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

[brightjade]

The quip actually has him smile, even as he shakes his head a little again. Where indeed?

He should let go of Huaisang's arms. He should push the other man the way he'd spied those others walking before they'd vanished.

"You never listen when you should.

"I cannot go back, Huaisang. I would if I could."

[eternalgrief]

Huaisang would just throw himself at Mingjue and hold on for dear life. He wouldn't care how improper it was.

"I learned my stubbornness somewhere," Huaisang retorts.

"Da ge... I can't stand a world without you where all I have left is getting revenge."

[brightjade]

Over and over and over again. Mingjue knows this, otherwise he'd toss his stubborn fool of a brother off that way and hope it's enough!

The retort has him snort before releasing Huaisang's arms to finally dry those damp cheeks. Easier to focus on cleaning his brother's face than those painful words.

"You saw how my temper was growing shorter," he murmurs. "How erratic I was becoming. You saw where I expected to go, and why. That is our family's fate, our tradition. You must be strong for our people."

[eternalgrief]

Huaisang lets the other wipe at the tears, looking up at him and a part of him wants to throw his arms around him again but they don't do that much anymore. They haven't for a very long time.

He shakes his head, reaching up to rest a hand on his shoulder before dropping it away. "What happened to you was not our family's fate," Huaisang says stiffly. "Our traditions need change. I don't think I can do that without you..."

And he just can't lose Mingjue again.

"You know you were always more important to me. That will never change. Stop trying to change me even now."

[brightjade]

Once he's satisfied, Mingjue pulls away. He also doesn't give in to the old desire to pull his brother close for a tight embrace. Ignores the look in Huaisang's eyes that tells him the other feels the same urge.

He frowns at the stiff words. "You can. You are my brother." His brother's strengths just aren't the same as his own, as painful as that is to admit and even harder to accept.

The plea has his eyes close briefly, lips pressing firm together. "Just as I cannot change how I am, Huaisang. The tradition you spit on is one I hold to and honor."

[eternalgrief]

It's hard to let go of Mingjue and to not just hold him again whether he likes it or not. He eventually looks away from him because it's the only way he's going to be able to resist.

"I don't spit on it. I just recognize that there's a better path, that we can do better. Change isn't always a bad thing, Da ge."

Huaisang sighs and he looks down. "Do you think I'm a disgrace for wanting to find a better way?"