a better look. It's a very simple ring, but that's how he likes it.

"Yugi and I exchanged a promise, and he has a matching one," he explains. "We're from different worlds, so I have to build the bridge between us first. But nothing's going to stop me from finding him."

[subcircuits]

Devero leans down as prompted and has a look at the ring (and the locket too, actually). "It's lovely," he says with a smile. "I can't believe I didn't know you had a partner here. Congratulations to you both!"

[blue_ice]

"I tend to be more private with my emotions," he says with a soft shake of his head.

That's not a jab at Devero and Koumyou at all, despite what it might sound like. He thinks they're fun. But he opens the locket to show him.

It contains two pictures. The first, a little older, is of a small boy with wild black hair at a chessboard. The second is of Seto and Yugi in the gym car, both wearing brightly colored onesies.

"That's my brother, Mokuba. And I'm sure you've seen Yugi around, he's my partner. We were fierce rivals back home, but since I met him here...he's made me a better person in every way."

[subcircuits]

"Nothing wrong with that," Devero says easily. "I would have said the same thing before I met Koumyou Sanzo." He would have been somewhat wrong, but he would have said it.

He does recognize the short boy in the photo with Kaiba. Hair like that is pretty unmistakable; he's definitely seen him around the train, even if they've never been introduced. And his face takes on a noticeable softness as he looks at the little picture of Kaiba's brother. He probably won't ever be able to shake his wistful envy of people with families.

"What changed?" he asks, looking back up at Kaiba. "--If you don't mind me asking, of course."

cw: implied child emotional abuse

[blue_ice]

Seto smirks a little at the mention of Koumyou. Of course. But then he takes the ring between his fingers, thoughtful.

"It's a long story, and it actually ties into my brother too---but I'll try to keep it short."

Deep breaths. "Mokuba and I were orphaned shortly after he was born. To keep us together, I had to get us adopted by a cruel man---we got out from under his thumb eventually, but I became a monster because I thought I needed to to survive. When I first met Yugi, I didn't give a damn about anyone."

He sighed. "I terrorized his grandfather, so Yugi and his friend put me what you might call a magic coma...the intent was a rebirth, of sorts. And it worked. I still didn't trust anyone, or want to make friends. I kept crossing paths with Yugi, and his friends hated me for good reason, but he kept reaching out to me."

A small, fond smile. "I've finally started dealing with my problems. Being here with a common goal forced me to realize that I'm just another person. Yugi proved to me that kindness isn't a weakness, he let me start over with him...and I'll always be grateful for that."

[subcircuits]

Another thing Devero's probably never going to be able to shake is his visceral horror when he hears about children who've been betrayed by their caregivers. He tries to keep his expression neutral, but-- it's hard. It's hard not to be horrified and a little angry on the behalf of a younger Kaiba and his brother that Devero has never, and probably will never, meet.

But as Kaiba continues talking, he gets it under control. There's nothing his simmering, impotent disgust can do from worlds-- and years-- away from Kaiba's childhood.

He puts a hand on Kaiba's shoulder and squeezes. "Seems to me the train's pretty good at--" He pauses, for an instant balanced on the edge of a familiar cliff. Behind him lies the safe, comfortable path of silence and denial; ahead, an unknown gulf of vulnerability and accountability. However, there's a narrow, trembling bridge that's been strung out over that gulf since he arrived on the train, and Devero makes himself step onto it.

"--At making stubborn fucks face their-- their problems," he finishes after that hesitation. (Okay, it was a small step onto the bridge.) He smiles, crooked and a little wan. "He sounds like a great guy. I'm glad you have this with him now."

[blue_ice]

That phrasing draws a laugh from Seto. He feels a little lighter now---every time he tells someone about the darkness he came from and they don't run, it's another small victory. He's fine the way he is, he belongs.

"You have some experience in this realm to draw from?"

after

[emerald_mirror]

It's not 'like a dweeb'. It's cute. If there was ever a time Xander was just making chinhands, now is probably it. Seto's happy. He's happy for Seto. Things are going good for his friend, and Xander's just going to bask in that a little bit.

He's not out to draw attention to himself, honestly, but being nearly as tall as Seto normally, with the addition of wings that are a foot taller? Yeah, Xander is a little bad at hiding.

[blue_ice]

Seto is walking through the rock garden at this point in the afternoon, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. It's been a great day, and he doesn't want this feeling to end.

He brushes past the statues, barely paying any mind to them, until one of them ruffles a wing. Wait, what? Statues don't move---

---oh. That's Xander. He smiles and shakes his head.

"You're here for an explanation, right?"

[emerald_mirror]

Xander laughed a little bit at that--but then he shook his head.

"Nope. Not unless you want to give me one, Seto. I'm just--you're happy, so I'm happy. It wasn't a fun platform. Forgive me for wanting to borrow a little of your good feelings."

Kaiba...probably should've expected something like that from Xander, though, really. At least the former comment. If anything, Xander might look a little guilty about admitting to the latter, but he did just ask forgiveness, too...

[blue_ice]

Seto thinks about it for a moment...that comment worries him a little, so he comes closer, gently lifting his locket up. Xander might notice that the familiar chain is now a double-loop, and there's a new ring hanging above the locket.

"I committed to Yugi," is his simple explanation. "We traded rings. No matter what, we're staying together. Even if the train drops us off on different platforms, I'll invent my way back into the void. I've done something like it before."

He has no illusions that it'll be easy...but he has the willpower. It's a feeling of contentment, with that easy happiness continuing. Then...he sighs, some sympathy flowing into his emotional output.

"Who did you lose on platform?

[emerald_mirror]

At first, Xander smiles, leaning in to look at the locket and the ring, and nodding at Seto as he explains.

"You've got the brains for it too, if anyone I know does." Nodding a bit, then, until Seto asks his next question, and the nephilim's face falls a little.

"Me personally? No one, this time, but I remember my friends who left...like Sven and Paper. Romeo lost Elfnein, and..." He trails off at that. On one hand, Xander knows that Siebren probably hadn't told Xander anything that he wouldn't trust Seto with. On the other hand--he'd listened in confidence, and so he keeps his peace. If Siebren wants Seto to know, the older man can tell Kaiba himself.

"You lose anyone, this time?"

[blue_ice]

Seto can see that there's something he's not being told, but he lets it go. Xander had said he wanted positivity, and...unbelievably, he's in the best place to provide it.

"Alexis and Rei. They were from my world's future, and I didn't get to know them as well as I wanted to," he laments. "But apparently some version of me will be part of their future, so it's not over yet."

He closes his eyes and thinks another farewell for them, before turning back to Xander. "But if you're still reeling from emotional bleed...you can stay with me for a while. I don't mind. We could relax."

[emerald_mirror]

"I'm sorry." But he does brighten a little at Seto's offer to hang out. "Thanks, I really do appreciate it!" Not that most people on the train are all downers all the time, but someone being really, genuinely happy? Even for a reason? It tends to be more few and far between.

And Seto's got a really good, really genuine reason to be happy.

"Congratulations on your commitment, by the way. Since I didn't actually say as much when you explained it to me. And I do appreciate the explanation!" And who else was genuinely happy for his friend's happiness? This guy!

[blue_ice]

"I'll be fine," Seto promises. He does regret...but he has happiness right in front of him, and he's not letting that go, ever.

It's something he should share, actually. So after a moment of thought, remembering what Xander's told him before...he scoots over and leans against Xander, arm to arm.

"It's...made everything brighter. I'm glad I have so many people. You, too."

He lets his emotions say what words can't. Gratitude, fondness.