A New Platform [Intro Post October]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

The train continues its journey

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day sixteen 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. Asch, Ayumi Uoshida, Cleopatra Selene, Della Duck, Ghost, Hanuel Min, Jaisyn Solo, Jonathan Sims, Martin Blackwood, Nie Huaisang, Vermouth; 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 four new faces. Wearing hoodies, three in purple one orange, 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 relatively small, a brick wall behind them and cracked flagstones on the floor. It is cold, icy cold but the wall at least shelters them a little.

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, freezing 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 four 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'). The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, including yadon tail, as well as all sundries.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags.

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

Jin Ling | Purple Team | OTA

[to_rise_above]

P L A T F O R M

[ Jin Ling was in a brief daze as he took in his current surroundings. Everything was unfamiliar and foreign. There were sounds that he’s never seen before, and things that had him brow raising. He noticed that his sect robes were replaced with an attire that was not anything he’s worn before, but had vaguely seen some people in Hakagemachi walk around with them. They were as uncomfortable as they looked.

If this was his first time experiencing such a transition, he'd probably be losing his mind right about now. Fortunately, Hakagemachi taught him quite a few survival tips.

He held onto the rucksack, with the strange youkai mask tied to him, and slowly maneuvered a few steps through the fog on the small platform. His questions about anything foreign, was answered by the voice in his head. People were passing by, and too many to count. He felt a headache coming on as he looked around. What were all these colors and why were there so many people? The thought was met by a chortle from the okami. He huffed and was about to say something aloud, when he felt something collide into him, knocking him off his feet, and onto the ground. The culprit gave loud barks and covered Jin Ling with sloppy licks and dog kisses.

Fairy?!

Instead of saying anything, he ended up bursting into tears as he hugged the large spiritual dog. ]

T R A I N

[ After making a scene with his best friend, Jin Ling stared at what was called a ‘train.’ He eyed it suspiciously, but there weren’t many choices for him right now. In the end, he boarded the train begrudgingly, with his spiritual dog following happily at his feet. It was strange to have been without Fairy for so long, and the feelings kept resurfacing. He couldn’t stop himself from getting all red eyed again. He wanted to hug his companion to death, but anything beyond his scene prior would be too embarrassing.

Either way, he just quietly glanced around, wiping the dried tears from his face. There was no use complaining about his situation. If there was anything he learned from Hakagemachi, it was to stay alert and cautious. In order to survive, he had to compromise and the teen would have to hold his head high while doing that.

Except, the demon that possessed his body decided that he was being too dramatic, so now he was dealing with the matter of two dark colored wolf ears and a swishing wolf tail. Fairy seemed to enjoy the appearance as it nipped at his tail. Jin Ling groaned in frustration as he spoke aloud, forgetting for a brief moment where he was standing. After all, since coming here, he's been nothing but a sack full of bottled emotions. ]

Will you cut it out?! Get rid of them right now!!

[ Can't he catch a break for once?! ]

W I L D C A R D

[ anything else you will like to play out or any ideas? Feel free to set them up here or pm/discord/plurk me to plot at the following: Discord: Tarei#2407 Plurk: kagaminokakera

If you have a moment to check out his permissions post here as well since he’s an AU CRAU from slumscape. Long story short, Jin Ling is possessed by an okami youkai, so it's basically sharing his body! It will occasionally speak for Jin Ling. The okami speech will be Italicized font. LMK if anyone prefers not to engage with it! :). ]

SLAMS IN HERE. Partial wildcard for platform after the train arrives

[obliviouspatriarch]

[Waking up to find his room has changed has Wuxian in a very good mood, not a single negative thought on his head whatsoever. Much to the fox's playful disgust.

But it's when the train arrives at the platform, as usual, dumping everyone out and the departures take place that he sees a certain teenager; but misses the fact that Fairy is there. It's Jin Ling, his Jin Ling, he just knows it after catching the briefest of glimpses at that mask.

The next thing he does without thinking for a second is to bolt right on over there and tackle his nephew with a hug, even if there's going to be yelling and huffing, he doesn't care. All tails wrapping around the boy for good measure as well.]

You're here! But wait-- HOW did you get here? Did something happen in Hakagemachi that you'd be sent here instead of staying there?

1/2 - DKHASHKFHAS OH MY GOD WHY ARE YOU YEETING YOURSELF AT HIM!!!

[to_rise_above]

[ Jin Ling, who had finally managed to calm down after the fiasco with Fairy. His ears and tail were just hidden away only moments before he felt a breeze following someone slamming themselves quite literally into him. The teen almost fell over, if not for the rucksack to stable his fall.

There was a strange sound between surprised and a strangle yelp before he tried to pry himself loose from the person, feeling completely uncomfortable! Except-- wait... that smell. ]

[to_rise_above]

W-Wei Wuxian?!

[ Of course, it was Wei Wuxian!!!! Him and his god damn ears and nine tails almost choking Jin Ling to death as he struggled even more to get the grown man off his person!

Why was he hugging him and where the hell did he even come from? ]

LET GO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!! GET OFF ME!!!

[ This questions were briefly ignored for the sake of Jin Ling trying to wrestle his smaller frame from the hugging fox possessed uncle of his. ]

[obliviouspatriarch]

That's my name!

[Yeah, he's gonna be a smartass to the boy, no regrets whatsoever when he's that happy to see Jin Ling. He's earned this moment after everything that's happened.]

What's it look like A-Ling? I'm hugging you! I haven't seen you in months!

train

[myblueskies]

"Are you alright sir?"

Romeo had gone out onto the platform as usual to help any new people. He had watched people walk away with sadness in his heart, friends were always leaving, Ghost had been his roommate and miss Della had been one of the nicest duck people he had ever met!

He couldn't figure out what was happening, but the man was saying to cut it out and the dog was nipping at him.

"Is the dog bothering you sir? I can try and see who it belongs to if you want!"

[to_rise_above]

To Jin Ling, who had been in a town infested with youkai possessed people, the question and the normalcy of the person approaching him threw him a little off.

It took him a moment before he replied as serious as he could sound.

"I'm-- I'm fine."

How embarrassing for someone to see him in such a state. Not that it mattered. He seemed to not care too much. He was content and feeling full that his spiritual dog was here with him. Fairy, who was nipping his sleeve, now curiously trotted over to them and sniffed them a little bit.

"N-No-- Fairy's not-- it's my companion! There's no need to look for who it belongs to."

Crap, he might have said something aloud when he was talking to the youkai.

[myblueskies]

"Oh!" So the dog was his friend. That was good! Romeo smiled at them both. "Well who do you want to cut it out then?" Was there someone else here? He looked around.

"I can help you if you like! I know its a bit scary when you first come to the train!"

It really was, though Romeo had gotten used to things very quickly. He was still a bit worried also about the dog nipping at the boy, even if they were friends so he tried to coax him away, reaching out to pet the dog carefully. "His name is Fairy?"

platform

[hitokiri]

[ izō isn't technically here to scope out new teammates because that implies he's a team player (haha), but he makes the effort to look around... just in case. he doesn't know who he's looking for exactly, but there are a few people he'd like to find out about himself directly rather than be surprised later when they turn up on the train.

finding no one fitting that particular description, he's about to head back when he's distracted by the scene of the kid in purple crying while hugging a dog. ]

Y'know animals can come with, right?

[ this is what he assumes the problem is. why else would someone be crying in this situation? ]

lol I feel like Izo missed the point of Jin Ling crying XD and I'm laughing

[to_rise_above]

[ The teen stopped crying immediately when he heard a voice. His tear streaked face glanced up at someone he's probably never engaged with but probably had seen in Hakagemachi, but there wasn't anything remotely familiar with him.

Except, now Jin Ling realized he was crying in front of a stranger and immediately used the sleeves of his purple top to wipe his face quickly. ]

...

[ That wasn't why he was crying so-- ]

Th-that's not why---!

[ He stuttering now and his face was partially red. ]

oh he totally did haha he never claims to be smart~☆

[hitokiri]

Eh? Well, then why ya cryin' for?!

[ happy tears? never heard of her. ]

Anyway, give it a little time and this thing'll really give ya somethin' t'cry about, unless yer one of those genius types.

Let me know if I need to change this

[schrodingersghost]

Danny usually spent some time out on the platform, checking out to see whether any new arrivals needed help. And also stretching himself a bit. The platform wasn't a lot of space to fly, but at least it was slightly bigger than the train.

This time, his attention gets drawn when his ghost sense goes off. He immediately looks around the area, and lands in front of Jin Ling with a laugh.

"Is that a ghost dog? I never thought I'd meet another one!"

it looks good to me! no worries!

[to_rise_above]

Jin Ling was still trying to get tears out of his system, while hugging Fairy tightly. The voice interrupted his moment and he immediately flared up in embarrassment and started wiping his face, letting go of Fairy, who now found the stranger interesting and trotted towards Danny.

Jin Ling did see this person fly in, but what bothered him was the glowing. Why was this person glowing?

Once, he managed to compose himself some, he replied while eying his spiritual dog.

"It's-- not a ghost. It's a spiritual dog."

He replied as a matter of fact. It might as well be the same but the term 'ghost' didn't really sit well with Jin Ling. Fairy yips happily at Danny as it waited expecting some kind of attention-- maybe?

[schrodingersghost]

"Eh, Tomato, Tomatoes. I've found that things like ghosts and spirits can mean very different things in different worlds."

Danny kneels and offers an open hand to the dog. A close look might show that the ghost was not actually touching the ground.

"I'm Danny, by the way. I've been a passenger on this train for a super long time, so just let me know if you need any help with anything."

His secret identity had been one of the very first casualties of his stay on the train. He'd barely made it a month. So he didn't bother much any more with a difference in names.

train; totally okay with the okami!

[happyends]

[ Seeing weird stuff on days where the train stops at a platform? That part isn't new to Madoka at all - especially considering how long she's been on the train by now. So seeing someone with animal ears and an animal tail isn't too odd.

But it is a little concerning when she spots the reaction the other is having to it. Madoka quickly rushes to the other's side, a concerned hand half-moved in front of her mouth as she stares at him. ]

A-Are you okay?

noted, thank you!

[to_rise_above]

[ Jin Ling stiffens up at the approach. His face was turning a bit redder than he wanted before realizing he's shouted to the okami aloud.

The okami only laughs gingerly in his head for the time being and Jin Ling has to deal with another stranger questioning him. Of course, it doesn't help with the twitching ears and swishing tail. Fairy seems to like it very much and only stops when it hears another voice.

He curiously looks over as Jin Ling manages to compose himself. ]

I-I'm fine!

[ Nothing to see here! ]

[happyends]

[ There sure is something to see here!

.. though Madoka would feel bad if she were to point it out so bluntly. Especially when the other already seems so startled and flustered - would she just make it worse if she said something like that? But then again, leaving him alone in this state also doesn't seem very nice.. ]

Um, it's.. It's alright, you know..

[ So Madoka chooses the middle road here. Trying to point it out as delicately as possible. ]

There are more people here who have animal ears, you know..? It's.. nothing to be embarrassed of.. [ At least, she's assuming that's what's bothering him so much? She can't see anything else around that might be agitating him, or what someone could 'get rid of'. ]

wildcardish jiujiu does what he wants

[fennu]

[ It's rare that Jiang Cheng spends a lot of time on the platform and this time around is no different; he sees who leaves, he recognises a few of them and he lets himself embrace the fact that people are simply going. The fact that Nie Huaisang is one of them is a matter for him to think about much later, when he's more alone and less likely to dwell on things that he might have said.

He's wandering around the train when he hears the familiar sound of a dog and he expects his nephew - why would he expect anything else these days? - but the one he sees isn't the one he's most familiar with. Months of different Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji has prepared him for moments like this, but it's not the same, especially when his brow furrows and all he can do is narrow his eyes.

For goodness - ]

A-Ling?

screams into the distance. no one can stop jiujiu xD

[to_rise_above]

[ Jin Ling was busy trying to compose himself for a moment and doesn't hear the voice right away. It does eventually linger to him and he loosely lets go of the large spiritual dog, who seems to be interested in licking his face for a few more seconds, before making its way to where the voice is.

The teen stiffens a moment. There's a bit of confusion in his eyes, though the voice sounded familiar, the appearance seems a little-- different but there's honestly no way of mistaking that presence anywhere. At least, there's nothing strange on him that he has to explain just-- yet. Of course, his attempt to sound even, comes off a little soft. ]

Jiujiu?!

[fennu]

[ It is him, but it isn't at the same time, and that's enough to make Jiang Cheng pause. He knows he would recognise the nephew from his own world - they've been here long enough that he barely has to think about it - but this one isn't quite the same. There's just something a little different about him, something that makes him pause before he breathes out and shakes his head.

It doesn't matter if this isn't the a-Ling he recognises as his own. He's still some Jiang Cheng's nephew, and that means that he's his uncle, no matter what world, no matter where they are. Jin Ling needs - deserves - an uncle, and Jiang Cheng isn't going to abandon him.

(Especially not here, where so little makes sense already).

Moving forward, he leans against the doorframe and raises his eyebrow. ]

Why are you being so loud?

train; (i am also okay with okami stuff!)

[deferences]

[having been distracted by dragon-riding with jingyi on the platform, lan sizhui hadn't realized someone he (sort of) knows had arrived during that; it'd be an outright surprise either way but, admittedly, meeting him while he's shouting at someone – his dog? a passerby??? – is both surprising and then absolutely not at all in the sense it's jin ling.]

Ah, are you talking to me...?

[there's the faintest head-tilt as he pauses mid-step where he's standing in a nearby doorway, his left side flanked by a many-tailed creature who, as soon as she sees fairy, makes a soft, yipping noise in greeting and takes off toward the spiritual beast.] Aiyah, Xixue, no! [so much for all that training they did earlier, though he can't fault her: she's excited, which is adorable, and he doesn't resist smiling despite himself. in her defense, however, she does stop with a few feet of distance between herself and fairy, large blue eyes staring intently.]

I'm sorry, [he sighs with no real heat behind it, padding up beside the vulpix and stooping to scoop her up into his arms.] Sometimes, they have minds of their own, despite rigorous training. [he downcasts a playfully scolding look to xixue then upturns again, brightening with realization at the sight of jin ling's wolf ears.

cute . . . but he probably shouldn't say that aloud, huh?] By them, do you mean those? [a brief, head-dipping gesture toward those ears alongside the slightest quirk of his lips. (he'll do jin ling a favor and not motion to the tail as well.)] Because my skills, unfortunately, do not include ridding someone of animal ears. Especially ones that seem rather, uhm, attached to their owner? [look, he's trying, okay! he can't help that it's amusing, seeing jin ling either talking to himself or his companion that's still happily biting at the aforementioned tail.]

awesome sauce. also kgshskgh JL will never live this down XD

[to_rise_above]

[ Jin Ling was having an internal fight with the youkai inside of him for a moment longer before someone spoke to him. ]

No I wasn't! I was talking to---

[ He stopped what he was doing, turned to look straight at the person, almost squinting as he did. What in the world was going on? It's like every single person that knew him just appeared and he was in the middle of some comedic show with his demon. ]

...Sizhui?

[ It came out more of a question than a statement. He watches the strange creature with the many tails dart towards Fairy and thankfully, because of that, Fairy is finished playing with his tail and trotting over to the strange creature, sniffing her briefly before Sizhui picked her back up. Fairy then just nudges the other boy, as if in some form of recognition, following a soft bark of greeting. Jin Ling is both confused by Sizhui and his companion... It takes a moment for him to register that the other is apologizing to him. He shrugs it off. ]

Whatever, it's not like it hurt anyone...

[ This is well-- awkward to say the least. He's trying to hide his embarrassment but that isn't working. The tail is swishing back and forth and his ears are flattened against his head as he looks the other way, frowning and muttering again for the demon to put away its extra appendages he that he doesn't want out. Too bad for him, he only hears a laugh that can probably be heard by Sizhui but Jin Ling's lips aren't moving. ]

Of course you can't get rid of these things! It needs to do it! Like I said, I was talking to--

Oh, the other one that you missed. Shouldn't you be a bit more... humm what's the word, content to see your friends?

[ Jin Ling wishes he can shut the wolf up. He just hisses at it instead. ]

Will you quit that?!!! Who misses who?! Stop reading my thoughts!

[ Sorry, Sizhui, you're dealing with a very-- flustered Jin Ling ]

no, he won't, but it'll be okay... this *is* just sizhui, after all :')

[deferences]

[as jin ling turns toward him, sizhui's expression somehow both perks and softens, his smile so delighted, it reaches his eyes, yet his demeanor remains easygoing. perhaps it's not the lan disciple jin ling's familiar with, there's still just an unmistakable air about him that screams ‘sizhui’ nevertheless.

not to mention, despite having his hair down and hanging loose around his shoulders, there is the telltale lan ribbon neatly tied around his forehead like always.

he shifts his arms, holding xixue against his chest with the left one, his right lifting to wave.] Hi there.

[while it comes out of jin ling's mouth more questioningly, sizhui answers with confidence, attention downcasting afterward once fairy approaches him. being honest, he's expecting her to at least have some wariness about him, but when the canine is finished examining xixue and moves on to him instead like there's no difference, he can't help arching his eyebrows.] Ah, Fairy... [that nose bumps him, there's a bark and he chuckles, moving his unoccupied hand to give jin ling's spiritual beast some headrubs.] Hello to you too. [then he's redirecting to the other boy again, nodding faintly, understandingly.

point made, his petting stops momentarily so he can set the vulpix back down, who instantly turns those large eyes jin ling's way while sizhui goes back to petting fairy. this is a nice distraction from how badly he wants to stare at that tail whipping around or those ears poking out through jin ling's hair. it's not his fault they're there, visible and super adorable, even if they shouldn't be from the sounds of it here.

speaking of sounds though, was that another voice? surely someone else's because it didn't have the same tone or vibrato as jin ling's but.] Reading your thoughts? [gosh, how pervasive, sizhui can't imagine sharing headspace with— wait, hold on, who (or what) is able to do that?

frankly, he doesn't mind dealing with flustered jin ling, that's something normal compared to being able to also hear this voice too, and maybe he shouldn't say anything... but it's almost impossible not to address:] There isn't anything wrong with missing your friends, you know! I certainly missed mine before they showed up. [yes, ‘they’ because it seems safe assuming this is jin ling from an alternate universe, just like some of the other cultivators aboard the train.]

Train

[jinlingers]

[ It's not the other boy that draws his attention or the weird thing that he says but the dog -- and his dog running to that dog that does look somewhat similar to his own Fairy. ]

Fairy wait!

[ Really, it's been a while since she's seen another dog. ]

[to_rise_above]

[ Jin Ling with his tail and ears turns when he hears the sound of another animal approaching. Fairy decides that it is no longer amused with Jin Ling's dark tail, and takes its mouth off his tail. Instead, it sort of trots almost swiftly over to the other dog that approaches it.

Jin Ling gazes at his dog as he catches a glimpse of another one, quite similar to his own. Is that another spiritual dog? ]

...Fairy?

[ He's not too particularly concerned, since he knows it can handle itself. He is just more concerned about where this other possible spiritual dog came from. ]