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

[feixuehua]

He flinches. That voice sound familiar and someone who recognized him. It took some time to jogged his memory to realized who is it. It’s his nephew. It has been long. The last time he saw him, he could see. He turns to him.

“Wei Wuxian, is that you...? It is going to be all right, after everything I done?” He has killed innocent people because of Xue Yang, and it’s the fault of his own blindness.

[only_one_wei]

"Oh, Uncle." Where to begin. "For now, yes. This place is...some strange miracle, bringing together both the living and the dead. But, while you are here, you do live."

He took a deep breath, and reached out to take the other's arm. "No one blames you for what you were tricked into doing. The truth came out, and the guilty party has been punished...both when he was alive, and more recently."

"It is going to be all right." Hopefully, eventually.

[feixuehua]

To him, is this the beginning to his tragic end? Still, the calm words from his nephew is reassuring. "Ah...miracle. That's something that rarely happens."

He didn't fight or put up a resistances when his nephew encourages to come forward to board the train. Wei Wuxian will find that his will is fragile that he came along willingly.

In a quiet voice, "Punished...? Who? Xue Yang is here?"

[only_one_wei]

Aware of the other's fragility, he had held the shattered remains of his soul at one point, after all, Wei Wuxian didn't want to hurt him, but he also didn't want him to be surprised by who he would find.

"Yes. Though you will find that his punishment has changed him some. He has learned Regret. Since this place is out of Time, it can be a place of healing, and of growth. He and I speak from time to time. I have done now what I couldn't before, which is to try to be a mentor to him. He's still a little ass, but he's...a slightly better person, now?"

"Even A-Qing will occasionally speak to him, and she, until your arrival, had the most reason to hate him." He winced, not that the other could see it. "She is also here. And thriving! She has many friends and all of Lan Zhan's hoodies...that the strange garment you are wearing, by the way. Like hers, mine, Lan Zhan, and Wen Qing's yours is also blue."

As he spoke, he led Xiao Xingchen onto the train.

[feixuehua]

Wei Wuxian, my hero ;; "He can feel regret. How felt strange. Can he feel regret...? Is he capable of such?" He's not sure what to say in response since Xue Yang is completely responsible for everything that happened in his previous life and causes pain and misery for those involved with him, so he isn't hoping for much. So many things, that are deeply painful for him to even comprehend at once. For now, his nephew's guidance is what he needed for the time being. He couldn't comprehend the idea that A-Qing is on board.

Xingchen takes a big step, minding the gap as he stepped over and boarded the train at last. At the mention of A-Qing, the blind girl who pretended to be blind.

"So we have people from our world here?" Softly, "A-Qing. I have to go find her."

[only_one_wei]

"Aside from A-Qing, Xue Yang, and myself, there is also Lan Wangji, he and I are married by the way, and Wen Qing. Although, arriving this Platform with you, there are yourself, my son Lan Sizhui, my nephew Jin Ling, Nie Mingjue, Nie Huaisang, and Meng Yao. Not everyone is from the same time, however."

He patted Xingchen's arm. "Absolutely. Usually she's in the movie car, but it is Platform day, so she could be anywhere. Let me familiarize you with the place as we look for her?"

"And yes, after what Wester did to him as punishment, apparently he does feel regret. Especially for what he did to you." He paused a moment. "I'm not certain I should bring it up, as he will want to speak to you about it himself, but that is your decision, not his."

[feixuehua]

"You and Lan Wangji married? Congratulations." That's all he can manage to say, considering it must have happened sometime after he died and he felt a measure of regret it. "I'm so happy for you."

He listens carefully to the names of his family members. He might not remember them all, but they have a number of people from their world. He follows after him through the train.

"So he is capable of regret." He said quietly. "I'll speak to him later. For I tire so much. It has been a day. But I'm happy to meet you again, my dear nephew. I'll meet the rest when I get some rest and then maybe I can think about what happened in the past and meditate on it."

He felt a small gurgle in his stomach and he realized he has been hungry for the first time. "Is there anything to eat on the train?"

[only_one_wei]

"Thank you! Although it is a little odd. I am from about a day later than he is, so I remember us getting together, because it happened in that time. But apparently I had been here on the train before, and at that time he and I got officially married, with a ceremony and everything. I don't remember any of that though." He shook his head. "Others have apparently come and gone as well. Some remember their previous time here and others do not."

"Please, uncle, take time to recover your strength. I..." he paused for a moment. "I died. I was brought back through some strange machinations that I won't get into right now, but this body is not my original one. I have a Golden Core again, but it is much much weaker than what I once had, and physically, this body is also far weaker. I am working on it though, and you can as well. Once you are ready. I will not push you, but if you want, I can lead you."

At the gurgle, he grinned. "Absolutely! We have a kitchen car. Would you prefer I take you there first, or to your cabin and just bring you something?"

[feixuehua]

That does indeed sound odd, and Xingchen isn't quite sure if he follows his entire story, but he does get that he doesn't remember anything other than briefly left his old life, only to wake up on the platform with life anew. "I remember my previous life." He said quietly, although, it was a painful one. "Oh no, you died? But then you were brought back...?" Much confusion as he tries to piece his story together, but his mind is fragmented by everything new.

"I don't wish to impose on you, but maybe I need to sit down for a while. Everything is new and all of this makes me dizzy and...you could bring me back something if you don't mind." A sandwich, snacks, crackers, anything the kitchen has.