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

Good thing he's run into the Sizhuis then, they're probably some of the best friends to have.

After being given the go-ahead, he slides into the seat beside Dennis, tucks his left leg over the right and stuffs both hands into his hoodie pocket. “Thank you, that's better.” The other male holding a finger up has Sizhui falling silent for now, allowing Dennis whatever time he needs to process everything he's been told.

He slowly nods toward Dennis's words as they come, affirming what's being repeated while watching his new acquaintance's hand gestures. Then they lower, Sizhui straightens marginally and gives him his full attention.

“Ah, well, I suppose ‘Light-bearing Lord’ is a name fit for a king.” Look, he understands because he's read quite a few books here; emperors, being similar to kings, also describes the position of Head Cultivator rather well. “Something like that. If you'd prefer, you could call him ‘Lan Wangji’ instead and his brother's name is ‘Lan Xichen.’ They are both on the train too.”

A lucky boy!

For all it's really confusing with all the names and meanings and clans, he does still pick up on things easily enough when Sizhui gives him more tidbits to connect together. Ah, so Light-bearing Lord is what the Hanguang Jun thing means? He's assuming, he'd ask, but he feels like all he's done is ask questions.

"So keep an eye out for two lordly guys wearing the same headbands as you. Got it." Dennis gives a wink, cheeky, but he thinks he's sorta got this now. Like 10% out of 100%.

Assuming is fine, particularly because Dennis is right: that's what it means when translated. If he still has questions he wants to ask, however, Sizhui would encourage them! Maybe he thinks he's asked too many, but the cultivator wouldn't ever think there's such a thing as ‘too many questions,’ unless they're all being asked at a rapid-fire rate or something, which is another thing altogether.

His mouth opens, closes again, then he hums thoughtfully, considering. “Actually...” Oh boy, here we go. “I would have to check which of the Lan Wangjis has their headbands, but I know for certain that Uncle Xichen does not have his.” Wow, hey, ten percent out of a hundred is something, at the very least!

Sizhui's eyebrows lift in response to the wink initially, yet following that, he can't help smiling and downcasting his gaze, just the littlest bit sheepish. After a soft giggle though, he straightens and lifts his right hand with his palm upturned while suggesting, “Or I could simply introduce you to them one day if you don't stumble across them first?”

He'll still ask questions, there's so many to ask after all! Maybe just try not to ask so many all at once. Maybe. No promises.

... Dennis isn't sure how he feels when the thought flutters through his head that Sizhui is pretty cute when he laughs. Even knowing he's a boy now... we'll just shove that internalized homophobia bullshit back down where it belongs and deal with it another time!

"Oh- they lose them?" Is that breaking some rule or really bad?

"Guess you weren't lying 'bout there being multiples of a lot of people. Got multiple Lan kings running round the train too."

Inquire away, just as long as it isn't all at once, yes! Even if it is, let's be real, Sizhui won't make any fuss, regardless of however many things Dennis asks.

And whatever Dennis feels for Sizhui's cute giggle, it's totally okay, there isn't anything wrong with enjoying the sound of someone's laughter in his honest opinion. Boy, girl, does gender sincerely matter in that situation? Either way, it'll come up one day and they can handle it then rather than disrupt the nice conversation they've got going.

“Or the train didn't allow them.” Technically, except is it their fault if the train only allows a certain amount of items during an arrival?

He shifts again, props his elbow onto the seat, points his index finger at Dennis in a playful manner. “I will have you know, I'm not allowed to lie! It's against my clan rules.” Omitting details that aren't quite as important doesn't count, either.

The wonders of growing up around a lot of really toxic men. Dennis doesn't see anything wrong with it, but when it comes to himself? He's got weird feelings about it. It's complicated.

"S'barely nothing." Dennis says about the headbands, "I mean, not that they ain't important, but they're just a thin strip of fabric. Train makes no sense." He'll shake his head. All this back and forth cheekiness between them has helped him feel a lot less overwhelmed, though it's really a problem with how cute Sizhui is.

"You got rules? What like not even a little white lie?" Dennis quirks a brow, "What if someone asks if they look good in a new fit and it's rubbish? Gonna just let them face the consequences of their fashion choices like that?" He's mostly teasing.

It's okay, Dennis, you're already a pretty cool cat in Sizhui's book. He won't mind helping figure some things out along down the line.

“Ah, well.” (Gosh, this is getting a bit monotonous... sorry, Dennis!) “You're right, it doesn't make sense, but the headbands are really quite important to us. They help us regulate ourselves.” Which Sizhui will very likely have to explain as well and doesn't mind at all; he's enjoying their meeting far too much to be bothered by anything. Also, let's be real, if it's doing anything to help his new acquaintance feel more comfortable, he'll take it.

“Nope, not even that, and there are over four thousand other rules to remember.” Sizhui tilts his head consideringly, taking a moment or two longer than necessary as he needs to somewhat decipher what he's being asked (what's a ‘fit’ supposed to be?), but the mention of ‘fashion choices’ afterward helps. “Perhaps,” he jokes in kind. “But for my friend's sake, telling the truth might be better, don't you think?”

He'd ask more about the headbands, but um. Excuse me? Four thousand?!

"You gotta be taking the piss- four thousand rules? You remember all of em?" This is just insane! Dennis can't even name all the streets in London much less remember over a hundred rules.

Four thousand!

Four thousand, that's what he said.

“I'm— I'm sorry, taking the what?” Sizhui's smiling anyway, lifting a hand and cupping it around his mouth to muffle his laughter. He's never heard such a thing, let alone with blatant vulgarity, but perhaps it's something different for Dennis in his world?

(Something tells him it isn't, though better safe than sorry, right?) Before Sizhui forgets, he nods then continues, “And yes, I remember them all.”

Now it's his turn to answer questions, about time.

"Oh uh, taking the piss. Pulling my leg, joking? Y'know." No he doesn't, Dennis that's why he asked. At least Sizhui is amused by his potty mouth more than scandalized.

"That's mental. How long did it take you to remember em all?"

They would've gotten here eventually, Sizhui's far too curious for his own good even on his worst days.

“Ah! Okay, that makes more sense now.” He's laughing again in spite of himself, unable to help it, more amused than he probably should be at ‘taking the piss.’ Thank the stars, this isn't his first time with vulgar language and it certainly won't be his last.

“To tell you the truth?” he teases questioningly. Of course, because he's not allowed to lie, get it? Anyway— He hums with thought then admits, “About a whole year.”

There's a lot to be curious about, especially on the train!

"Ah-" Dennis sees what Sizhui did there, breaking into a grin.

"Only a year? You mean you didn't in a couple months?" The both of them are just being cheeky little buggers.

"It'd take me whole life I think, maybe even then I'd still forget some." Seriously only a year?

This is also true! Although, whatever Dennis gets introduced to, he probably already knows what a lot of it is.

Sizhui's own smile returns in full force, crinkling his eyes at the edges from how exuberant he really is; it's fun, hanging out and joking with Dennis, he'd genuinely like to do it more often and they've only just met.

Wow, a couple of months? Excuse you, Dennis— “Goodness! I'm a cultivator, not a miracle worker...” A whole year seems like too long in his opinion, but he's harder on himself more than necessary most days. “Nothing wrong with that. I have a friend who constantly forgets the rules, no matter how many times he's written them down now.”

To some degree even if it's not real where he's from he's probably heard or it or seen it in fiction. It helps a little.

It's nice to connect with someone so easily and quickly. Back home he always felt like he had to be on guard, people judged so harshly. Here it seemed like everyone just wanted to help one another.

"You'd be a miracle worker where I'm from. For remembering all that in a year to being a cultivator." Sizhui would make a killing as a ghost hunter in the modern world.

"Your mate sounds like me. Unless I'm putting the rules into use daily, writing em a billion times don't mean nothing."

Something seems safe assuming he knows about showers already or else Sizhui might've gushed.

Frankly, that's part of the reason why he doesn't think being on the train is the absolute worst? Most people aboard it seem genuinely friendly and those that are not aren't difficult to pick out and avoid. (Knowing who isn't the greatest from his world helps a lot, so he can warn people as necessary, but thank goodness, nobody's started any trouble just yet.)

“You flatter me.” Which maybe wouldn't be so bad if he hadn't blushed after the compliment. Nevertheless, he appreciates it, and while it isn't indicative in the way he sheepishly inclines his head, he hopes Dennis understands and excuses his momentary bashfulness.

“The only reason he has to write them ‘a billion times,’ as it were, is because he breaks them so often.” Now, Sizhui's head shakes, mirth curving his mouth at the edges. “But most of what he does, it's no harm, no foul.”

There's absolutely nothing that needs to be excused, besides that Dennis is having a hard time focusing with how soft and pretty Sizhui is. It's not Sizhui's fault of course, but gosh he's never met anyone man or woman like the two Sizhuis who catches his eye like they do.

Don't stare, Dennis it's rude!

"... uh yeah, long as he's not hurting no one. Sounds like he just wants to have fun." Dennis manages to catch himself, no more staring, save the gaping fish face for later.

"What 'bout you? Ever broken a rule? Or you a straight A student?"

It's funny because Sizhui ought to say something about how Dennis is staring at him, yet all he does is continue maintaining eye-contact and smiling faintly, except for when his embarrassment gets the best of him. Once he handles that, his attention does upturn again, the soft gesture brightening somewhat despite how rude the gawking may seem.

“Exactly right! Jingyi hasn't ever hurt anyone... or at least not on purpose? And if he did, he's always apologized and made things right.” Again, here comes that lingering urge to reach out, gently put his fingertips underneath Dennis's chin and shut his mouth, yet same as before, he resists, adjusting his position in the chair so his arms can rest loosely across his midsection rather than crowding the armrests.

Lan Sizhui opens and closes his mouth a few times, hoping it'll help if Dennis isn't the only one making a fish-face, but after his grin returns. “Actually, I've broken my fair share of rules, to be honest.” Nobody's perfect, after all.

Then he gives the other male his best playful side-eye despite not really caring. “If you don't mind though, I'd appreciate that staying between us.”

Please call him out, Sizhui. He's being so rude! The rudest!

"'Least he apologizes, that's good. Some people can't even do that much, whether they mean it or not." His mind wanders to someone from back home. Someone who's very dead now, probably for the better as much as he knows it's fucked up to think that. As much as he'd been a piece of shit he'd still been important to someone. Still was a human like everyone else.

But let's not get lost in those negative thoughts. Cute boy is talking to him still!

"Wha- really now?" Dennis tilts his head regarding Sizhui, as if he just can't believe it.

"Dunno what to think've you know." He'll shake his head, but breaks out into a cheeky smile.

"Y'good. Won't tell a soul. We've all got our secrets."

One of these days, after they've solidified their friendship a bit better, he absolutely will and not even in an offended way!

“The way I see, they shouldn't apologize unless they mean it anyhow. Saying and not meaning it is almost as bad as not saying anything at all.” Some particular people he knows could apologize and with every single fiber of his being, Sizhui wouldn't believe them, but regardless of that, he wouldn't wish anything bad on anybody. That karma could come back on him two-fold and he'd rather avoid it, thank you very much! Besides, there are worse things—

Though yes, there are far better things they can focus on right now.

Sizhui's head dips briefly, his mouth downturning in a mock pout before he looks back up and – like a terrible person – gives Dennis his best puppy-dog eyes. Which are pretty effective, considering, but he can't help perking right back up with another smile of his own after Dennis says he'll keep his secret (that shouldn't really be too surprising, honestly).

“Hopefully, you won't think any less of me, knowing my deep, dark secret,” he giggles, loosens an arm and reaches to muffle it against his palm.

Sizhui is a terrible person! Terribly cute and it's really not fair that he's being assaulted by this on his first day here! With the pout and the puppy eyes combo Dennis can't help the soft flush to his cheeks.

And then Sizhui has the audacity to smile brightly and giggle again. Just K.O. him already.

"N-No," Would you get a hold of yourself Severs!

"Honestly be more weirded out if you said you'd never lied. S'okay though, I'll let every think your still perfect, Saint Sizhui."

He has no idea what you mean, he's done nothing wrong. Ever. In his whole life. (Perhaps it's payback for staring at him so hard? Think about that!) Watching Dennis's face blush is pretty satisfying though, he has to admit.

Well, he's already done the one-two punch, so finishing him has to be the next move, right? —Nahhh, Sizhui will take pity on Dennis instead, and he lowers his head whenever his smile widens ever-so-slightly after his stuttered answer. “Good,” he decides, adjusting his posture, straightening in the seat while downcasting his gaze. Still perfect? Oh no, he's never been flawless in his life, not even once.

“Thank you.” Sizhui's lips purse following that, both hands coming together across his lap so he can fidget. “But no need to worry, I'm certainly not perfect.”

Dennis won't argue that either. Could someone like Sizhui actually ever do something wrong? Questionable.

"No one's gotta know." Dennis winks, "'Sides you've been real nice talking to me. Easier taking all this crazy shit in with someone else."

Guess he'll know here shortly, won't he? Mission is next month and those require some rule-bending at times.

“Nobody but us,” he agrees with a soft smile. “It's been my pleasure, Dennis, I've enjoyed helping. If you ever need to know about anything, I have been here some time now and while I'm not an expert... I like to think I can explain things pretty thoroughly.”

Won't believe it till he sees it!

"I'll know who to find. Sizhui-" He grins, "With the headband."

He honestly didn't realize how long they'd been talking, but now it kind of hits him.

"Probably held you up from super important train stuff, huh?"

Instinctively, he reaches up, his left index and middle fingertips brushing the forehead ribbon while he smiles in kind. “Yes, that part is important, so don't forget.” Of course he's teasing, but it's amusing in its own right and Sizhui can't help it when they've already been gently poking fun at one another this whole time.

“If you consider checking how much my carrots have grown as ‘important’ then maybe.” He grins a little wider, raises both arms high above his head in a long, languid stretch and drops them with a muffled smack against his thighs. “But I am willing to bet I've overloaded you with plenty of information, most of which, uhm, probably wasn't about the train?” Wh...oops... “I'm sorry for that.”

A New Platform [Intro Post April]

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