A New Platform [Intro Post March]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Once again passengers are awoken by the morning announcement.

"Good morning passengers, it is day One of the month of Kazoo. 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 is thick, the air is warm and humid and there are rumbles of thunder, the air heavy with the promise of rain.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Alfredo Martini, Daia, Enna Alchiba, Lord El-Melloi II, Natsuno Yuuki, Nita Callahan, Saku Gyousou, Sakura, V and Wen Qing

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, and seems smaller with twenty-seven 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.

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'). Those not new to the train will note the addition of an eighth sleeper carriage. The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, it seems the month of Kazoo is defined by the tomato and there are plenty of them.

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 as thunder rumbles further and the storm threatens to break. 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

[fennu]

Jiang Cheng doesn't jump when he hears the voice, but he does go a little tense before he breathes out and stands up a little straight. At least the propriety of being a Sect Leader means that he can bring himself together and be polite, at least. Even if he does feel like a child being scolded by an elder.

Turning his head, he shifts and offers a low, proper bow, even without Sandu in his hands.

"Thank you. It isn't something I have much experience with." He glances back over at the clothing, pausing for a brief second before he breathes out. "But I want to help."

[stardustofdawn]

Xingchen makes a proper bow back and he smiles brightly. He can see how tense he is, and even for a sect leader, the job can be hard.

"It's fine. Let me do it, and you just watch. I know the washer machines is kinda scary." There are two large washer machines, one at each end, and they're a little noisy. Between the machines are washing lines, a basket of wooden pegs, and fans for drying. So no drying machines at least.

"I can show you how to operate it. You just put the clothes and linens together into the machines." He demonstrates, doing the work for him, and once the machine is full, he just dump a bottle of detergent where it suppose to go. "This liquid is detergent. It's like a soap to wash all the clothes and sheets." He explains, hopefully he follows and the soap suds eventually builds up as the machine goes around and around behind the glass door, spinning and spinning.

"I am Xiao Xingchen, by the way. Pleased to meet you."

[fennu]

The bow immediately puts him at ease, settling some of the tension and awkwardness that Jiang Cheng carries around more often than not.

"I'm not afraid," he replies almost immediately, a little snap that he thinks that he ought to regret. He lifts a hand to rub at the little wrinkle in his forehead, the frustration showing on his face. This is all too much for someone who not that long ago was trying not to bleed to death - and he's not sure he's entirely healed from that yet either.

His eyes are almost glued to the machines as he sees things go around. He'll wrap his mind around it all when he's used to it, but it's clear that he's not particularly happy about it. The name makes his expression flicker a moment before he nods. He definitely has to be more polite now, even when he feels more frustrated than he has in a while.

"Jiang Wanyin."

[stardustofdawn]

When Xingchen arrived months ago, he arrived with a lot of issues as well. It takes time and the company of others, and people's kindness to heal him and get where he is today.

"So there, that's all there is to it. The machine washes the clothes. It's amazing, isn't? It cleans three times of the load and much better and efficient cleaning than by hand." He rambles.

Hearing that name, he tries to jog his memory of his previous life. "Jiang Wanyin. I heard of you. I travelled through many provinces. You're the sect leader of Jiang Sect in Yunmeng. So we come from the same world." A beat and two. "Are you familiar with Wei Wuxian? He's my nephew."

[fennu]

The rambling does settle some of his ruffled feathers, some of the tension falling from his shoulders. It's easier once he recognises that he can do something, and he accepts the kindness. As much as he can accept kindness from anyone at least.

"I know of you, Xiao Xingchen. When Xue Yang was arrested." He nods. It's a faded memory now, especially with everything that had happened since, but he can at least be a touch more respectful. "That is my role now, yes. It is an honour to lead my Sect."

Which is, at least, very honest, up until Wei Wuxian is mentioned. The level of tightness that overcomes him makes the tension of before seem as though Jiang Cheng was at ease, and his hand clenches at his side. If he had Sandu it would be shaking in his grip.

"Yes, I know him."

[stardustofdawn]

Xiao Xingchen realized he's in the presence of a powerful leader in sect politics. He usually stay out of it, being a wanderer cultivator and living in a remote Yi city for many years.

There's a slight pause in his movements at the mention of Xue Yang's name. "Yes, that was me long ago. I tried to arrest him." He's about to say Xue Yang is here, but in doing so, he might be hunted, so by omission he said nothing and don't mention about it. He didn't want to waste his time and instead focus on an importance point of interest.

"Wei Wuxian has been kind to me. I had been blind for many years. If it weren't for his gift of sight, I wouldn't be able to see. I know of his mother and father before he was adopted into the Jiang Sect."

[fennu]

Jiang Cheng can't do much more than swallow his discomfort and forces himself to breathe out. These are all things he doesn't want to talk about - he doesn't want to talk about any of this, doesn't want conversations to be all about Wei Wuxian, but isn't that what always happens?

His hand flexes just a little, from clenched to outward, before he forces himself to calm down. There's no point getting angry at someone who doesn't know, but who doesn't know? The whole world knows about his complicated and twisted relationship with his - with Wei Wuxian.

"I - know. About him." He breathes in and breathes out. "Wei Wuxian was adopted into the Jiang Sect at a very young age."

[stardustofdawn]

He just have to speak a good word about his nephew. He has much gratitude to him. He sense Jiang Cheng's intensity and that he knows of him, and he felt there's a complexity but then again Wei Wuxian is complex himself.

Xingchen hearing is so good that he can literally hear him breathing erratically. "Yes, he's adopted and was trained there. That's much I know." He said. He's going to stop right here. "He's here, you know. So if his mother is here now, she'll be very proud of him. I think of her whenever I see him."

The laundry washing machine is going to take a long while through many cycles, so he's going to remain quiet.

[fennu]

That's not anything that Jiang Cheng wants to hear. He doesn't want to stand here and talk about Wei Wuxian, doesn't want to talk about his mother, about anything to do with - any of this. All it does is bring up bad memories, leaving a vile taste in his mouth.

It's always about Wei Wuxian, even in some other world where he barely knows anyone!

"He was head disciple. But he's no longer part of the Sect." All of that comes out with so much tension it's a surprise that Jiang Cheng doesn't choke on his own tongue. "He left. A long time ago."

[stardustofdawn]

"I see. Trying to find his path, perhaps?" The poor daozhang is only rambling, but then he realized he seems more patient than usual and he's becoming slightly aware of the tension.

So, brightly and cheerfully, shifting the subject. "Oh look the machine is finished. Once it stops spinning, that means the washing is done." With a hum, he opens the washing machine door and takes out the sheets and clothes to put in his own basket, and picks it up to take back to his room.

"Do you have any questions? On how to use the washer machine?"

[fennu]

For a moment Jiang Cheng isn't really capable of answering the first question; the idea of Wei Wuxian leaving to find his path - no. He left because he wanted to protect the Wen Sect and he... He had never been able to accept that, the broken promise hanging between them.

It's much easier for him to focus on their chores rather than think about stupid Wei Wuxian and their stupid arguments. He feels stupid for even thinking about it.

"Then it has to dry." Jiang Cheng nods. "I have no questions. Thank you." Tense and terse, but trying.