A New Platform [Intro Post July]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Luckily for everyone the final couple of days of Fiddlesticks are quiet and mostly uneventful. Eventually though they awake to the announcement. "Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Grasshopper. 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. Also a loud pattering sound, which they will discover once the doors open are hailstones. They might want to grab their raincoats.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Ann Takamaki, Drizzt, Geralt, Huehuecóyotl, Ignis Scientia, Ivy Wakefield, Jiang Yanli, Lan Sizhui, Maebhrin Tillinath, May Parker, Nie Huaisang, Osomatsu Matsuno, Raven, Roxas, Shaw, The Iron Bull, Ultimo, Wei Wuxian, Yuki Sohma, Yuffie, Yukito Tsukishiro

But on the platform itself there are many new faces. Wearing hoodies and waterproofs, 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. The second thing they will notice is it is cold, hailstones rain down around them, though they don’t last long on the platform ground, melting into slush.

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 nineteen figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. 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.

Indeed whereas usually there is plenty time for people to be met and brought slowly onto the train, the whistles blow a lot quicker this time, as if hurrying the passengers along.

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, it seems carrots have taken over the bacon, though there are plenty of other staples.

Those from blue team who go to investigate will find a box of biscuits. There is enough for the whole team, including new passengers. Join in your team's success!

Those who are not new will quickly discover some changes made to make the train accessible to those who can’t see, including Braille translations of all the signs around the train.

There is of course the new music room to explore. A double carriage, the downstairs has instruments to learn and practice with, as well as a series of music screen points. Those who play around with the screens will soon discover their SCA’s can now store music and can choose their favourites to listen to around the train.

Upstairs is a performance area and holds a piano.

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 over the noise of the hail stones 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

[burninglight]

Wh--holdonholdonholdon--!

[Ardyn wasn't really hard to pick out as...well, Ardyn, despite how starkly different he looked. And acted, judging by how he quickly waved his hands defensively bordering on panic. The bird on his shoulder fluttered her wings and took off for a slightly safer vantage point, clearly knowing better.]

This is not what you think it is!

[callmegladio]

[The fluttering of oddly coloured wings was enough to distract Gladio for just a moment, to the point some of that initial flare of rage simmered down with a moment of confusion...

But then he looked back at the man. The man waving his arms around and looking like... No way. It was an act. Noct and Prompto had made it clear this guy liked to pull shit like that.]

Yeah? And what do I think this is? [He took a step in Ardyn's direction, for the moment his box of precious metals forgotten on the ground.]

[burninglight]

Put very simply and very quickly, you justifiably think I'm still a crazed vengeful sociopath.

[Ardyn backed off as Gladio approached, pressing his back to the wall.]

Just--just listen to me, it's been a very long time and I'm not what you think I am anymore.

[callmegladio]

[Despite his better judgement, Gladio actually stopped and listened. He wanted to hurt this man for what he had done to Prompto and Noct. He wanted to hurt him badly for the things he'd put them through.

But Gladio wasn't a stupid man.

There was something very wrong with this picture. And he frowned, confused, his anger suddenly wasn't sure which direction it should be going in. Because, for some weird and unknown reason, he actually believed this guy... And that made him feel kind of sick and even more confused.]

What's that supposed to mean...

[Even as the words left his lips, he felt he already knew... But he waited anyway.]

[burninglight]

First of all, it might help if you used your eyes, if you don't mind. It's been....hell, maybe three years since things ended back home? Might be longer, I'm not one to measure time very well.

[Ardyn gestured at himself in frustration, hand both bearing a black and sapphire ring and lanced through with an old scar.]

I'm not who or what I once was. I'm not even immortal anymore, and please don't take that as an invitation.

[callmegladio]

[Gladio wasn't sure what Ardyn meant by 'things ended', it left him with a very unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach he really wanted answers to, but he held his tongue.

Slowly... he backed up a step. Then another. And then he crouched down to grab up the box he'd dropped. When he rose again he sighed.]

... I can see just fine, thanks. Doesn't matter how much time's past, you're still the guy who hurt Prompto and Noct. Can't forgive that easily. What I can say... is you better damn well stay away from them. Three years for you is a month or so for them.

[His eyes narrowed, voice lowered dangerously.]

I've no problems finding out just how mortal you are. You understand me?

[burninglight]

Never asked for forgiveness, actually. I'm not going to hurt anyone, least of all you and the others. I've done more than enough of that, and I gave vengeance and the like up a long time ago. [He folded his arms, the pigeon coming back to settle on his shoulder.] I don't care if you take my word on that or not, your own peace of mind is yours to deal with.

...You're not going to intimidate me, Gladiolus. I'll do as you say, to the best of my ability given the limited space to work with.

[callmegladio]

Wasn't trying to intimidate. Just stating a fact. I've no problems killing you.

[He'd risk the wrath of that shadowy asshole if he must, but he honestly did not mind killing this guy over and over again if he needed to.

Maybe he'd changed himself. In a few short months, despite really wanting to at least knock this guy on his ass, he couldn't do it. There was something in his eyes that stopped him.]

Just hope, for your sake, this isn't some damn trick...

[burninglight]

Do what you will. Just know that I'll defend myself if you should act rashly.

[It was a statement, not a threat; all things considered, Ardyn mostly just looked exhausted.]

...If you come across anyone looking for me here, don't get them involved. If you must fight someone, leave it at me.

[callmegladio]

[Gladio wondered if he could. Both Noct and Prompto had made more than enough powerful friends that if Ardyn tried anything, Gladio would be the least of his worries... But he kept that to himself. Let him learn on his own.

He snorted and gave a small shake of his head.]

The hell do you take me for? You? I wouldn't get anyone else involved and won't bother your friends. [Because Ardyn wasn't the only one tired. Gladio was too. And honestly... really didn't want to fight anyone. Not even this guy.]

[burninglight]

Not really, no. I just don't want any more conflict than necessary.

[He sighed, running a hand through his hair.]

...Thanks. Some of them can be kind of...a lot to deal with, at times, and the last thing I want is for things to be more tense than they are right now.

[callmegladio]

[It was something of a shock to hear this guy thank him like that... And it's what made him say the next thing.]

Look. I don't owe you a thing. And you don't me. But... can you just...

[He sighed heavily, frowning as he tried to work through just what he needed, and wanted, to say.]

... Time works weird here. You're from wherever the hell you're from. Me? I'm from a different point in time as the others. Prompto's last memories of home is being kicked off that train. By you... Noct? You killing Luna. Just... lay low. I need a chance to talk to them.

[If just seeing an ocean world had sent Noct into a panic, he couldn't imagine how seeing Ardyn himself would affect him.]

[burninglight]

Fuck.

[He sighed heavily, scowling. Great, both almost the worst imaginable circumstances. If nothing else, he took the timeline differences without batting an eye.]

I'll try. I can't help it if I turn a corner and walk into the kid, but I won't seek him out. When are you from, then?

[callmegladio]

[That reaction... was oddly reassuring. Mildly satisfying. At least this guy remembered that much. But would maybe also understand why Gladio was asking what he was, and why he was pissed at the guy.

Though at his next question, Gladio gave a low laugh.]

Me? I didn't even get to Altissia. The Train took me from Lestallum, after my trial.

[He had no idea if Ardyn knew what trial he was talking about, though wouldn't be surprised if he did. It seemed the guy had had eyes everywhere back then... and always seemed to know where they were going to be and when.]

[burninglight]

...Gilgamesh, right. We've met. [He sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck.]

...Look, I'm willing to provide some clarity and tell you what and who I really am-...well, was, but you're going to think I'm actually insane and making shit up.

[callmegladio]

[He'd been right. Though hadn't quite realised that Ardyn would have actually met Gilgamesh. So he nodded.]

That's the one.

[The rest almost had him laughing again. After some of the things he'd seen, there wasn't much he thought could shock him. But he gave a little flick of his fingers, from where they held one of his boxes, to indicate Ardyn should continue.]

Try me.

[burninglight]

[Deadpan:] 'Ardyn Lucis Caelum.'

The Founder King was my shithead little brother. And don't ask me how the hell Gilgamesh is even still alive when he's older than me, I'm still trying to figure that one out. As for why the immortality on my end, you'll better know the concept as 'why no one's allowed near Angelgard'.

[callmegladio]

[Okay. Maybe there were a few things that could surprise him. And piss him off.]

You're serious...?

[No, of course he was. Gladio REALLY wanted to punch him now.]

So... you're, what? Nocts great great time 20 something-or-other and you still pulled all that shit with him?

[burninglight]

I had issues, okay? You would too, if your brother murdered you and left you to rot in prison for two millennia. That shit would drive anyone insane. I'm not saying I was right, because I wasn't. It's a long and involved story I'm trying to give you the broad strokes of, because you actually look willing to listen.

[Ardyn took a deep breath, Luscinia preening at a few loose strands of violet hair.]

It's complicated, and a bigger picture than any of us.

[callmegladio]

[Gladio was listening. But he was also trying to understand. He was trying to slot this new information in with what he already knew. It wasn't adding up. He couldn't imagine, even being locked away and driven mad, wanting to harm his own family. Maybe he'd want revenge on the one who had actually killed him, but after that long a time, that guy would be dead... Why take it out on an innocent?

He felt another one of his headaches coming on.]

Right... Brother killed you and left you for dead, because that's how that works. You didn't die. You were in a prison for... a while. Went nuts. Decided to fuck with your family when you got free. Up to speed so far?

[burninglight]

Never said it made sense, but pretty much. Then things got worse--turns out Niflheim letting me out didn't really help. I spent a few decades with them before I met all of you as...well, that.

...Like I said. I'm not looking for forgiveness. I don't make excuses for myself. I only ask you to understand that being made of a horrific daemon hate plague kind of has a moderate influence on one's state of mind. [That, and all the memory stealing. About 60-40.]

After...well, a lot happened. Then I wound up in a place kind of like this, with other people taken from their own respective universes and timelines. Lost everything that made me immortal and fixated on being fucking insane, and...just sort of ended up like this. Human, tired, and stuck in another one of these godsdamned multiversal nightmares.

[callmegladio]

Wow. The bad guys didn't help you out? [Gladio had to roll his eyes. He could almost feel sympathetic about the other stuff, but that one made him want to laugh.

He gave yet another sigh and another nod. No, he didn't think he could forgive what had happened to Noct and Prompto. Maybe if they could, he would think about it. But he doubted it. He could understand though. Did he like it? Hell no.]

I understand. Sucks to be you though. Jump from one interdimensional hellhole into another. Worse, they'll want you to be a 'hero' here.

[burninglight]

...So?

[That part, he didn't seem to have a problem with.]

I like helping people, funny enough. I'd rather someone bothered to ask before dumping me on a train platform, but a reasoning like that doesn't bother me.

[callmegladio]

[Considering what he'd known about this guy, helping people hadn't been a thing he would attribute to him. But he supposed it took all sorts.]

Don't we all... No one was asked... Just yanked here. [And it had taken until very recently for Gladio to actually adjust to life on the train... mostly.]

[burninglight]

Have to tell you, there's a lot of people at home right now that're going to be pissed when they realize I'm gone. Not really looking forward to explaining this one.

[miserable accursed gods, what a headache.]

Just once I'd like a fair warning before being conscripted into this shit.