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

[flatteries]

Inigo frowns a little as the other explains. Not because of the content of what he's hearing necessarily, no, but just.. because Elidibus has to make everything so complicated. Why can't the other guy just say 'yes' or 'no'? Inigo thinks it's a pretty simple question, dude!

"I'm not talking about her." There's a bit of pointedness to him saying it, but it's mostly because he just wants to get to the point here. He doesn't like there being any uncertainty when it's about a topic like this about all things. "I'm talking about you. Not what she thinks of you, or what you are to her. I want to know if you're a good guy or a bad guy!"

Regardless of what another version of him in Q'uila's world may have done. That person isn't here, so it doesn't matter to Inigo in particular.

"Have you hurt people before? Would you hurt people on this train? Isn't a question like 'are you a bad person' easy to answer when you think about it that way?"

[wewillwewill]

There is a look about Elidibus as he studies Inigo that suggests he thinks the young man might be a bit too idealistic in his desire for a simple answer. Yet mortals tend to think in black and white like that and if nothing more, the Ascian is at least accustomed to it.

He does sigh though, before answering.

"I have hurt people, but who has not? I don't do so out of cruelty. And I have no desire or interest to harm the passengers of this train. If these are your concerns, then yes. I am a good person."

[flatteries]

"There are plenty of reasons people use to hurt other people aside from plain cruelty. That still doesn't mean they're all good."

Maybe he's being a little stubborn about this one, but Inigo just can't help it. In a sense, Elidibus is right - Inigo is entirely too idealistic, but it runs in the family. Not to mention that he's witnessed so much hurt that he just can't stand any more of it.

"And there are plenty of people who get by without hurting others." That part, obviously, is in response to his 'who has not' claim. Sure, Inigo can't claim that he hasn't, but he knows that there are people out there, better than himself, who are entirely blameless when it comes to that sort of thing.

It's no excuse. Not even in regard to his own actions.

[wewillwewill]

"For someone who desires a simple answer, you are suddenly very keen on the specifics," Elidibus says. Some of his passive indifference and the trace of resignation his sigh had involved seems to be replaced by something more focused and serious.

"To save our very world and our people... Mankind itself. My brethren and I dedicated ourselves to this pursuit." The emotional investment may be restrained but it is present and no less strong for the quiet tone of voice the Ascian uses. Without a doubt, the love, grief and dedication are unfeigned and any 'good person' would be proud to claim them as their own.

Plenty of people who get by without hurting others. "Mayhap you are right." Elidibus seems to calm again. "Yet it's those such as myself or the Warrior of Light... and perhaps you, who allow them that luxury. And not one of us can claim that we would never harm someone for a reason that is not 'good'."

Saying 'who has not' was not meant to be an excuse in any event. It simply intended to point out that a 'good person' can't be judged by whether someone has hurt another; good reasons or no. It has either happened already or will happen.

"That aside, our realities- mine and the Warrior of Light here- are not so different. While I suppose it's possible there are vast differences I haven't heard, I have reason to believe the Elidibus she knows is little different from myself."

Ah yes, he could easily use the possibility that this alternate reality may have had a far crueler Elidibus to mislead Inigo. But the Ascian does not.

"Such is why the question you asked is not simple. Nor do I wish to do it a disservice to treat it as such. The way you choose to perceive me will determine whether I am 'good' or 'bad'. Not some claim I give."

[flatteries]

Hey, sometimes these things are just nuanced. Inigo really doesn't like saying that something is for the better, especially when you're doing something negative like hurting people. Inigo thinks of the Grimleal, how they genuinely thought that destruction of the entire world was a good thing. That it was for the better.

It's why this entire matter is so complicated in the first place, and at this point he is sure he's not going to get a clear, one-sided answer out of the guy.

.. but then again, what else is new when it comes to Elidibus?

"Then I'm not going to think of you as either for now." Usually Inigo is more trusting than that, but it's just.. there's something that's a little too off for him to just assume Elidibus is 100% good - in a way that he's never felt around Q'uila, regardless of what the other is saying about her. "I want to trust you when you say you won't hurt anyone, but.."

.. well, it's not like it'd be the first time someone would hurt someone else on the train.

"That odd darkness power you use, and some of the things you say.. It makes me unsure whether I can really believe that claim or not until I can see it for myself."

But that's the exact problem, isn't it?

It's easy to prove that someone would hurt someone else. You just have to catch them in the act.

It's much harder to prove that someone wouldn't hurt someone else.

[wewillwewill]

Elidibus will not give a clear, one-sided answer because there is none. In his long life... no, even before the majority of it, the perspectives were most important. And the more one had on a particular situation, the better one's decision about the best course of action could be.

Not the good or the bad. Just... the best. For better or worse, Elidibus has governed balance far more than he has placed weight in 'good' or 'bad'.

"Dark and Light are naught but tools to bring to bear. It is not inherently bad in itself. Too much of either in excess is dangerous, particularly to those who can't withstand it. But that is the same regardless of any element." He doesn't appear to be judging Inigo for the belief that 'Darkness' is bad; that school of thought exists among many mortals even on his world, throughout the ages.

Just as Light has had negative connotations, depending on the time and place. That being said, the Ascian sought more to present a simple fact than to admonish Inigo.

Instead of disappointment, Elidibus nods and shows no sign of surprise toward the young man's decision. "You are welcome to view me as you see fit. To trust or not."

He does, after all, have great capacity to cause harm, whatever else he is. And though Inigo hadn't mentioned Q'uila by name, the young man's observed attitude and personality does suggest he'd be more aligned with her perspective on the miqo'te's shared history with Elidibus.

Most mortals would be.

"Should you choose to learn more of our pasts, you are welcome to come hear my side of the tale. Though not here." Platform day and all. While Elidibus might be willing to speak, it would be a bit much to expect it in a public forum.

[flatteries]

".. Sure."

There's a slight moment of consideration, like Inigo isn't too sure initially whether he likes that idea or not, but.. then he decides it can't hurt. After all, much of Elidibus is still an enigma to him. He might as well listen sometime.

It's not like they don't have way too much time on the train in the first place. And then maybe he can speak to Q'uila about her side sometime as well..

Still, he won't harass the other for that story right here and now, so he just nods.

"Let's talk again some other time then."

[wewillwewill]

Can't hurt, may offer more than just small bites of what the Ascian truly is. There's a lot of pros to accepting that offer.

Elidibus nods. "Then I will see you soon. I should return to attending the new arrivals. Good day." And with those parting words, the man turns to do just as he says. Tending new arrivals, making sure minor trouble is averted and overall encouraging people to board the train instead of waiting to see what happens when one doesn't.

At least here, he seems to mean no harm if nothing else.