voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post April]

A New Platform [Intro Post April]

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!

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"I know." That quiet acknowledgement is all he says - other than that, he just stays where he is. His brother has been missing for four years. He knows that he can't have the people he wants with him - it's been the story of his life, so far.

As to why he'd been so certain that this time, things would be different...he has no answer.

The question gives him pause, and he opens his eyes. He doesn't...what does he-

His grip on Thanatos's arm tightens for just a moment before he remembers himself and lets go. That's not going to help either of them. "I..." Why had he wanted his friends here so badly? What does he need? "I- need someone who- understands." But that's not going to help- how can anyone understand if they don't know-

"I need someone to listen."

"I can't promise I will understand. I think you know enough about me to know that." Their constant talks about being a person or feeling hurt or gift giving are proof enough. It's not for a lack of trying to understand, but there are a lot of history and baggage for Thanatos to work through and think differently about. "But, I can listen. If you think that'll help."

Mort squeaks. He can listen too. "I can even close my eyes again if you do not wish to be seen while doing so. That at least I understand."

The offer to listen - the offer to keep his eyes closed, of all things - grounds Ryo, at least a little. "You...you don't have to do that." Wait. "Close your eyes, I mean. It- it's fine."

He settles and tries to figure out where to start. "I told you that my brother left." He takes a breath and sighs. No, that's...not it. Not all of it, at least. "...and I told you that the town that I grew up was...superstitious, about twins." That, unfortunately, is it. That's where he needs to start. "They believe that the younger twin is...a curse. That it's an evil creature who takes the older twin's form and follows it out into the world, causing misfortune and- eventually killing the older twin." Another deep breath. Why had it been so easy to tell Endon and Orion? Why is telling Thanatos so hard? "Ryoga is fifteen minutes older than me, and we look alike...and our mother died, when I was born. That's...all it took to convince everyone. My father had promised my mother he'd take care of us both, and he did, but- he never forgave me, and he didn't care if I knew it. My brother loved me, and my uncle, and everyone else...ignored me, blamed me when things went wrong, took their anger out on me, even- attacked me if I was alone." Torren. Gods, Torren. "I was a curse, and they'd be happier to see me gone.

"My uncle tried to get us both out, every time a caravan came through town, but my father would never let Ryoga go." You can take the curse, but you can't have my son. "That's why he left - he knew I wouldn't go without him, but with him already gone, there was nothing to stop my uncle from getting me out. We were just...waiting for the next caravan.

"But before that could come, we got a pair of travelers who needed help. Someone sent them to me - because when you hate strangers, you send them to the curse, right?" His voice wavers just a bit - it's a comment at his expense, and even though he made it, he still hates it - but he keeps going. "I helped them, and we got to talking, and...I found out they were twins themselves, though you'd never know it by looking at them. Once they heard what life was like for me, they- they offered to take me with them." His voice breaks, and he has to stop. Talking about his past is hard enough, but talking about Orion and Endon just hurts, especially when he'd been so hopeful that he'd be introducing them to Thanatos instead.

"... I understand more than I expected," Thanatos says quietly once Ryo stops. And Thanatos means it. What Ryo has told him puts into perspective why he's been so adamant about changing how Thanatos speaks and refers to himself. It's not the same. Ryo isn't a curse while Thanatos is Death. However, the connection is there. Among other things. And since Ryo hasn't made a move to push Thanatos away or sit on his own, Thanatos still doesn't let go.

Thanatos takes a breath, an all too human action, and then recites with easy cadence from having heard it many times:

"Sleep, king of gods, and men of mortal birth, sovereign of all sustained by Mother Earth;
For thy dominion is supreme alone, over all extended, and by all things known.
It's thine all bodies with benignant mind in other bands than those of brass to bind:
Tamer of cares, to weary toil repose, from whom sweet solace in affliction flows.
Thy pleasing, gentle chains preserve the soul, and even the dreadful cares of death control;
For Death and Lethe with oblivious stream, mankind thy genuine brothers justly deem.
With favoring aspect to my prayer incline, and save thy mystics in their works divine."

Thanatos finishes the first hymn and moves onto the second, yet his delivery of this hymn is nowhere near as smooth. He pauses at parts, second-guessing the wording, like he hasn't heard this nearly as much.

"Hear me, O Death, whose empire unconfined, extends to mortal tribes of every kind.
On thee, the portion of our time depends, whose absence lengthens life, whose presence ends.
Thy sleep perpetual bursts the vivid folds, by which the soul, attracting body holds:
Common to all of every sex and age, for naught escapes thy all-destructive rage;
Not youth itself thy clemency can gain, vigorous and strong, by thee untimely slain.
In thee, the end of nature's works is known, in thee, all judgment is absolved alone:
No suppliant arts thy dreadful rage control, no vows revoke the purpose of thy soul;
O blessed power regard my ardent prayer, and human life to age abundant spare."

The recitation of the hymns have multiple purposes. One is to show how mortals view the twins so differently. The other is to give Ryo a moment to compose himself.

He's honestly confused when Thanatos starts speaking - of all things, Ryo wasn't expecting poetry. But he listens, as he settles in and his breathing slowly evens out, because Thanatos wouldn't be saying this if it didn't mean something. The first is praising sleep - Thanatos's brother, if he remembers correctly - Hypnos, right? The second sounds like it's about Thanatos himself, and-

The only favor I can really give is to stay away.

Gods, he really does understand.

The cruelty of Thanatos's world staggers Ryo every time he hears of it, but he'd never thought to compare it to his own. Thanatos had lived what he'd lived, for so much longer than he had, and finding good friends and leaving town isn't going to help solve the problem for him like it had for Ryo. He's...stuck.

At least, he may be at home. Hopefully, even with all its issues, the train is something of a reprieve for him.

Ryo shifts, wrapping an arm around Thanatos's waist, finally hugging him back. "I'm sorry you have to live through that too," he says quietly. He wouldn't wish it on anyone else, and yet, here they both are.

"I'm even the younger twin, though I don't know by how much." There can't be a final sleep without Sleep existing first, but if anyone were to look at the twins, see how they act, they would assume Thanatos was the older. It matters little in the grand scheme of things.

"But mortals don't see all twins like us. With one being favored over the other. The Olympian twins, Apollo and Artemis, don't have the same issue. I am Death Incarnate; I can do little for mortals, unlike my twin." Hypnos has his own share of problems in the Underworld; he's not as valued as he is on the surface. Maybe it evens out, somehow. Gods, Thanatos hopes Hypnos has managed to keep his job. If the chaos of his absence does anything, let Hypnos keep his job. Let something spark in that head of his.

Thanatos shift to make it easier for Ryo to hug him. He still doesn't know if what he's saying is helping, but Ryo has calmed at least. "I know one thing, though. You are not a curse, Ryo. If you are, you're one of the best curses to exist."

Thanatos is a twin?

...Thanatos is a twin, like him, and evidently there's more than one set of twin gods on his world. He mulls that over and opens his mouth to reply, but Thanatos continues, and-

For a moment, he can't speak, can't breathe- he remembers Orion, hand firmly on his shoulder, green eyes meeting his- "You're not a curse. Don't let anyone tell you differently."

Thanatos does understand.

His grip tightens, and he clings to Thanatos, shaking. There's something else he needs- but he's asking too much already- but-

But Thanatos understands-

"Promise me something," he gasps. "Promise you won't leave." Wait- no, that's not it- "I mean- I know the train sends people away sometimes, and that- that's not what I mean- I-" Oh, gods. "Promise you won't abandon me. Promise you won't- be done with me, if I- if I do something wrong." The words tumble over each other, almost forced out, because he needs to know. "Or if you do, at least...tell me."

Deep down, some part of him knows that Thanatos won't simply get rid of him - not after everything they've shared. Despite that, a different part of him - the part of him that's been eaten alive by anxiety and fear ever since he'd started considering people to be his friends here - needs to hear it spoken aloud.

When Ryo starts to tremble in his arms, Thanatos nearly blurts out an offer to find someone else, Persephone? Zagreus? Zagreus is better with people than him--but then Ryo speaks. His true fear is revealed, and well, Thanatos understands that too, he thinks.

"I promise will not abandon you, and if for some reason I do have to leave, I will say goodbye first. If I'm unable to, please consider it against my will." He coworker punishes oath-breakers. He wouldn't want to be at the other end of her whip." ~~He's not like Zagreus. He doesn't like tying pain and pleasure together. Than's a soft boi.~~

Thanatos awkwardly pats Ryo's back. That is a comforting gesture, right? "To tell you the truth, I'm not sure why you've sought me out still. I would have thought you'd be done with me a long time ago."

Thanatos won't abandon him. He promised.

Ryo takes a deep breath as something tense and frightened inside him starts to ease, fear and anxiety slowly unknotting themselves in his chest. His grip on Thanatos loosens, and the shaking subsides. He promised. It's okay. The foundation of friendship and love and support that he'd been torn away from is still at home with Orion and Endon, but he's started to rebuild here, and Thanatos is his cornerstone.

It's...he's going to be okay.

He blinks in surprise as Thanatos keeps talking and looks up at him. "Why would I be done with you?" It's simple, plain, and very confused, especially on the heels of what he'd just asked from Thanatos.

"... I'm Death Incarnate?" That's honestly reason enough.

...one of these days, he's going to tell Thanatos that Thanatos is more than just his job, and Thanatos will actually believe him. Wouldn't that be a novel experience.

"By the gods." He closes his eyes and sighs. Thanatos has helped him become a little more stable; maybe he can bring Thanatos along with him. He can at least try...

"You told me once that the only favor you could give is to stay away," he says, opening his eyes and looking back up at Thanatos, "and I'm telling you now that you're wrong. The best favor that you, Thanatos, Son of Nyx, Death Incarnate, can give me...is to stay here, with me. Because you're my friend, and I care about you. Not your title, or your role, or your job - you. The person who answers calls with his mother's name, and has conversations with an enchanted plush mouse, and likes baked goods. You." Hopefully - hopefully - that will stick.

Thanatos opens his mouth to speak, but he doesn't say anything. Mort doesn't even squeak to prompt Thanatos to say something. Thanatos closes his mouth again and stays silent. He doesn't know how to respond to that.

So he nods, feeling equal parts chastised and ashamed. It hasn't been so long that he started to actively defy his nature and try existing less for the world in general but also for himself.

Nothing to say is not necessarily a good thing here. Not even Mort tries to interject, which is in and of itself worrying.

But...he remembers leaving Eloe for the first time. Remembers coming across his first caravan, entering a new city. Remembers, despite reassurances, being terrified that the people he met would turn on him for the smallest perceived slight, and being deeply shocked when they didn't. When they treated him like a person instead. When, removed from the context of his past, he could finally be one.

It's not the same for Thanatos, but it's close enough. He lays a hand on Thanatos's arm. "I told you what I needed," he says gently. "You can tell me what you need, and I'll do my best." Wait, that's not everything, is it. "And it's okay if you don't know what that is yet."

"I... didn't realize I needed something." What could he need? Is there something he needs? Wait. There is. There is something Thanatos thinks he needs, but he doesn't know if it's something anyone could help him with. There's a part of him that's been missing, that he's only realized recently. Something incredibly intimate and painful but also beautiful and unforgettable.

"No, that's not exactly right. There is something I think I need, that my world needs. If I'm not on this train because I am Death Incarnate, then... maybe there's still a reason for this fate." Thanatos has to believe there's a reason because his sisters are the Three Fates. They weave the fates of all.

He sighs. Ryo probably thinks he's about to say that he needs to find a way back home to the time he left it. (Which is also true but not what he asks.) "I know your world doesn't have many gods, but does your world have a god or goddess of Life? Someone... who's the counterpart of Death?"

"Everyone needs something." It's a matter of whether they know what it is they need, or realize they need something at all.

But he stays silent and listens as Thanatos reasons his way through things. The question at the end comes as a surprise, and he takes a few more moments of silence to think. "Not that I know of, but my world also doesn't have a god of death either." Wait. "Does your world not have a god of life?" Thanatos's world has too many gods to keep track of, including a god specifically for death, but it doesn't have a god of life?

It's not as though Ryo needs further evidence that Thanatos's world is broken, but...wow.

Everyone needs something, but sometimes what's needed is out of reach or hidden completely from view. Thanatos hoped that maybe Ryo could give him a starting point. Seeing what Persephone did was a catalysis, but he's left directionless. There's something different than the various fertility gods for this. Asking about other worlds' gods of Life seems like as good of a starting point as any.

It would be nice if he got an answer though.... There's no blame on Ryo though. Thanatos knows full well how few gods there are in his world.

Still, Thanatos has to look away, even if he knows it's harder for Ryo to see him in this darkness. He feels unsteady, unbalanced, and his voice is quiet. "... Not that I know of, but I feel their absence."

That's new, and worrying, and Ryo pushes through the exhaustion clouding the corners of his mind to try to think. What had changed? The mission had been particularly difficult, and Persephone had created an incredible springtime on a dying world, and then the stress and bustle of arrivals and departures today-

Wait.

Springtime.

Thanatos had mentioned that the mortal realm on his world was trapped in an eternal winter. Winters had been mild in Eloe - it had only been when Ryo had stayed with Orion and Endon's family for winter that he'd seen snow for the first time and learned how harsh and cold a winter could truly be. If winters on Thanatos's world were like that - ice and snow and biting, piercing cold that never ended - then he must see quite a few mortals freezing and starving to death, on a world that never truly gets to live.

And if Persephone's spring had affected Ryo, then it may well have utterly floored Thanatos. When would he have last seen spring, let alone one as vibrant as that?

He hugs Thanatos a little tighter, as if he could steady them both through that touch. "There's not a lot of life on your world, is there," he says quietly.

"No, there isn't." Life has found a way to survive, but it's not thriving. It's struggling, fighting, and always at risk of surrendering to this cold. Some have the ability to adapt. Others do not. Their lives are short, keeping the psychopomps of the Underworld busy. Keeping Death Incarnate busy because their deaths are considered peaceful, gentle.

"If I ever saw my world as how it once was, I was a newly born godling, but it could have been Elysium instead. I can't really remember it clearly," Thanatos says as if it should be normal to recall a baby's memory during a random shift to the possible surface.

So not only has there been an eternal winter on Thanatos's world, but it's been that way for a long time. "So...Persephone's spring yesterday is the first one you've seen." No wonder Thanatos is looking for Life after that.

"It's... Probably." He's older than Zagreus, but the gap between them isn't as large as one might think, with him being Death Incarnate and all. ~~What are timelines in Hades Game? Just things that get more messed up with every reference Persephone makes.~~ There's a possible overlap of his existence and a world not yet falling to winter, but it's only a slight one.

"I would have been very young if it wasn't. As I said, I'm not sure."

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A New Platform [Intro Post April]

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Sometimes a tag is only two lines...

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/answers this quickly because the tag came to me

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