voidtreckerexpress | A new platform [intro post September]

A new platform [intro post September]

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.

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Can a heart swell and sink at the same time? Maedhros has most wanted to hear that voice, but he knows the pain it will bring. Then again, what is pain to them? They have endured the worst of it and survived. Surely this can be overcome?

He turns towards Maglor once the other sits and he tries to peer into his brother's eyes, searching for the emotions there.

"Kano..." his hand is gentle as his fingers touch Maglor's cheek, "You look good."

Healthier. Stronger. He isn't sure what that means.

He lets his brother look, staring right back. He even lets some of his anger show.

...But there is also the usual fierce, desperate love he has carried for his family since his birth. And add in the desperate loneliness that is only just beginning to lessen.

Maglor doesn't move away from the touch, but he also doesn't let himself lean into. "There are some good people here."

His eyes flick away and he shrugs a little. "Father is here. He took over the kitchen a few days ago and was experimenting." Mostly with his favorite foods.

The anger is expected and though he wishes to look away from it, Maedhros forces himself to meet his brother's gaze. There might be some sense of justice in how emaciated he has become, but they have been that way for years beyond counting.

"They have treated me as one of them." he can't hide his surprise - or his fear - at the mention of Fëanor, "Is he..." angry? Not at Kano. His poor brother had not been left in charge.

Suddenly breathing is difficult.

Expected and justified, really. The rest of their immediate family had died in battle, or by accident.

Maedhros had thrown himself to his own death.

Maglor's smile is wry. "Because we are all in this together. Even the spider I share my sleeping compartment with." The smile fades and he shakes his head, gaze finally gentling. "...Father has been making sure I eat, along with some others. He's much like he was before Formenos...And he knows what he caused to happen to us."

"The...spider?" his thumb brushes over Maglor's cheek; he is unwilling to stop touching him. He is alive - they are alive - and that...

Doesn't excuse what he did. Nothing will erase that mistake, he knows, but he loves his family and this brother in particular.

Even if he is a fool in Maglor's eyes.

"I must face him." his jaw tightens, "It began with him and continued with me."

"Not of Ungoliant's get," he says with certainty. Eventually he relents enough to lean against Maedhros. He's too tired to shove his family away. Even, especially, Maedhros. Maedhros, who left him alone.

Maedhros, who is one of the biggest fools he knows. But he can't help but love him fiercely, even now. And he's not willing to let him go, no matter what had happened.

"He'll find you, or you can look for him. No one is all that hard to find here, if they are on board."

"That is a relief." he bows his head, leaning close to rest his forehead against his brother's temple, "Do you hate me? I would not blame you if you do."

As much as he wants to look for Fëanor, it will wait. His good arm is encircling Maglor's waist and pulling him into an embrace.

"Later."

He doesn't resist the tug, simply shifts to curl into his brother's embrace. Maybe he's not ready to return it just yet, but even he knows he will eventually latch on and cling.

"...No, Nelyo...I am angry, and feel hurt, and betrayed...but I cannot hate you."

Maglor tucks his head under Maedhros' chin much as he used to when they were younger. "And you are here now."

That won't stop him. Maedhros encloses Maglor in his arms, forgoing his discomfort and using his hand-less arm for the task too.

"I cannot explain that moment; I wish I could." his eyes burn, blurring, "I did not think of you. If I had done so, I would have turned back." because his love for his kin is too strong for him to do otherwise.

Of course it doesn't!

He listens, forcing himself to hold back the biting words that want to break free. Or, rather, making a valiant attempt to.

"I stayed. Perhaps Father will tell you what he saw when he first saw me here."

He can imagine what Fëanor saw: a Maglor that was skin and bones, hollowed out by grief and not eating. Maedhros grimaces against his brother's shoulder, suppressing a shudder.

"What can I do?"

How can he explain that he has had nothing to give for a very long time?

That, and Fading. Only there because he'd felt he deserved the punishment of not dying.

Maglor shrugs carelessly. "That is up to you. You will have to find your own answer."

...But...

"...Not leaving me again might be a good start."

They had both been Fading long before they had acknowledged that fact. Maedhros is less bright than he should be, but that is nothing new. His flame flickers further at Maglor's words and he holds him tighter.

"If that is the best I can do, I shall do it."

The fierce hold has him sigh before giving in and snuggling close to his big brother, tucking his head firmly under Maedhros' chin. He finally reaches to latch on and cling, giving in to the desperate need to hold on tight and not let go.

He'd made that mistake before, and lost...Everything.

"Who have you met so far?" His tone is much less confrontational, just a bit shyly hoping that maybe he won't get left behind again. At least not for a while.

He tips his head back to make room for Maglor, resting his cheek on the top of his head once he is settled. The hands gripping onto him are blessings and he does everything in his power to silently communicate his approval. It is very good to be needed - even if he feels like he falls pitifully short of fulfilling those needs.

"Lightning, Luke, Eva, father, Conan, Sarai, Tony, our brother, another boy, Madoka and Evie." he is understandably rattled by meeting so many new people.

Making room for brothers is something they're both familiar with, and is enough of a good memory that he even finds a small smile appear.

"Sarai and Tony I know. Tony is...he understands. At least some of the darkness. And he doesn't care, so long as those on the train aren't harmed."

They are a pack and packs are never whole unless they are together. Maedhros feels something in him settle and he kisses the top of Maglor's head.

"Sarai promised to...see that I am fed." he is a bit embarrassed about that, but they both know he has a hard time saying no to adorable souls, "Tony does understand as well as any Man could."

Which is precisely why they'd often ended up covered in brothers while sleeping in their much younger days! Maglor relaxes slightly, slowly.

"There is much of that going around," he informs his brother. "Tony is resourceful. And very interested in creating things that will help others."

He had pretended that had been a nuisance, but he misses it dearly now. There is nothing sweeter than having feet in one's face.

"Is there?" his lips quirk, "I saw him working on a glove." his amusement fades suddenly, "I hope he isn't planning on doing anything for me..."

They both do. He hums quietly, then ducks his head, a bit shyly.

"...I've told him what happened to my hand. He's been working on a way to help."

"Your music..." he knows how it must hurt to play the harp or any other instrument. Maedhros lightly touches Maglor's throat, murmuring:

"Your voice hasn't been taken from you."

"I still play," because of course he does, pain or not. He doesn't shy from the touch to his throat, Maedhros wouldn't strangle him.

"No." It's recovered in the last two weeks from very little use, so there's that.

"Through the agony?" he sighs and rests their heads together, thinking hard about solutions. Eru help him,he would settle for comfort.

"These worlds we visit, however briefly, might have a cure. We should keep our sights set on herbs and their various properties."

"Of course," the confused little frown should say it all. Why would he let a bit of pain stop him from playing?

"We will." Silly Nelyo. Maglor leans against his brother. He just doubts they deserve to find a cure.

"Rest your hands between songs, please." he values his brother over his music, okay?

"Are you injured anywhere else?" Maedhros looks over what he can see of Maglor, frowning, "Don't hide anything."

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