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

[irrationally]

She'd almost advice him to take off that blindfold, since it'd be a lot easier to enjoy the movie that way, but she's hoping that there's an actual reason as to why he's wearing it, that there's something wrong with his eyes. And that it isn't some dumb fashion choice.

(You never know for sure, considering the way some idiots here think..)

"Well, for one, people aren't always what they seem." But she's sure he knows that too. He seems like a grown adult, after all. "But there are those among us who wouldn't hesitate to hurt another person. Who find pleasure in it."

[feixuehua]

There is an actual reason why he wears a blindfold, and it's certainly not a fashion choice. He wears it for the comfort of himself and for others. All she needs to do is ask for the reason and the answer shall be given.

"Sounds like you speak from experience. I know it's hard for me to tell because I can't see people. Not at all. I am completely blind."

With an empathetic nod, quietly, "It happened to me. I know from experience. I had an acquaintance who did that to me in our past life back in our homeworld, and he's on this train now. I'm not sure if he's being truthful to others now or behave for the sake of appearance."

[irrationally]

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.

[feixuehua]

He was quiet for a while, thinking about how to answer. "It's only one man from my world, and only one as far as I know. His name is Xue Yang. He was a criminal back home in our world. I heard he did something bad on the train to the point he was severely punished for it and then he deeply regret it. I wasn't here when the incident happened. I highly doubt I could stop him if I was."

[irrationally]

.. Xue Yang.

That sure is a name Alice recognizes. Exactly because of that incident.

"Yes, he did." Even if he may not be able to see the expression on Alice's face - anger only barely being contained - he will surely be able to her it in her tone. It's been a while since the incident, but she still feels herself get aggravated whenever she thinks about it. "He attacked a child. Only the worst possible scum would do such a thing."

Not that she hasn't seen it before. But it's exactly the fact that she's seen it before that makes Alice very certain of her idea of the kind of people who do such things.

"I'm sure he would have been punished worse for it, if there had been a worse punishing method on this train."

[feixuehua]

He can feel it when he heard her tone in her voice. With much sadness and disappointment in return. "That was terrible. But I'm not surprised. He did a lot worst back home. I do not know his reason or intent when he did that here, but I wasn't able to defend myself against him back home. I can only guess he lost his temper and he couldn't contain himself."

He tightens his hands, feeling a little nervous at the mention of punishment. "It was deserved. He must atone for his crimes. But the punishment isn't worth anything if he doesn't feel any regret, which I think he did, so maybe there's some hope for him and he learns from his mistakes."

Then release, being polite. "My apologies. I'm just a mere stranger and I don't mean to burden you with my story. I know of Xue Yang back home. I was one of his victims."

[irrationally]

Alice can feel herself growing more and more tense by the moment. Thankfully she's learned to recognize the signs of it in this place, and although she still can't always control her own temper, there are moments where she tries. Like right now. Breathing in and out, trying to get rid of the cropped up anger in her chest until she feels calm enough to speak.

"There is no need for you to apologize. You were also a victim."

Which is why she has such a hard time believing that Xue Yang really feels regretful, honestly. If he attacked someone before back home, and then did the same here.. That's not a good track record so far. Who knows when he may attack someone else.

"I merely have a hard time believing that anyone who would harm innocent people, let alone children, could be a good person or capable of regret. If he is claiming to have regret, perhaps he is just trying to fool us all. Do be on your guard around him. If.." .. er. It's only now that her voice falters a bit, realising the condition of the man she's talking to. Considering the blindfold and all.. ".. If you are capable of doing so, that is."

It's not a statement meant to poke fun at him. It's a bit too soft for that. Maybe instead there's the faintest hint of worry.

[feixuehua]

"I had a hard time too. That is good advice and I'll keep that in mind." He said. "I'm capable and I know him. I know of him as an acquaintance. A-Qing and Xue Yang, we used to live together under one roof. It was a strange family." Not to mention, Xue Yang's feelings for him are very complicated and is different than everyone else, and even he himself tries to untangle the maze of their feelings.

Her worry and concern is appreciated. So introductions proper, "Oh, by the way, I am Xingchen. Nice to meet you."

[irrationally]

“.. Alice,” the girl slowly responds, clearly stunned by something. She seems like she’s thinking about something as she looks at him, anyway. “Alice Liddell.”

Her name isn’t so important here though. She quickly moves on with what she really wants to say here, with what she really wants to ask— “You know A-Qing?” More than just knowing, judging by what he is saying.

[feixuehua]

Xingchen cups his hands and makes a bow in her direction. "It's nice to meet you Alice."

With a nod, "I know of her. We met when I was a traveling Daoist priest. I was traveling from city to city, and helping villages for little to no pay. She tried to steal my money, but I knew she needed it more than me. So I told her she could keep it. She wanted to keep me company perhaps she wanted to repay back, so I allowed her tagged along. Eventually, we become a family, and I think I foster her like a daughter since I'm single and childless. We're like that for three years, I think."

[irrationally]

That does sound like A-Qing, she thinks. The edge of a near-brattiness, but with good intentions underneath it. Wanting to make up for something she did right away when she realised she was actually doing it to a good person.

But to hear that they were close enough to be like family.. that makes something shift about Alice, a hard edge to her words fading slightly.

"Ah.. She must have been rather glad to meet you again in this place then." A-Qing is still rather young, after all. Young enough to need family around, if not just for the emotional comfort. "I've recently been trying to look out for her here."

[feixuehua]

"I think with her being an orphan, I was her father figure during those rough years. I had given her money to buy food and clothes without any expectation and payment in return. I was thinking maybe someday when she grows older, she'll grow up, get married, and moved on, and we'll part ways."

He sighed, "From what I last remembered," and it's not too pleasant. "I left her too soon back in our world. So, I could imagine she is happy to see me again despite everything that had happened." Then with much heavy guilt and regret, looking downcast with his shame. "I should regard her feelings more while I have a second chance. So I'm glad she has friends who looks out for her and care for her here."

[irrationally]

It's a good thing that his casual use of the f-r-i-e-n-d-s word that Alice had been so careful to try and avoid is hard to mention with the rest of what he says. No embarrassment for Alice today. (Yet, anyway.)

Because instead her brain is stuck on what comes before it. Left her too soon, huh...

".. right. You should make sure to make up for lost time with her."

As someone who lost her parents, Alice can understand how much A-Qing may want to spend time with him - even if he was her father figure rather than biological father. But he sounds like he was important to her all the same.

"Don't let me catch you slacking off!" .. It's almost as if she's scolding him, huh. Though very lightly.