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

[deferences]

It's a warm, familiar sound that Sizhui can't help smiling toward.

“Good, good, and that makes sense.” Probably for the best that it doesn't because imagining a dragon with a reversed scale sounds uncomfortable for them. However, Sizhui can't help wondering: if it did exist, would it be underneath Jingyi's chin? Located elsewhere? Oh, imagine it being someplace like the belly where one could— wait, no, that's more soft underside spots that don't need any vulnerability. Most definitely better they were given nothing at all and aren't controlled so easily instead.

Thank goodness for Jingyi's different type, lest Sizhui's thoughts worry him into an unnecessary anxious state after they'd had such a great time flying, regardless of the fact they're headed back toward the train.

Still, even as they draw closer to the platform, he disembarks by scooching himself up, using one of Jingyi's horns for steadying then hopping down to stand beside him instead, and that's when he asks, “Jingyi, are the scales on your belly softer than the ones on your back?” Maybe it's an odd, out-of-the-blue question but he's genuinely curious now.

[jingyeets]

"Huh?" Jingyi paused, looking to his best friend. "Uh, not... sure? They're bigger, so maybe in that way? My scales are pretty much the same all around, and a belly should be better protected when you fly, right? I think the hardest thing on me is my horns. Wait," he says, once more distracted, "Wait, you don't mean you felt a rough patch, do you? Sizhui, I don't have my scale oils with me!"

[deferences]

“Having harder scales on your belly would make sense so nobody could attack your underside, but I was just curious.” Because one: he doesn't know aside from what he's felt on Jingyi and two: there are myths about creatures having vulnerable bellies and all! Also, yes, the horns being hardest makes sense, but an even better diversion is reassuring Jingyi, “No, no, you don't have a rough patch!”

Although he is now wondering— “Can we order you some oils? Or perhaps try to make them?”

[jingyeets]

"It's why they're bigger, too, I think." He has no idea. Physiology of dragons is not something he's dived into beyond the care for one's body and the study of joints and organs and meridians, just as they studied human bodies for the same. No one questioned why their nails grew as they grew, only was aware when a sign of that growth was irregular. Why think about scale size or hardness?

(Mythology having a different relationship for him with reality and truth than for Sizhui, for obvious reasons.)

"I don't see why not. Order or make, basic ones are sourced from cooking oils... which is why they tend to be expensive," he says, shaking his head. "I joked about it with Tidus once, but we do help with full scrubdowns, you know? We shed more like snakes than like people in dragon form, and when you're growing even a little, or your scales are strengthening, it can be annoyingly patchy. And itchy."

Not that it was usual, particularly, but it was more similar to watching someone with a sunburn dealing with the dead skin sloughing off in one thin, elastic layer.

[deferences]

“Also understandable! More coverage for your soft belly.” Maybe he's poking a little fun there but it's true, scales do protect all those important bits. Parts that Sizhui might learn more about if he ordered a book or two about dragon anatomy from the train store... which is an idea for later when he's not already contemplating getting Jingyi some scale oils.

However, if the possibility to create some is there, why not take advantage of that instead? Then they can make any amount they wish and Jingyi won't have to worry about running out.

“Make, huh? Hrm...” Surely they might have oils they could use in the kitchen, but should that not be the case, Sizhui could look into ordering whatever kinds Jingyi may need and they can make them. Until then, he's able to at least offer, “Well, if you ever need assistance with that, I can do my best. I don't mind helping you out so you aren't patchy and suffering from itchiness.” Wouldn't be that weird at all, helping his dragon friend shed, especially if it's more like snakes molting their skin.

All at once would be nice too since there are sunburn peels that aren't easy to get off.

[jingyeets]

Snorting, he nudged Sizhui with his nose.

"Between you and Xichen," oh, and Sizhui will feel the shudder that twitches through Jingyi's whiskers at that, "Or Zewu-jun," separating the younger man and the older sect leader who acted more like what Jingyi expected, "I'll be covered. At least on train, it's easy."

He's so small then, compared to the bulk of him now.

[deferences]

Sizhui grins, lifts both arms and turns, hugging Jingyi's nose, forehead resting against him despite the twitch. It's not difficult to figure out his friend's separation of the two Zewu-juns, which is honestly brilliant, although he's closer in age to one of them so perhaps he's more allowed that casualness.

(Lan Sizhui has the honor of calling him ‘Uncle,’ so that's a fair enough exchange, he thinks.)

There comes a gentle nod, “The three of us ought to be able to handle it just fine on-board. And if there's ever a time when we're stopped somewhere or want to attempt during a platform day, I have a feeling we might also do okay together if you're normal-sized.” Surely he and both Lan Xichens could help Jingyi without much trouble.