A New Platform [Intro Post August]

[voidtreckermods]

---

PLATFORM STOP: MONTH 19
(SYMPHONY)

---

BEFORE ARRIVAL

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day sixteen 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 sunny with a cool breeze. 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. The stones are cobbled beneath them and there are small stone shapes lining the edge, decorative in nature. The sun is shining but there is a cold wind, blowing through the platform at intervals, almost biting in its chill.

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're one of Twelve figures: all facing the tracks, and all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies, the latter in one of four colours. Purple, red, blue or orange.

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, over a hundred at least. 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. Danielle Phantom, Fai. D Flourite, K'zeka Tia, Ruggie Buchi and John Connor 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.

e. Of course there are the new additions to explore. A fireplace has been added to the library, complete with a rug and plenty of soft reading pillows. For those less inclined to sit still there is a swimming pool carriage, complete with foam fish. Plenty of fun for all.

DEPARTURE

Spend your time exploring, if you will. But people will have half an hour before a second horn sounds, encouraging any stragglers taking advantage of the fresh air to board. After five minutes from this, the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

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

Comments

Hythlodaeus | FFXIV | Shadowbringers and Endwalker spoilers possible - let me know if I should avoid

[sharpeyes]

Platform I

One of the figures on the platform is a tall and slender man with pale amethyst hair, long enough to braid and rest over his left shoulder. If looked closely, his eyes are also a bright purple, almost alight, the irises a beautiful radial pattern.

For a while, he is simple standing there, as though lost in his own mind, before his gaze sharpens and he starts looking around himself. Then his eyes turn towards the fog surrounding the platform, and he raises a hand to his brow as though whatever he is seeing is giving him a sudden headache.

Then there is a loud noise, and his eyebrows scrunch slightly, before his eyes widen suddenly, and he rushes towards the tracks - only to pick up a small axolotl that was hovering near them, about to go over the edge.

With a gentle smile, he addresses the small creature. "Something big is coming, little one, I don't think it is a good idea to stand its way."

Platform II - train arrived

The first people who leave the train are those who are going to cross the barriers, and, the ambystoma still cupped gently in his hands, Hythlodaeus's eyes widen slightly at one of the figures. He glances between the miqo'te and the elezen who already has been on the platform, and starts moving towards the figure that came off the train, only to be completely ignored.

So he'll be over here, staring in confusion towards the barrier.

Sleeper upper 1, cabin C

Looking at his information again, Hythlodaeus raises his head towards the sign at the door of the cabin.

"This... seems to be the place." He raises a hand to knock.

"Excuse me, if anyone is in here... I believe this is where I should be assigned. May I come in?"

Garden car

The ambystoma carefully deposited in one of the water containers, Hythlodaeus steps further inside the car, breathing in deeply, a soft expression on his face as he starts walking around the plants.

It has been... a very, very long time since he has seen or touched or smelt any, after all, and ever longer since he has been near ones who were hale and alive. His relief and joy is difficult to miss.

Wildcard

ooc: Anywhere else you'd like to find him or lead him, go right ahead.

Platform II

[bladesdarkandlight]

Aelienor had also tried getting the attention of one of the people leaving, though she had tried slightly harder before turning around and retrieving her bag from within her bag. This means that when she turns back toward the train, she's staring the figure she'd thought seemed familiar right in the face, and...there's no mistaking those eyes. The faintly luminous eyes of an Ancient, of a man who she'd thought gone.

"Hyth...?"

Before she can really think it through, she runs forward to throw her arms around him. "I thought ye-" There's still a crowd. She clears her throat, before starting again. "I thought you'd moved on."

[sharpeyes]

Hythlodaeus's frown at the disappeared figure smooths out in an easy, gentle smile when she addresses him.

He doesn't know her, no, but he knows who she must be. A fraction, a reflection, of Azem. And the warmth in his heart for her easily flows in his eyes, in the curve of his lips. Even as he is held, the first physical contact he's had in a long, long time.

He does not, in fact, try to move away, and his arms come up to gently pat her back.

"Well, this is a little strange - I have yet to make your acquaintance, but you do know me. And even more, I have no idea how or why I am here, even less so attired this oddly."

Strange does not, clearly, mean bad. Or unwelcome.

[bladesdarkandlight]

She frowns, backing away slightly, but still holding his shoulders. Much as she knows Hythlodaeus has a mischievous streak, this doesn't seem like something he'd joke about.

"Did the Lifestream addle your memory that quick? You can't tell me you've forgotten your new old friend."

Garden

[wewillwewill]

Sneaking up on Hythlodaeus isn't what's going to happen. Elidibus isn't trying to do this but he is here because of the Ancient. One that's hale and whole and not Lahabrea or Emet-Selch.

There's an ambystoma paddling happily around in one of the watering cans and he's fairly certain it wasn't someone's pet ordered before the platform. It had a feeling of old creation magic around it, touched by whatever power the train had to fill the journey with animals and the like. Elidibus had not looked into that much. But the axolotl might have its head gently stroked by a finger briefly.

It had taken some thought on how to approach Hythlodaeus though. Whether to withdraw from this vessel and approach in aetherical form or keep the visage many on the journey had become accustomed to. In the end it's the latter he chooses, the young hume lad of the First, clad in red polo shirt and khaki pants. He stuck with that attire too, though it would have been simple to replace it with a robe.

Ah the things he did to keep the peace. But best to meet the figure without disguising anything about what he, Elidibus, is on the train, to someone who, especially this close, is touched by the lingering essence of Lord Zodiark. There really is only one answer for that, isn't there?

"I hope I'm not disturbing you greatly? I've come to offer my greetings."

Setting aside who can see what, the train isn't all that long. Nor was the platform wide. They all probably know each other are present.

[sharpeyes]

Elidibus's presence makes Hythloadeus straighten up slightly, and for a moment, when the man's attention is on the ambystoma, he closes his eyes, trying not to think about being drawn into Zodiark once again, with His heart right here.

But by the time he speaks, his expression is serene and easy, his eyes open and clear. He inclines his head.

"Elidibus. 'tis no disturbance, and I thank you for them - and greetings to you, in turn. Have you been well?"

The man deserves naught but his admiration and respect, and even after this time, affection, after all. Courtesy, certainly. He is not the youth that Azem went up to mischief with, and yet, he also isn't not.

Endwalker Spoilers

[wewillwewill]

The connection, the signs (scars), some pieces of Lord Zodiark are there. But there is no true draw. Elidibus did not come to call Hythlodaeus back into the fold.

He closes his eyes for a moment. Yes he is recognized but that isn't any surprise. Still, it meant he would forgo any formalities of bringing the sigil of his office on display as verification. Having had a moment to regard the Amaurotine, Elidibus lets out a gentle sigh.

"As much as can be expected, given our circumstances." His eyes open again. The mortal vessel's gaze is not filled with the luminescent vibrancy of their ancient race though they are blue.

"Your name... is Hythlodaeus, is it not?" The memories ebb and stir and sometimes, especially these days, toss another piece of flotsam on the beach. But this piece of information as a much more mundane origin of the train's roster. The name might have some familiarity for him nonetheless. Recent mention or even longer ago conversation. If he personally knew this man, Elidibus still doesn't remember.

"I will not ask to keep you long. Another will want your attention, like as not." Maybe they already have it. Could be listening nearby even. Or perhaps they're pretending they can hide and ignore this particular passenger.

"Though it might be no easy question to hear, I would ask something nonetheless. On the matter of Lord Zodiark."

Of course he will ask. Like taking a bandaid and ripping it off quickly so they can both be about their business as far as this journey takes them.

"Were you summoned from His fold by this conveyance?" Of course Elidibus considered this possibility. And it was one, for the Voidtrecker Express seemed as capable of plucking out of time and space as it did various realities. Hythlodaeus was unlikely to be from his even. The second half of the question is left unspoken. But knowledge of the other possibility seems already known.

Or has Lord Zodiark already fallen?

all the spoilers possible!! garden car

[apokroteo]

Emet-Selch does not often go to the platform on new days, no expectation of seeing anyone or bearing witness to new arrivals. He instead spends his time in familiar haunts, tracing his own pathways backward and forward as if he was a ghost upon the train itself.

It has been a difficult few weeks for him, his memories too fresh and painful to simply ignore, and he has been forced to bear the brunt of it pressing down on his mind.

When he glances up from his wanders into the garden and sees what can only be described as a blindingly familiar soul in front of him it feels as though the life is being choked out of him, and all he can do is stop and stare, blocking the doorway with his limber form. It feels as though the very wind in his chest has been drawn out with some magicks, and he all but briefly feels as though he might break into tears.

He does not, of course, not when he is far stronger than that, but he is able to move forward slowly, approaching the figure with a weight of pained familiarity.

"It suits that I should find you here, burying your head in the plants. I should have expected nothing less."

ALL of them

[sharpeyes]

Hythlodaeus has been curbing his Sight somewhat, the Void surrounding the platform and this train dizzyingly painful, and that is how he has not Seen the familiar, beautiful glow of this soul among the passengers. But as it approaches the garden, he does, and his attention strays from the lotus flowers floating in a little pond, his heart reminding him of its existence with its rushed beat.

So this is whom Elidibus meant, the feeling for the ... man now, he has to guess, warms much.

This... this conveyance has been confusing, disorienting, and being here had felt wrong... especially with the shard of Azem's soul who knows him while he does not know her. And knows the future, it seems.

Until now.

He straightens up, turning with a bright, bright smile.

"There you are."

.... blink. That is ... not exactly what he expected to see with the normal sight, and he takes a moment to drink in this new look.

Then, he shrugs.

"It has been a while since I have been close to any. Then again... had I known I would find you here, they would have had to wait."

It's the truth.

[apokroteo]

There is nothing in this strange, twisting world that might have well prepared him for the sudden realisation that Hythlodaeus is here, right in front of him, within touching distance. They had met one another in the Sea, of course they had, and been summoned by the Warrior of Light in their most final of moments, but this is something different. There is not a death to unite them here but, instead, something warm.

Hope, a flickering light, and the promise of life under his fingertips, and that is enough to cause Emet-Selch some desperate need inside of him - the need to reach for him, to touch him, to feel some kind of relief. Some promise that this is real.

There you are. As if they had simply been waiting for one another across eternity - and is that not the case? Had he not been prepared to join Hythlodaeus and live out their own eternity together, bound in time once again?

Shifting, moving forward, Emet-Selch tries to ignore the flicker of a look on Hythlodaeus' face - ah, he has not seen him dressed so, as an emperor rather than an Ancient. He is himself and not at the same time, and moving forward he hesitates, swallowing his own grief and hurt and hope.

"I am here most often. I helped Elidibus shape it, mould it, as the seasons change."

Slowly, he halts in front of Hythlodaeus, tucking his words and his voice away, burrowing his feelings deep in his stomach.

"I did not expect you to arrive."

platform ii..... now with catgirls

[likeyouknow]

Pahja comes out onto the platform every stop in the hopes that she'll see someone she knows arrive, and hopes not to see those she knows leave. It's hard to see another Warrior of Light go, it is, and Pahja clutches the sleeves of her hoodie a little bit tighter as if it will anchor her here. She doesn't want to leave, not with Elidibus and Emet here. Selfish, maybe, but it is what it is.

Not that she expects anyone to arrive that she knows, which is why when she sees the shock of lavender hair she can't quite believe her eyes. But it has to be him, right? Pahja starts weaving in between people, trying to get to him as fast as she can -- and once she's near enough she waves a hand above her head, trying to get his attention.

"Hythlodaeus!"

He might not even recognize her--

adorable!!! also Endwalker spoilers

[sharpeyes]

Hythlodaeus blinks slightly at the sound of his name called out, and blinks in the direction where one familiar soul color has disappeared, fully aware that there are two of basically the same on the platform once again.

He turns, pants and hoodie providing none of the familiar swirl of robes, which he is utterly distracted from when he, this time, does recognize Azem's shard approaching him.

He steps a bit away from the bounds of the platform, where there are somewhat fewer people, and smiles brightly at her.

"Pahja!" It feels like less than a bell than he last beheld her from the Aethereal Sea, defiant against the eldest of primals, and only a little more than that that he spoke with her.

But now her height is proportional to his as Hades changed her, the memories of those few days still vibrating in his mind, and... it is good, so good to see her.

When she is near enough, he smiles, his voice softer though clear enough to reach her through the voices around them. "Well met, my friend."

[likeyouknow]

He says her name, and Pahja doesn't wait for a moment -- she launches herself at him to give him a hug; it seems selfish and odd to miss, to want, Emet and Hythlodaeus here as much as any of the Scions. She doesn't know them as well as she does others, but they're still her friends.

But she's glad, and her grin threatens to split her face in two once she steps back. "You're really here!" Though she does have to laugh a little, for the hoodie looks just as ridiculous on him as it did Emet. "And oh so fashionable."

Pahja herself has shred the hoodie look for something crafted by Emet, brown corset and flowing skirts more akin to fashion in her time rather than anything from his and Hythlodaeus's. Not everyone can have very fashionable snuggies. If she knew what a snuggie was. "It is so good to see you, Hythlodaeus."

Platform II

[controlsthedie]

After Thanatos reunited with Persephone, he manages to pull himself away to greet some of the new Reds. There are more new arrivals than he thought there would be after the last platform, and there are more Reds than he thought there would be. Is he going to be able to get to all of them on the platform before they have to depart?

Thanatos approaches wearing the same red hoodie that the new arrival wears, showing him as part of the same team. Thanatos stops floating and walks the rest of the way to the man who seems lost and in pain. Thanatos can relate; when he first arrived, his senses were overwhelmed from staying so long on the "surface" that he got a migraine. Maybe this is something similar.

"Do you need help?"

aww

[sharpeyes]

Hythlodaeus blinks, grateful for the opportunity to focus on someone specific, and smiles easily despite the strain still around his eyes.

"I... think I just need to consider where I look. My sight tends to be somewhat sharp, and what is beyond what is easily visible does not agree with it."

He has looked at the great expanse, he has looked at the the Aethereal Sea, or Underworld. But the Void might be slightly too much for him.

"Curiosity got the better of me, I suppose." By means of apology if he alarmed the (apparent) youth.

[controlsthedie]

"I understand." Different senses and perception, but the overwhelming feeling is much the same.

"When we board the train, avoid the windows. They will cause headaches the more you look at them. If silence helps, there is the quiet car with booths you can use. If you need darkness. Well, there's a booth that has been darkened in the quiet car, or if silence isn't an issue, there's the cinema car. It's dark for the most part, and more space, but there are also moving pictures and sounds at one end of it."

Platform 2: the revenge of platform

[asheaveniswide]

Those that leave the platform and disappear into mist to either never return or be back eventually ... not much can stop them, from Zenos' experience. Nothing stopped him not so long ago, and here he was again, a passenger.

And he's learned to keep his Resonant abilities active when the train's picking up new passengers, if only to enjoy the resultant kaleidoscope. There's just one problem with that today.

He knew his own distinctive aether's color - soul, aether, whatever people chose to call it - and had yet to ever encounter a match. Certainly others matched each-other, and they usually turned out to be from parallel worlds, but Zenos has remained blessedly free of this bewildering thing until now. The man staring in puzzlement at the barrier ... shouldn't look like that. Like him stripped of all physicality -- but stronger, brighter, more distinct, as if he himself was a pale echo and nothing more.

With Hythlodaeus distracted by the barrier he might not notice the Garlean's approach right away. But speaking up removes any actual stealth pretty quickly.

"Who are you?" It's not a demand, by his tone. He sounds (and looks) confused more than anything.

GOSH

[sharpeyes]

The one whose soul is the same hue, but brightness comparable with Solus's doesn't seem to be actually startled by the voice speaking this close - his Sight is already open to try to peer after the one who left - but neither does he spin about immediately to face what he can only reason is a... reflection of him.

Something that should not be possible - then again, this entire place and himself being here should not be possible either. With that reminder to himself, it is slightly less disconcerting.

"Well now. This is quite the surprise."

He turns to face the fraction of himself, only to have to look slightly up to meet his gaze. Even so, the too-bright purple eyes are curious and gentle, rather than anything else - the latter even more so when he reads the confusion. And, since he has not encountered Hades yet, he makes absolutely no connection with anyone else.

"My name is Hythodaeus. With whom do I have the pleasure with speaking?"

[asheaveniswide]

There's not a lot he can match it to; the Ascians he dealt with by and large were not appreciably different on a fundamental level from the average person, their skill was simply astronomically higher. Elidibus was an exception, but the distorted Darkness that comprised the Emissary was also not like his kin, not even Emet-Selch.

Hythlodaeus doesn't quite align with what he'd seen in his dear, murderous great-grandsire either. He'd simply never encountered an un-Tempered, whole Amaurotine before. That it's one that is unsettlingly similar--

Different realities. In some other world, some other universe, was this what he was? Or is it just cosmic coincidence? He certainly doesn't match Hythlodaeus' appearance physically, beyond both having long hair. At seven and a half feet tall, built broad and sturdy instead of slim, he's well suited to a lifestyle of war and violence. The violet haired stranger on the other hand.. certainly was not. It's deliberate that he removes his own Resonance-fueled aethersight, and for him it's a visible change, black-red eyes returned to ordinary blue in a slow blink. Too many distractions.

"I wouldn't declare it a pleasure just yet," he says, reaching out to touch - and if he can, do nothing more than tip Hythlodaeus' head slightly to first one side and the other, brow furrowing. He's being careful. Very careful; he's perfectly capable of gentleness when he so chose and this warrants it certainly. "For the train's sense of humor may be making jesters of us both. I am Zenos." Of no surname given, his rank and title were irrelevant here, "I've seen something similar with the Hero of Eorzea, you can't throw a stone without striking one or two, but you're ... different, aren't you."

Garden

[persona_non_ratta]

Bruno had been watering some of the plants, quite happy to let anyone passing through go about their business. Don't mind him, just a mildly scruffy looking guy with a watering can. But when he turned to water the flowerbed behind him, he nearly bumped into an elegant looking man with purple hair. "Sorry!", he hastily apologized. "Didn't see you there; hope I didn't slosh any water on you." The watering can in his hand was still about half full, so that was a distinct possibility given the necessity of stopping quickly to avoid a collision.

AWW

[sharpeyes]

He gets back a soft laugh and a head-shake.

"'twould not be trouble even if you did, as it is only a bit of water. I apologize if I startled you, I was just looking for- ah. There it is."

His adventurous ambystoma, aka floating axolotl, has wandered again, and as it doesn't have the good sense not to climb to high places it can't easily come back down from, he does try to make sure it is safe.

Which it is, right now, curled into the muck of the just-watered flower bed.

Re: AWW

[persona_non_ratta]

Bruno was relieved that the man was alright with it, especially when the first impression of his manner and speech painted him as someone fairly high class. True, the Madrigals were considered the defacto leaders of the Encanto, but the fact remained that they were still from a small village in the middle of nowhere, relative to the rest of the world.

"You didn't really," he assured the man. "I just didn't expect there to be someone right behind me when I turned around." He gave a slight, wry smile. "You'd think I'd be used to it after spending a few months on this train."

Then the man pointed out the little... lizard? No, it wasn't scaly; probably some kind of salamander then. It was an oddly endearing little thing, whatever it was. "This little guy yours?", he asked.

Platform II (You're probably sick of that...)

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks, as usual, had been hovering over the platform to watch for potential trouble. Or for people who just looked like they needed a hand. Purple hoodie on, and his purple hair pulled back into a ponytail, he noticed the man's confusion. So back down onto the platform, and making his way over.

"They're the ones leaving--and they're always like that. It's kind of an automatic state, and we can't do anything about it." The man must've seen people he knew. "I'm sorry."

(nope, still good)

[sharpeyes]

"Mm. Thank you."

He shakes his head slightly, with a small smile.

"I did not actually know him, but I do know the one whose soul he has a fraction of. So 'I would have liked to know him,' while true, seems futile in the circumstances, no?"

(good)

[light_of_willpower]

"Perhaps, but I can understand the sentiment. I think." Trunks said a bit awkwardly. "Not exactly what you were expecting though, I'm sure. Has anyone actually explained anything yet or were you so caught up watching those leaving?"