voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post July]

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A New Platform [Intro Post July]

PLATFORM STOP: MONTH 19
(SYMPHONY)

BEFORE ARRIVAL

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day one of the month of Symphony. Points have been updated on the system."
The voice of the Voidtrecker Express welcomes passengers at the same time as always, sometime after breakfast. With points updated, everyone can spend the morning shopping. Most people will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later, as the colours of the void outside the windows blur more and more.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. The Weather is cool with light rain. 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.

ON THE PLATFORM

1. THE ARRIVAL

At first, all your character can see is steam billowing around them as they come to their senses. But as their eyes adjust, they find themselves on a platform. It is a small platform, a dusty strip of concrete next to the tracks. The barrier is at the far end, housed in a brick shelter. The sky is dark with clouds and the air is damp. A fine drizzle falls, not heavy at all but they will find their clothes quickly become damp.

They stand in clothes not their own, in a style they might not even recognise. They're carrying a rucksack on their person, and for a moment it seems to just be them, alone on this platform. Before the fog starts to subside, and they'll see they are alone: facing the tracks.

But then there's a roaring sound to get their attention, and out from the fog arrives a train. A sleek black, it reads The Voidtrecker Express in gold lettering on the side. Every one of the doors hiss as they open automatically, and out pours a strange assortment of people. Some are human, some less so, with a majority wearing the same hoodie of four colours as they do, though some sport outfits in a variety of styles.

The train doors close behind them, and the vehicle is cloaked in the same fog that hides the world beyond the platform. A group of people head towards the gates of the platform, their expressions blank and unaffected by their surroundings. Altair Kallig, Aya Brea, Darth Nox, Eli Vanto, Elizabeth, Shen Qingqiu, Soma Cruz, Thrawn. They disappear through the barriers, but no one else can - all people can do is wait until the train re-emerges, finishing whatever changes it's making.

2. BOARDING THE TRAIN

After a short time, about ten minutes or so, the fog clears and the doors hiss open again. Everyone will feel a pull when they do, a need to board, and those from the train may encourage new arrivals to board. This feeling grows into one of apprehension and turns worse the longer they stay off-board.

For those that do board, they may find themselves in a few different carriages, but most likely the standard coach. A row of seats sit available, with a few tables between each. More likely than not, some cookies have been set out with jugs of drink, and cups available for pouring.

For those that don't, however, they're likely to attract attention if they're spotted. And if that fails... an unfortunate end will await them.

a. New arrivals will notice a screen and console in every carriage sharing the same message, and a stack of leaflets in holders by them offering further information to the curious (see 'Publications'). There are lavatories available on each carriage on one end, with another console with a deposit box under it at the other. This is the train shop.

b. It'll take some time for newbies to figure out the layout, even if there's only two directions to go in. Go one end, and you'll find the food stores and washing utilities. This month's key ingredient is broccoli, and you're sure to bump into others curious about what's in the stock.

c. Go to the other end, and you'll find the sleeper cabins. Plaques sit on the wall by each door with the names of their occupants, and one of these will be yours - hopefully, they'll figure out that swiping their ticket against the doorpad will open it up to them. 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.

d. At the farthest end in this direction is the luggage carriage, where passengers who have bought items from the train shop will find their purchases. These are scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags, but there's also a small fridge and kettle here with bottled water, for those who want a quiet drink. For those curious about the reward for Purple Team they will find it here

SOME MISCHIEF

Those exploring the train will find that some passengers have been busy in the kitchens. Three bowls of hard candies are out for display, each labelled with a placard. All are free for the taking.

Energise! Provides an extra boost of energy.

Refresh! Like dipping tired feet into a cool spring.

Calm! Allowing you to start relaxing, like a prelude to meditation.

Energise is a red coloured candy that tastes faintly sweet. When eaten it provides about five hours worth of extra energy. This may lead to characters bouncing off walls, being easily distracted, being extra curious, or blurting out whatever comes to mind, including their feelings for other Voidtreckers. When combined with the Calm candy, a character's focus is increased, though they may feel more inclined to try new things or take new risks or chances.

Refresh is a green coloured candy that tastes faintly salty. With rivigourating divine energy within the candy, those who take it will feel mildly euphoric and floaty, bubbling, or otherwise happier. Literal floating of under a metre off the ground is possible while traveling the void, as well as having characters turn into small eastern styled dragons for about an hour. When combined with the Energise candy, characters may find they're capable of limited flight in the void. They may also find themselves as a tiny dragon with an obsessive focus on something small or silly, lasting as long as their dragon transformation, so about an hour.

Calm is a blue coloured candy that tastes faintly floral. This candy aids with rest and slowing down an overbusy mind. There's a side effect of grogginess after it wears off that grows proportionate to how many candies are consumed. Combined with Refresh candy, characters will find themselves more inclined toward open discussions, forgiveness and letting go, or engaging with people in ways they'd usually inhibit themselves from. So yes, a bit like being gently buzzed, with no hangovers.

DEPARTURE

The train begins to rumble with activity, and the platform starts to disappear into a fog as the voidcraft moves. A female-coded artificial voice echoes throughout the train.

"Welcome aboard, passengers of the Voidtrecker Express. 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.

NAVIGATION ~ GAMEPLAY ~ SETTING ~ CHARACTER INITIATIVES ~ QUESTIONS

Thank you to Rakel (player of Lan Jingyi) for the enchanted candy mischief. Any questions about those should be directed to them.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"As you might imagine, the size is not much of a bother to me." She barely slept and was the size of a twelve year old, so it's not like she needed much room to start with. "I do, however, wish there was the chance for more privacy...in any section." The quiet car had been sufficient enough, but any solace they could find together beyond that had to be on planet and recent events didn't really make that ideal either.

She smiled again and closed her eyes, nose pressed to the fur between his horns. "I can hold you as long as you wish, in that case."

“It’s very… communal, isn’t it? I haven’t been this surrounded by people in a long time,” Rezo says. Sleeping in the same room as others, eating meals with others, sharing every facility onboard the train… Sometimes it’s overwhelming and stressful and yet at other times he’s almost grateful for it. It’s been an interesting change of pace from how he’s normally lived his life.

Which isn’t to say that he doesn’t share Lioriley’s wish for a little more privacy. And specifically, privacy with her. It’s something he’s pondered before, probably to a degree that is shameful in a one hundred and twenty year old man. ~~Never mind that Lioriley is five times his age.~~ There is the option of hiring out a bedroom for the night, but he hasn’t brought it up with her for several reasons.

And he’s certainly not going to bring it up to her now, while he’s like this.

His desires and insecurities aside, he’s fortunate to be where he is, with a lover who is easygoing enough to go along with things after he is turned into a strange, small creature.

Rezo gently rubs his head against her nose, in a sort of affectionate headbutt.

“Thank you, my dear.”

"I do not mind it, personally." But that probably didn't come as much of a revelation, given her extroverted nature. She liked being around people. She also liked being alone with her lover sometimes, and the severe lack of privacy was actually starting to wear on her. Maybe renting a room for a night or two wouldn't be such a terrible suggestion - though not one she would ever make herself, if only because she did not know if Rezo would be inclined to indulge in such a thing. Or if he wished to spend the points on it.

Alas. The lack of communication may assure it never happened at all. Or maybe they would be lucky and they'd land on a hotel planet. Who really knew.

"Of course, dearheart." She squeezed her arms around him gently, kissed the top if his head one more time, and then seemed to settle fully into the sheets, her eyes closed and her breathing slowing. Not asleep, but something close to it.

Rezo truly hopes that Lioriley’s hunch that this is a temporary enchantment proves true. Not only would it be personally inconvenient if he is stuck like this, but for her… Having a lover who is a tiny dragon would surely be less than ideal. (On top of everything else about him…)

The minutes continue to tick by while Rezo stays in her arms, pondering the potential ramifications, letting his mind drift from place to place, but with Lioriley always at the center of his thoughts. It’s hard to think about anything entirely unrelated when he is quite literally wrapped up in her. He broods about their recent conversation, wondering how she's feeling, if he should ask directly about it... If there's anything he could possibly do for her...

And then, a full hour has passed.

Rezo abruptly squirms as an odd, uncomfortable sensation comes over him. Not painful, but it’s an intensely itchy, ticklish sensation, like the feeling one gets when there’s a sneeze coming on, except it’s all over his body. It’s something he felt an hour prior, when he’d… He doesn’t have much time to reflect on that before he transforms back.

The transformation itself is painless and over within a few confusing seconds, leaving Rezo sprawled sideways across his bed in front of Lior. One of his legs is dangling off the bed, the other has been thrown over her, and he has the knitted material of her top firmly gripped in one hand, her upper arm in the other, and his forehead leaning against her neck. And his expression is nothing short of bewildered.

“Oh,” he says.

He’s also entirely undressed, so, enjoy that, Lioriley?

She will! Once the initial shock wore off, of course. Because the half asleep Lunari cuddling with her boyfriend-turned-dragon was, pretty abruptly, dealing with said dragon squirming like something was possessing him. And before she had the time to even ask what was wrong he had poofed back into his normal human form. Not the worst outcome! Although the sudden shift in weight and position left even her a little disoriented.

"Oh!" A sentiment mirrored, only hers was louder and far more startled, her hands initially retracting mostly because she didn't know where to put them all of a sudden, "Rezo? Are you all right?" She asked, panicked, looking him over and, uh, maybe second guessing the merits of doing so when she realized his current state. Normally nudity would not bother her, but being so close; being alone, and him being her lover. Well. Even her mind might wander a bit, logic that he should be naked seeing as he had been freed of his clothes be damned.

“Yes,” Rezo says. “I’m fine, Lioriley.” Everything has gotten smaller- or rather he’s gotten larger- but he’s really just back to his regular size- well. Obviously he still needs a moment to adjust, but confusion aside he’s entirely unhurt.

He realizes he’s still rudely grabbing onto her, so he carefully loosens his grip and shifts his legs so they’re both resting properly on the mattress. Of course, when he feels the material of her skirt and the sheets brushing against the bare skin of his legs, that makes him remember his current state of undress. A deep blush spreads across his entire face.

(Oh Gods, is she looking at him?)

Lioriley isn’t a sheltered ingenue, he reminds himself. She’s hardly likely to faint or go into hysterics about seeing a naked body, especially considering how comfortable she was about swimming nude.

(...He probably shouldn’t think too much about that incident right now.)

Still, he can’t stay like this; it’d be ungentlemanly! And if his roommates showed up, no amount of explaining would make this seem innocent.

“Er,” he says, “Excuse me.”

He’s just very slowly going to turn around and sit up while he tries to remember what Lior did with his clothes.

A sigh of relief, just a touch shakier than it should be with her sudden flustering. By the time he released her, she had sat up and started to move toward the clothes herself.

"I-I can get your robe for you." She said hurriedly, then mentally cursed herself for sounding so frantic. It wasn't like she was disgusted or hysterical, she just didn't want him to be embarrassed! They had had that whole discussion about wearing a bathing suit, and he was blushing nearly as much as she was. Not to mention what someone might assume if they walked in on them in such a position.

Anyway. Clothes. She had been quick enough to scramble to the end of the bed and grab them, hurrying around to where Rezo sat as she unfolded the fabric. "Here, love. I - should I leave you to change?" Like she hadn't seen everything already.

Well, thankfully he doesn’t need to remember anything, as Lioriley is very soon unfolding fabric into his hands. And between the speed of it and her phrasing, it seems she is likewise flustered by the compromising position that Rezo is in.

“Ah, I…” Rezo fiddles with the clothes he’s been handed, trying to sort out what’s what. Despite his current state, he’s reluctant to actually tell her to leave. On the other hand, if he asks her to stay, that might sound… Weird. And lascivious. Would she be disgusted?

In the end he settles on, “Whichever you would be most comfortable with.” Let her make the decision for him, while he retrieves his underwear from the clothing pile.

Hilariously, she was far from disgusted. Flustered? Yes. Surprised? Absolutely. But not even remotely disgusted by the sight of him. She just didn't want to seem like she was ogling when he had just transformed back into his human form, naked, after being a small, cuddly dragon for an hour. Surely he had a lot on his mind and he didn't need her making it odder.

That being said...giving her the choice had her pausing in quiet consideration. It would be polite to leave and let him change in privacy, but she also didn't really want to be away from him. So maybe there was a happy medium - one where she remained close, in the case of unfortunate side effects, but did not stare.

"I...I can stay, if you do not mind. I suspect you did not wish to be rid of me simply because you are returned to normal." She said, taking a seat on the bed across from his, gaze focused on one of the potted plants.

Rezo makes a soft noise of acknowledgement, not quite able to verbalize a confirmation, but hoping she gets the idea anyway. He hears the bed across from him shift under her slight weight and knows she must be sitting across from him.

Unsure if she has her gaze averted or not, Rezo dresses in a hurry. It’s not precisely that he doesn’t want her to see him, and he would certainly like for them to be intimate at some point- but he’d prefer to choose a time and a place that isn’t shared with three roommates, rather than find himself naked via an act of unexpected magic. Surely it’s not unreasonable to be discomfited!

Once he’s reached the stage where he’s pinning his shoulder guards in place, Rezo dares to breach the silence. “Well,” he says, “It’s been an interesting morning, hasn’t it?” He smiles, in a visible attempt to ease the awkward mood.

As avowed only to herself, Lioriley did in fact keep her gaze averted while he changed; finding the plants nearby the most fascinating thing she had ever seen, apparently. But her mind did wander, because pointedly ignoring his nudity now, did not make the images of him in her mind vanish. And she was glad, not for the first time, that he could not see her face while it was flushed so darkly.

She looked over when he spoke. "That is certainly one word for it." She replied lowly, sparing a glance to the closed door and pausing a moment to listen; assuring she did not hear anyone approaching as she rose to her feet and moved the few inches between them, hands gently resting on Rezo's chest to smooth out his robes a bit. "Odd as it may have been, I enjoyed being close to you." A beat. "Though I much prefer you like this."

Rezo’s hands slow when Lioriley touches him, going still entirely once the last clasp is in place.

“It was… nice,” Rezo admits, “To be held like that. Wrapped up entirely in your arms.”

He’d felt small, but in a pleasant way. Safe, secure, surrounded by love. And he wonders, or perhaps hopes; is that how she feels when he holds her?

“But I think I also much prefer this. There are certain things I wouldn’t be able to do for you in that body.”

Rezo moves a hand over Lior’s, and the other goes to her waist, gently encouraging her to step even closer.

“If you like,” he murmurs, “I could repay you for scratching behind my ears.”

"I liked being on the opposite end of things." She admitted. Then, as if reading his mind, added: "but not as much as I like the feeling of your arms around me. I feel as if the world - worlds, I suppose - is not so cruel when I am wrapped in your embrace." And she was certain she had said something similar before. Never hurt to remind him though.

She stepped closer - as close as she physically could, head tipped back to look up at him given their significant height difference.

Initially, she looked confused, brows furrowed, before she started to consider what he might mean by that and her eyes widened; cheeks warming with a blush. Not that he could see any of it. "How would you do that, darling?" Might as well ask to see if she had assumed correctly.

A slow warmth spreads through his chest at Lioriley’s admission. How can she still like him so well? He cannot understand it, and yet she keeps saying such sweet things that leave him feeling lighter, leave him with a smile on his face.

Rezo lets her hand go in favor of moving it towards her ear, not quite touching it yet in case he’s on the wrong track, but…

“You said these were sensitive?”

He’s curious about exactly how sensitive her ears really are. And unless she has any complaints, he’ll proceed to slide his fingers up along the top of her ear, feeling out the long, high point of it, then sliding down to stroke the soft skin behind her ear.

Oh. Oooh. Had had meant literally returning the favor. The closer Rezo's fingers drew to her ear, the more her breath seemed to quicken; her leylines pulsing rapidly even when he ghosted over the shell.

"They- they are, and I - ahhh." It wasn't so much a complaint as it was a poor, halfhearted attempt at a warning. Too little too late however, because the moment his hand slid up the length of her ear and dipped below it, she was ready melting in his grasp. The hand on his chest gripped tight to his robes, glad that she had pressed so close if only so she would not fall when her body began to shake. "R-Rezo..." this was a dangerous game to play when anyone could walk in.

…Evidently they are very sensitive. Even with her warnings, Rezo is stunned at the way she almost immediately melts into him and the tremor in her voice when she says his name. His grip on her waist tightens as he wraps his arm fully around her.

“Is this alright, Lioriley?” he asks, his voice quiet. And at the same time he continues to explore the shape of her ear, feeling out each dip and curve, discovering the various spots where her leylines beat under the skin. And when his fingers again slip behind her ear he does, true to his promise to return the favor, tease her with some light scratching.

Strange as it was to have her lover scratching behind her ear like she was some sort of cat, Lioriley was too lost in the sensations to even be remotely upset about it (as if she would be anyway.) Instead she continued to shiver, fingers flexing in the fabric of his robe, eyelids fluttering.

"Y-Yes, I mean I - perhaps we should not...do this here." She didn't want him to stop, but she also didn't want someone walking in and seeing her knees shake while he held her against his chest so.

With her pressed up against him like this, Rezo can easily feel each quiver that goes through her body when he runs his fingers and nails around her ear. He wants to keep going, wants to draw out more responses from her. But he shouldn’t-

Almost as overwhelmed as she is, Rezo bends down to press a kiss against the top of her forehead. His hand stills against her ear, and he tilts his head to murmur in her other: “Should I stop, Lioriley?”

Yes, he should. And yet all Lioriley could offer in reply was a soft gasp and another series of shivers that would have had her collapsing into a heap were he not holding her so tightly.

"...I do not want you to." She whispered after she found the strength to do so, "But this is not very private, my love."

“I know,” he admits, and presses another kiss to her ear. He probably should have stopped the moment she started melting into him, but he keeps thinking just a little more… Surely they haven't done anything too bad yet, have they?

“You are far too enticing,” he adds; as if she was the one running her fingers along his weak spot.

He sinks back, seating himself upon his bed and pulling Lioriley along with him to sprawl out on his lap.

A little more and she truly would have melted into a puddle upon the floor, her legs still shaking, her cheeks warm, her leylines bright and pulsing quicker and quicker the longer he toyed with her ears.

"Aahhh..." She replied uselessly, sighing as she fell into his lap, still dizzy from the sensations. Instead of trying to form words in that moment, she opted instead to lean up and kiss him.

Rezo makes a soft noise of pleasure when he feels her lips go to his, and he returns the kiss eagerly. It’s different from when they’ve shared kisses in the past. Previously, he’d been relatively chaste and restrained, more than happy just to share simple tokens of affection and playful little pecks. Now, he kisses her with his lips parted, teasing at her mouth with his teeth and tongue, hungry for something deeper, something less pure. His hands press at her firmly, holding her in place against him while she receives his affections.

That might have been worse than the teasing of her ear, but Lioriley didn't dare to pull back; her hand resting on his cheek and the other wrapped around his shoulders, gripping tight to the robe she now almost — almost — wished he hadn't put back on at all. After a few seconds of lashing tongues and nips of teeth against lips, she pulled back just enough to inhale a deep breath.

"You are tempting me so, darling."

Rezo’s expression is nothing short of plaintive when Lioriley withdraws, but he lets her do so and settles both arms around her waist. His mind is spinning with thoughts about pulling down the straps that hold up her skirt, pulling her down onto the bed, moving his hands and mouth down her body lower, and lower… Rezo shivers.

“I’m sorry,” he says. It’s… relatively sincere. He doesn’t regret what they’ve been doing, but at the same time he knows they really shouldn’t be doing this. At least, not here and not now.

"Do not be." She said, shifting in his lap so she could rest her head on his shoulder, nose pressed to the column of his neck. "I adore your touch, my love. And I wish for more of it - but if someone were to return to their room..." 'someone' being his roommates, obviously. "Well. Let me simply say that I would prefer we were not interrupted."

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slaps a warning here for mild nsfw??? just in case???

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