voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post April!]

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

After Noctis was settled and relaxed, Ignis headed to find the king's Shield. He wanted to make sure the man wasn't in any more pain that he couldn't fix. And of course when he'd found out Gladio had gotten hurt, the advisor blamed himself and worked as long as he could to fix the issue to the point of exhaustion. That of course was nothing new because he did it in the missions regularly and would've this time too, but..an unexpected absence put in a cramp in that.

Having heard from Madoka that she spent quite some time with Gladio in the greenhouse, the advisor started looking there. And that's where he found the man, reading his book. His arms folded over his chest as he gazed downward.

"Should you be up and about?"

Gladio was pretty sure he'd worked out who the killer was when he he was interrupted again. He just about held back a sigh. He would get to the end of his book at some point that day, he was sure. But that wouldn't be right at that moment.

He looked up to find Ignis standing over him, arms folded, and Gladio was a little tempted to throw some grass at him. He'd have thrown the book but he kind of needed that.

"I'm not 'up and about'. I'm sat on the ground, relaxed and not straining myself." Gladio made a little gesture to the grass around him to show that yes, it was the ground. He was leaning against a wall. While a cushion might have been nice to lean against he was as comfortable as he could be.

... The fact he hadn't quite worked out how the hell he was going to stand up now he was sat down was utterly irrelevant.

Green eyes blinked at Gladio who seemed pretty comfortable but Ignis worried. So he knelt down next to the other man. "Are you in pain? Can I get you anything?" There was the mission disappearance guilt coming out. He knew he had nothing to do with it but it still bothered him.

And it always would.

He wondered if on the next mission they could find some trees..they could put it on the rock garden to make it greener, something a little more 'homier' so to speak. As it was, Ignis needed to start checking around the place anyhow for his own personal reasons.

"Only when I laugh." Gladio teased, but his smile... his smile was actually gentle. He could see the worry in Ignis' eyes and he didn't want to make that any worse. Of course he didn't blame him for anything happening. It had been all his own fault and when he'd returned from the mission he'd been tended to by perfectly capable people.

"I'm alright, Iggy. Just relaxing is all. Catching up on my reading." He patted the book in his lap to prove his point, as if Ignis hadn't seen it. "Thanks for checking up on me."

That earned a sigh but the advisor did realize that Gladio was teasing in his own gentle way. He refrained from reaching out and touching the injury, much as he was wont to do because he just didn't want to give up on it.

Another sigh came out. "I suppose since I have free time I should spend it reading as well." There was a question in there, really.

Gladio didn't mind Ignis checking on him. Didn't mind the fussing... mostly. What he minded was being looked at like that. He wished Ignis would relax and ease up on himself. So Gladio gave him a smile, warm and genuine.

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea, Iggy. It's a good way to kill some time." He wished there were others but for the moment, sitting and reading was a good way to spend his time.

"I did order two books on Floriography..I just haven't had the chance to get around to reading them. First we had the platform, then there was the matter of settling Noct in.." And then there were other matters of business to attend to, and readying more potions for that other thing..

A hand went under his chin and he gazed thoughtfully at the ground. "Well since I can spare a moment..? Green eyes went to the shield. "Would you mind the company if I go fetch my books?"

"Always welcome the company, Iggy." Gladio patted the grass beside him on his good side. "Just pick a spot and relax with me."

Of course Ignis would want to go and get his books but there was no rush. Gladio had no intention of moving just yet. At most he would shift to ease an aching muscle or two, but he had nothing else he needed to do except finish his book.

There was a genuine relieved sigh and a nod. "Very well, I shall go and fetch my books. But shall I get us a snack and some drinks for when I return?"

It was the least that he could think to do right now. He wanted to help and Ignis was good at that. Plus there was no point in them not having something to eat and drink while they did their reading.

While a drink would be nice he didn't want Ignis to go to any trouble. Gladio chuckled and made a shooing gesture with his good hand. "If you're getting yourself a drink, a tea would be great. If not don't go to any extra trouble. Just go get your books and come sit with me."

He didn't really need snacks or anything, he was happy as he was just enjoying his book and, hopefully, the company Ignis would provide once he stopped fussing!

"A tea it is." Ignis said. Honestly if he didn't want to bother he wouldn't have offered. But offer he had in order to try and be hospitable in his own way. After all, Gladio was allowing him to sit beside him and read so the least he could do was return the favour in kind..in his own way of course.

"I'll be right back with the books and some tea." It would give Ignis a chance to get some coffee too, which was always a welcome thing when reading books. Coffee provided energy and focus which helped with reading of course.

A New Platform [Intro Post April!]

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