A New Platform [Intro Post March]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Luckily there are no more crises after the strange dreaming, except the ones passengers created for themselves and soon the month is turning. "Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Egret."

Those that have been on board a while know that new months usually come with new people and so the message a few hours later will not be a surprise. "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 they are soon surrounded by the fog that means they are at a platform. It will come as a relief that it is not raining this time. However it does seem to be quite blustery.

The doors open and the first few to disembark do so with rucksacks on, hoods pulled up against the wind. Amery Vallet, Steve Rogers, Darth Vader, Peggy Carter, Bran Corbie and Ash. They walk blank faced to the barriers, show their tickets and disappear.

But on the platform itself there are nineteen new faces, or rather seventeen new faces and two that some people have definitely seen before. All are stood, waiting for the train.

For New Passengers

At first all they can see is steam. Billowing around them as they come to their senses. They are standing, in clothes that are not their own, styles they might not even recognise. They are carrying a rucksack on their back. For a moment it seems to just be them, alone in the white haze but then the steam begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform is not large and it holds ninteen figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. The air is cold and the wind is strong, blowing their hair, if they have hair, across their face. Both left and right the tracks disappear into the mist. 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 into the cold step a selection of people. Some are human, some are less so. They are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple.

The Train

The doors hiss open. Those from the train may encourage those on the platform to board. It’s not like there is 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 not be a good thing. 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. The store rooms have been restocked with an abundance of onions! Any of blue team who who go to check the luggage cart will find a parcel containing rainbow macroons. One for each of the blue team, including new members, come share in the reward!

Passengers who are not brand new will notice that the train has gotten yet longer again. A transparent domed carriage, with a grass aisle and soil beds, ready for the passengers to do with as they wish. Crates contain bulbs and seeds ready to be planted and there are all the tools a budding gardener would need for this task.

New passengers will find their tickets allow them into their cabins. They may need to negotiate for beds, especially if they want a top bunk!

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 and you will hopefully find a pillow for your bed if it has not been nabbed by a roommate, there are also spare blankets for if it gets cold.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view 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. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!

Comments

[bethereprompto]

Prompto groaned softly and pulled his right arm closer to him protectively. The other stretched out vaguely toward the large presence next to the bed. He started to go still again like maybe he was going back to sleep, but reluctantly he opened his eyes. First thing he saw was Gladio and that made him smile albeit on the weak side.

"Will there be chocobos at Tenebrae?" He asks, though his voice is groggy and a bit slurred.

[callmegladio]

Gladio instinctively took the hand that had reached out for him. He held the hand gently within his much larger one and then returned the smile. Chuckling, he leaned down a bit. "They'll be chocobo's wherever you are." He said and moved his other hand to gently ruffle Prompto's hair. "Since you're the king of them."

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis had to laugh lightly because that was definitely true. "Gladio speaks the truth, you most certainly are the king of chocobos." Musing almost to himself, he turned to grab a glass and some water from the fountain. The exchange between the shield and Prompto was very touching, and since the blonde had been put through something horrible, kindness was definitely a healing balm to such a situation. "Mayhaps we should try and find some sort of plush one..or create one just for Prompto."

[bethereprompto]

Prompto smiled and started to close his eyes again. Although when he heard Iggy's voice, he groaned as he turned a bit and~ Whoa! His grip tightened on Gladio's hand, feeling like it was about the only thing that made sense. He jerked awake more and looked around him with wide eyes. For a brief second it looked like of like a magitek lab or something.

"Wh- where am I?" He asked. He looked at Iggy again and stared at his eyes but.. he knew that already somehow. Iggy's eyes were healed for some reason. Which was weird but great news and Gladio here.. "Where's N-"

That's when it really all came flooding back. The train, the fight, the falling, and the new train. It made him dizzy and put his head in his free hand.

[callmegladio]

Gladio's hand tightened within Prompto's when that smile faded and he looked like he was moments from a panic attack. He shot Ignis a quick glance before returning his focus back to Prompto.

"Noct... isn't here, Prom. But it's fine. We're here and you're safe now." Gladio tried to soothe, but not knowing exactly what the hell was wrong he didn't know if he was making things worse or not. It worried him, the state the blonde was in, and killed him not knowing what had caused it. But he was sure Prompto would tell him, just not right then. Right then he needed to heal. "Iggy's healed you up. We're going to get some food in you soon. Just hang in there."

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis caught the look and let Gladio take care of talking to the blonde. The absence of the king of course was taking a toll on all of them in different ways.

"You're quite safe." Ignis reassured Prompto. If they hadn't been safe before, the shield's presence just guaranteed it in the advisor's book. The photographer's condition worried Ignis too of course, but healing and rest came first.

Looking over at Gladio now, there was a nod. "I'll go make us something to eat."

[bethereprompto]

Both men were telling him he was safe, how could he not accept that as truth? He did manage to calm down a little, but he wondered if that would change if they found out. It felt like they could just look at him and see straight into his soul. He looked at Gladio alarmed. That last bit sounded like a dismissal.

"You're leaving?" He asked, hoping for everything in him he'd heard that wrong. Ignis then said he was going and he frowned at that, but it was better one of them stayed. In this moment, it didn't matter to him which one stayed so long as he wasn't alone.

[callmegladio]

"Going nowhere." He reassured and emphasised his words with a little squeeze of Prompto's hand. If he'd been planning on leaving for any reason before, he sure as hell wasn't now. In fact he turned, still keeping his hand in Prompto's, and grabbed for a nearby chair to pull it up beside the blonde. "I'm staying right here. Iggy's going to get you something to eat." He looked up at the advisor with an apologetic smile. "If you don't mind?"

[faithfulsupport]

"Not at all." Ignis replied in his usual business like tone. "Prompto could certainly use the company." With that he walked out, patting Gladio on the back as a silent thank you. Heading right to the kitchen, the advisor made them all soup and sandwiches along with drinks. It might take a bit for him to return but at least Prompto was safe and he couldn't have a better guardian than Gladio looking out for him. It was really great to have them there with him and he couldn't help but smile as he prepared their food.

[bethereprompto]

Prompto would've flushed a bit if his skin wasn't so pale. He hated how weak he was acting but he felt broken in just about every way there was. It was too scary to be broken and alone.

"Thank you," he finally said, although Iggy was mostly out the door by then. It was to both of them. He rolled onto his side, turned toward Gladio. He should be embarrassed or feeling awkward about his hand being in Gladio's, but he didn't. He just wanted his hand to stay there and his big guy to stay also there and everything to get healed somehow.

"Is he really okay?" He couldn't believe Iggy could see again. It was such a relief though it was confusing too.

[callmegladio]

Gladio waited for Prompto to get himself settled before he gave him a smile and a nod. "Iggy's fine. Happy to see us, I think." He reassured the other and gave the smaller hand within his the gentlest of squeezes. "He's just worried about you. But you'll be fine. He's healed you right up. We get some food in you and you'll be back on your feet in no time." Gladio was doing his best to keep his voice light and reassuring, not wanting his own worry to leak through and panic Prompto.

[bethereprompto]

He wanted Gladio to climb up on this bed and hold him, but he couldn't do that. It was only a matter of time before this Gladio figured him out and then where would all of this support go? He wouldn't even blame them for turning on him. After all, he was just a robot- a clone.

He closed his eyes and slowly brought Gladio's hand to his cheek. He held on as though for dear life and tried valiantly hard to not cry again, but he was failing miserably. As he lay there quietly sniffling, his grip on Gladio's hand loosened. It wasn't long before he was dozing off again. He was mostly still except the occasional sniffle.

[callmegladio]

If Gladio had had any idea that Prompto had wanted that, in that moment he would have done it. He would have gotten up onto that small bed and held him. Or at least worked himself onto the edge enough that he could get the blonde in his arms because he hated seeing him like this. Gladio couldn't remember having ever seen Prompto brought this low before. Had never seen him cry like this. To be afraid like this. To be as needy as he was. He couldn't understand what had happened to their marksman to cause this reaction in him but Gladio was damned if he would make it any worse. So when his hand was moved and Prompto damn near started to cuddle it, Gladio let it happen. And when the tears began to fall again, he moved his free hand to softly stroke blonde locks soothingly. It was something he'd remembered doing when Iris had been upset and had always worked on her. And soon enough Prompto started relax into sleep. Only Gladio didn't let go of his hand, nor did he stop the gentle brushes of the tips of his fingers through soft, golden locks. He was afraid if he did Prompto would wake... He wasn't quite ready yet to admit he was enjoying it.