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

[bakegarasu]

"Ah. Wouldn't have been you then, even if you were in my world. My father shot him while I was trying to rescue him." He says it casually, though there's an uneven note to his voice. "That debt was settled."

... Hm. "He was a terrible person, besides. So it was justified, anyway." The way that people have responded to him discussing what his childhood was like has at least told him that much.

[controlsthedie]

"..." Thanatos turns to look at Otoha. It sounds like his relationship with Reiji and his father was complicated. He'd equate it to another father-son pair he knows, but it's a little different when the Lord of the Dead and the Prince of the Underworld fight.

Both of them don't stay dead if they kill each other, for starters, and Otoha's people didn't. Should he give his sympathies? Praise him for dealing justice?

"I don't judge the souls in death. That isn't part of my job."

[bakegarasu]

""... It's fine. I would have outlived them all anyway, even if both of them were alive. ... Grief's a mess, but whatever. I have potentially hundreds of years to figure it out."

He's not sure how to feel about that one.

[controlsthedie]

Grief isn't something Thanatos has much first hand experience with. He's seen it. Mortals cry for their love ones. They lash out at him for taking someone away "too soon" as if Thanatos had a part in that. Some try to bribe him with all the riches they own believing that even Death Incarnate would have some want for them.

But feeling it himself? Thanatos isn't sure he'd recognize the feeling.

"For what it's worth, it seems time dulls grief."

[bakegarasu]

"And I have nothing but it, now." He's really not sure what to do with it... hm. Actually. "Do mortals believe in spirits in general where you're from? I mean, before you show up."

[controlsthedie]

Having nothing but time? Thanatos knows exactly how that feels. He doesn't know what to do with it either.

"They do. There are plenty of beings to believe in beyond the gods."

[bakegarasu]

"Oh. Most people in my world don't. ... But there's a world of -" What's the best word to describe yokai to someone not familiar with them? "... Spirits? I guess that would be the best term. It sits... somewhat on top of the human world, though yokai are usually invisible to people unless they want to be visible. ... And their connection to humanity is pretty strong. When humans stop believing in them, they get sick and die."

There's a faint look of guilt in his eyes. "The guy who had my job before me thought that killing a bunch of humans would make them afraid and more likely to believe in yokai. ... That's why I got tapped for the job. The city's will needed him gone. But... I don't really have any experience with spirits. If they're something people know about in your world though... it might not be helpful, I don't know."

[controlsthedie]

"I could tell you of the beings in my world, but there may not be overlap. They live among mortals and gods. They can choose to be seen or not. However, I do not know how necessary belief is."

After all, if belief was something that directly affected them, then Thanatos can name a few beings who should have disappeared or weakened over time.

"You spoke of getting rid of your predecessor. Do you mean to get rid of the yokai as well?"

[bakegarasu]

"No!" The answer comes out sharply, and Otoha takes a deep breath. Try that again, Otoha. "No. They're citizens of the city just as much as the humans are. Part of my job is to treat them. I can't... cure them from wasting away from lack of belief, but I can at least make them things to help ease the pain."

[controlsthedie]

Thanatos nearly shifts away at the outburst, though he wouldn't have been able to say if it was from being startled or fearing he had erred in a major way. Luckily, he manages to stay put enough for Otoha to explain himself.

Ah. The situation is more complicated if the yokai are citizens of the city as well. "Mortals, sometimes, need help to see past what they believe to be the truth." Like with what happens after death, they may not know or have the wrong idea entirely.

[bakegarasu]

"... Yeah. I'm trying to do what I can. It's just... like I said." He gestures to his sword and to Thanatos. "... We both have experience with ending lives rather than saving them..."

[controlsthedie]

"Have you spoken to Ryo about this? He..." Thanatos trails off, trying to think how to word this unsaid draw Ryo has. Persephone has it too if he's honest. "He seems to be the opposite of our natures and could probably give you better ideas than me."

[bakegarasu]

"... Not about the yokai thing. About other things... yes. He's... good at being a person. And I'm not..." No. That's not what Ryo wants him to think. "... I'm... new to being thought of as... a person."

[controlsthedie]

"If it's any consolation... Ryo's helping me with the same thing. Him and Persephone." And a few others. But those two have really made him a project of theirs.

"Might want to try asking, see if he knows anything about spirits and how they live."

[bakegarasu]

"I've met her." They aren't close, but he knows who she is. "I might. ... Not used to being thought of as a person either, huh." With the whole 'death incarnate' thing. "... If you want to talk to someone who understands I'm... usually around."

[controlsthedie]

He's a god with an important job which keeps him busy. Thanatos didn't need much of a reason or had a chance to explore life for his own sake. "Appreciate it. I have a feeling we'll be crossing paths often." A pause. "Hopefully for reasons different than earlier."

[bakegarasu]

"... Yeah. And... I can't say I'm much of a human, especially not anymore... but if you've got a 'human question' you're not comfortable asking Ryo, you can run it past me." He... is more familiar with the violent and sordid stuff humans do. He's not sure he wants to put any of that near Ryo, even if he can handle it.

[controlsthedie]

"Oh, I know what humans are capable of, but I'll consider it." Although, Thanatos thinks that any question he would have would be brought up by either Ryo or Persephone in the first place. And if it's not... Thanatos doesn't know what would bring it up.

Insert "How do you know if you like like someone?" jokes here.

"If you ever want to talk death or the afterlife, I suppose I can offer you the same."