voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post July]

Entry tags:

A New Platform [Intro Post July]

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Inigo wasn't letting go, in fact Gerome could swear the arms tightened, and for a moment he worried the other would never let him go. Even in his confusion, he could tell something was very wrong. Inigo was a tactile kind of a man, but this was no something he was used to. Being dragged and pulled around, sure. Tackled to the ground and clung to like a man drowning? That was very new.

And, just as Gerome was about to move his hands to (at least partially) return the hug, Inigo had pulled away, freeing him.

Gerome's arms fell back upon the platform and he remained for a moment lying there, just letting the rain fall down upon him. He was already wet, after all. What did a little more hurt?

But slowly he sat himself up, his own hair was in his eyes but he didn't bother to move it yet. In lieu of a mask, it helped to shield some of his face at least.

"... Months?" Impossible. He'd not long seen him... hadn't he? They'd gone back to the past. It has taken time to find each other, all of them. Gerome had met his mother... He'd lain down to sleep and when he woke... "... I saw you last eve. You can not possibly have been here months."

He doesn't blame Gerome at all for the confusion, but it's difficult all the same. This would be so much easier if Gerome just believed him the moment he said that, but.. honestly, if the roles were reversed, wouldn't he be reacting exactly the same way? He would expect Owain to jump out from behind some people and laugh at the prank they pulled off any moment. (Even though he really can't see Gerome working alongside Owain to prank him, but that aside..)

Inigo sucks in a sharp breath, trying his damnest best to not look as distressed as he's feeling right now. He pretends to rub his face down to get rid of the water, but it's really just to make sure his eyes are absolutely free of tears before he speaks on.

"But I have been."

There's a slight pause, but then he reaches out to this time grab Gerome's hands into his own, holding them between the two of them.

"Look in my eyes. Do I look like I'm lying?" It's a little risky, since even with the hail it would be hard to miss from this up close that Inigo's gaze isn't exactly looking calm.. but he doesn't know how to convince Gerome properly other than to show him how desperately serious he is about this. "Months ago I was in the same position you're in now. Except none of the others were there. You are the first person I have seen from back home in all that time."

There was something he wasn't seeing... Something he should have, and probably would have, if it wasn't for the rising sense of panic in his chest.

It was one thing to have been sent back into the past. But this wasn't the past. This was something else entirely. And as hie gaze flickered away from Inigo to the people around them, to the huge, black contraption sitting behind them, waiting for them... He could feel a pull toward it, one he resisted with all of his might. He didn't want it. This wasn't where he belonged. This was...

His hands were grabbed and his eyes quickly moved back to Inigo in time to catch his gaze and focus on the words. Words that felt like a bolder was pressing down on his chest.

Because he believed him.

If Gerome had been more aware, if he hadn't felt so confused and out of sorts, he would have known so much faster. Everything about Inigo screamed to him that something was very, very wrong. And the look in his eyes now told him more than words ever could. Inigo was telling the truth. He had been here for months. Somehow, someway...

Hands that had, up until that point, remained limp within Inigo's, now tightened and tugged, pulling the other closer. "... Explain." He demanded, voice low but not nearly as harsh as it could have been. "... How? Where is this place?" And how had Inigo been here for so long... and still remembered him.

At least there's some relief in the fact that Gerome seems to believe him now. Enough to be willing to listen to an explanation for all this. It's just good to know that despite everything, and despite how far apart they have been (from Inigo's point of view, anyway, considering Gerome still saw him just the day before) they still trust each other. They're still comrades in arms.

Inigo is easily moved closer with the tug. There's no resistance at all. Instead there's just a more serious look than usual on his face - the kind of look that's usually only reserved for moments in battle - as he thinks about how to even start explaining this to Gerome.

"The thing behind us is called a train. Apparently it's a common thing in other places. From what I've heard it's usually just a form of transportation, much like how you'd get around on horses or in a cart, but this one seems special in the sense that it seems to have similar powers to Naga. It's capable of moving people and things across time and space."

Suddenly he feels really, really glad for the fact that they traveled through time - he's pretty sure this explanation would have made so much less sense if they didn't at least have that common experience to compare it to.

"The difference though is.. well, as you've noticed, it's involuntarily. People are dragged here without their consent. Without even being able to say anything to the people they know." It's those words that makes his side of the grip on Gerome's hand a bit tighter too. Inigo really doesn't want to let go of the other now, as if he's afraid that Gerome might disappear again or head off straight after Yuki the moment he lets go. "There.. is no way home yet as far as we know."

Gerome listened quietly as the rain pounded down around them. It didn't bother him. It wasn't the first, nor will it be the last, time he had been sat out in the rain. It was the look in Inigo's eyes that mostly kept him where he was. It was rare to see him looking so serious. Even when fighting he would do it with that same silly grin on his face. This new look told him everything he needed to know and more. So Gerome listened to every single word.

"Train..." Okay, the contraption had a name. A strange name, but one anyway. And yes, he understood the ability to move through time and space, at least in the terms it had been explained to them all back home, but this sounded much different. For starters, he hadn't had any say in the matter and that bothered him. Gerome had been asleep and then suddenly he was somewhere else with Inigo. He held his tongue and waited, because there was one more thing for Inigo to say that rocked Gerome back a little, his brow furrowing into an irritated frown.

"... What do you mean there's no way home?" But, even as he said the words, he realised... If there had been a way, Inigo would have taken it. He wouldn't have stayed here in this strange place for months without them. He would have returned.

Gerome's eyes closed and he sighed, his head lowering. "Forgive me. I believe you, I do. I am sure if there had been a way, you would know it..."

"Of course."

Those words finally make the serious expression melt a bit. Instead, despite them still sitting there in this cold rain, Inigo manages to smile. It's thin, but it's genuine. And it's there not in despite of Gerome's irritated frown or his sigh, but exactly because of them. Inigo knows he's not the strongest of their group, nor any leader type, but.. he likes to think he can at least make others laugh. Or relax. Or at least comfort them a little, even if it's by being an idiot.

Or by smiling even when things are tough. When they must suddenly seem so helpless to Gerome, suddenly trapped in a strange place with only one familiar face.

"I mean, it's not as if I could make all of you miss the ace fighter of our little group, right? You'd be nothing without me!" Now that's definitely some of his fake bravado, but he figures hearing it might make things feel at least a bit more familiar to the other.

"We will eventually find a way home though. I promise. Until then you might just have to tolerate the idea of being stuck with me."

Without his mask, there was no hiding the strange, almost fond look, that crossed Gerom's expression then. This was the Inigo he knew. Laughing in the face of his own insecurities, or in the face of insurmountable odds.

He was suddenly taken with the desire to hit him though. Insecurities aside, he would not have him putting down his abilities. "You are a more than capable fighter. The group would indeed suffer without you." Without any of them. Gerome may have preferred his own company, but he wasn't stupid, he understood the effectiveness of teamwork. And he knew their group worked well together. Having grown up with and trained with many of them, he knew their fighting styles as well as he knew his own. To lose one of their number would be a detriment to the team.

"... I could think of worse people to be trapped on a... a train with."

In his current still pretty emotional state, there's absolutely no way Inigo would have been able to prevent a blush from creeping up his cheeks at those words. So while looking like an incredibly wet and blushy mess in front of Gerome is really not his proudest moment, it's his current reality.

It's just.. Gerome has known him for so long. He's seen him as a little kid. He's seen him train, seen him fight, and he still says that-- no, he still even goes out of his way to say that. He easily could just have ignored Inigo's words or just let them slip by. But Gerome didn't. It means a lot.

Inigo ducks his head for a moment as if to hide the blush, but then seems to realise there's no escaping the fact Gerome must already have seen it. So instead Inigo slowly rises back onto his feet, using the hand he's clasped as a way of gently taking Gerome along with him so they can stand.

"Erm.. I should probably actually show you the train now, huh..? There's a lot about this still left to explain, but.. we can take it in chunks as we go around." He smiles again, though this time with the blush. "Besides, out here is awfully wet and cold."

Inigo might have been getting emotional, but Gerome had only been stating facts. Maybe those facts also included some of his own feelings, but he wasn't about to go into that with anyone, least of all himself.

He allowed Inigo to help him to his feet and gave him a rather sardonic look. "Really, I had not noticed..." He replied drily and freed at least one of his hands to reach bad down for the pack that had fell off his shoulder earlier. "... This, I take it, is mine?" Along with the strange attire he found himself in, of course.

Objective facts are hard to see when you live in a world that's very much coloured by the subjective low opinion you have of yourself, okay...

But at least it's put him in a good mood. A much better mood than a few moments ago. Inigo honestly doesn't know what he would have done after watching Yuki leave if he hadn't spotted Gerome right after. He most likely would just have kept standing there in the hail the entire time feeling his own heart break until it was time to go.

And while it's not like his heart is magically whole again at Gerome's appearance.. It at least softens the blow. It gives him something else to focus on rather than his own feelings.

Like - for example - what Gerome mentions right now. It seems to make Inigo snap to attention as he realises something.

"Oh! Yes, it is!"

Considering he's still holding Gerome's other hand, he takes the opportunity to drag him over to the train. He doesn't fully go inside yet, but at least pulls the other onto the steps - just enough so they're sheltered from the hail. He doesn't want to get all of Gerome's spare sets of clothes wet too, okay.

"You should look in it! There should be at least one thing from back home in there." And sure.. There's no way it could be Minerva. She doesn't fit in there. Neither does the kind of axe he usually sees Gerome use in battle. But hopefully the train thought to bring at least something that was of value to Gerome. Something that might make him feel a bit less out of his element.

Before he had a chance to shrug the pack on his shoulder he was being dragged across to the massive black contraption Inigo had called a 'train'. There, on the steps leading up to it, he was informed he should look in the pack.

He didn't know what Inigo could have been talking about, what of his could fit in the pack? It was overstuffed as it was.

Freeing his other hand, Gerome crouched down on the step and lowered the pack to the ground to open it. The rain didn't quite reach them there so it helped, there were dry clothes he really wanted to put on, even if they were strange to look at. And, when he reached in and searched around, his expression changed. His fingers touched something very familiar. Slowly he pulled it free of the bag and looked down. His mask.

"... You were correct."

His mask. Of course! Honestly, Inigo had been so caught up in the emotions of the moment that he hardly even thought about what exactly was looking so off about Gerome - other than the fact that he was wearing a purple hoodie much like Inigo himself, anyway.

He's not entirely sure how to feel about that being the item in there. On one hand he's glad because he knows Gerome must be happy to have his mask with him here on the train.. on the other hand, it was actually kind of nice to be able to see Gerome's eyes while talking to him. It makes it a lot easier to guess what he's thinking.

.. He should probably mostly be glad though, huh. The latter part is just a selfish desire, after all.

"How terrifying. You almost had to walk around the train without that." Yes, there's still some slight deadpan in that statement though, because he already knows that thing is going to just end up getting Gerome all sorts of questions from the people around here!

Gerome... hesitated.

He hesitated... and then he slowly pushed the mask back inside of the bag. For now. Instead he removed the towel he had seen inside of it. For a moment is brows raised as he marvelled at just how soft the towelling felt. It must have been very high quality. Whatever this place was for, it at least looked after it's victims well.

Gerome lifted the towel to his face and started to at least dry that part of himself off. The rest he could deal with once he was inside and he found somewhere he could actually change without being indecent.

He then handed the towel to Inigo. He was just as soaked as himself.

"Indeed... I will put it on when I am dry enough to do so." But it was a relief to have it. While there were other things he would have happily have exchanged it for, a weapon or Minerva, it at least offered him some comfort in this strange and unusual circumstance he found himself in.

Inigo gratefully accepts the towel. Even though.. honestly, he's only now slowly starting to realise just how wet he is. Between all his emotions about Yuki leaving and all his emotions about Gerome showing up, there wasn't much mental capacity left to realise that he was getting drenched by cold hail. He rubs his face dry the best he can with the towel before starting to rub down his hair with it.

It means there's a quiet moment without Inigo running his dumb mouth for once - only the sound of the towel drying Inigo's hair is audible for that moment. But of course it never fully lasts.

Because then Inigo inevitably speaks up again, although it sounds surprisingly genuine this time.

"It's kind of nice though. Seeing you without for once." Not like he has never seen it before, but he knows it's a rare occasion to catch Gerome without his mask. Actually being able to see his eyes and the emotions in them - it's a rare enough opportunity that Inigo actually does treasure it.

But what he really means to say... It makes him duck his head (in embarrassment, since this is a bit softer than his usual over the top sentiments) as the towel is still all up in his hair.

".. It's more than kind of nice to see you. In general. With or without your mask."

Maybe it was because he was still confused about where he was and why, or maybe something else, but listening to Inigo... Gerome's lips twitched. It wasn't much of a smile, but it was there if one had bothered to look.

To Gerome he'd only seen Inigo a short time ago. But to Inigo it had been months. Much like their time apart after they travelled to the past and were separated. It seemed that recent events were intent on keeping them apart from each other and the rest of their group. So, he could understand Inigo's sentiments quite clearly. There had been reassurance in seeing familiar faces again, and if he was the first familiar face Inigo had seen in a while, of course he would feel that same reassurance.

Gerome just didn't understand why Inigo had to put it that way.

"You have seen me without before. And with before. But..." He reached out and tugged the towel down from Inigo's face. How strange. He wore a mask to hide his own expression, but it bothered him being unable to see Inigo's. "... It is good to see you, also."

There's some immediate surprise at suddenly having the towel tugged down like that - so immediate that Inigo couldn't bother to hide it even if he'd try. He just ends up staring wide-eyed at Gerome for a moment, his hair a mess, before his brain slowly seems to process the words he's hearing.

It might be the smallest bone ever he's being thrown here, but with the way Inigo grins so widely that he has to duck his head for a moment before looking at Gerome once more, it looks more as if he's just won the jackpot. For all of his fake bravado, there's a wide stretch of insecurities spread out under it that can only momentarily be forgotten by small sentiments like these.

"Does that mean I can get a hug?" He asks, as if he wasn't literally lying on top of Gerome clinging to him in the pouring cold rain and hail a few moments ago..

"No."

Gerome said automatically... and yet his arm moved. He didn't spread his arms wide as others might. But it was a shift in his posture that allowed, should Inigo want it...

Hugs weren't his things at all. He actively avoided them normally. And if he thought for a moment that people were watching them, he would never have made this small gesture. But he'd seen the pain and the sadness in Inigo's eyes, something he was trying so hard to hide. And while he couldn't have imagined it was because of a lost lover, all he could do was assume it was all due to being alone for so very long.

And that smile... there was hope behind it. Maybe he could offer Inigo this one, small thing... So long as Inigo didn't make a habit of it, of course...

Honestly, that word being Gerome's instant response is so unsurprising to Inigo that he doesn't even lose his smile right away. Like his brain isn't even fully processing it as rejection since it's such a natural thing that Gerome wouldn't want to hug.

But that's exactly why it comes as so much more of a surprise when Inigo actually bothers to look and notices that slight shift. It's so small that he's sure people who don't know the other at all would miss it for sure.. but of course Inigo doesn't. That's not a shift of rejection at all. And though there's the tiniest moment of doubt in his heart that he might be misinterpreting it since he hasn't seen the other in a while.. Inigo quickly throws it aside. This is no time for more dumb negative feelings.

So without even giving any verbal reaction, Inigo launches himself at Gerome all over again - though a little less over the top this time, so he doesn't accidentally knock the other off his feet all over again. Instead he just gratefully wraps his arms around Gerome's back, pressing his face against the other's chest. He imagines this is even better than a regular hug would have been, considering there's no armour between the two of them, just two soggy hoodies.

And so Inigo allows himself to indulge in its warmth. Without saying anything dumb to ruin it. He doesn't need to say anything for a moment anyway. There are no words to express just how grateful he is. He just.. wants to quietly appreciate Gerome's presence. His steady posture. His warmth.

He smells and feels like home.

Inigo feels his eyes watering up, but he knows the tears aren't bad this time, even though he still doesn't let them actually spill. He's just so incredibly happy something good still came out of today.

Gerome almost expected Inigo to miss the cue, but to his amusement, he was wrong. And luckily he didn't end up flat on his back this time, though he did stumble back a half step with the force of Inigo's dive at him. Arms wrapped about his back and... Gerome was still for a moment. He'd made the offer but after that fact he wasn't sure what he should do with his own arms. Hug back? How...?

There was hesitation, but his arms slowly moved around Inigo.

He was quiet, just allowing Inigo to take what he needed from him. Cry or laugh, it didn't matter to him. He was, for that moment, content to be a tie to the past where they both belonged.

Dangit. It had already been so difficult to hold back the tears, but there's no way he can keep it up when he actually feels Gerome's arms moving around him too. It feels nice to be held by him.. surprisingly nice, considering this isn't exactly something the two of them have done a whole lot back home. Certainly not since they grew older and their circumstances got so much more complicated, anyway.

But nice all the same. Even though Inigo may suck at opening up and sharing his problems, at least he'll already feel secure just to have Gerome at his back. Especially once the inevitable mission will happen once more.

A tear rolls down his cheek, and with his arms still around Gerome he's unable to wipe it away. Instead he just sniffs.

"Thank you, Gerome."

It does feel like the other is going out of his way to allow him this hug, after all.

Edited 2020-07-06 15:30 (UTC)

No, this was not something that was common between them both. There had been times when Inigo had stolen hugs from him of course. Embracing him against his will. But Gerome could not really remember a time in current memory where he had offered such an embrace...

Affection and personal interactions always felt so awkward to Gerome. Like it was something not for him. He couldn't understand why people would want to be so close to another. People only left, what is the point of caring for them? Why put yourself in a position where you could be hurt if that person will ultimately leave or die? It seemed very silly to him.

And yet here he was, on the steps of a thing his mind couldn't fully comprehend, embracing a man he had known since childhood.

An embrace that felt different from any previously... Inigo wasn't hyper-energetic. He wasn't sobbing dramatically. He... honestly seemed to need this. And when Inigo thanked him, Gerome knew he was right. But he couldn't understand why. Nor could he understand just why his arms tightened around Inigo just that little bit more when he was thanked.

The tear's he could not see nor feel, his shirt front was already wet from the rain, after all. If Inigo needed to shed tears, Gerome would bear them. This once.

Inigo makes sure to indulge in this for a few more quiet moments. He has no idea if this is something he could ask for again in the future, after all.. It must have been a little easier in this scenario with Gerome still so confused by everything going on, but once the other guy finds his footing, he's sure to go back to being all stoic and non-huggy again, right?

That's why he has to make sure to enjoy these arms while they're around them. Especially since they feel like unlike anything else in this place. Inigo has hugged plenty of people here, has even cuddled during a nap.. but none of that had this familiarity. None of them reminded him of a simpler time, when he never had to worry about war or gigantic destructive dragons or fighting. A time where it was fine for him to be nothing more than a baby prince trying to hide behind Gerome and clinging to him. It can't be him anymore now, but this moment makes it feel just a little bit like that again.

It's only when those quiet moments pass and Inigo is absolutely sure that there are no longer any tears rolling down his cheeks that he finally lets go of the other again, pulling himself slowly out of the arms to take a step back.

".. I suppose I should show you around, huh." Can't stand here and hug forever. No matter how nice it is.

On a normal day, at a normal time, Gerome might have pushed Inigo away by now. After a few seconds he would have deemed it long enough and would have ended the embrace. But knowing what he did, and guessing at the rest, he made the choice to allow himself to stay where he was and continue the embrace until Inigo was ready to end it himself. Even if it meant he would feel awkward after a while, if it had meant them standing there for an hour, Gerome would have done it. He'd already made the choice, after all. He'd made the offer. He wasn't so much of a cad that that he would offer something like that to Inigo only to push him away and get angry with him for accepting.

He could, however, get irritated when Inigo finally pulled back, and pretend nothing had happened. No explanations. Nothing.

But could Gerome really be angry with that? How many times had they both done the same thing in the past? If a subject was uncomfortable, skip over it and find another. And clearly this was an easier path for Inigo to take.

"... Yes." Gerome nodded as he bent to push his discarded towel back into his pack and lifted it onto his shoulder. The embrace pushed far to the back of his mind as if it had never happened. "I think that would be wise." Though he would rather be shown the exit. He may as well make the most of a bad situation.

Gerome may be pushing the embrace as far back in his mind as possible, but Inigo is going to keep it at the forefront of his mind. After all, he's pretty sure it's the only thing keeping him together right now. The best thing to stave off the image of Yuki leaving in his mind is that hug - he's going to be living off it for days. Or going to try to do so, anyway.

Which is the reason why Inigo can actually smile - in a way that seems genuine, even! - at the other before turning to walk further into the train. (But actually letting Gerome walk by himself rather than dragging him around by the hand! Isn't he glad.)

"Come on! I will show you your room."

Because he figures Gerome could use a social and cultural buffer like Inigo if any of his roommates are there. Especially if his roommates turn out to be some of the.. let's say odder people on the train.

"Thank you..." Gerome said and moved to fall into step with Inigo... Only to come to a full stop once he turned and actually saw the inside of the... train? Yes, train. The strange contraption he found himself inside of was not like anything he had ever seen before in his life. The surprise was there, plain on his face, before he was able to push it aside with a single shake of his head and then a mental prompt to get his legs working again. He would not be left behind...

"... Somewhere to change would be... appreciated." He spoke then once he realised he was dripping onto the floor. A shiver went through him, not quite realising how cold he'd actually been until then. Maybe Inigo's embrace had been doing something to stave off the cold?

A New Platform [Intro Post July]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

Wrap?