A New Platform [Intro Post June]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

The days following the mission are relatively uneventful as people once more get used to the rhythm of life on the train. "Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Fiddlesticks. Points have been updated on the system."

They have indeed and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train a while will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later.

"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 is a cool day, clouds gathering threateningly though it stays dry luckily.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Leviathan, Atsushi Nakajima, Spinel, Peggy Carter, Evie Grimhilde, Cal Kestiss, Gwen Stacey, Renee Corbin, Lan Jingyi, Waver Velvet, Aoko Nakamori, Namine, Jak and Marcus Wright all reach the barriers, show their tickets and disappear through, vanishing into the fog.

But on the platform itself there are many new faces. Wearing hoodies, in various states of confusion.

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 twenty six figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. The air is cool with a slight breeze. 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. Most are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple though some are sporting different clothes in a variety of styles.

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 plenty more bacon as well as other staples.

Passengers who are not brand new will notice a new carriage. A second gym. This one is outfitted for training with mats, fighting pads, balance beams and even climbing apparatus to help get everyone ready for the missions ahead.

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

[enthunder]

As he correctly guessed, her familiarity with his world's customs is limited to spending time with Qing, and vaguely meeting the others in passing. And one wedding, that she mostly sat through in a haze of mild culture-shock.

So after a moment's assessment, she bows back. Not like he does, but in a more casual version of Cocoon's bow for formal situations, arms at her sides and head and shoulders ducked. It gives her time to think of a response that isn't that you were controlled into killing someone.

"That you're a good archer," was a safe opener. "... And a lot of stuff about how nice you are."

[lookslikeacinnamonroll]

He doesn't blush, but that's mainly because he's too pale to blush anyway. He doesn't have the blood flow for it. But he does duck his head sheepishly and smile.

"Oh, I don't know about all that. I haven't practice archery in quite some time, I'm sure I've gotten rusty."

Funny enough, he doesn't dispute the nice part. That's one thing about himself that he's proud to claim.

[enthunder]

His acceptance of the second-hand compliment would have irritated her if he hadn't been so bashful about it. As it was, she just noted that Qing was an excellent judge of character. Fondly, even.

"There's nothing but time here, if you wanna pick it back up." She shrugged, and leaned back against the wall to make herself more comfortable. "... It's not my business, but she's really missed you."

[lookslikeacinnamonroll]

"I might do that." Like she said, they have plenty of time. If there's somewhere on the train he can practice archery... It might be nice to pick up a bow again.

His smile continues, though the rest of his expression goes a little distance, with a touch of sadness.

"I've missed her, too. I haven't..." He pauses. He obviously doesn't know how much his sister has told Lightning about what happened to her. What happened to them. "It's been a very long time since we last saw each other."

[enthunder]

"We've--" How do you tell someone you've heard the bare bones of their entire family tragedy? It's none of her business, except it is, at this point. She thinks if she ran into someone called Jin she'd punch them in the throat and not feel even slightly bad about it. Qing all but cried into her shoulder. That... counts, she supposes, as 'involved'.

She thinks how to phrase it. "She mentioned some things, about your world, and how she died. About why, too."

And, because she feels obligated, "Mentioned something about you... losing control. Is that still something we need to watch out for?"

[lookslikeacinnamonroll]

He supposes it shouldn't feel like a weight lifted off his chest, the reminder that his sister is dead and has been dead for fifteen years, and that her death was his fault. But the fact that Lightning already knows, and he doesn't have to dance around the topic... It's comforting, in a strange way.

He's quick to shake his head, eyes still downcast. "No. I don't think there's anyone here who would control me to do that again." Wei Wuxian has the power to control him, but would never make him do that. That's how he knew it wasn't Wei Wuxian's fault, at Qiongqi Path. He had felt vindicated, when the truth came to light, about Su She and Jin Guangyao's machinations.

(Though, if Wen Ning knew that Xue Yang was on the train, he might be telling a different story...)

[enthunder]

"Good to know. If that changes, just shout." There's enough mystical bullshit floating around that someone's probably good to sort that kind of thing.

She glances back to the door, the voices of the two women inside muffled enough to be indistinct, even in the lull. Conversation, how do you do it. "Guess now's when I ask if there's anything I should know about Qing, but she's been pretty direct so far, so..."