voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post October]

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A New Platform [Intro Post October]

On the Train

"Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Horsehoe. Points have been updated on the system and new stock is available."

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. The first thing they may notice is that this platform is inside a basic shelter, making it warmer than the last couple at least.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Adora, Alex Hashimoto, Catra, Cloud Strife, Elizabeth Midford, Feanor, Gerome, Gladiolus Amicitia, Glimmer, Ifrit, Isabella D’Oro, Maru, Nari Reno, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Prompto Argentum, Scorpia, Siobahn Chereshei, SXT-2, Tamamo-no-Mae, Tony Stark, Uta, Zidane Tribal

But on the platform itself there are many new faces. Wearing hoodies in all four colours 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 gloomy, even without the steam and fog. They are in a wooden building, open to the tracks on one side. It in a creaky shelter, cobwebs hang from the rafters and there is a peculiar whistle as wind finds its way through the cracks.

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 gloom 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, with… teddy bear shaped luncheon meat being the main ingredient to be found. There are plenty of other staples.

A new carriage has been added, those that go to investigate will find a room full of lockers, designated as the Armoury. Even for passengers without weapons it is somewhere to secure possessions. There are instructions on how to use the lockers and enough for everyone to claim one.

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 braving the snow 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!

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"Channel my energies to escaping this place, of course. All I need to do is conquer a Netherworld, but that isn't as easy as I'd like it when the train is zooming through the void between worlds ninety-five percent of the time." Seriously, could it just stay put for like ten seconds?

[What must it be like to have.....things...]

What were you going to get? [Maybe it's just her default look, but he gets the feeling she's a bit irritated. Probably about this. Or maybe about the train? She just doesn't look happy, that's for sure.] I don't have a lot but...I think there were people offering to pool points for purchases that would help each team during missions, so it could be worth asking someone for help right?

"Good thing there's no idiots here, since that's just opinion and your personal world has no facts in it," Zetta said, contractually obligated to try to get the last word in. Seriously, it was in his job description, right alongside 'evil'.

"Someone sabotaged the Sacred Tome and I had to bind my soul to it or be destroyed, along with my Netherworld and everything else." The lie-by-omission came so naturally to him nowadays he barely remembered the full story any more.

"It totally is! Money is power where money exists. And while I don't NEED more power, nonetheless, lording it up over the lessers is absolutely part of my general deal." One of the privileges of being a demon.

"...unless you mean the whole queen thing, in which case, stop making Raul Julia's ghost sad. The man deserves better, damn it!"

[straightforward without any rudeness is a breath of fresh air, frankly. most people might've scolded him for it whereas senku just seems like he's being genuine.]

Not strange, [sizhui reassures.] Just different is all!

[tie it... back? he tips his head the opposite direction, regards him again, reaches up to the ribbon holding his own hair. well, this is the only one he has or else he'd offer it (since there's no way he'll even suggest using the band wrapped around his forehead).] You shouldn't have to, either. If this is how you like your hair then keep it just the way it is.

"That's all right, I'm sure whoever pushes their way to power here in an allegedly democratic fashion will be just as easy to tweak." All he had to do was mention the monarchy, after all. Or call out stupid decisions.

"Hold on, you're being polite? You might be my new favorite person!" Chuckling, Edge slid the sword carefully back into his belt. Maybe carrying it around sans sheath was a poor decision, but after months of being unarmed saved for a single shuriken in the face of all sorts of combat, he was damn well going to take what he could get.

Ah, right.

Alice only seems to realise it now. If he was only dragged on the train at the last moment, he probably hasn't had the full explanation about this place yet. One of those flyers - or whatever they use nowadays to explain stuff to new people. Alice doesn't care enough to pay attention to it.

"The train sorts us into teams for some reason. That's what the colours are for. Each team gets a different task on the missions it sends us on."

Does that help you any, Zechs.

Well, that sure is a quick answer as to what's going on with the blindfold. Alice feels oddly relieved, since she would really have to judge him if it was just some dumb fashion choice. But if he's blind - then it makes sense. Not like she's going to blame him for it then.

Her attention is quickly drawn away from that fact though the more the other speaks on. She frowns.

"On this train now?" Well, that isn't good. Especially considering how small this place is.. "Who is it? We shouldn't just let someone like that walk around."

Not necessarily for the sake of the guy in front of her, mind you. Alice is mostly thinking about the many children on the train. What if something would happen to them? It wouldn't even be the first time.

[ Alice keeps frowning.

Though the emotion shifts a little now. The anger wasn't directed at Eight a moment ago, but considering the reaction.. At least there's a bit of confusion mixed in now too, so it's not just straight up anger by itself. ]

What, were you happy to let them do it?

[ Eight doesn't sound like she's agreeing, after all. Which makes that the main implication here. ]

Alice honestly knows it can't replace the real thing. The adrenaline that comes from giving someone who's deserved it what has been coming for them. But it's just like with the mountain - there's nothing to take out their anger on.

So this is the next best thing.

And Alice has her own elaborately decorated knife in her hand a moment after the girl's answer, putting it on the counter so the other girl can use it. It seems safer than a regular knife too - since it came from Alice's mind in the first place, she's pretty sure she can give the knife a quick mental nudge if it looks like the girl may accidentally cut herself.

Not that the girl has to know that, of course. Instead Alice just gestures at it.

"Go ahead. It's all yours." She trusts the girl enough to lend it out to her for a few moments.

It should be fine as long as you're not a noisy sleeper. Or particularly annoying.

[ But there doesn't seem to be much cause to worry about the latter so far. Siebren seems normal enough, she supposes - or at least not annoying.

She steps away from the door and over to her own bunk in case the guy wants to come in. The bunk Alice is sitting on has a particularly worn-looking rabbit plush sitting on it. ]

And I suppose I could answer some questions, if you end up having any along the way.

"I.. uh.."

Inigo bends his head a little. The awkward look on his face is slowly fading into embarrassment instead - his cheeks starting to colour a faint pink, despite the hurt still in his eyes. Out of everything he expected today, it sure wasn't this - someone being so openly friendly to him. Usually Inigo is the one doing this to others! He sure isn't used to having the tables being flipped on him this heavily.

"O.. Of course I won't turn you away if you want to spend time with me." Granted, it's Inigo who needs the company here, but he's so down in the dumps that he doesn't want to bother anyone by forcing them into spending time with him. "So it's up to you. Although I'm not that strong of a person, really-- I wouldn't want you to get the wrong idea, milady."

The moment Inigo is gathered up into the hug, he's quick to reciprocate it. His arms move up to wrap around the other too, hands clinging to the back of Samata's shirt. Inigo bends his head so his face is buried against her shoulder, sobbing into it. (On the regular arm side, okay, he doesn't want to cause her to rust! If that's at all possible!)

Apparently he takes it as an excuse to be able to just be silent for a few moments. To just cry, to just let it out in front of someone else for once instead of always pretending to be okay, even when he's not.

Though he knows he can't do that forever. If Samata is kind enough to try and console him, the least he can do is speak more in return. So even though it sounds hard for him to even talk, he manages to squeeze out: "Why.. Why is there always so much you have to get through?"

Why does life feel like it's just one blow after another all the time?

Yes.

[ Though that doesn't have much to do with being smart. All Hikaru has to do is tell Inigo it's a wargame, and he can already guess what kind of thing you're supposed to do. Inigo has lived through actual war all his life, after all. ]

So some of those cards are planets, and [ Ignoring the sector cards for a moment here, since they seem to him to be about building to get points.. ] others are thinhs you can use to fight?

Don't get him wrong, Inigo loves hugs. He's so fond of them. But even he gets startled when the hug comes out of nowhere - especially since a moment ago he was still busy wondering what exactly he hit in his attempt to stand up.

But despite his confusion, he doesn't resist the hug in the slightest. Instead he just sits there, fairly unmoving, trying to move his head just slightly to see exactly who is hugging him here.

The face he spots is unexpected, but not unpleasantly so.

"Ah, I.."

It takes a while before he's able to speak up after the confusion, but even then it's slowly, stammering.

"I-- I'm fine, really." Yeah, sure, Inigo. Try claiming that after having had a very public breakdown earlier. "Just.. trying to get through the day like usual, that's all."

For a few moments they just stand there like that. Inigo wouldn't even be able to tell for how long they were standing there like that, really - it's like every moment feels like an eternity right now. Like time has somehow stopped, and is yet mercilessly moving on at the same time.

It's like the rest of the world just fades into the background. Like there's only Kitty and him right now. And his tears.

"I'm going to miss him so much.." He finally mumbles between some tears, his voice cracking a bit as he says it. It's hard to talk when the tears are still flowing so heavily, after all.

He lets out a whine, sounding somewhere perfectly midway between a hurt puppy and a petulant child.

"I know you'd rather not have me do it! I won't, okay!"

It's a bit of an outburst, but it's not angry. Inigo usually isn't the type to act on anger either, but it's more just that he doesn't get angry very easily in the first place. No, his brand of upset - like right here - always leans more towards a sad kind of hurt. The kind of hurt that collapses inward and turns on him instead.

"I won't even touch you. I'm just.. just trying to explain what things are like for me. Even if you may think I'm some kind of freak." He's pretty convinced Tidus thinks that way by now, anyway. The last thing he needs is for the whole train to agree.

Whatever words he expected to hear in return, apparently it weren't those words. Since Inigo stops, almost surprised. And then he slips out of Nita's hold just slightly - but just so he can turn around to instead properly hug Nita in return too, rather than just letting her cling to him.

".. It's okay."

Well. Maybe not really okay, but.. it's the natural course of things, at least. Or maybe he should just say:

"It's better that way. The person replacing me will still be me, just not.. me. You know?" It sounds even weirder when he tries to explain it without context, huh. "It will be a better me. I'm just.. just the wrong one."

At least a hug is something. In fact, it's quite a lot to Inigo. He hates just standing there, crying by himself, looking absolutely miserable. Not that looking weak in another's embrace is necessarily great either, but it's a bit better. At least this way he doesn't look like a friendless loser - and at least this way he's getting comfort from someone.

Even though it's not Gerome. Even though it won't be Gerome again for a long time - maybe even never again.

The thought hurts, and he instinctively clings right back to Rapunzel, unable to stop his tears now.

"I don't know why the train keeps doing this," he manages to choke out between sobs.

Really, it's not like he's been sleeping with Gerome every night. But he has been seeking the other out like that whenever he needs comfort. And now he needs comfort, but Gerome isn't there.

And Taiki is offering, and it's so sweet, and he wants to take it. He isn't even hesitating as much as usually to take it, considering he's trying to be a bit more open to relying on others, but.. there's still some natural doubt. Some natural insecurity Inigo just can't help.

He smiles, but it's a bit less over the top. Still forced, but the sadness shines through now as he looks at Taiki, his eyes filled with tears.

"Are you sure..? I.. wouldn't want to end up bothering anyone, you know."

Inigo makes a bit of a face at the 'Medusa' part, obviously having no idea what the other guy is talking about. Probably something unique to his world, Inigo figures.

Besides, there's something much more interesting here. Something he suddenly remembers, his eyes growing wide.

"That's right! One time-- One time one of the windows broke a bit, I think. And all of us fell asleep and had these weird dreams because of it." Look, it's a while ago, so most of the details have been lost on Inigo.. But he at least remembers the outline of it all still.

"But it's so hard."

Inigo isn't sure why he's confessing this. He doesn't even know Zelda - or maybe that's exactly what makes it easier, makes him less worried about ruining a potential bond with someone by saying something stupid. Or maybe Zelda is easy to talk to, or maybe he's so emotionally that he can't quite stop his mouth from running itself.

Whatever it is, it's all flowing out now, along with his tears.

"Even if you really love someone.. It's so hard when they're not next to you. When-- When you can't feel them, or hold their hand, or embrace them.."

When all you can do is worry. About where they are now. If they're okay. If they've moved on from you entirely.

"I'm not.. I'm not strong enough to bear that. Not at all."

"Ah.. yes, I'm.. I'm fine."

He is very obviously not fine, no matter what Inigo is trying to say here. Sure, there's a faint smile that's slowly appearing on his face, but it looks really forced. The look in his eyes doesn't quite match it. There's some uncertainty in there, some sadness.

"I just wasn't paying attention at all. I'm really sorry that I'm already the second person to do that to you.. No one deserves to have a first day like that here." Not.. even weird boneless people...

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A New Platform [Intro Post October]

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I DID IT THO...I DID IT...

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