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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

She's easily coaxed over, not putting up a fight at all. It's mostly since she trusts Crowley so much, really - if it were certain other people, Alice would have fought to get away from them like a feral cat. But Crowley wouldn't hurt her. See, he's already telling her that they'll leave, that they'll get away from the fire.

.. and they do, somehow. Alice doesn't know how, but also doesn't care enough to question it. What matters is that they're no longer in the train - or so she thinks, anyway - and there's no inferno about to catch up with them, slowly spreading through the carriages.

Not that it makes Alice's panic subside immediately. It still seems like she's trying to regain her breath, a hand moving up to place itself against her forehead. She feels so faint.

"Are we.. Are we safe here..?"

Crowley nods, crouching beside her, his wings folding at his back.

"This is a pocket dimension. It'll buy us some time." he replies, taking off his glasses and shoving them in a coat pocket. "It exists outside of time, but still within the train. I keep my wings tucked in here, normally. Beyond the veil or what have you."

Technically, they're still in place they'd been, without a second passing. Eventually, when Crowley takes them back, they'll need to actually leave, but at least like this he can calm her and find a solution.

"Tell me what's going on." he requests softly.

Alice looks over at him, staring right into his inhuman eyes now the sunglasses are gone. Her own gaze is very unsure. It's less than her total panic of a moment ago, but she still doesn't very much look like she's at ease.

"There's.. a fire. On the train." She isn't too sure if the flames could reach them here too, but at least this odd place seems a tad safer than the carriage they had been standing in only a few moments ago.

It helps that it's Crowley here of all people. He knows so much about her. She doesn't have to explain to him why the idea of a fire puts this absolute fear into her mind.

"I.. It feels like the whole train is going to burn down, with everyone inside.. It's as if I could hear my family call out all over again."

Alice has had a rough go of things, and Crowley is more than sympathetic. He's met his share of historical martyrs and seen his share of tragedy, but what hits him right in the heartstrings is when those sorts of things happen to kids. Alice is nearly an adult, but she'd been denied her childhood and innocence because of the cruelty of others and the trauma she'd faced. It's no wonder the demon had a soft spot for her.

He nods as he listens, and when he replies, his voice is firm, almost commanding. Not to be intimidating by any means, but in a way that hopefully translates to her that he has it under control. Fire brings about his own memories, the great deal of loss he'd felt upon searching the burning bookshop, but he's also the demon who drove right through hell fire to put an end to the apocalypse, and a train car on fire wasn't going to cripple him.

He offers her his hand, standing again, his wings bristling as they stretch behind him. "I won't let that happen, but we need to go back now. I'll take you to a private car and we'll make sure it's under control... alright?"

He can make sure someone's taking care of it from a video call. Surely there is enough talent on board to ensure it doesn't spread. What's more important to him is keeping her safe, and it isn't just because her panic is going to otherwise ruin his mood.

"Alright."

She wishes she could sound more determined about that, but it's hard. Even now Alice is still somewhat panicking. It's not until she can be absolutely sure that there's no fire that she may be able to calm down - and she doesn't have that certainty now yet, no matter how much she trusts Crowley to be able to take care of it. He's a demon, after all. What is there that he can't do?

So she does latch onto that hand. Maybe a little too tight, a little too desperate, but she really can't help or control that right now. Her hold also makes it very obvious just how much her hands are shaking as she holds onto Crowley's own hand.

"A.. Alright," she repeats, a moment later. As if she's trying to convince herself, more than anything.

He's not sure that he's ever seen her this upset, and his heart aches because of it. He draws her in against his chest, his wings folding around her protectively while an arm rubs at her back to try to ease her tremoring.

"Take a deep breath, Alice... do you need another moment? When we return, it'll be as if we blinked." he says reassuringly, his voice as soft as his feathers. He could put Alice in a trance, if he wanted. He's done that to humans before, but it wouldn’t feel right. She needs to overcome this, herself.

"Would you rather we see to the fire ourselves?" he asks, unsure, "Whatever you need, that's what we'll do."

Alice tries. The moment he draws her in like that, and tells her to take a deep breath, Alice does something that's very much uncharacteristic for her at any other time. She shuts up, doesn't give any quick witty remarks in return, and instead just listens and actually does what the other person is saying.

So she lingers there for a moment in Crowley's arms. Just trying to take as deep of a breath as she can right now - which is to say, not very deep, but she's trying. She doesn't want to look this upset and vulnerable either, but it's so hard when she's confronted with one of the things she fears the most.

It's also why answering his questions is so hard. Even Alice doesn't know what she needs, what would work the best in this situation. She's never had anyone talk her through these situations, after all, so this is entire new to her.

"Um, I.. I don't want to see it.."

At least she manages to avoid adding the too-desperate 'please' after it, even though it's kind of reflected in her tone all the same. She's not sure she could handle actually seeing the fire at this point.

"We can go back, as-- as long as we're safe. As long as we're far away from it. I.. I trust you."

That much is true. After everything they've been through, Alice absolutely trusts the demon with her life. No matter how much they may bicker under the usual - slightly dumber - circumstances.

If Alice is going to look vulnerable, it's probably best she do so in this other place beneath the comfort of a demon’s wing. She's seen him at his most vulnerable, she knows he can't judge her, but even moreso he cares for her, and is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure she's okay.

"I've got you," he breathes quietly, his wings unfolding again to flap brhind them, kicking up the sand around them until they're back on the train car, as if they've never left, his wings still tucked in the space they came from.

"Can you walk?" he asks, "To the private car, I mean. I can carry you if you're too shaky."

"I can walk."

It's said perhaps a tad too quickly, as if the girl wants to get rid of the idea before it's even fully formed. Even in this state there's apparently some part of her that feels like that is still a little too much - that she'd be slightly too embarrassed about it.

(Mostly due to the presence of other people here on the train, really. Things have carried her in Wonderland before, but it was much harder to mind that without constantly judging humans around.)

And as if to prove the fact that she can walk, she's already taking a few steps ahead.

They're pretty unsteady, but it's not like she's falling down..

.. but she is waiting for him, as if she doesn't dare to go alone. Her body language is telling enough to fill up entire books right now.

".. Let's go."

Crowley nods before she walks off, making sure to follow close. "I'm right behind you," he reminds her, giving any passersbys the most threatening of glares he can muster to ensure they move out of the way and leave them be.

As they shuffle through the train cars, Crowley starts to worry about the fire spreading himself, and uses a quick and discreet miracle to ensure there are working fire extinguishers mounted on the walls of most train cars.

He doesn't say another word until they reach the private carriage, finding them an open room once there. "After you."

The moment she enters the room, Alice immediately lets herself sink down on the nearest seat. Her legs feel just about as wobbly as jelly, especially after having walked with all that tension, and her hands visibly shake the moment she's sitting.

Her breathing is still a little off too, but she's trying to get that under control now, trying the best she can to actually suck in deep breaths. Even though they're still unsteady.

"Sorry," she says, quietly. As if there is anyone else there with them who could overhear it. "I know I.. I should be.." Her voice trails off, as if it's hard for her to think of the right word in this state. In the end she settles on: ".. better."

Less afraid. Stronger. She can't always get like this at the slightest sign of fire.

Crowley ensures the door is shut behind them, pulling a curtain shut that he may have miracled in place for privacy. He takes a seat across from her, but leans down to ensure that she's alright.

"You don't need to apologize. I just want you to be alright." he mumbles softly, snapping his fingers so that a glass of water appears on the small table beside them. "Here," he says, offering it to her, "Just take your time. Whatever you need to do. I'll be right here."

Being enclosed in a private car with Alice reminds him of their meeting. Crowley had been a snake, having a nap coiled up in the corner. Alice was the only child sweet with him, all of the others had threatened him with knives even though he had merely been sleeping. For a moment he wonders if changing the subject will help her relax, and decides trying shouldn’t hurt.

"Do you remember finding me in here?" he asks humorously.

Alice takes the glass of water, taking a small sip from it. It does help, being here. Especially with the curtain in place. It feels a little like a moment ago, when he took her to that other odd place. Even though they're still on the train, it feels like she's somewhere else, and that's enough to trick her mind into believing that she's safe right now for a bit. Hopefully for long enough for the fire to disappear.

She's sucked into her own thoughts about it, but only then realises that Crowley spoke up. Her gaze flutters over to him, almost a little startled, but then quietly drops towards the water in her hands.

"I thought you were just a regular snake," she slowly says.

It's what she remembers first and foremost about that moment. Seeing the snake behind the glass, and getting quite giddy about it, always happy to see an animal like that aboard the train.

"I'm not sure if I would have spoken up if you hadn't looked like that." After all, Alice doesn't like to get herself involved with people nearly as much as with animals.

Even though speaking up to Crowley turned out to be a good idea in the end, regardless of his true nature. There's no doubting that he's important to her. That he's taking care of her right now, without expecting anything in return.

"I was. I mean... I guess you wouldn't consider that regular... I dunno." This isn't helpful he realizes, trailing off. He really can't go down the rabbit hole of questioning his own existence when Alice is having her own crisis. Another time.

"I'm glad you did." he says finally, reclining a bit in his seat. They're safe, so he'll give himself permission to relax a bit. And if Alice feels like she needs to be alone, he'll slither off.

"I'd take a nap in here more often but... you were the only person to not threaten me with a sharp weapon for merely existing as a snake." he scoffs. Humans.

Usually she would have been a bit more attentive to what he's saying. Alice is rather fond of Crowley, after all, no matter how much they may bicker from time to time, so she'd want to reassure him. But right now it's like half of his words are going over her head entirely. It's too much for the girl to take in while she's still trying to fully come down from her own panic, her hands balled into fists on her lap.

It's only after pondering those last few words for a moment or two that she manages to at least process part of what he's saying enough to reply to it.

"I could.. help." Her tone is a little uncertain, though it's not because of the offer as much as just her general state right now, still teethering on the edge. "I mean.. I could come with you and sit here if you wanted to nap without distractions."

It's not something she minds doing for him, to the point that she easily offers it even at a moment like this. It's still something she can easily think of, even when the rest of her mind is a mess.

She doesn't need to be attentive. Crowley figures distractions are good... but he's no psychologist. He could be way off the mark, but he's at least tried to stay on topic of things that aren't really a big deal if she listens or not.

"It's alright. I'm sure you have better things to do." he answers, but her offer is appreciated. Alice is a bit of an odd duck, like him. The kind of person who would likely be comforted by a large snake coiling around them instead of frightened. Then again, it probably helps to know that the snake is sentient and completely disinterested in eating you.

"Can I get you anything else?" he asks after a moment of silence.

At first she truly has no idea what to ask for.

But after a moment or two of silence, there's a realisation that hits her like a truck. She looks up, over at Crowley, only hesitating for a moment by chewing on her lower lip before speaking.

"My rabbit." Not a real rabbit, of course. She means the old, worn-out stuffed rabbit plush that she's always got in her room. "Can you.. get it here somehow?" He can make things appear out of nowhere, after all. It's not too much to hope that he could then also pull an item from across the train, right?

Especially since Alice knows it's the one thing that comforts and calms her down the most. And while allowing that to comfort her would usually embarrass her way too much in front of others, she trusts Crowley on such a deep level that he's one of the few people she could ask for this.

Hes surely seen the rabbit before, hasn't he? He tries to think... perhaps it doesn't matter. Miracles usually don't. One wants something to happen and it does, that's how that works.

"Mm. Uhh.. nn, yeah." he stammers, then without another thought to complicate things, snaps his fingers, the rabbit appearing on the table in the room, as if it had always been there.

Crowley makes a face that's shrouded in complexity. He's not certain Alice had ever been this upset in his presence, and the rabbit itself is one of those human things he doesn't quite get. Alice is complex herself, and she deserves so much more than he feels he can give her.

The rabbit is a complex thing. Even to most humans, probably, since Alice is far beyond the age where she should still be seeking out comfort in an entirely worn-out and dirty stuffed animal.

And yet here she is. The moment it appears on the table Alice is reaching out and gathering the plush rabbit up in her arms. There's something very gentle and careful about it, yet with all the affection of a small child that's particularly attached to their emotional comfort plushie.

For a moment she just stays like that, even closing her eyes, like she's trying to take the soft comfort of the stuffed animal pressed against her chest in.

But then the embarrassment does slowly kick in. Even though she fully trusts Crowley, she still feels weird doing this in front of someone else. Even if he may not judge her the way regular humans would, it's still..

".. I'm being odd, aren't I."

At least she sounds more calm when she's saying it, though there's a definite insecurity in the tone.

Crowley would never judge, particularly not Alice, but he has his own items of comfort back home. None are nearly as cuddly, but one could argue the glasses he so frequently wears to disguise his eyes are an extension of comfort as well. For Crowley, they are a shield, a protective layer that masks his emotions and vulnerability to the outside world. It was never about keeping him visibly human, and all about making him impenetrable to those who could harm him.

Alice's voice is a relief in the moment, she sounds more grounded than she had all morning, and Crowley feels better knowing that he had helped. He chuckles at her question, shrugging.

"Define odd."

She exhales, and slowly lowers the plush rabbit a little. Even so, Alice still holds onto it, now carefully placing the thing on her lap and keeping her arms around it, as if she needs to keep it close to her for now so she's able to stay more calmed down like this.

"I am sitting here hugging a stuffed animal. It's not exactly what people my age are supposed to do." Even though she just can't let go of the creature. Sometimes it's like it still talks to her, after all. "Back home everyone thought I was odd for my obsession with my rabbit."

Crowley shakes his head, silent for a minute while he thinks. "Alice..." he starts, voice very frank, "There are people on board with blue skin, wings, and tentacles."

Himself being one of them. He takes off his glasses, tossing them to the seat beside him which exposes his serpentine eyes. Most individuals don't get the opportunity to even see those, but it means he trusts her.

"I don't think a plush rabbit is something anyone here is going to bat an eyelash at."

"Most of those just make people look more imposing though." Or rather, the true sentiment Alice is trying to go for here is cool, but of course that's not a word that exists within her Victorian vocabulary.

But it's there that the difference exists for Alice. She'd love to have wings. Maybe not tentacles, considering they make her think too much of the Queen of Hearts, but she doesn't see those distinctive qualities as something bad.

".. like your eyes." How could she not bring them up, when he's displaying them so willingly right now? "I really like those."

"Imposing?" Crowley winces, "I don't think that is intentional... nor in many cases desired."

Crowley's expression softens significantly as she addresses his eyes, hid head dropping to the side. "Flattery isn't necessary, but I appreciate it." he mutters softly. It occurs to him then that perhaps Alice wishes she looked more imposing, that she had something to hide behind like his own glasses, some sort of hard armor to keep anyone from hurting her, and makes a mental note of it for later.

She frowns a little.

"I'm not flattering you. I wouldn't be saying those things if I didn't mean them." After all, Alice is usually more the type to be way too honest and therefore much too blunt than someone who makes up meaningless compliments. So this is the same - she really does think Crowley's eyes are cool. Exactly because they're so unusual, so cool-looking.

.. but then again.. maybe it has something to do with how they seem to differ in opinion on this point. Since he is saying that it usually isn't desired. Is that what it's like for other people? Alice isn't too sure. But as for her..

"I.. I am well aware that I'm not an incredibly likeable person." Her gaze drops to the rabbit on her lap before she looks back at him. "So I'd rather look imposing. So nobody dares to mess with me."

(He is very much right in that sense. Alice just wants something to hide behind, especially to hide all vulnerable parts of her behind.)

A New Platform [Intro Post April]

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

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)