A New Platform [Intro Post October]

[voidtreckermods]

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!

Comments

[forleaving]

Sucking in a breath, he nodded. "Are you okay?" Were the people here abused? Tortured? He could think of a slew of terrible things that could happen to people who were kidnapped. Or even people who weren't.

[feixuehua]

Wen Qing. He never met the woman, but the surname makes him wonder if she is related to the Wen Sect and if she comes from his homeworld. "I think it's wonderful to be a doctor and healer. You're helping people and healing them."

He becomes quiet for a while. He's amazed at his knowledge on medicine, that he's really listening and taking his advice. "I see." He said with much wonder at his knowledge. "I apologize. I'm...I'm trying to eat, but there's a lot on my mind. I'll try to eat." If he could find his will to do so. "The train food isn't something I'm used to back home, so it will take a while to get used to it, but the train food is very good."

He follows him in slow steps through the long corridor of the carriage, " I did eat in small amounts in the past. I didn't make much money where I was from. Some day, when I was working in the village, I helped people for free, thinking it's the right thing to do as long I help those less fortunate. So on most days, it's fruits and vegetables, and very little rice and sometimes soup and meat if I'm lucky. There's a home I share with just A-Qing and Xue Yang. We're not starving, but I made little money to make ends meet."

[zechs_isonfire]

"I'll try and remember to avert my gaze," Zechs said, dry but honest. He didn't want something strange affecting his mind. "Next stop, I'll attempt and time the length we're stopped when picking up the new abductees. That will give us our window to work, if we do ever have a method."

Zechs nodded. "I can't say my skills are on par of ... some of your comrades." 01, most notably. "But I'll speak with him. Thank you."

[sunbloom]

[Mentally, she makes another tally mark on the board of "number of people you've told without asking the rest of your team first" and pretends everything is fine. It probably is, but.]

Depending on what it is and how big, I might be able to take care of it. If I can't, I'll find you someone who can. It's important, right?

[forleaving]

"And it's a good thing you weren't found by beavers, instead." He was joking, even if he kept a straight face.

[sunbloom]

If you can't, it's okay! We'll teach you if you don't know how and want to learn. Or you can... probably get away with it if you'd prefer not to. There are several people that don't seem to do their chores, so I'm sure it's fine.

[...he's a little older than she is, is this really okay? Well, then again, there are all kinds. She privately hopes he does know how, though, and just chooses not to. It'd be weird to teach someone older than her.]

[fun_thementalist]

People who wanted to conquer a world. Enter, Gen Asagiri. No matter how ridiculous Zetta seemed, he might have legitimate power to back up his ambition - especially with the whole soul thing. And how did you thwart someone more powerful who wanted to conquer a world?

Why, by becoming their friend and learning all about their plans. He'd need to loop Senku in later.

"I've always wanted to have my own private corner of a planet," Gen mused a little, tapping his chin. "You're an Overlord, once you have your real body back ... you could spare me a little slice helping you, my friend?"

He gave him a crafty, conspiratorial smile.

[forleaving]

Bending. That meant...nothing to him. "Is there really such a thing as 'magic, but better'?"

[forleaving]

He nodded. "He is. We met up on the platform. It was good to see him, but-" but he'd only wish getting kidnapped on his worst enemies. "It's all the more reason to get out of here." He wouldn't include any part of the truth, that the real reason he wanted to get Ronan out of here was because this place, cramped, crammed with people, was no place for a dreamer.

[forleaving]

Adam listened quietly, taking all of that in. He was glad Orange wasn't for the fighters, because he didn't even know how to defend himself. It was better if they were the team filled with smart people; he could handle that. He was smart. It was, maybe, the only thing he had going for him in life.

"So they split us up depending on our talents." That was what it sounded like, at least. "It makes you wonder how they know so much about us." Which didn't sit well with him.

[fun_thementalist]

"I did consider that," Gen hummed. "You know, I was a pretty famous entertainer, once, on my world? I know all about being obsessively recorded and documented, but."

He smiled a little, but this expression was much more wry than before. "I think with just how we got here in the first place? We can probably just say it's some weird kind of magic, instead of fantastic technology."

[ayao]

"We protect those who are not gifted from evil spirits, demons and monsters. Cultivators use spells and talismans to do so."

And of course there is the darker side. Demonic Cultivation. But he won't get into that.

[ayao]

How cute. Meng Yao smiles at the speedy creature and does what he can to help the furry little monster too.

"Precisely. I don't mind helping in the least."

[ayao]

"Is that so?" his brows rise in amusement and he stands, looking for some fish, "How do you like it?"

[ayao]

Thank you, I wouldn't mind one. [He pours the man a cup gracefully.] May I ask your name? I am Meng Yao.

[ayao]

[No, not this blend, but he can make green tea and that has a fair amount. Meng Yao pours him a steaming cup and sets it before one of the chairs at the table.]

May I ask your name? I am Meng Yao and I am newly arrived.

[ayao]

[He gives a nod when he is ready to move. Despite being a small man, he can handle a substantial load of laundry. However things will go quicker if they work together.]

I would say it is complicated. [His heart sings to see the Nies, Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, but his future with them has darkened his joy considerably.]

I hope we are able to work together. [And not kill each other for one reason or another.] These...machines. In the kitchen and the laundry room. I'm not sure how to use them.

[forleaving]

He was about to ask if they were nightmares or some other kind of strange when Inigo added the last part. The idea of involuntarily sharing dreams with other people didn't sit well with him. Maybe he was biased because of Ronan, but he knew how dangerous dreams could be. He also hadn't had many dreams he'd want other people to see.

"Sounds like that was a nightmare." Pun maybe intended. "Was anyone hurt?"

[ayao]

[She is adorable. Meng Yao presses his lips together to hide a grin. The tea is a floral blend with hints of peach. It isn't overly sweet, but the flavors are good.]

Someone as kind as you doesn't deserve having a sword pointed at them.

[No matter her form.]

Old-fashioned, it seems. We do not have any of this...technology. Though I like to think our clothing is far lovelier than this.

[He motions at the hoodie.]

[ayao]

[Little Rabbit is gently strokes when he joins them at the table. Meng Yao wonders where Lan Wangji found such a delightful creature and he feels the tension in his chest relax as he watches the bunny chewing on the herbs.]

I'm...not sure. [He knows a little bit about his future and it's...painful and confusing.] Do you think poorly of me, Hanguang-Jun?

[ayao]

Chores are not exciting, that is true, but I like seeing them done. There is something comforting about having everything clean and neat.

[He keeps himself that way. Always pristine. Meng Shi would want him to be nothing less.]

I am not attempting to trick you. I serve a great Sect in my world and I am accustomed to this sort of work. It will keep me busy while I adjust to life on this train.

[ayao]

With so many conveniences, you must have taken them for granted. I don't think you would like my world very much.

[He blinks in confusion, tilting his head.]

I...don't believe so? I am a fast learner.

[ayao]

[Orcs...? Dwarves? Hobbits? Elves? The races are tucked away in his mind. He will learn of them and discover just why this...Elf...is so damn stunning.]

I know of Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian and Xue Yang. [As well as the Nies.] They are from my world. I suppose that makes us...Chinese? I have never heard that name for our land before.

[Why give your land a name when you think it is the only one that exists on a planet?]

Spark...is a cat that can communicate?

[ayao]

[That's what happens when you're not around to protect your name! Meng Yao is a deeply ill man; a man who becomes a monster. There is no doubt where that is concerned. However, as he is now, the storm is only beginning to brew. There is hope to quell it.]

You sound bored.

[The question feels dangerous! He tuts.]

You shouldn't make it spicy at all. Not everyone can stand that heat.

[adregem]

"Hey now, don't apologize. Someone you care about left. It's only natural to feel this way." Roland is quick to reassure as soon as there is space for him to comfort. The hand that now strokes the back of Inigo's hair a natural transition in his efforts to soothe the hurt that rolls off of the boy in wracking heaves and sobs. There is no sound more heartbreaking than this; another departure Roland is powerless to stop.

And that leap of faith Inigo takes when he actually admits to him how he feels is not lost on Roland. He knows by experience that these are words born and spoken from indelible pain. How it feels like an endless cycle, nothing changing for the better. The darkness that has long settled in the depths of his own heart, jaded and bitter, know this to be true. The unceasing cycle of loving and losing; it really won't end and it can't. It is the same thought that takes over him when his arms were wrapped around a different boy, a world and a half ago; also tired, also wanting for everything to stop.

The tides will always come. No matter what, right?

But, still. We'll keep moving anyway. Won't we, Inigo?

"Then, why don't we do that?" He eventually comes to, pulls back so he can look at Inigo's face, red and puffy from the force of his tears. Calloused fingers once again wiping the marks away from his cheeks, and a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes but is warm and inviting, regardless. "Let's not do anything. Let's come back inside the train and...not think about what to do, first? Rest with me." Roland nods encouragingly. "Nothing might get better...for today. Just today. Only today. And then tomorrow, tomorrow we have another chance. Yeah?"

The hands wiping his tears drift slowly back down to his shoulders. It isn't the answer. He'll never have the answer for the children that life has chosen to wear down at every turn. But he can protect them, when they run to his shelter. He'll be here, when they look for him. It's all Roland can do.