A new platform [intro post September]

[voidtreckermods]

For those on the train

“Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Bassoon.” The train announces the morning the month changes. It seems the train counts months in days of thirty. Team Points have been updated on the system.

The day continues as most days do, chores, eating, getting ready for another day. But those who suspect that a change of month may bring something else are correct. It is only an hour or two later that there is another announcement.

“Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void imminent.”

By now they should know to hold on as the train jerks and jolts. There is only fog outside the windows but the train soon comes to a stop. The doors hiss open.

As they exit into the fog they may notice Evie exiting from the luggage carriage door. Much like Hibiki the last time they were on a platform. She leaves the train, backpack on her back as she walks through the station. She heads no call, reacts to no words and cannot be stopped as she walks to the ticket barrier and disappears through it.

Strange. But even stranger still is that there on the platform that whole time is Evie. Dressed in purple, backpack on back, with her are others. Waiting for the train.

For new arrivals

At first all they can see if 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 your 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 very large, but it hold twelve figures all facing the tracks, all wearing similar clothing. The tracks stretch left and right into steam, or perhaps fog. Nothing can be seen to either side. There is a wall around the platform and the only entrance is a ticket barrier. It cannot be open, nor do there seem to be any staff.

What there is, is a train. Jet black and gleaming where it stands on the rails.Voidtrecker Express is emblazoned in the engine in gold. There is a hiss as the doors slide open.

Out step a selection of people, some less human than others, wearing clothes just like those worn by those on the platform.

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.

Once on board there is lots to explore. Passengers both old and new will hopefully be delighted to see the boredom of this train journey is somewhat alleviated by the introduction of a game carriage. Plenty of games, both familiar and new to play with your new travelling companions.
Each ICP shows the same message. If Red team go and look they will find a box in the luggage compartment that contains their prize. A dralite themed cake lolly each. There are enough for the new members of Red team too, share in your teams previous success!

The food stores have been topped up with new fresh food. Salmon has taken over as the primary ingredient of choice. Hopefully everyone likes fish!

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. For those who boarded two weeks ago they will know what is coming next.

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."

Hopefully someone warns you that you really want to heed that warning because a moment later there is 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 voidspace.

Comments

[seawanderer]

He lets his cheek rest against his brother's head.

"I didn't throw myself to fire," the edge is there, but muted. "Nor did I let myself drown, though I threw my jewel to the sea. Let Ulmo have it!"

How? Maglor tiredly reaches a hand up to play a bit with his brother's hair. Then answers with words not his own.

"Tears unnumbered ye shall shed; and the Valar will fence Valinor against you, and shut you out, so that not even the echo of your lamentation shall pass over the mountains. On the House of Fëanor the wrath of the Valar lieth from the West unto the uttermost East, and upon all that will follow them it shall be laid also. Their Oath shall drive them, and yet betray them, and ever snatch away the very treasures that they have sworn to pursue. To evil end shall all things turn that they begin well; and by treason of kin unto kin, and the fear of treason, shall this come to pass. The Dispossessed shall they be for ever.

"Ye have spilled the blood of your kindred unrighteously and have stained the land of Aman. For blood ye shall render blood, and beyond Aman ye shall dwell in Death's shadow. For though Eru appointed to you to die not in Eä, and no sickness may assail you, yet slain ye may be, and slain ye shall be: by weapon and by torment and by grief; and your houseless spirits shall come then to Mandos. There long shall ye abide and yearn for your bodies, and find little pity though all whom ye have slain should entreat for you. And those that endure in Middle-earth and come not to Mandos shall grow weary of the world as with a great burden, and shall wane, and become as shadows of regret before the younger race that cometh after. The Valar have spoken."

[castintoflames]

He shivers as if he has been plunged into the deepest cold. Maedhros had sought the fire to counteract the chill or maybe he thought he would end up like Fëanor anyway, his fëa burning through his flesh and bone. Either way, his body had felt like too heavy of a burden and one that he needed to be rid of swiftly.

How foolish.

"They spoke of those; not he. You are not meant to carry the burden alone."

Had he, once again, gone against the Valar's plan? Doesn't his death ensure his brother's misery and loneliness?

Yes.

"Stay with me here. My selfishness is partially undone aboard this contraption. I can stand beside you and we can find a new home."

[seawanderer]

There is just the hint of bitterness in Maglor's voice. "What choice was left me? You, my last brother, left."

Still, he nuzzles his brother's hair, holding on. "There are four of us now. And there are people here who are friends."

[castintoflames]

"It should have been us. Not just you." he repeats, tucking himself against Maglor in a way that must surely make his back sore. But he doesn't care.

"All the more reason to make our new home here or on one of these worlds." his brow furrows, "The Valar do not want us, so let's be done with all of it."

[seawanderer]

"Yes," he agrees, short, sharp, and cool. But Maglor still curls around his brother, with no intention of letting go this time.

"It's a nice dream." It will just take a while for him to believe it.

[castintoflames]

Maglor is warm - even in his anger and pain. Maedhros remembers him always being thus and he, in turn, has always admired that trait. It must surely come from Nerdanel or the best side of Fëanor - or maybe it is something the Music taught him?

"We will make it reality." his hand clings to the fabric covering Maglor's back, "This is a chance I won't ruin."

[seawanderer]

The twins had dragged it out of him again. And people on the train have helped remind him, too.

Maglor's eyes close and he turns his head to his brother's to hide. "...I want to believe."

[castintoflames]

Good and even better. Maedhros wants to remember that lesson again and to hear the laughter of children.

"Then do so." he kisses Maglor's temple, sealing the promise regardless of all of their doubts.

[seawanderer]

He misses them all. Every moment he continues to live.

Maglor sighs, letting himself sag against Maedhros. "...I will try." But it will take a lot of reinforcement from Maedhros, especially, before he can. If ever.

[castintoflames]

"Curufin thinks I should start painting." Maedhros shifts the subject, knowing the idea is approaching ridiculous. His artwork will look...odd. Colorful, surely, but odd.

[seawanderer]

A subject change which he latches onto. "Better than knitting," he returns with a barely straight face.

[castintoflames]

"I would need to use my teeth for that!" and he wrinkles his nose, "Can you imagine a needle jammed into my lip or tongue?"

[seawanderer]

"I could take up painting and show you." Innocent little brother is innocent as he snuggles into his brother's side to remind himself a little of how safe he'd once felt.

[castintoflames]

"How would you show me?" he smiles a little, holding Maglor tighter, "Your art will likely be as beautiful as your song and then I will not see any point in trying."

[seawanderer]

"Mm no, I would paint horribly and show how ridiculous you look with a needle between your teeth and yarn wrapped around you." But it serves to have him smile, just a little, at the very image he happily pulls up and offers to share with a mental nudge of his mind to Maedhros'.

[castintoflames]

Laughing feels strange and Maedhros doesn't immediately understand the sound he makes.

"Like an overly energetic cat!" he shifts the image for Maglor's sake - this time it features a big ginger cat covered in yarn and pawing at the needle.

[seawanderer]

It's a painful sound compared to what the laugh used to be, so very long ago. But Maglor curls up with him anyway before a snicker escapes at the adjusted image.

He adds long hair to the ginger cat and floofs the tail a bit. "Yarn has that effect on them."

[castintoflames]

It feels good and it aches at the same time. He leans back against Maglor, loving that little snicker more than he can say.

"Imagine the shedding!" he grins at the big, silly and very hairy cat, "It will have that effect on me too, apparently."

[seawanderer]

This utter absurdity between them is just another thing he's missed more than he can express. It's been so very long.

"Could make a blanket with the shed fur. A very handsome and warm blanket."

[castintoflames]

"You just want to use me as a blanket." he is warmer than he should be most of the time and his size makes him a very good shield from cold wind, "Shall I shave my head and braid you a blanket from my hair?"

[seawanderer]

"You make a good blanket." Warm and protective. Safe.

Maglor snorts but doesn't pull away. "You look absurd with no hair, Nelyo. And I like your hair."

[castintoflames]

"I will take that as a compliment." he gapes playfully at the next comment, "You are so kind and supportive!"

Not. Maedhros's expression falters as he remembers Morgoth seeing to the erratic cutting of his hair. His scalp is scarred and he would rather Maglor not see it.

[seawanderer]

He nuzzles his brother's shoulder, knowing where his comment would have sent Maedhros. "Because it is one."

[castintoflames]

"My sweet brother." he buries his face against Maglor's hair, nuzzling his ear in revenge, "Let us hope my hair does not fall out!"

[seawanderer]

Such vengeance! He squirms but stays pressed against his brother's side. "I will sing it strong so it stays put!"