voidtreckerexpress | 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

Taiki nodded, "He... Well if you are his friend you know how he is. He doesn't talk about things."

Taiki is pretty sure that if he hadn't literally walked in on him crying Inigo wouldn't have mentioned Yuki rejecting him at all. Just pretended everything was fine.

"... Not anymore. No." Once upon a time he used to. He could remember days when Inigo would come crying to him about one thing or another. Anything from a scraped knee to finding a baby bird fallen from a nest... or a bad dream. As they had gotten older, Inigo has stopped crying and used a smile to hide his hurts. But Gerome had used a mask for the same thing, so could he really judge?

... Yes. Yes he could. Did it make him a hypocrite? Of course. But people like Inigo would wither away keeping all their hurts inside.

"He was more open as a child. Growing up changed that." Gerome said, giving voice to his thoughts after he realised sitting in silence was probably not the best idea to further a conversation. And he did want to converse with this male. Maybe he could find out what was bothering him so much... Was it this Yuki thing? Was that the sadness and pain he had seen behind Inigo's eyes earlier?

"Ah. I understand." It was much easier to be open as a child. Growing up changed many things. He nodded silently though he didn't speak again. He hopes that now he knew that Inigo was upset this friend from home might get through to him, better than Taiki had.

He had tried but he's not sure he actually helped.

Gerome also fell quiet, lost to his own thoughts. They chased each other around. Should he confront Inigo or let it go? If he waited, would Inigo ever tell him these things? He sincerely doubted that somehow.

Mentally he sighed. He would have to say something though, as much as he disliked the idea. Now that he knew, he could not let something like this go...

He was silent for a few more moments and then reached out to touch Gerome's arm. "I am sure if you ask, he will speak with you."

He might not open up completely, but now Gerome knew the truth he would know how best to ask him about things.

After all, he would know Inigo better than anyone here if they were friends from home.

He tensed slightly at the touch, but as there was no threat to it, he soon relaxed again and gave a brief nod.

He nodded... but did he believe the words? Not in a million life times. Inigo was a master of hiding his feelings. Most of the time they were ridiculous things he had blown up in his mind to seem bigger than they were. But the more he kept those things inside the bigger they became and the more obvious it was he was keeping things hidden.

"... I... I will try." Gerome finally sighed. It was all he could do. He felt the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders, being trusted to do this thing. Emotions and feelings were not something he was the best at dealing with... So he supposed if he messed this all up he could blame this small man for making him do it in the first place.

Taiki nodded, "All you can do is try."

And the more people who tried the more chances they had of getting through to Inigo. Of helping him.

Gerome just didn't know what he could do to help. Inigo was so good at just laughing things off that it was often times hard to realise that there was something wrong until it was too late. If it hadn't been for the others actions earlier, he may never have even realised. It hadn't been the way he'd been tackled in the rain. It had been the hug later. They didn't hug. That wasn't something Gerome was used to doing with... anyone. Least of all with Inigo. But knowing what he knew now, he could understand why...

He felt a sudden wave of anger toward the person who had hurt Inigo. It was a good thing they had left when he had appeared. If he had remained, Gerome may have been forced to do something... uncivilised.

Gerome lifted a hand and covered his mouth for a moment, brows furrowing as he frowned down at the plant in front of him, trying to think past that anger.

"... How...?" He asked then. "... Do I approach him... Without him running away behind his smile?"

"I... Sorry I don't know." He didn't know how to get through to him, how to stop him running around.

"I guess... I think he fears that people will judge him, push him away... Make it clear you won't. But you might have already..."

He doesn't know him, doesn't know what their friendship is like. Doesn't know what Gerome had already tried.

Judge him? But that's exactly what he did do, didn't he? Though perhaps not in the way that Taiki was imagining. Or in a way that he thought would actually hurt Inigo. But he could at the least listen to his problems. If Inigo was willing to share them with him.

"I see... Then I will do my best." Gerome pushed himself up to his feet and tried to remember where he had last seen Inigo. Though suspected if he stayed in one place long enough, Inigo would soon find him. "Thank you for the information, Taiki."

"You are welcome... If I can help more...." He wants to help more, he just doesn't know how to. But he can only hope that this friend of Inigo's will be able to and he will help as much as he can.

"Please let me know."

"I will be sure to let you know." Gerome looked down at the smaller man for a moment, before giving a respectful bow in his direction.

"I appreciate your help. I will take my leave now." Polite. This was a friend of Inigo's after all. And had, so far, been perfectly nice toward him. Gerome thought he could deal with a person like that quite easily.

However he forgot to wait for a reply when he turned to leave the green house area, and he hoped in the direction of his room.

He nodded himself, a farewell with a small nervous smile.

He watched as the man went out of sight. He could only wish him luck and be glad that there was another to watch out for Inigo here.

A New Platform [Intro Post July]

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