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

[agoodsoul]

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."

[deferences]

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.”

[agoodsoul]

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?"

[deferences]

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.”

[agoodsoul]

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."

[deferences]

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.

[agoodsoul]

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."

[deferences]

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.”

[agoodsoul]

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."

[deferences]

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.”

[agoodsoul]

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?"

[deferences]

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.”

[agoodsoul]

Dennis tap taps the side of his head. He won't forget!

"Sounds pretty important to me." Hey gardening is very important, people need food! Carrots uh... eating carrots is good for your vision!

"Stuff 'bout the train or learning that you got four thousand rules to remember, it's all good really. Better than trying to wrap my head around this not being a dream." The less he focuses on that the better. That's just a road towards a panic attack.

[deferences]

Which is a gesture that, although he isn't sure why, makes Sizhui blush and lower the hand again. Truly, he has no doubt.

There's another tease to be made here, something about the differing importance of knowing how to use a fire extinguisher aboard the train and learning there are four thousand rules that exist in Sizhui's homeworld, all of which are totally useless to Dennis.

Nevertheless, he shakes his head, twists around in his seat and reaches to gently pinch Dennis's forearm. “For good measure.” Because he can't help himself, obviously, but after withdrawing, he does slide from the seat back out into the aisle, politely bowing his head. “And if there ever comes a time where you need another distraction... perhaps we could go over all those aforementioned rules?” A beat, his lips curving into a grin. “Or maybe play some videogames in the game carriage instead.”

[agoodsoul]

So many blushing boys on this train. The train could probably be powered by flustered gays.

It takes him a second to realize why Sizhui pinches him and it gets an amused bark of a laugh out of him. Yeah he felt that. Not a dream, but maybe that's not 100% terrible?

"No offense, but don't think I'm cut out for learning that many rules." But he perks up at the mention of games.

"There's a whole carriage for video games?"

[deferences]

You know, that probably isn't wrong... and if the train suddenly runs out of whatever fuel it uses, at least there's plenty of other resources they could try.

Surely the wide grin Sizhui gives in return for Dennis's laughter is worth it not being a dream? But if it isn't, what he's about to tell him will do, should Dennis actually have even just a little interest in videogames. “None taken,” he reassures, “it is quite a lot of them, after all.”

As for the earlier game talk, “There is! I could show you if you like?” Maybe it'll help with easing his distress, too.

[agoodsoul]

Take notes train!

"Guess if you can put off checking on your carrots..." Dennis nods, "That'd be wicked. Be interested to see what games the trains got." And maybe he'd like to hang out with Sizhui more. He's got a lot of good energy about him and he's real nice.

[deferences]

Sizhui playfully rolls his eyes, unable to resist smiling afterward. “Don't worry, I'm sure they will do just fine for a few hours longer.” If not, then he grossly underestimated how much they were thriving yesterday.

“Come with me, then.” And he gestures past the other seats toward the door with one hand, his opposite offered out for Dennis to take if he needs help up. Probably not, although he's hopeful it'll be accepted anyhow, that way he can guide his new friend without losing him amongst other passengers.