voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post March]

Entry tags:

A New Platform [Intro Post March]

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

OH NO HE'S BEING ATTACKED wait no he's being - hugged???? Hugs are so much better than attacks, but the world is confusing and Wormmon is just one (1) bug. He blinks.

"Huh?"

He lets go after a moment, not wanting to squish him too much. "Mister Ken? Did he come with you or are you on your own?"

That would be sad! If Wormmon had come back all on his own!

"Ken-chan's....here..." says Wormmon, still not following how this boy knows the two of them. But then something else clicks and he twists in Romeo's hold, panicking. "ISN'T HE?!"

"Wormmon!"

And that would be a worm sagging in relief in Romeo's hold, all concerns forgotten. Ken-chan is here. The world can get as confusing as it wants to, now. It will all still work out.

Ken runs out of the fog, glances around (which sets his long hair swaying). His expression lights up when he sees his partner safe and sound. Over he hurries, and smiles at Romeo.

"Did you catch him? Thank you."

Cinnamon roll....meet sinnamon roll.

Romeo kept hold of the panicking bug, looking around with big eyes for mister Ken, because that would be terrible! If Wormmon had come on his own!

But they only had to worry a few seconds before mister... No... A boy, not so much older than Romeo appeared. Wormmon's relief told him this was mister Ken! But small...

He looked around, as if just to check that the other adults hadn't mysteriously shrank again. But everything else seemed normal. He looked back at Ken with a small smile, as Wormmon hurries back to him.

"He got a bit spooked I think!"

Did Ken even recognise him? Was this just a different Ken completely? He looked... sort of the same, just a lot smaller. And Wormmon was the same...

"I see....Sorry, Wormmon."

Wormmon shakes his head. "It's not your fault. Ken-chan, as long as you're here, I won't be scared of ANYTHING."

That makes Ken smile all over, a warm smile that feels as if it should be dispelling this fog. He holds out his arms so this other boy can pass over his partner.

"We're still getting our bearings," he explains; the necessity of getting information and this boy's kindness towards Wormmon help Ken with difficult things like "holding a conversation". "Have you just arrived, as well?"

He grinned, even if this was a different Ken and maybe a different Wormmon it was clear that they were still good friends who did really good teamwork together!

He hands Wormmon over with a smile and shakes his head.

"No. I've been here a long time, so I can show you around if you like! Your name is still Ken, right? I'm Romeo!"

Still Ken...?

Ken nods. "Ichijouji Ken....I'm sorry, Romeo-kun. Have we met?"

His instant theory is that the holes in his memory are coming back to mess with him again. But why would the powers of darkness want to obscure him and Wormmon meeting this boy? Or coming to this world?

Wormmon has extra information, now that he thinks of it, so he pipes up. "He knew me, too! When he caught me."

"You don't remember...?"

Wormmon shakes his head, and there goes Ken's theory. Everything he's forgotten about his past, Wormmon remembers.

What is going on?

"Um... Sort of!" He smiled at them both.

"It's a bit of a complicated story though so we should get on the train and sit down and then I will tell you!"

Because stood on this cold platform with thunder rumbling is maybe not the best time to learn about lots of different worlds!

Romeo has a point. Ken nods. "I appreciate it."

Wormmon snuggles up to be ~~closer to Ken-chan~~ ~~cuddly against this nice soft hoodie~~ easier to transport. Onto the train they go! Ken-chan is a kind and considerate boy, so he will even automatically let Romeo take the lead and find a place he thinks is good.

Romeo led them to the tables in the standard coach, basically the same place he had met mister Ken for the first time!

But it's a good place to sit down and talk.

"Here we go, you will want to sit down because it will get bumpy when we set off!"

Oh, it gets bumpy? Wormmon blinks. That sounds a little...um....gulp....

As his partner sits, Wormmon settles into Ken's lap. "You can hold onto me if you get trainsick, Ken-chan."

Ken doesn't quite think that's what Romeo had meant. But it's not like he doesn't appreciate the sentiment, so he smiles. "Thank you."

"Ehee."

Is the nice boy going to sit down, too? Wormmon hopes so. Ken-chan is doing a good job talking to him, and it would be great if Ken-chan could make a friend this fast.

Romeo does indeed sit down, clambering onto the chair opposite them. "Don't worry Wormmon, just keep hold of Ken-kun and it will be okay!"

He remembered that Wormmon hadn't liked it the last time he had been new here. Or a different Wormmon. He's not too sure on that!

He grinned at them both. "This is a special train that takes us to lots of different worlds! We all come from different worlds too and sometimes those worlds have the same people in them!"

Extra special reassurance just for him!! And the advice is extremely good. Any advice that involves holding onto Ken-chan is really the best advice. Wormmon shall adhere to this suggestion. (And to Ken.)

Ken puts an arm around Wormmon unconsciously, providing the extra reassurance while he considers Romeo's explanation. He's not sure what to make of 'the same people in them' until he considers context.

Now he's not confused, he just has food for thought. "Then, you knew our names because you've met versions of us before?"

"Yes!" He nodded, "I met you both before. Well sort of. Wormmon was the same."

Very much the same, he smiles as he sees Wormmon hugging onto Ken like that! Hopefully he won't get too scared when the train sets off!

"But you were a grown up!"

Ken stares at Romeo. "A....grown up.....?"

The other him who'd arrived........was an adult...............?!

Wormmon stares too, but he's staring at Ken. And fantasizing. A grown-up Ken-chan?

A GROWN-UP KEN-CHAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Yes." He nodded and gave them a moment. It's a lot to understand all at once.

"They must have been from a world where you grew up already!"

He doesn't understand it at all, the train is as strange as the heavens when it came to such things.

A world where he'd grown up already.....

"Parallel world theory."

"KEN-CHAN! You speak ENGLISH?!"

"A little." And then, while Wormmon gets his own mind blown, Ken thinks about this new information. A world where he'd grown up already. A world with an adult Ichijouji Ken. An adult Ichijouji Ken who remains partnered with Wormmon, which implies that person was an adult Ichijouji Ken who had either never been or rejected being the Digimon Kaiser, who devalued Wormmon....

But not necessarily the same Ichijouji Ken he will grow up to be?

Ken hesitates. He doesn't want to be a bother and ask........That must be why he's feeling uneasy.

Ken-chan might speak English but Romeo doesn't so there's a flash of confusion at those words that he doesn't understand.

But Romeo understands that look, Ken is thinking. And he's thinking about Big Questions.

It's confusing he knows, so he gives him a moment, though he does add.

"You can ask anything you want, though I might not know all the answers!"

But if he doesn't, they can find someone who does. There's lots of smart people on this train.

"Mm." Ken swallows. "Then......"

He knows what he needs to ask. He needs to focus on the things he's been summoned to do, on what's expected of him, on the circumstances at hand, on what there is to do now. But -

But an adult version of him, that word adult, is sticking with him. He's - afraid of it. So he can't stop thinking about it.

Why?

Wormmon shifts to put his head in Ken-chan's lap. He is not worried about anything in this situation at all. Ken-chan will pick what is best for himself. That is the only thing Wormmon needs to know.

Romeo leaned forwards, reaching out towards his hand to grasp it if Ken allows it. "It's okay Ken-kun! It's a bit scary I know and I just gave you lots of information and you just came to the train! So it's okay if it's tricky to keep your spirits up."

He's struggling with that today too, Alfredo just left, one more friend vanished. But that's why he can only be glad that another friend is here, even if it's a different version and even if Ken doesn't know they are friends yet!

"It will be okay though!"

Ken nods. He wants to ask, and doesn't want to ask, about the adult version of himself. It's distracting him. Whether it's who he'll grow up to be, or someone who's lived a different life from his particular iteration of Ichijouji Ken.....And it might be a bad idea to ask anything at all. He still is the person who determines who he becomes. Just because that Ken is a certain way doesn't mean that'll be him.

So why is he still curious.....?

.........Oh. It's as simple as that.

"I don't need to know details," he decides aloud, which makes Wormmon's head tilt up. Ken-chan? "But....."

Just this one thing. Just this one thing, for adult Ichijouji Ken. For whom, no matter what he'd been through, Ken longs for one thing. "Was my older self....happy?"

Please. If there's more than one Ichijouji Ken, please, all of them find happiness. All of them find peace.

He can't bear the thought of anyone not emerging from the pain he's felt.

Romeo thought for a moment, because it can be tricky to tell if adults are happy sometimes. But he was pretty sure Ken was.

He was sure of it! He nodded. "He was. He had Wormmon and they were best friends! I don't think you can be sad if you got a best friend like that! And he liked art and origami and I think that made him happy too!"

He definitely hadn't seemed sad!

Art and origami....? Like what he'd done last Christmas? It had been absorbing. Somehow he had ended up with more cranes than anticipated, simply because he enjoyed the act of folding them....

But no matter Ken's future hobbies, Romeo is raising a crucial point. "That's true. No matter the circumstances, I could never be sad as long as I had Wormmon."

And he grins, completely reassured. There is a world where adult Ichijouji Ken is happy. And Ken already has everything he needs for a future like that, too.

"Thank you, Romeo-kun."

Wormmon was already reeling from "I could never be sad as long as I had Wormmon", and then a full-voltage Ken-chan smile on top of that....Face bright red, he gurgles in joy and then short-circuits. Steam wafts from his head.

"....Wormmon?"

He nodded. He knew that was true. Because how could anybody in the whole world be sad when they had such a friend!

He's lost two very good friends in the last month alone. If he didn't always know just how important good friends were, he would know now. Wormmon and Ken. They should be together forever, no matter what world and no matter how big or small Ken was!

He smiles but his smile very quickly turns to worry.

"Oh no! Wormmon are you alright?"

Wormmon chortles, basking in his own emotions. "Gyahuhuh~~~~~"

Ken's embarrassed, a little, but he also can't help but hurry to reassure Romeo. "It's okay. He's happy........I think."

Seriously, this is a bit much. He glances down at his partner, who has apparently ascended to a higher plane of exisKence.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject