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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[ Two Wuxians? Tidus's own brow knits, but it's brief, his exact 'keeping up with the Wuxians' isn't as updated as he might've thought. Then again, his own knowledge about them all comes from a read on the passenger roster, so he takes it to mean he assumed the wrong amount, moves from it easily.

...because he falls into something more immediate puzzling, or prompted his attention in how Sizhui takes his teasing. ]

Whoa-oh, I wasn't thinking marriage! [ That gets a short laugh from Tidus, no more than a chuckle. ] Though, that isn't turning out to be that rare on the train. [ All things considered.

Anyway- ] I was thinking about three Sizhuis! But, uh, I guess I should be asking you - you're not that weirded out by this either? Everything's fine with you?

[ Fine with another look-alike around? This question should have come first before the jokes, maybe. ]

[fortunately, and sizhui greatly appreciates it since he much prefers not talking about the first wei wuxian he knew leaving. (yet, anyway, as there will come a time when he opens up more.) getting confused because of the passenger roster is a legitimate reason, though!

how unlucky in the opposite vein that he'd assumed tidus meant marriage when it wasn't. he opens his mouth, closes it, his cheeks pinkening then he tries again.] My apologies, that's what I get for assuming. [ain't it the truth? everywhere you turn, seems like there's a wedding happening.

of course he'd meant three of him. (them?)] Right, right, [he confirms. afterward, sizhui's falling silent, considering how to word his feelings on finally having a facetwin aboard the train. being honest? he's sort of excited since they'd decided to call each other ‘brother’ while they are together for the duration of their ride. admittedly,] It's odd, having someone who looks exactly like you, but I think I'm handling it fine?

It sincerely doesn't bother me in any sense.

[ Tidus just chuckles at the apology, shaking his head, finding the mistake more fun than anything else. But he listens as Sizhui answers him, a small nod as he finishes.

And there's an actual thoughtful expression that settles on Tidus's face. ]

I guess it's like, even if they look like you, or are... kinda you? You're still you and they're still them, right? [ There's a beat, before- ] Have you had time to get to know each other?

[ Letting the guy settle in first is understandable; but then, with all this people knowing each other - or a version of their family - it might've come up as a result. ]

[that's fair, it was a pretty funny misstep, sizhui could even agree. he isn't entirely sure why his thoughts jumped right to marriage, despite figuring it has something to do with it being the other thing they were discussing.

regardless, he's forcing down just the mere thought of such things because twinning with wen sizhui has been far more interesting.]

Yes, that's exactly right. I couldn't have said it better myself. [like how he was raised in lan clan rather than growing up on dafan mountain. there are certain to be quite a few differences in teachings between them.] A bit here and there. We were both preoccupied, but we did decide to tell people we're family to help with any confusion.

[he's unsure if anyone from his world (or the parallel one) knows sizhui like how they know him.]

Oh yeah? [ There's a beat, and a smile spreads across Tidus's face. ] So who's the older brother and who's younger? Well- I guess whoever it is, you'll be acting the big bro while you show him the ropes of the place!

If he wants to know anything about the missions, I'll help you out if you want.

[ At least the guy showed up now instead of right before a mission... gave him time to adjust with all this new family. ]

[he opens his mouth, hesitates, shuts it again and wrinkles his brow as he considers. actually, he doesn't remember asking? they really were all distracted by the adorably wholesome family moment...] I may be acting as the older brother in that sense, but it almost feels safe to assume he might be older than I am.

Oh, Tidus, would you? That'd be great! Can't ever be too prepared for a mission, after all.

[and while he's sure one or two people would be enough to explain, he feels like no one is ever truly anticipating how hard some of these missions can get, himself (???) included. although he's well-aware his newly gained brother is more than capable.]

Sure! I gotta play the responsible liaison role, after all. [ Which is followed by a put on sigh, his arms folding as he nods at Sizhui, putting on a jokingly mature(???) voice: ] Speaking of, I hope you've been taking plenty of healing and keeping yourself well-defended!

[ ...well, the message itself isn't a joke, but he surely doesn't seriously need to be telling Sizhui to look after himself after this long. ]

Liaison role, huh? Was that a promotion? How long have you been doing that? [already a lot of questions and sizhui's about to ask another but he comes up short at tidus's remark. plenty of healing? well, he could maybe rest longer or visit the spa and unwind more often, though protecting himself is easy enough.

so, no, tidus doesn't necessarily have to remind him, but he appreciates it anyhow and deems it worthy of some sincerity.] Truthfully, sometimes sleep evades me, and my body is so used to waking up at a certain time... it's a difficult habit to break.

[ Look at Sizhui, being a good boy and actually taking Tidus's half-joking serious! But it's an understandable issue, Tidus waving his hand a little. ] Oh yeah, sleeping's a pain on missions. I can help if we're on the same team? I know a sleeping spell - but I'm always switching around.

[ Gotta help those smaller teams out when you can! ]

But, I got the job when Roland put out those Purple forms! You miss 'em? I don't stick with Purple most of the time, but I figured I could help around on the train. I've been stuck here long enough. [ Said with humour. ]

[well, tidus had insisted, so it only seems fair? toward the mention of a sleeping spell, sizhui arches his eyebrows and tilts his head with interest.] A sleeping spell? Hm... that would be quite convenient on missions. [and on the train because sometimes, that's where insomnia happens the most.] I try to do the same, so I understand.

[he has usually helped blue and red teams, as he's not all that well-versed in technology, but if there were ever a moment where a call from an orange member came to him, he'd go without hesitation.]

No, I believe I've seen them before. [but likely just cannot recall at the moment. there's the smallest smile then,] How long have you been here, Tidus?

How long? Hmm...

[ Give Tidus a second - he'll need to pull out some fingers here, muttering with each one he lifts- ] Gyueran, Terra... Irivar, Nion, Hale... Erda.

[ And how any fingers? Ah- ]

Six months! [ He lifts the fingers to show, just for a moment. ] I showed up just before a mission, so the start of a month. Fiddlesticks - yeah, that was it.

[ Hm. ] It's been about half that for you, right?

[sizhui can't even judge him, he's done the same thing before without even realizing, although his brow is knitting at the strange words he says. an untranslatable language? hmmm.

six months though, he does understand and his head bobs with acknowledgment.]

Just about, yes, borderlining on almost four now. Ah, I think? [after downcasting his gaze, sizhui's hands come together in front of himself, fingers fidgeting absently.] It's odd to consider that I've been here nearly half a year and you've already been aboard the train that long.

Yeah... [ He makes a face, a tight brow and something unsure, but maybe sheepish too. ] There's was someone... I think when I first met her, she said she'd been on the train for that long too - six months. She's still here too. I never thought I'd be stuck here for that long either, but...

[ But here they were, with only the tiniest of glimmers of getting back home, and only recently. ]

You homesick? I mean, [ and with some mirth, ] you have a lot of family here.

[ Even more than he had back home. ]

[if tidus met someone when he'd first arrived who was still here now then that means—] She's been on the train for a year? Goodness, that's so long to be away from home...!

[even just imagining six months before was enough but a whole year? augh.

lan sizhui's head vigorously shakes like if he tries hard enough, it'll eject that idea, though it is a convenient gesture for tidus's question.] Homesick for home, yes, but as you said: I have a lot of family here, so I am glad to have those people with me.

Are you, though?

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A New Platform [Intro Post April]

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