voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post February]

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A New Platform [Intro Post February]

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!

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[Ryo has been spending a good amount of time in the kitchen today - he'd gotten quite a few bear bones from Senku and has been making bone broth, quietly keeping an eye the pots as they simmer on the stove. He's not surprised to feel his Sense fold in on itself as someone approaches; there are quite a few incredibly powerful people on the train, and he's in a highly frequented area. He doesn't pay much attention as they pass by into stores, but he does take the time to feel out the energy as it hits his Sense - cautiously, around the edges, just in case.]

[He feels...not familiar, but similar...to Thanatos, actually - there's a feeling of darkness to both of them, though that's where the similarity ends. While Thanatos's darkness feels cool and still, like a lake on a winter night, this one feels lively and warm, like a campfire.]

[Ryo is still lost in thought when the person - spirit? god? - returns from the stores car and Ryo gets a good look. He's in red, his feet are on fire, and he's holding an avocado that he's just taken a bite out of. Through the peel.]

[...yeah, Ryo is staring. At least the fire doesn't seem to bother this person?]

[He startles when he's addressed. Gods, but he hopes this person is in a good mood - they may be odd, but they're still powerful.]

Um- no. Uh- do you always eat those like that?

[It's out before he can really think about it. He can't help himself.]

[Ryo's sense says a lot, and all of it is bizarre. Ryo's first impression is spot on, in that he reads as any god might: powerful, terrible in his life energy. But occasionally in his aura's reading, there is a crimson thread of mortal life that dances on the surface, like playful tongues of flame, or like the strange laurel leaves crowning his head that free themselves from him only to dissipate in the air as ash.

But as Ryo watches, he can catch more glimpses into this man. While his energy does seem akin to Thanatos' energy, the darkness seems to be only a veneer that covers his true aura; and even at the edges it is dazzling in its spectacle. As every color of the rainbow is present in the light, every spark of life seems to shine in this man's energy, forming a kaleidoscope of readings that's hard to sift through for any individual shapes, but beautiful when taken together.

Zagreus frowns at the question, taking a look at the avocado in his hand.]

I wouldn't know, I've never had one before. What is it, exactly?

[At least he seems friendly enough?]

[The confusion explains a few things, at least.]

It's called an avocado - I hadn't had one before I got here either. There is a better way to eat it, though - I can show you if you want.

[And he holds his hand out for the avocado. Do you trust this mortal with your food, Zagreus?]

[Zagreus squints with his two differently colored eyes for a moment, but then shrugs his shoulders as he decides to hand over the avocado with the conspicuous chunk bitten out of it. What's Ryo gonna do, try and kill him? He's had worse.]

Avocado, huh? Never heard of one before. I'll have to ask Mo- my... friend back home if she knows anything about them.

[He doesn't miss that squint, but...well, he's been friends with Thanatos for two weeks. Powerful people looking at him like he's insane for suggesting perfectly normal things is starting to become old hat.]

[He gets a plate and a knife, then sets about slicing open the avocado, one long cut all the way around and then a firm twist to separate the halves. He might not have had these at home, but he's had enough practice here to have some idea of what he's doing. He removes the pit and is carefully cutting the avocado into slices when there's a break in the conversation, and...]

[He pauses for a moment, closes his eyes, and sighs. He really doesn't want to have to be the one to deliver bad news to a god(?), but there's no one else here and lying will be much worse in the long run.]

You...might not get to see her for a while. We don't really get to choose when we leave.

[He's just going to keep that knife perfectly still until he gets a reaction. Not that it'll help him, but...best not to draw attention to it.]

Than was saying something like that, earlier. That we're trapped here?

[He... doesn't really want to talk about Thanatos right now. Not with how awkwardly their first meeting seems to have gone. Zagreus picks up a slice of avocado from the plate between two fingers, popping the whole thing in his mouth like an apple slice. He chews for a moment, considering Ryo's words.]

Well if I'm good at one thing, it's escaping from places I'm not supposed to escape from. If there's any way of leaving the train, I'm sure I'll figure it out.

[Than...either that's a nickname, or he's talking about someone else. At least he doesn't seem too upset about the news, and Ryo resumes slicing the avocado, putting the remaining slices on the plate.]

If you do, let the rest of us know - I think most of us would like to go home. But the people who've been here for a while haven't found anything, and even Thanatos hasn't gotten out with his... [He puts the knife down and makes a vague motion.] ...poof...trick.

[It's accurate enough, and he is absolutely fishing for information. If this person knows Thanatos - the one here, not some different version like Persephone - then there's a relatively short list of people he could be.]

Ha! Yeah. Apparently he's been able to do it since he was born. I never quite got the hang of it myself - I can only teleport a blade's length or so away from where I started. Gets pretty handy when dodging attacks, though. Damn, I'd hoped Than would have gotten somewhere with that "trick" of his.

[Zagreus picks up the avocado pit and examines it.]

So you don't eat this part? What do you do with it, then?

[It is a nickname, and he knows Thanatos. That's some confirmation, at least.]

Evidently he can't get outside the train walls, which...well, I'd rather be in here than out in the void.

[A god might do okay out there, but a human? He'd rather not risk it.]

[He looks over at the pit.]

I've been told it's a seed - we could try planting it if there's an open space in the greenhouse.

[Persephone would be the person to ask, but if this person is who he thinks they are, it might be best not to mention her.]

[He might as well keep fishing - it's worked okay so far.]

So- have you known Thanatos for very long?

I think that outside might be part of Master Chaos' domain. They're... well, they're a lot to look at, sometimes, and so is the mass of color outside. Though normally when I see their domain, it's dark, like a bunch of stars.

[He seems to perk up at that. A plant! Then maybe...]

... do you think we could? I've never tried my hand at growing anything, but Mother's kind of the Goddess of that, so... who knows? And I bet the Persephone here might like it. I... kind of blew up at her, on the platform. Still feel pretty bad about it. Do you think she'd like an avocado plant? Oh, silly me, she must have a hundred of them, being the Goddess of... never mind.

[He sighs, obviously flustered. This situation with Persephone is clearly still weighing on him. The change of topic is most welcome.]

I've known Than since I was born. Or rather, I'd see him around in my Father's domain whenever he wasn't busy collecting mortal souls. I didn't speak to him, just kind of waved whenever I saw him, that sort of thing. I didn't really speak to him until he cut off all his hair. Ha, you should have seen the look he gave me when I told him I liked him better with the long hair. He looked like he was going to strike me down then and there.

[That is...a lot. All at once. Ryo blinks a few times, trying to put his thoughts together after that deluge of information. It's a few questions answered, at least - at this point, he's pretty sure this is Zagreus.]

[He pauses, then puts the knife down. Knifework and conversations that require concentration tend not to mix.]

[Deep breath in, deep breath out. Okay.]

Okay, one: Thanatos doesn't seem like he gets to make a lot of his own decisions, so making one and then getting criticized- [Makes you feel like you can't do anything right-] -probably doesn't feel great. Two: we can plant one if you want - if nothing else, we can probably find a pot to plant it in. Three: Persephone is a kind person; if you've apologized and meant it, I'm sure it'll be fine. Four-

[...he doesn't have a fourth point. He'd just gotten carried away.]

[Um-]

...are you Zagreus?

[Hopefully that works?]

Well of course I know that now, but at the time I was used to everyone's appearances staying the same. You know, with all of us being immortal and/or dead.

Well I can try. They just need water and earth and sunlight, right? Don't get much of that in the Underworld, and I'm not sure this place has any sunlight to speak of. How will I know it's too much? I suppose I should really ask Persephone, but... augh, if it's meant to be an apology to her, then it won't do to spoil the surprise, will it?

She may be kind, but I doubt I'm the person she'd really want to see right now. [He lets out a bit of a flustered sigh, shoving a few avocado slices in his mouth so he doesn't start blathering on again. After he finishes swallowing, he simply states:] We seem to be cordial, now, and that's the best I can hope for, really, after what I said.

... uhm, I thought you... knew? Since you were asking me about Than and Persephone. But since you and I haven't been introduced properly... hi. I'm Zagreus.

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A New Platform [Intro Post February]

II: AvocadNO

Excuse me while I wax poetically about Zagreus' aura

I love it and also Ryo is going to miss it entirely ;;;

lmao whoops

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Hades spoilers obvs

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