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

[wyvernmaster]

"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...

[flatteries]

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.

[wyvernmaster]

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.

[flatteries]

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.

[wyvernmaster]

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.

[flatteries]

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.

[wyvernmaster]

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.

[flatteries]

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.

[wyvernmaster]

"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?

[flatteries]

"Oh, that shouldn't be a problem! To warm up you should take--"

Inigo cuts himself off. It's only now that he realises how a concept that's become so relatively normal to him now would still be entirely foreign to Gerome. How is he even going to explain the concept of a shower to the other? It's not as if he can get in there with him and demonstrate it! What if he saw Gerome n--

Nope! Nope, not going to think of that right now! Not necessary at this very moment, thank you very much!

"Well, they don't have baths here, but they have.. something similar?" Is that the easiest way to start that explanation. He has no idea. "It ought to warm you up, and then you could get fully dry afterwards." He'd say having a moment to himself would be calming too, but.. he can't quite imagine Gerome's first shower experience to be entirely calming.

[wyvernmaster]

He had... no clue what Inigo was talking about. It both confused and scared him what this 'something similar' was... Gerome typically wasn't a man with the most vivid of imaginations. He had no fantasy life. Not that he remembered his dreams, but it was easy to believe that they were perfectly orderly as well.

In the end, all he could do was stand where he was, dripping, and stare Inigo down.

"... What are you talking about?" And why were there no baths? What kind of heathens lived here that there were no baths? Did people walk around smelling like barnyard animals?

[flatteries]

"Alright." He stops getting ready to move, instead turning to Gerome fully with the stance of someone who's getting ready to explain something really wild. He'll just have to trust that Gerome will know Inigo isn't trying to prank him here. Because he's not! He's being good! There's still way too much relief at the fact the other showed up to begin with to get him to even think of going for a prank or fully making fun of the other.

"So rather than having the kind of baths we know, they have this.." His voice trails off. Listen, it's hard to explain, okay! He's gotten used to them, but he's never had to put it into words. "You go into this small space, and you press a button, and then water falls onto you from above. Not all at once like throwing a bucket over yourself! But more gently. Like.. rain, I suppose? But you control the speed and temperature of the water, so it's actually quite pleasant, especially when it can warm you up."

[wyvernmaster]

... Excuse me? Gerome just looked at Inigo in nothing short of shock. You press a button and rain from above falls on you that you could make hot or cold? Is that really what Inigo was asking him to believe?

"... Did you lose your mind while you were here?" He had to ask. It was a serious question. Gerome was genuinely worried that Inigo had lost his faculties over the last few months. Perhaps being on this strange contraption drove one crazy?

[flatteries]

A whiny sound escapes Inigo. He can't exactly get mad at Gerome for questioning him, since he's well aware of what it sounds like to someone freshly arrived straight out of their world, but at the same time it's so frustrating to not be believed!

"Do I look like I have lost my mind?" There's only the slightest second of a pause before he's already quickly shaking his hands and adding: "Wait-- No! Don't answer that!"

He doesn't want to hear it!

"If I were going to try and pull your leg over something, I would never use something so contrived! Just know that you will soon experience it and then feel incredibly sorry that you ever doubted your good-hearted friend!"

[wyvernmaster]

Gerome... actually smiled. Nothing big or flashy, but he even gave a little huff that sounded almost like a small laugh as he gave a shake of his head. Yes, the world was suddenly much crazier than it had been earlier, but Inigo saying something ridiculous and then backtracking so fast he tripped over his own feet was so... refreshingly familiar it made him feel somehow better.

So, in a rare moment of 'being nice', Gerome skipped over what he had been going to say about the state of Inigo's mind and went to the next part.

"... Inigo... That will never happen." He assured him. Though the longer he stood there the more he knew he would have to suck up his pride and use this rain thing in order to put a little warmth back into his body and change into better, drier clothes.

[flatteries]

Thank you for at least having some mercy on poor Inigo here, Gerome.. He's already putting his own foot into his mouth well enough, no need to further shove it down there! If anything, Gerome skipping an opportunity to call him an idiot or anything of the sort for rambling on actually makes Inigo stop and stare for a moment. Is Gerome alright? He didn't hit his head too hard on the platform when Inigo tackled him like an oversized dog, right?!

Thankfully Inigo manages to shove the surprise down after a moment. There's more important matters here! Like getting Gerome into a shower before he catches a cold!

So Inigo reaches out, grabbing a hold of Gerome's hand and - at least more gently than super forcefully - starting to drag him along.

"Come on, you will be able to see it with your own eyes soon enough! Once you've felt how nice and warm it is, you'll never want to go back to dipping in a river!"

Wrap?

[wyvernmaster]

"I liked dipping in the river..." He argued with a huff, which was something of a lie, but he didn't want Inigo to be right on something so yes, he was going to argue. Especially since his hand was taken and, in a familiar move, he was dragged away by the other. There was nothing he could really do about it and he did want to be dry, so he had no choice but to allow Inigo to drag him to this thing that would warm him up.

He hoped Inigo was correct.