A New Platform [Intro Post August]

[voidtreckermods]

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PLATFORM STOP: MONTH 19
(SYMPHONY)

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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.

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NAVIGATION ~ GAMEPLAY ~ SETTING ~ CHARACTER INITIATIVES ~ QUESTIONS

Comments

[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."

[sharpeyes]

The smile is still steady, but his eyebrows rise slightly.

"Ah... I can see the soul which you carry, but I do not believe I have had the pleasure of meeting you personally - though I would have little hesitation to call you my new old friend. I have met a different one, very recently and then," slight hesitation. Those memories should be distant and unimportant, yet they are anything but. "A very long time ago.

"All the more reason to learn about you, I think!"

He will absolutely ignore the terrifying implications of those memories and also of different shards who remember him and focus on what he can control, after all. And what he feels.

[bladesdarkandlight]

A different one? Her brow furrows as she tries to figure out how that might work, but nothing she comes up with makes sense. There are many reincarnations of Azem, it's true, but she should be the only one to have met Hythlodaeus...right?

"On the moon, and in Elpis, right? This doesn't make a lick of sense, unless time or world shite's even more complicated than we thought."

[sharpeyes]

Slowly, he inclines his head in confirmation. This is strange indeed, but his eyes are also warm and approving and steady on her. The surprise at the situation is there, certainly, but it gets not in the way of him being glad that she is here. Even with this, well, mystery.

Then he huffs out a soft laugh in his hand.

"For a soul to be plucked from the Aether sea, even soon after arriving there, it is complicated indeed. Of that, I have no doubt."

A small head-tilt. "You are unhurt?"

Just checking.

[bladesdarkandlight]

She nods, thinking back to the last time she saw him. If his memory of that is the same, just with someone else in her place...of course he'd be worried.

"Confused to hells and back, but I'm good and recovered from the fighting in Ultima Thule. And however we ended up dumped here, it doesn't seem to have hurt me any...how about you? Coming back to life twice sounds like it might be rough."

[sharpeyes]

Giiiive him a moment, before that reply computes. And another moment.

And then Hythlodaeus's eyebrows shoot up, his entire face lit up with a mixture of emotions - surprise, concern, hope.

"Ultima Thule? That - does that mean you found a way to reach Meteion? That you confronted her?"

No, he absolutely does not know about that part, so there is the additional part of time shenanigans.

End of Endwalker spoilers

[bladesdarkandlight]

She stares at him for a while, and is tempted to poke his forehead to make sure things are still working up there by the time he finally reacts.

"You should know, you were there for it, unless the 'new old friend' you remember didn't have you and Hades haunting them. Hells, the two of you saved our collective arse up there."

All of Endwalker spoilers

[sharpeyes]

A slow bling, and yet even slower shake of his head.

"Ah, no. All I remember was Fandaniel deciding Zodiark's final fate, even as memories of a specific visit to Elpis that I had forgotten flooded my soul, and then I was here. Unless I am mistaken... she might not have visited Elpis, yet."

Definitely time shenanigans.

And post-EW, too.

[bladesdarkandlight]

"Right...so more time bullshite."

Not that she's necessarily minded the time travel to deal with the disaster in Pandaemoneum, but at least she'd been aware of that. She lifts one hand from Hythlodaeus' shoulder to rub at her face.

"Long story short, Venat managed to stick a tracker on Meteion. When we met her as Hydaelyn to get the coordinates, she also blessed Azem's stone with the power to 'give form to the formless'. All of them what came with me to Meteion's nest had to give up their bodies to fight her control over it, so I used the stone's power to bring you and Hades back to life when I needed a bit more help. The two of you actually managed to shake her control enough so as it was safe to bring everyone else back, too."

[sharpeyes]

His eyes soften with understanding of her frustration, and he reaches up to squeeze the hand still on his shoulder.

Then he listens with interest, his lips curving up slightly. "No doubt most of said shaking was Emet-Selch's doing, but if I could play a small part in it, I am glad."

And, also.

"Also I am glad that you did not lose your friends." It is heartbreaking, he has found out way too well, if somewhat later than her, to lose them.

[bladesdarkandlight]

The gesture of reassurance eases her aggravated expression, though she gives Hythlodaeus' shoulder a light shove at his shirking the credit.

"It was your suggestion what did it. A bit of creation magic, and my idea to use Elpis flowers to show her the hope we'd brought with us.

"But...thanks. It was hells, watching them disappear and making the end of the trek alone. Don't know what I would've done if'n I'd had to go home alone, too."

[sharpeyes]

Eyebrow because what was she even expecting, but he is honest that he's glad she called them both. And not only because it was likely wisest to not separate Hades from him at that juncture.

But then his expression softens, and grows a little thoughtful. "'tis always hardest on those who remain, I think. But... that you were spared that is also their wish, I think. 'twas the path they saw forward, and if that was the way they could walk it together with you, then they would."

[bladesdarkandlight]

She expected exactly that, but it's not going to change the fact that she disapproves.

"I know, they all went willingly, knowing what it was gonna cost them. I was the one who had to make it to the end, for the entire star. And I did make it, even managed to get through to one of the Meteia. Put an end to the Song of Oblivion, and a Song of Hope took its place.

"Just a shame Hades didn't want to stick around to see it."

[sharpeyes]

Hythlodaeus closes his eyes for a moment, thinking of Meteion turning from the bright, prismatic familiar into the dark, gaping hole in his Sight, and breathes out softly.

"A Song of Hope... that sounds wonderful.

"As to what he chose..." He considers for a long moment, then he shakes his head. "I think I am missing a lot of information to be able to say if I consider it a good thing or not. But for a decisive choice like that, he must have had reasons. And, considering your initial reaction, I followed his lead, no?"

[bladesdarkandlight]

She nods, and on sheer impulse, pulls him back into a hug.

"You both returned to the star. I didn't think I'd ever see ye again."

[sharpeyes]

And, once again, he holds her close, now understanding better the reaction to seeing him.

"Not fully, of that I am certain. Only together will we do it."

Beat.

"Ah... may I ask the name of the one I have the pleasure of holding?"

He is not asking who she is . He doesn't have to.

[bladesdarkandlight]

She starts at the question, an awkward expression crossing her face...though she doesn't pull away.

"Ah, right, guess it'd be a dif'rent name, too. Aelienor Estienie."

[sharpeyes]

"Aelienor Estienie. A fine name." A beat. "I am glad that whatever this place is, it allowed your expectations to not come to reality."

He is majorly confused about much about being here at all, but not this part.

[bladesdarkandlight]

"Still confusin' as all hells, but..." She gives his shoulders a squeeze. "Sure not all bad. I wanted so much to have more time to get to know ye. Outside o' just talkin' to the shade Hades made."

Even the shade, after all, should eventually fade without his creator around. No arcane entity can persist indefinitely without a supply of aether, and the false Amaurot didn't seem to be drawing from the land.

[sharpeyes]

"I would like that, too. To get to know you. There is much one can learn about another in a few days, and so much more yet one cannot, in such brief a time.

"I imagine, also, that there will be plenty about this place to discover. It might be quite the adventure."

A rather bright outlook on 'this place is extremely confusing," really.

[bladesdarkandlight]

"Prob'ly-" Wait, the platform is still crowded. "Probably the most confusing adventure I've had. And considering all the confusing shite I've been through, that's saying hells of a lot."

She steps very slightly back, just enough that she can look at him again.

"Just hoping this one's a bit lower pressure than what I've had to clean up afore."

[sharpeyes]

Hythlodaeus blinks slightly at the way she interrupts the easy way she started replying with the way she usually has been speaking, but he is unsure of the meaning of it still, let alone the slight quiver in her aether that accompanied the self-correction.

But his lips curved up as he met her gaze.

"I certainly hope we will have people who are willing to clarify the situation a little."

Or a lot, preferably.

[bladesdarkandlight]

"Well, looks like there's more coming off the train what aren't headed right for the exit."

She nods over Hythlodaeus' shoulder, toward the train.

"Time to hope they're a bit more chatty."

[sharpeyes]

"So it seems." He doesn't exactly have to look to know she is correct. "Ah... the one who did leave." It is fair to warn her, after all. "The one with the feline ears. He... also has Azem's soul."

So if there are two of them, there might possibly be more.

[bladesdarkandlight]

"Same amount as me? You're sure he's not another shard?"

She glances back behind her, not blessed with aetherial eyes in the back of her head.

"Really gonna have to find out if'n anyone knows how that works, but it's not like it's the first time I've seen a guy what was another reincarnation of Azem."