A New Platform [Intro Post September]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day one of the month of Nebula. Points have been updated on the system."

With points updated, everyone can spend the morning shopping. Most people will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later.

"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 doors open. As usual, those who leave first notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. A-Qing, Atem, Beauregard Lionett, Casper LeBlanc Jr, Donatello Versus, Frankie Bacon, Ichiban Kasuga, Kumoko, Lena Sabrewing, Mami Tomoe, Mono, Peter Parker, Reno, Shi Qingxuan, Tobari, Wen Ning; all pass across the platform, not looking back. And then they're gone, disappeared through the barriers and into the fog beyond.

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 find themselves on a platform. The platform is open to a bright blue sky, speckled with a couple of clouds. It's very warm, enough that they will not want to stay in those hoodies for long. Behind them through the fogs is a set of barriers, set in a brick wall and in front of them is a single set of tracks extending both ways into that same 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 on the foggy, blistering hot platform; then the fog begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform isn't large, but it is enough to hold the figures scattered around, all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. Then there is 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 pours a strange assortment of people, over a hundred at least. 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.

Behind them, the doors close, and the train is cloaked in the same fog that hides the world beyond the platform.

The Train

After a short time, perhaps ten minutes or so, the fog clears and 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'). They will also find a bunch of posters around the train and might notice the new clock in the standard coach.

The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, the ingredient this month is a strange meat, yaddon tail.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. There is a box labelled for purple team containing a stick of rock for each member of purple team, including those who are new. Join in your teams success!

New passengers will find their ticket allows them into their cabins. In most rooms, the occupied beds are obvious, leaving the spotless, empty spaces for the newcomers. 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 taking advantage of the fresh air, and 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

wen sizhui | qishan wen au | the untamed | ota

[wenyuan]

He's seen it happen before: people leaving and returning to their respective homes. It had been sad to see friends leave. But then his heart stops when he sees Ning-shushu step off and Sizhui stands on the platform, fists clenched and fighting the urge to reach out and grab onto his beloved uncle before he gets too far.

"...I'll see you again," he says, mostly to himself.

He still has his brother. And his friends. And several Hanguang Jun. And Xian-ge. He should be all right. Sizhui takes a deep breath and looks up at the sky, taking in the fresh air instead.

Training Gym
If he ever falls back on something familiar, it's training. He uses the training gym to meditate, to practice his sword forms, to practice unarmed combat against the dummies; anything to get his mind off the sadness of seeing A-Qing and Ning-shushu leave.

It's not forever. Punch. Punch. Sword thrust. Block. It's not forever.

Platform

[obliviouspatriarch]

Seeing A-Qing and Wen Ning leaving tugs at his own heart, but seeing the boy with clenched fists has him put on a smile immediately and put his hand on Sizhui's shoulder, catching the words just barely.

"I'm sure we will, they'll be back soon, I'm sure!"

He only hopes that they're not going where he came from, he wouldn't wish that on anyone.

[wenyuan]

He's surprised when he feels the hand on his shoulder and looks to see the other Xian-ge smile at him. He gives a watery smile of his own and nods.

"If Xian-ge is sure, then they will," he affirms.

/oozes back late. Headaches, sorry x.x

[obliviouspatriarch]

A couple sharp nods and even wider grin as he gives a gentle squeeze to the boy's shoulder. Anything to help distract, it's no use dwelling on pain for now.

"I know so! They wouldn't leave us forever, that's not who they are!"

With another squeeze, he pulls Sizhui into a hug. Half for his own need, not that he would admit that, and the other half for the boy's sake.

better late than never!

[wenyuan]

He's surprised when he's pulled into the hug and hugs him back tightly. It's a little strange. This version of Xian-ge looks...completely different and not just because of his extra features but the fact that he looks so similar to Mo Xuanyu.

"...is Ning-shushu--" He stops and hugs him tighter. He wants to ask if his beloved family member is safe in the man's world. Or if he suffered a horrific fate as well.

The kid shouldn't know that wn of this wwx's world actually died qwq

[obliviouspatriarch]

There's a guess about what the boy means and Wuxian just hugs him tighter. He doesn't want to tell him that Wen Ning had died and he was the one that resurrected him, not when this nephew had a world he only wishes could have happened for him instead of the cruel one that existed instead.

So instead, doing what he does best in deflection:

"Is he going to be okay? Of course! He's strong and smart, and best of all: he's kind!"

platform

[longforgottenpromise]

"Wen Gongzi." A soft voice at his side as Taiki stepped up to him. It was always difficult to see people leave, worse still for those close to them.

He reached out to touch Wen Sizhui's arm gently. "I'm sorry..."

[wenyuan]

He didn't jump per se but Sizhui was surprised when he felt the touch to his arm. He looked over at him and tried to plaster on a smile, quickly reaching up to wipe at whatever wetness clung to his lashes.

"Taiki-gongzi," he greeted. Though his voice wavered a little. "Are you enjoying the fresh air as well?"

[longforgottenpromise]

He looked at him sadly and then nodded. "It is always good to step off the train..."

Even if it was a platform. "Are... Someone you knew well left?"

[wenyuan]

He nods sadly at that.

"Ning-shushu, Wen Ning. And my friend a-Qing," he replies.

[longforgottenpromise]

Wen Ning. He hadn't had a chance to really speak to the one who was here now, he had known the one before him a little bit. He puts his hand on his shoulder, for comfort.

Maybe he should have guessed by the Wen but he also knows they denote clans, not so much family and he has no idea how large or how close they may be.

"Then Wen Qing is your aunt also?"

platform

[flatteries]

Inigo doesn't even need to hear those words to know what's going on here. He can just tell. Even just judging by the look he sees in Sizhui's eyes as the other is staring at the people who are leaving - he knows what's going on in an instant.

It makes Inigo smile, first softly and a little sadly, but then wider. Trying to summon a bit of happiness and hope for someone who might not have a whole lot of it right now.

"That's right, Sizhui." He puts a gentle hand on the other's shoulder. "You'll see him again back home, right? It's only a matter of time."

[wenyuan]

He smiles at the weight on his shoulder and nods.

"This Ning-shushu is different than the one I know back home. Just a little bit." Then again, all of his family here is so different than the one he has back home.

[flatteries]

.. just a little different, huh.

He has to contemplate it for a moment, but it makes sense. After all, there are two Sizhuis on the train. So that means that everyone else who comes from a world similar to theirs will only recognize one of them at best.

It must suck, he thinks, but Inigo keeps smiling.

"Well.. How about you tell me a little about the differences?" Not that Inigo knew the guy who left, but he doesn't mind. "It's good to remember someone, even when they're gone."

[wenyuan]

He gives a soft huff.

"Ning-shushu seems to be the same in every way. This one...seemed a little...sadder."

[flatteries]

"I wonder if maybe he had more on his mind."

Things can happen in different ways in different worlds, after all. Perhaps the world that person came from was just a little more troubled than the one this Sizhui is from.

"He must have had a lot to think about, either way, if he was sad here on the train."

training

[blitzcheer]

"I wouldn't wanna be that guy."

Tidus speaks up, in a way meant to be heard; wondering, even so, if Sizhui will pay attention to it. Not with the way he's giving that dummy a beating on! But he walks up to him, dressed himself for some time in the gym, but coming to Sizhui first, a welcoming expression on his face.

"You always this intense?"

It's a joke, sort of.

[wenyuan]

He stops, panting a little and wipes at his forehead with his forearm when he hears someone speak. Sizhui looks over at Tidus.

"I--"

He looks back the dummy and down at his hands.

[blitzcheer]

"Hey, it's okay." Tidus raises his hands some, as useless a gesture it might be. Maybe what's spoken as well, when he thinks for a moment, and asks, "...is it?"

Maybe it isn't.

[wenyuan]

He looks at the dummy and puts a hand on it, heaving a deep sigh.

"It...isn't. But it will be. Eventually."

He needs to let things go and not be too attached.

"Did you need the dummy?"

[blitzcheer]

There were some things only time could deal with - this was likely one of the times. Tidus shakes his head, "no, no", but after a beat- "But- you wanted to have a go with me? I don't practice hand-to-hand enough! What do you say?"

He could give Wen Sizhui some company, at the very least.

platform

[achickenformylove]

As usual, WangJi was there on platform day not only to greet the new arrivals, but also to see off those who were leaving. He was standing not too far away from Wen Sizhui as he watching those who were leaving the train depart. Close enough to hear him. Of course, he had good hearing for being a cultivator.

"Yes, you will see him again."

[wenyuan]

As always, Hanguang Jun's words and presence is soothing and comforting. He looks over at the man and smiles softly, if sadly.

"Will he be all right? Is he--is he all right?"

[achickenformylove]

"He will be alright. He will go back to a good time."

He didn't know for certain the time he would go back to, but Wen Ning's live did get better. He would have a good life.

[wenyuan]

The tense line of his shoulder relaxes at that.

"Do you see him often back home, Hanguang Jun?"