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

[eternalgrief]

You.

[ Huaisang's hands clench and it's a good thing he didn't already have tea in his hand. The anger is enough to keep him from crying in front of Meng Yao for the moment. ]

[ayao]

[Jerking as if he has been shot, he staggers back into the table, grabbing hold of it just to keep himself upright. His breathing is shallow and uneven.]

You... Someone has lied to you, Huaisang. I would never.

[eternalgrief]

The only person who lied to me is you.

[ Huaisang feels the grip loosening on his emotions and his nails dig harshly into his palms. ]

You're a liar... manipulative, ungrateful, and unforgivable. You... tricked me and Zonghui died because of you too. Da ge almost killed me but I think you meant for us all to die but you still made sure da ge died, you drove him insane first and I will make sure you pay.

[ayao]

[The words don't make any sense to him and, in a panic, he rushes forward, falling to his knees at Huaisang's feet. Desperate tears well in his eyes and he clutches onto the fabric of the other's clothes.]

I never lied! You...and Nie Mingjue...mean everything to me! Where would I be without you? Why would I hurt either one of you? That doesn't make sense! Someone has tricked you - !

I'll... I'll find out who! Just...please don't believe them.

[eternalgrief]

No one told me. I know it was you. I don't care if you can't remember it. I don't understand what we did to you to deserve it.

[ And Meng Yao can't really give him the answers he desperately wants. He feels the tears burning his eyes and he looks anywhere but at Meng Yao, staring at the wall of the carriage, his hands still clenching, nails digging too hard into his palms. ]

Stop... stop trying to tell me it wasn't you.

[ayao]

You've done nothing! You've been so good to me...

[He clutches at and embraces Huaisang's legs, throwing his pride and shame to the wind. Doing so is dangerous. Meng Yao won't forget being brought this low, yet something inside of him stirs at the tears in Huaisang's eyes.]

I don't understand why I would. I would rather kill myself than harm him...or you...

[eternalgrief]

[ Clearly not. It frustrates him dealing with a Meng Yao that acts so innocently. He doesn't know whether to truly believe him or not after all deception is a gift for the other. He grimaces when the other embraces his legs and he had never raised a hand to anyone but he feels the urge to hit Meng Yao. Instead, he only tightens his firsts more, he can feel the skin breaking but at least that pain keeps his mind clear. He wills himself not to cry but it's really no use.

He loved Meng Yao as much as he hated him, as much as he wanted him to pay and as much as he would trade his life for his brother's in a second. ]

Stop. Do you think I would lie to you? Do you think if I didn't know without a doubt that I would accuse you?

[ He tries to use his leg to shove the other off. ]

[ayao]

[What can he say? Huaisang has trapped him between a rock and a hard place. If he disagrees, he dishonors the other man. But if he agrees, he admits to his future guilt. Both are bad and he stiffens, coiling in on himself as he considers his next move.

Life has become a game for him - but not one he plays for pleasure. Not yet, at least. Huaisang will find that he is difficult to brush off; he is stronger than he looks.]

I love you, Huaisang. I love Nie Mingjue. I don't...understand.

[He lets his head droop and when that leg moves, he is knocked to the side.]

You have become my family.

[eternalgrief]

[ Huaisang's eyes close and the tears fall and the moment the other is knocked aside he steps away, keeping his eyes closed because he can't see the other. The word family aches because it's true. ]

I don't understand how that stopped being enough for you.

[ Through his anger Huaisang had evaluated all his own actions trying to find what he had done to deserve this but he couldn't find anything that measured up. Not with how deep the betrayal had gone. ]

Da ge loved you. I loved you.

[ayao]

[The past tense is so...final. Meng Yao straightens himself, absently brushing any specks of dirt off of his clothes. He shakes his head and rises, realizing Huaisang is refusing to look at him.

He approaches the other man and wipes at the tears on his cheeks with his thumbs.]

There has been a mistake. A grave mistake. I will uncover it and -

I want to bring you peace.

[eternalgrief]

[ The past tense is a lie or this wouldn't hurt so much. It wouldn't hurt so much to push Meng Yao away if he didn't love him anymore. His eyes fly open when he feels the other touching him. He doesn't jerk back immediately but he reaches up to grasp at the other's wrists tightly, careless of broken skin on his hands. ]

There is no more peace for me or for you. [ He pulls the other's hands down before letting them go. ]

[ayao]

[He opens and closes his mouth several times, at a loss. It takes him a moment to notice something wet on his hands and when he sees the blood, he is back in motion. Grabbing a towel, he dabs at Huaisang's hands gently.]

I won't believe that. You have not lost me.

[eternalgrief]

Stop!

[ Huaisang's voice cracks and he shakes his head as the other's attending to his hands. It was so much easier before the anger started turning into sorrow. ]

I have. I can't unknow the things I know. It doesn't matter if I wish they weren't true.

[ayao]

[He flinches at the order, his head remaining bowed over his task. Huaisang's hands might need temporary bandaging. He looks around the room and sees a med kit on the wall.]

Th-Then understand... As I am now, I would not hurt you willingly.

[eternalgrief]

[ At this moment Huaisang doesn't care about his hands, the sting keeps his mind clear and he hadn't meant to do it but now that he did he's fine with it. ]

I don't know that I can trust that. I don't know... if you were ever true... I don't know what I did...

[ He hates that his voice keeps breaking, that he can't summon the anger that brings steel to his voice. It has not been so long that he had lost three of the people he loved the most. Mingjue, Zonghui, Meng Yao. ]

I don't know.

[ His not knowing isn't a ruse. These are the questions he can't answer, no matter how much he tries. ]

[ayao]

Your hands... [He breathes - partially in order to give Huaisang a distraction from his grief. Meng Yao gathers the med kit and opens it at the table, finding ointment and bandages.]

I won't hurt you, Huaisang. You can't believe me - I've hurt you too badly - but I will prove it to you day by day.

[With the ointment in one hand and the bandages in another, he walks up to Huaisang.]

I need to understand why I lose my way so badly. But I can promise you, those actions won't be repeated here. Never.

[eternalgrief]

[ There's an exhaustion that weighs heavily on Huaisang at the other's words, he knows there is no way that Meng Yao could prove it to him and it breaks his heart all over again and steels his face refusing to let Meng Yao see it, though the other knows him well, would be able to see the torment in his eyes.

He'll let the other tend to the wounds, though as minor as they are. ]

Don't make promises you can't keep.

[ayao]

I can keep this one. [He seals it by, briefly, pressing their foreheads together. Feather-light.] Nie Huaisang and Nie Mingjue have nothing to fear from me. You have my heart and if I were to move against you, my heart would break.

[He finishes tending to the wounds and moves away, putting the unused supplies back into the med kit.]

[eternalgrief]

There’s quite a bit of self control exerted when the others forehead pressed to his own to not flinch away or to push Meng Yao away. He doesn’t trust it, that the other could really keep his word. But it’s exhausting to argue and he feels to emotionally raw to keep at it. So he remains silent as the other tends to the wounds.

When he’s done he moves to get himself some tea, his stomach twisting.

“I’ll never trust you again,” Huaisang finally speaks.

He’ll never really trust anyone again aside from his brother.