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

Departure

[tinkerheart]

(How did he miss him on the platform? Feanor thought he heard a familiar voice earlier on the train but dismissed it as impossible. It seems nothing is impossible here. He has evidence right there before his eyes. The sight equally painful and exhilarating.)

Nelyo. (These are the soaring heights of eloquence he's capable of right now. There is so much he wants to say, so much to ask and yet the only thing he's capable of uttering is his son's name.)

[castintoflames]

(His ears are failing him and his descent into madness is worse than ever before. Maedhros lifts his hand, almost as if to cover one of his ears, but he pauses mid-motion. He cannot ignore the call of his father's voice - even if it turns out to be an hallucination.)

...Atar? (Slowly, he turns his head and stares at the other Elf, amazement mixing with awe. There is also fear.) Is it truly you?

[tinkerheart]

(Feanor drops to the seat next to his son.)

Yes. It is me.

(He catches the hand frozen in mid-motion. So many scars... He knows his son was injured badly and not once but to know and to see are two different things.)

Don't fear the lights. They're harmless. The most they can do is make you dizzy.

[castintoflames]

(He feels his heart racing and his hand shaking. Grabbing onto his leg to quiet the tremor, he turns to face his father. Does he know that they failed? Is he angry?)

What of Morgoth? Are we to fight him? (Or, worse yet, simply be near him?)

[tinkerheart]

(He is not angry. Worried, yes, but not angry. How could he...)
He's not here. What purpose our presence here is to serve I do not know yet but I haven't seen or felt any signs of the Enemy.

[castintoflames]

(Relief floods him, warming his veins and giving him strength to speak further.)

Father, we tried -

They didn't accept us... After all we had done...

I should have realized.

[tinkerheart]

(Feanor feels his son relax and it's a joy beyond words. My boy, my beautiful boy, what they had done to you... He reaches across their seats to pull Maedhros into a hug. He knew it was bad but to see with his own eyes it's another level of anguish altogether. This is his beloved son, his eldest and ... but they have healers on the train. He can build him a new hand. Now, finally, after all that time, he can actually do something. Do. Not just watch and despair.)

I know you did.

(He's got his own theory why the jewels rejected their rightful owners but this is not the time to share it. Maybe one day.)

I saw everything. The tapestries are very detailed.

(Why he only got to see those that showed the torment and suffering? He's got a theory on that too.)

We never had any chance. Not against the Valar.

(Plural. That's not only Morgoth they were fighting there. He was, and always be, the Enemy but the others? They all, save for Ulmo sometimes, made themselves clear they are not their friends. If only by their indifference.)

But it's over now.

(Is it really? By any power that would listen to him, make it real. They fought long enough. Let my son rest.)

You are here, I am here.

(It should have ended with me. I never should have made you...)

[castintoflames]

(Shock takes hold of him and he is little better than a corpse at first. He probably feels like one too with so many of his bones easily felt. But Fëanor has a gift with his hands, his voice and his heart. He can call to his sons like no other and Maedhros's tired flame flickers with something like life.)

I'm sorry. I led them to ruin. I thought I was doing best by our family, but they perished. (His eyes burn and his breath catches in his chest, causing him to release a pained sound.) I couldn't save Kano. He was the last and I failed him more than all the others combined.

(Maedhros shakes, but then, amazingly, he collapses, wrapping his arms around his father in return, hugging him as he would have done as an Elfling.)

[tinkerheart]

(Feanor holds on to the flicker with all of his might. As if he could tear his son away from the claws of the darkness that holds him hostage. Nothing he can do now will ever erase what he did to them. How much he had wronged them. It doesn't mean he won't try.)

I have left you with an impossible task. (And yet you tried...until it was too much even for you to bear.) I should have never made you.

(Feanor doesn't even hold back tears when Maedhros sinks into his embrace.)

My boy.

[castintoflames]

(His love for his father hasn't dimmed in the slightest. His brothers might be angry with Fëanor - they might have the presence of mind to be able to step back and examine what happened. Maedhros doesn't. He has adored Fëanor since he was a tiny babe, wanting nothing more than to chase his shadow and mimic his light.

That is why he can't find it within himself at all to blame his father for what happened. But, then again, there are plenty to do that for him, aren't there? Perhaps it is best that he retains his love like a stubborn star that refuses to go out.)

I would have done more and worse for you. (And it's true. This is one of his greatest weaknesses. Fire doesn't thrive well on its own.

He catches sight of the tears and he tenderly nuzzles his father's shoulder, hugging him back.)

I didn't want you to be alone.

[tinkerheart]

Neither I did. Few are the things I regret more that this.

(The madness that had beset him, losing his wife and all his family to it. There were many things he shouldn't have done but did. Many that he should but didn't. He had plenty of time since them to catalogue his regrets. To see his role in the ruin of his house. While he stil won't say the blame can be attributed solely to him, there's one thing he wishes that never happened. The Oath. He should have never had made his sons swear it. Not even once.)

[castintoflames]

(Fëanor's pain is shared whether he would like for it to be or not. Maedhros relinquishes his pride completely and acts like an oversized Elfling, pressing his face against his father's neck. He can feel the life flowing through Fëanor's veins and it brings him joy despite the circumstances.)

You are no longer in its thrall. Welcome home, Atar.

[tinkerheart]

I hope you are right.

(There was a time when he no doubts. A time where he thought his every thought, every word, every action was right and justified. Now, he's not that sure anymore.

Home

That's a word calling to an even an earlier time. A time when they all were truly happy. Memories of it serving as a reminder of what he lost. And yet here, in this most unlikely of places, with three of his sons back, maybe he can have a second chance.)

Welcome home, onya.

[castintoflames]

(It is time to be stubborn and Maedhros sets his jaw. If his father has doubts, he will be free of them - in this one case, at least. He knows the value of having someone to drive the darkness away; he will try to be that presence for Fëanor.)

I am.

(He finds a smile, though he feels more like crying. Home. What a beautiful word.)

I will never leave again. I don't care what treasures Middle Earth offers.

[tinkerheart]

Nor will I.

(They're all stubborn. It's a family trait. Not everytime it's a vice.)

As long as it is in my power to do so.

(And he'll make it absolutely certain that it is.)