A New Platform [Intro Post April!]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Two days after they return from their mission they are awoken as usual "Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Egret. The shop has been updated and points have been applied to passengers tickets."

Those that go to check the shop terminals will find they have indeed updated, with the option to buy larger items and also animals. The morning goes on until just after noon there is a second announcement.

"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. Though the fog is thick, thicker than usual perhaps, there are patches on sunlight shining through and it is pleasantly warm.

The doors open and the first few to disembark do so with rucksacks on, hoods pulled up, silent and almost blank faced. Cu Chulain, Dio Brando, Disreputable Dog, Heiji Hattori, Loki Maedhros, Maglor, Naruto, Thor, Tobias Fangor.

They walk to the barriers, show their tickets and disappear.

But on the platform itself there are once again new faces. 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 as people begin to shift or call out it will become apparent they are not alone.

The platform is not large and it holds eighteen figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. It's warm but foggy making it hard to see much, but there are clearer patches bathed in sunlight found across the platform. 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, in case the passengers weren't bored of them yet.

Passengers who are not brand new will notice that the train has gotten yet longer again with a sixth sleeper cabin for new arrivals.

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

[sonoflucis]

Noct listened to Ignis' voice, the cadence, and the reassurances. He tried to breathe, closing his eyes as Ignis proved his identity to him. He finally opened his eyes and looked at Ignis. "Iggy...I'm sorry. Ardyn has tricked me before. I had to make sure." He moved to cover a clenched fist with his hand. "I believe you. I'm still really confused, but...no one else knows about that book, or our outings."

[faithfulsupport]

"Then you've been through far too much already." If he was there as Noct had said, how was Ardyn taunting the king? It made no sense but it didn't matter right now because all Ignis cared about at the moment was the man in front of him.

And once Noct seemed to believe him he sighed with relief. "Maybe we should get you inside away from everyone. There are quiet cabins where no one may enter because you can lock the door, or I can make you something to eat if you're hungry."

There was the smallest smile as he reached into his jacket and pulled out a teddy bear, holding it out to the king. "This one may may be stuffed however."

[sonoflucis]

Noct was more subdued and sober as Ignis offered him a get away. "A quiet cabin sounds nice. Food...not so much." He was too shaken up to eat, even if it was Ignis' cooking.

When he was handed the teddy bear, he smiled softly. "What's this for?"

[faithfulsupport]

"Then we should be going." Ignis replied. He wasn't going to leave the other's side until he was dismissed and it seemed they'd lost far too much time already. Noct would let him know when he was hungry so the wasn't a worry as he listened.

The advisor turned to go when the question of the bear stopped him and he inwardly smiled at that soft expression. It was so good to see it after months of not having seen the king. And fortunately, his brain moved fast so he wasn't caught speaking haltingly when he explained.

"Ah, they're a recent traditional gift to people who board the train."

There, a perfectly reasonable and logically sound answer.

[sonoflucis]

"Seems like a nice tradition." Noct said softly, moving to step closer to Ignis. "I like him." He held the bear close, enjoying its softness as he walked alongside Ignis. "You said you've been here for months? Alone? I'm sorry..."

[faithfulsupport]

He smiled and turned away before it grew too fond. But as they walked along there was a silent chuckle at the pronouncement of liking the bear. "Then you'll have to name him and take good care of him."

Ignis looked over at Noct and shook his head when he said he was sorry. For the reason of it being the king the advisor was now the one who was sorry about it somehow. "Well you're here now where I can keep you safe. And that is where I intend to keep you."

[sonoflucis]

"Name him..." Noct looked at the bear, analyzing it. "It kind of looks like Gladio."

Noct smiled sadly. "Hey...I want to keep you guys safe, too. You're my friends, after all. I shouldn't be the only one being protected."

[faithfulsupport]

There was only the slightest snicker at the name. He could only imagine that Madoka might view Gladio as one of those. Big fierce and tough on the outside, big cuddly bear on the inside.

Ignis caught the sad smile as he escorted the king to the quiet cabin. He slid an arm lightly around Noct's thin shoulders in attempt to reassure the other. "I'm sure you'll keep us safe too."

[sonoflucis]

Noct leaned closer to Ignis. "I will." He said, his voice filled with conviction. "I'm supposed to be your king. I'm not a helpless little prince anymore." Noct said. Then he grew nervous. "That doesn't mean I don't need you. I definitely still need you... A lot."

[faithfulsupport]

"You'll pardon me if I continue to keep my oath to His Majesty in the meantime." Ignis smiled. This was a change in the other and the strategist noted it. He never once thought Noctis as helpless, it was simply his oath to King Regis to keep his son safe. That was why no matter what, the advisor covered for the young Prince growing up. He took the blame for any number of their shenanigans too, even when most were at Noct's behest.

That smile turned almost sad at the words but the advisor was determined. He wouldn't cry in front of Noct, even if they were tears of joy as it was in this case. No, he had to appear and be strong for his oldest friend. This was another change, and it worried Ignis. Not in a bad way really, but moreover wondering what the king had been through.

"Caution Noct, I may hold you to those words."

And there was nothing but a good natured teasing to his tone to hide the worry.

[sonoflucis]

"Please do." Noct said. "You know, all of that. Even without your job, you're my oldest and Dearest friend." Noct flushed, knowing he was sounding really cheesy. He also probably sounded crazy. "You said something about resting, yeah? Might need that."

[faithfulsupport]

"Without that job, I more than likely wouldn't have met you." Or, at least until much later." Ignis couldn't know how it all would've turned out had he not been as intelligent as he was. But he thanked the Stars a lot back home that he was chosen to walk alongside the Prince.

Still, he tried to turn his head at the dearest friend comment because it was so nice to hear these words. "And I will always be there for you just as I have been."

Getting closer to the cabin, he nodded. "Rest there, I shall fetch you some blankets and a pillow or two along the way. Then when you're hungry I'll make you something to eat." Ignis planned to finish the platform, then check back on Noct. But if the king requested his presence to remain, that's what he would do.

[sonoflucis]

"Well, I mean now, not then..." Noct said softly. He didn't want to think about a life without Ignis.

"Always have my back, huh?" He gave Ignis a smile that reached his eyes.

He looked at the cabin. "Where will you be going while I rest?" He asked nervously.

[faithfulsupport]

"I see." It was the only thing he could think to say. After months of worrying about the king and how he'd personally failed Noct, it was a bit hard to hear these wonderful things without losing a bit of his usual stoic composure.

"Always." Ignis reaffirmed which made him smile. That was just like back home where Noct would ask if he had his back. And for him there would never be another answer other than the one he just gave.

As they had walked, true to his word the advisor grabbed freshly laundered blankets and a pillow. And now that they were in the secluded cabin, Ignis at once went to work on making a spot comfortable for the king. Green eyes looked over at the man after the question was asked and shook his head. "I was going to go out and finish up on the platform. Then I planned on coming back to check to see if you were hungry."

His eyes then studied Noct almost as if seeing him for the first time. "However, I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone after you just got here. You need time to both settle in and adjust." It went without saying of course that Ignis would be right there with him every step of the way until that happened.

[sonoflucis]

Noct always felt relief hearing that Ignis would always watch out for him. He trusted Ignis like no one else.

Noct sat down in the spot Ignis had made for him. He was pretty tired, but it seemed like Ignis had a job on the platform. He bit back a yawn before looking at Ignis, a bit embarrassed.

"Stay with me until I fall asleep?"

[faithfulsupport]

"I can certainly do so." Ignis smiled. He let Noctis get comfortable and he sat nearby, keeping watch. It was an old habit from back home, and it was a tradition that he was secretly happy to continue here.

"The first night I was here, I made that mother and child rice bowl that you favoured back home. And I do happen to have most of those ingredients if you'd like me to make you some for when you wake up later."

Food was always a good topic with his king. Noct and Prompto were little munchie monsters so even junk food was appreciated. And this of course didn't mean that with them being here that vegetables would be forgotten about.

[sonoflucis]

Noct let his body relax as he looked back at Ignis. He smiled fondly when Ignis mentioned one of his favorite dishes from home. "That sounds really good." He really liked that rice bowl because it was comforting and it wasn't full of vegetables. "Thanks, Iggy."

Later

[runs_on_batteries]

Tony was stepping out of his office just in time to see Ignis carrying a tray of food. He was surprised and it was earlier than their dinner usually was and there was only one portion (though a large portion) on that tray.

"Were you coming to see me?"

[faithfulsupport]

As promised, Ignis had made one of Noct's favourite dishes, the Mother and Child Rice bowl. He would've made the Papa bird version but opted for the former instead. He'd made a small batch as the advisor planned to serve something different later to Tony for their nightly private dinner.

He stopped when he saw Tony and shook his head. "No." There was a small smile. "I'm afraid the train has acquired a young King of Lucis so I was on my way to see if he wanted to eat." The coincidence of him giving Noctis the same dish he'd had his first night on the train in front of Tony no less, didn't escape him at all.

"Would you like to accompany me to meet him?"

[runs_on_batteries]

Tony recognized the dish but in that moment didn't remember why. A lot of time and events had happened since then, especially between them. He also questioned the name of that dish, but he had kept that opinion to himself. He was sure Americans had dumb names for dishes too.

His eyebrows rose sharply though at the news of who had joined them. Huh, that brought up all kinds of other questions too. Now wasn't the time though. "You finally got your king here. Sure, if he's up for it. I'd love to meet him."

[faithfulsupport]

He knew the king's presence might invoke questions and all manners of things. But Ignis knew that would be dealt with in time. Right now he had somewhere to be and a king to feed. With a nod, he turned.

"I've got him sequestered in a private cabin to give him time." He wasn't going to get into the anxiety thing but figured he wouldn't have to. Of all the people on the train with the exception of Gladio and Prompto, Tony knew and could translate 'Ignis-speak.' And of course with them being a couple, there were more silent cues and language between them alone.

As he walked, he could admit to himself that he was nervous at having the two of the most important people in his life meet. It was the same nervousness displayed when Gladio and Prompto met Tony as well, but this was a bit different and the strategist knew that. This was a day he'd never thought would come. They approached the door, and Ignis inclined his head.

"I left him asleep, but hopefully he's awake now."

Setting the tray down, he tapped lightly in a code the two used often back home amongst themselves, speaking in a low tone.

"Noct?"

[sonoflucis]

Noct had just woken up, his head still feeling floaty and overwhelmed. When he heard that distinct knock, he sat up.

"Come on in, Specs."

[faithfulsupport]

There was the briefest of smiles to Tony as Ignis opened the door and peeked his head in. This was old habit too just to reassure the other it was really him and no one had copied their secret knock.

"I've brought dinner..and I wanted to introduce you to someone." It was time to face the music so to speak but there was really nothing to worry about. As he'd told Tony long ago, everything was all one sided on his part.

So he came in and let Tony do his own thing.

[sonoflucis]

Noct sat up straight, hoping he didn't look too disheveled and pale. He nodded. "Sure." He looked past Ignis at Tony. "Who is he?"