voidtreckerexpress | 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

Once the wyvern has its secure - well, more or less - place, Inigo moves to climb up to the top bunk as well, having done it so often at this point that it's a familiar movement by now.

It's obvious that Taiki is more than a little awkward. It's practically radiating off him with that body language going on here. But it's not like Inigo expected any different. It's not like his mood is going to turn around that quickly with Gyousou leaving like this. Inigo knows much too well just how exactly it feels when that happens.

So he doesn't say anything for the moment. Instead he just takes off his shoes, throwing them down to the ground (though careful to avoid dropping them on the wyvern) and then he starts to move.

He puts an arm around the other boy, dragging him down alongside him so they're both laying on the bunk, rather than sitting. And despite it not even being close to any time to sleep, Inigo figures they may as well get cozy. So he moves to grab the blanket, pulling it over the two of them while they're like this.

And when he settles in, he makes his other arm join in, making his arms now completely encircle the other to hold him close.

There's absolutely no awkwardness about this on Inigo's part. It's natural to him. If anything, he likes it, being this close to someone, let alone someone as important to him as Taiki.

"There. This isn't uncomfortable, is it?"

He lets himself be dragged to lie next to Inigo, shifting slightly but trying his best not to take up too much room. The blanket is welcome, warm and heavy on top of them and the arms are more welcome, circled around him.

"No." He shook his head, "It isn't uncomfortable."

It was nice, being close to someone. Having someone to hold him like this. He feels a little awkward, because he is sure that Inigo has better things to do. But he is grateful. It's not uncomfortable at all.

"Tell me if you need me to move."

"If I need you to move anywhere, it's to cuddle even closer with me."

It's purposefully made to sound like a joke, because it mostly is. It's just a light way to poke at that statement Taiki is making without explicitly having to say 'I don't want you to go anywhere right now'. If there's anything particularly heartbreaking about Taiki's sadness, it's that he always seems to make himself more and more sad with each moment, feeling like his very sadness itself is a bother.

"I mean, I might just get too used to you being this close here with me. And then I'll never be able to let you go back to your own room." He's a little hesitant, though it doesn't show on the outside. Is it okay to just talk about all this other stuff when Gyousou left? But he really doesn't feel like lingering on that particular topic is going to help Taiki much in this moment. It would most likely just bring forth more sad thoughts.

He does so, the moment the words are out of Inigo's mouth he moves closer, as if the idea of denying Inigo anything, even the most lighthearted suggestion is too much for him right now.

And it's not like he minds, not at all. Inigo's arms around him feel safe, comforting. He wouldn't mind, staying here with Inigo. He knows that it being this close is something Inigo likes, that he would happily hug people.

"Won't your roommates mind?" These rooms aren't big and he knows Tidus won't mind, but he has no idea who the others are.

"Nah."

Tidus obviously won't mind, but Inigo can't imagine S'reee or Rose minding this either. They're both nice enough, after all, and Taiki is just about the most inoffensive being in existence.

"I mean, you're here in my bed with me! Not in theirs." He laughs a little, and leans their faces closer to lightly rub his nose against Taiki's own before moving his head back again. ".. so don't worry so much, okay, Taiki..? I know it's hard. I know it must hurt so much, but.. at least you're still surrounded by people who love you, you know. Tidus and I will be right here with you, for as long as you want."

He blinks at the nose rub but then smiles, a part of the sorrow easing. Not by much, it doesn't feel like the shadow over his heart will even truly vanish. Not whilst he is separated from his king.

But knowing that he is with people who care, who he cares about. Friends. Friends who still seem so impossible. People who like him just because. Not because he is their kirin, not because he is the hope of their land.

It feels wrong, to be liked just for being him. But he is also very thankful for it.

He will still worry though, it is in his very nature to do so.

For a moment Inigo stays quiet, just staring at the smile on his friend's face. He knows that it doesn't make Taiki instantly okay. Maybe he'll never be as okay as he was before, back when Gyousou was here at his side.

(It's a painful thought, and Inigo quickly shoves it down.)

"Want to try sleeping a little bit?" He instead says, softly. Sure, they haven't even been awake for that long, but Taiki must have exerted himself anyway with all these emotions. And maybe it'd be good for him to let his thoughts drift off into dreams for a few moments.

He nodded, he hasn't been awake long but also sleep sounded good. He doesn't really want to be awake at the moment, he's exhausted and right now, with Inigo at his side he feels safe, he wants that to continue.

He shifts closer and closes his eyes.

It's a relief, just the sheer fact that Taiki wants to sleep in the first place. Sure, some people might consider it pretty boring to just lay there in bed while someone is sleeping in your arms, but Inigo is just about the last person to mind that particular arrangement.

Especially when it's Taiki of all people. And even moreso when Taiki needs comfort more than ever in this moment.

So Inigo just adjusts his hold on the other so Taiki is as comfortable as possible, trying to fluff up the blanket a little as he adjusts that over them too.

"Sleep well." He says, softly. "I'll be here."

Today, he's all Taiki's.

He lets Inigo fuss, bottling down the guilt, the feeling that he is being too much and he should leave Inigo be. He knows Inigo doesn't mind but it is hard to not feel like a burden on the other boy.

Still for now he feels safe in the knowledge that Inigo won't leave him and won't be annoyed at the cuddling, as he drifts off to sleep.

A New Platform [Intro Post March]

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