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

[flatteries]

The hand on her knee raises and then lowers again in a pat. It's a small one, though, as if it's meant to be more soothing than anything else. A reminder of his presence right here with her, especially as Inigo watches her deflate a little like that.

"I kind of thought so already," he admits, his voice a bit softer. It's not like there's anyone around to overhear them, but it still feels like a private thing, something meant between just the two of them in this moment.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

[unfavorableinstigation]

"It'd just be some of what we've talked about already, though," Nita protests weakly.

"... Missing people, I mean. Losing them."

And some part of Nita hates the repetition.

[flatteries]

"Ah."

That small sound is all that escapes Inigo's mouth at first. He gets it. How hard it is. Why it would hit her especially on a day like this - yet another day where some people left them. Without any explanation, without any goodbye.

"I know." And not just because it's something they've spoken about before. Inigo moves his knees up a little as well. "I haven't been out on the platform in months, actually. I just.. can't muster up the courage for it anymore. Not when I'll only see people I care about leave again."

Not that he's trying to make this about him. But it's more just.. they've already said so much about the topic. Maybe the most he can do right now is show her that she's not the only one. That people understand.

[unfavorableinstigation]

Sharing it... it helps, and normally Nita would say something to that effect.

But today, she just sighs, almost trying to squeeze in more towards both Inigo and the engine wall, and lifts a hand to hide her eyes.

The book she'd brought makes a soft thump on the floor, as she moves her other hand to where she knows Inigo's head is... and, softly, touches his hair.

[flatteries]

There sure is no protest against physical contact ever when it comes to Inigo. So he gladly accepts the touch. Quietly, at first, since maybe he doesn't want to disturb the silence with words when Nita herself clearly isn't saying a thing yet.

He just lets her touch his hair, the only silence here their soft breaths, the evidence they're still here.

It's probably only a minute or two at most, but it feels like an eternity before he speaks up again.

"All the broken hearts in the world still beat, you know."

Somehow. Even when it feels like they're not. When they may never beat again.

".. We'll be alright."

[unfavorableinstigation]

Nita's response to that is a thin smile as the hand on her face drops, a nod of acknowledgement.

She sighs once more, moving her hand through his hair in soft strokes.

/... We will./

Saying it in the Speech helped, in its own way; one couldn't lie in it, after all.

Even if Nita has a hard time imagining when that truth will be. Such is the nature of the beast.

[flatteries]

Inigo kind of grasps onto it. The symbolism of Nita not just saying it normally, but using the Speech. It makes the reply feel a bit more important.

(That touch in his hair though? It's really nice. It's not quite what Inigo expected upon coming here, but he's really glad to have it now. It's taking everything he's got within himself to hold himself back from just leaning into it like he's some sort of cat. It's that nice.)

"I think I'm slowly starting to understand why you fell asleep here."

He feels like he could do the same with that hand in his hair.

[unfavorableinstigation]

Nita snorts lightly, somehow trying to curl up even more into both Inigo and the wall (is the train even noticing that? No matter.), and there's a moment of adjustment before the hair-stroking resumes.

"... You saying you want to? That you'd be okay just- just staying here, for now?"

A touch of vulnerability. With me?, are the words she doesn't add.

[flatteries]

There's a breath. It almost sounds a little like a laugh, like he thinks the answer to that should be obvious.

"Of course." Sure, there are other people he could go see right now. But he's pretty sure they'll understand if he has to spend a little while with a friend to comfort them. It's not like he doesn't evenly spread his attention, after all.

So Inigo just smiles.

"I don't think there's anywhere more important I need to be at the moment than right here."

Wrap??? Or more cute snuggles, up to you.

[unfavorableinstigation]

Nita's caught wordless again - and the hairstroking stops, because this time Inigo's getting another hug.

I'm honored. I'm glad. Thank you.

None of those were exactly what she wanted to say, so she didn't say them... but she felt them, all the same.