A New Platform [Intro Post April]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Once again passengers are awoken by the morning announcement.

"Good morning passengers, it is day Sixteen 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 after lunch. A lunch that may be a bit sparse: between the big eaters and the stress bakers, the stores have been stretched thin the last two weeks.

"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 steam is thin, with blue skies seen above. The sun shines brightly down, warm light pooling on the platform.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Cassie Lang, Glorfindel, Jessie Custer, Olivia, Paddra Nsu-Yeul, S’reee, Thea Queen, Wei Wuxian.

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, open, with a vine-covered wall stretching high either side of the barrier. 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 eighteen 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 doors close behind them.

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 plenty more tomatoes.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. There is a suitcase stocked with spare wash kit items, for those who are running low as well as a box labelled Do Not Use Yet that is full of small 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 who are making the most of the sunshine. 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

[its_dad_sanzo]

Well, no, but...

"Yes. It's important!"

It's one thing to wait to pick up the animal after the rush of package-seekers have gone through the luggage car, and even to try to fortify a little before-hand (and wow, had that backfired)...

But he doesn't want to leave it alone much longer than he has, even if it's probably still sound asleep.

Unless it isn't.

So now he's concerned. He's never ordered something living from the train before, what if the sleep is temporary? What if there's a demonic monster absolutely losing its shit in a crate?

When Koumyou climbs to his feet it's a slow process compared to his usual bounding energy, and he still looks like he just ran the length of the train... multiple times.

Oh good, the train's spinning again.

"...Maybe if I hold onto your arm?"

[subcircuits]

Devero presses [x] to doubt. Koumyou's moving like he's a thousand years old and feeling every year of it. If he's already suggesting he needs to hold on to Devero for the walk, there's no way he's ready for a trip all the way down to basically the other end of the train.

Turning his back to the priest, Devero goes to one knee and holds his arms out to either side. "How about a ride, instead?"

[its_dad_sanzo]

Koumyou manages a tired laugh at that, stepping closer and putting a slender hand on Dev's shoulder. But then he hesitates, "A piggyback ride? Are you sure?"

If anyone can walk the length of the train with a hundred and forty pounds on their back, it's probably Devero. But he'd like to be sure the guy's considered that, first.

[subcircuits]

"I can't guarantee I'll be able to take you the whole way, but I'll take you as far as I can." He's considered it!

[its_dad_sanzo]

"...Well, alright, just don't over-do it!"

It's Koumyou's turn to say that to Devero, for once!

But he goes ahead and steps in real close, putting both hands on Devero's shoulders and offering up a leg.

[subcircuits]

The irony is not lost on him. "I'll be prudent, I promise," he says with a laugh.

He wraps his arm around the offered leg, then stands and scoops up the other one at the same time. Up they go, Koumyou's double layer of cloaks falling around them. At least he's not wearing his robes?

[its_dad_sanzo]

Up they go! And once Devero's adjusted to his weight, Koumyou cranes his neck forward to plant a surprise smooch on his cheek.

"Thank you, Dev-chan."

He definitely appreciates the help, here.

[subcircuits]

The smooch makes the big man beam, glancing back at his passenger with so very much affection in his expression. "Anything for you."

Doors prove a bit of an obstacle-- first out of the quiet room, then at the end of the quiet car, but they work out a system soon enough. Despite his burden-- and 140 pounds of priest is a burden, even for him-- he walks briskly enough...

Y'know, for the first few cars they pass through.

[its_dad_sanzo]

The first few cars is pretty impressive! Koumyou certainly couldn't have moved as fast for as long if their positions were reversed. When Devero starts to slow down, the priest squeezes his shoulders.

"I can walk for a bit, let you recover?"

He can't walk as fast as Dev has been, and will probably have to hold onto him, but at least he'd be moving his own weight.

[subcircuits]

Devero hesitates. Koumyou is getting heavy, but not yet to the point that his weight is an unbearable burden. Devero considers for a moment, then glances over his shoulder at the priest. "Next car's the garden car," he says. "Why don't we sit for a few minutes there? Take a little break."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Okay," Koumyou manages a tired smile, "that sounds like a good idea."

They're still moving a hell of a lot faster than he'd have managed, in his state.

[subcircuits]

They enter the garden car soon enough, with its serene paths and benches and the Void swirling overhead. Dev's feeling the burn in his arms and shoulders now for sure, so he's more than happy to deposit Koumyou on a bench and sit beside him.

"How are you feeling?"

[its_dad_sanzo]

Koumyou leans against his side, but for the first time since Dev had found him in the kitchen, it's more because he wants to than because he can't stay upright.

"A little better," still not exactly capable of moving very fast on his own, but at least being conscious isn't difficult, now. Life energy enough for just sitting and being awake and talking is at least a start.

He rests the side of his head on Devero's shoulder with a sigh, "Sorry about all this."

[subcircuits]

He even sounds better, like it's no longer a struggle just to string words together. Devero is immensely relieved. He wraps his arm around Koumyou's waist and holds him close, returning the leaning pressure with a little bit of his own.

"Hey, it's all right," he tells him quietly. "It was an accident, right? And you got it under control pretty quick, didn't you?"

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Mm, and for the trek we're on," Koumyou adds tiredly, "I just hope the kitty is still asleep when we get there."

He's not sure he has the energy to handle a panicked or angry demonic monster. Not without potentially killing it by using the sutra, anyway.

[subcircuits]

"Koumyou, I'd carry you like this for fun if you asked me to," Devero tells him, turning his head to kiss Koumyou's hair. "You don't have to apologize for that. I offered."

He purses his lips and nods. "I hope so too. I don't know how much help I'll be against a demon, even if it's a cat, too." He laughs, a hollow little ha ha.

[its_dad_sanzo]

"For fun, really?" Koumyou's laugh is still tired, but there's a little of that usual bubbliness in there, too.

"..I don't know what sort of powers this cat may have. I just don't want to have to kill it."

That would be unspeakably sad, to get a new pet and immediately have to murder it. Fitting, for someone from his world. For someone afraid to show too much love to anyone or anything, lest they immediately be snatched away.

Bad enough to even have to already be contemplating the possibility.

[subcircuits]

"Showing off is fun!" And he can imagine Koumyou's smile, Koumyou's laugh if he was his usual self and Devero carried him off on his back, and that's fun too.

Killing pets is not fun. Devero squeezes Koumyou tight, his expression drawn. "You won't have to kill it," he says firmly. "We'll figure out a way to handle it even if it's awake and mad."

Blind optimism? Absolutely. But if he has to wrestle a demon cat with his bare hands to keep his Sanzo's day from getting worse, he will.

[its_dad_sanzo]

Koumyou smiles wanly over and up at him, and then leans in and up to steal a smooch.

"You're so very wonderful, my Devero. Thank you."

[subcircuits]

Devero smiles down at him, squeezing his shoulders again. "You're welcome," he murmurs. He leans his head against Koumyou's for a moment, then sits back upright. "Let me know when you're ready to keep going, hm?"

[its_dad_sanzo]

"I'm ready whenever you are," Koumyou says quietly, then manages to whine a little, "this train is so long!"

[subcircuits]

"It sure is, isn't it?" Wait, why does that make him smile like that--

"You want to walk for a bit, or keep riding?"

[its_dad_sanzo]

"I'll try walking a bit," Koumyou moves to get up, not as slowly as he had in the quiet room, but still not nearly as energetic as normal.

At least he doesn't immediately sway in place like earlier, although he will still grab onto Devero's arm once the other man is also up.

[subcircuits]

Devero could be proper gentleman escorting a partner to a formal affair, the dignity with which he supports Koumyou as they continue on their trek.

Their very long trek. There's seventeen cars yet to go between the garden car and luggage-- a long enough trip when they're both fresh, but with Koumyou this drained and moving this slow? Devero can't help but worry about exhausting the priest again before they even get to luggage.

"Hey," he says softly, as they pass into the first of the eight sleeper carriages, "what do you say we get you to our room, and then I'll nip the rest of the way down to luggage and pick up your cat?"

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Hmm... do you promise to immediately come get me if it's loose and aggressive?"

Even if his chi is tapped out, he's the creature's intended person. The train picked this one for him. He may be able to calm it down.