voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post October]

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A New Platform [Intro Post October]

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[WangJi had, as he always did, disembarked the train on platform day. He wanted the chance to stretch his legs and to see the new arrivals - both to see if there were any from his world, but also to see how many were on the blue team since he had watched the former leader of the team disembark, leaving him and Piccolo in charge.

He had been planning on wearing his hoodie since then he would have been recognizable to new arrivals on the blue team, but he had been unable to find it. A-Qing might have borrowed it. So he was wearing his sect robes.

But as he looked out over the sea of faces, he spotted one that he would always recognize. He hesitated for just one moment and then he broke propriety and ran over Sizhui, hugging him]

[let's be real, recognizing lan wangji isn't all that difficult; he's a man with a certain air and poise about him, one that's completely unmistakable, even if he's not the one sizhui knows from his own world.

still, whenever a ‘stranger’ approaches him, he politely inclines his head in greeting, lets his gaze scan over the robes then his brow knits with contemplation. sizhui's readying a comment about how ‘your outfit looks similar to my clan's!’ when arms are suddenly around him, holding in a warm, steady embrace and that's what really seals the deal here. maybe he'll sound silly or make a fool out of himself by doing so, he lets the backpack swing aside, drops it near their feet in favor of circling both arms around the man's middle.

then, after finding his voice again, he dares to softly ask:] Hanguang-jun...?

[The robe definitely did look like his clans, complete with forehead ribbon and embroidered blue clouds. Probably hard to see right now since WangJi had suddenly run up and hugged him.

As Sizhui hugged him back, he hugged just a little bit tighter, so happy to see his son]

Mn.

[After a long moment, he did loosen his grip so that he could step back enough to look at him]

You're here.

[difficult as it is to see the aforementioned robes, sizhui doesn't seem to care at this point; his dad is here, that's all that really matters. here and hugging him even tighter than before.

he clutches onto his robes, clinging to him, exhaling a soft, stuttering sigh after the ‘mmn’ he gets in response. yup, this is definitely lan wangji, even if not his.

with blatant reluctance, his own grip loosens and he puts the slightest bit of space between them, giving the man another more intent once-over. whether he's from his world or not, it doesn't make a whole lot of difference.] I am, [he confirms, sparing the briefest glance around them before turning back.]

Although I'm not entirely sure where here is.

[Now that they seemed were talking about where they were now, WangJi let his arms drop from the hug. It was just his way, not being overly affectionate, but he didn't move back much]

This is the platform for the Voidtrecker Express. It is the train.

[He gestured towards the train currently behind them]

[sizhui withdraws further as well, lowers an arm, the opposite one lingering momentarily near his father's sleeve before – albeit with blatant reluctance – falling to his side.] The Voidtrecker Express? [what a name...

a brief glance toward the train then back again.] What is it for?

[He's here. There is plenty of time for being around each other]

The nearest we can tell, we have been brought here to complete missions that the train picks. It travels through the void to get to those locations.

[Hence the name]

[ain't that the truth! which is why he's not too worried about letting go for the moment, though he isn't planning on straying too far away, either.]

Sorry if it sounds rude, Hanguang-jun, but the void doesn't sound all that reassuring.

[That wasn't a rude statement at all. Especially since WangJi answered-]

It is not reassuring.

[He's too blunt sometimes]

There are not options otherwise, unfortunately so we have to trust the train.

[good to see they're both on the same page about it, at least.]

Although we do not know it's destination, we simply have to trust we know where it's going? [sounds kinda suspicious but okay.]

You have been on the train before and seem alright... so I would assume it's safe enough.

There are, unfortunately, no options for leaving unless the train sends you home.

It is safe enough. It takes some getting used to as there is much we do not have in our world.

Of course not. [he should've guessed it wouldn't be as easy as asking the train to take them home; it's never that simple, after all.]

What do you mean? What sort of things are there to get used to?

The train as devices on it that make household tasks more convenient, but they are not how we do them. There is a device for making tea. It is not high quality tea, but it is faster than it would take us to make tea.

[he wrinkles his nose, readying to start questioning things again, but second-guesses instead.] Perhaps... it would just be easier for you to show me rather than explaining it all? Tea, regardless of how it's made, sounds good.

[Yes that is probably far easier than trying to explain it. To be honest, he's not the best to explain it besides "push button, stuff happens". He wouldn't have any clue to explain how it happens]

Yes, I believe so. Come. We can get some tea now. Afterwards, I can take you to see the rabbits.

[He had rabbits. Of course he had rabbits]

[let's be real here, “push button, stuff happens,” is probably one of the best and simplest ways to explain about half the things he's going to encounter on this train. eventually, sizhui's life will be made easier after he learns this.

—hold on, did hanguang-jun just say he had rabbits? (but of course he does.)]

Yes, please! I would love to see them if you don't mind.

[It is probably easiest, but also showing him at the same time. It was weird to try and describe it since he didn't really understand it himself even though others here could go into extreme detail.

WangJi gestured towards the train so they could begin walking in that direction]

If you would prefer, we could get the rabbits first and they could join for a snack while we are having tea.

[He was perfectly fine with just carrying the rabbits everywhere in the train so they didn't be comfortable with it. The only place they didn't go was in the kitchen]

[should that even really be a question? of course he wants to get the rabbits first and let them snack while they're having tea!

despite the apprehension, sizhui adjusts his rucksack, swings it over his shoulders and gets it into place before heading toward the train. he's still nervous, there's no doubting that, but he feels less so with his father at his side.]

Do they have vegetables for them? I'd hope so if they're living on the train, too.

[Don't worry. WangJi will make sure that everything is okay. He knows this train very well by now]

There are. Carrots and other vegetables, and herbs that can be used for food as well.

[He begins to lead in the direction of the greenhouse car where the rabbits live]

We have to pass where they are to get to the dining car anyway. We will pass your cabin if you want to stop and put your bag down.

[and sizhui trusts him, of course, whether he knows the train or not. but it's good he does because that makes it easier on them both.]

Good. They should have no trouble with food, then. [so long as there's no problems with food shortage, that is. (best not to have those kinds of thoughts when he's only just arrived.) he follows along behind him, glancing around somewhat warily. the idea of dropping his bag off so he doesn't need to continue carrying it is enticing, though.]

I would appreciate it. Not that I mind carrying it, it's just... cumbersome.

Mn.

[He led the way through the sleeper carriages, looking at all of the name placards for Sizhui's. As soon he spotted it, he stopped, moving to stand next to the door]

Scanning your ticket will open the door.

[he hesitates beside his father, examining where the names are, considering the ones not his own. doesn't seem like there will be a lot of room... but that's alright, so long as he gets his own bed.

from the sash around his waist, he removes the ticket then holds it out, eyebrows arching with surprise when the door slides open.

sizhui steps inside, casts a questioning look back over his shoulder at lan wangji.] Does it matter where I leave my bag? How... do I know which bed is mine?

[WangJi followed him inside as much as he could in the small room. It was simply because this wasn't his cabin that he hadn't been able to open the door. He looked around at the space]

Check the space at the head of the bed for belongings. If there are none, the bed is available for you to take. Most people who have been here don't carry their bags on platform days. Once everyone returns for the evening, you can speak with them to ensure there is no conflict.

[that sounds like as good a go-ahead as any. so, sizhui moves between the bunks, perking when he eventually finds an empty one and sliding the backpack off his shoulders to toss onto the bed.

he does, however, remove the qiankun pouch with his more important items in it to bring along.] Hopefully, if there are any other newcomers, I didn't take whatever bed they might have wanted.

I suppose that is where discussion comes in. There is one in my cabin who cannot see. It would be unfair to require him to take the top bunk.

[But since Sizhui was ready to go, he'll step back into the hallway so he can follow him]

There are a few cars between us and the greenhouse and then the dining car. I will tell you what they are as we pass through them.

[It would help with starting to remember what all of them were]

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