A New Platform [Intro Post November]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

The morning after the Halloween party passengers are once again woken by a familiar voice.

"Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Imagination. 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. But through the fog comes sunshine, causing patches where the light shines down to warm the concrete. Looking up passengers will not be able to see the sun through the fog, or much of the sky at all.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Bryn Pendragon, Bucky Barnes, Colden Rollins, Elena, Fai D Flourite, Jiang Yanli, Juliette d'Aubigniy, Misa, Peter Parker, Samata Mahto, Satou Kuroneko, The Doctor, Tohru Mutou, Zuko, 10 Vigilant Gaze Purges The Horizon. They all walk silently and do not look back as they disappear through the barriers and into the fog beyond.

But on the platform itself there are 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 the thick fog, penetrated by beams of light. As their eyes adjust they will see they are on a platform, behind them are a set of barriers and in front of them is a single track.

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 five 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.

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 and Honey is the newest ingredient, jars of honey stock the shelves and the ICP's in the kitchen have recipe ideas for the month.

A new carriage has been added, those that go to investigate will find a small but function-able spa, complete with a small hot tub and even a steam room. It is a relaxing room with sun lamps and relaxing music or nature sounds available through the ICP. There are a couple of massage tables, with a course for how to give massages for those eager to learn.

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 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

[lanxichen]

"He knows... all of it?" Xichen's voice goes even quieter, and what blood was left on his face drains away, leaving his lips colorless, his entire face as though carved from actual jade. And then his eyes become red, torn among so many emotions.

After a moment, he nods slightly, feeling dizzy, lightheaded, but at the same time steadied by the familiar squeeze of those hands.

"I," I still want to help, but no, he can't push for that. He has lost the right to do so. "I can promise to not play music that will affect you. But I do not have Shuoyue here." It is a relief, but it also means that music is his only weapon, in case of danger.

[brightjade]

Yeah no, not letting go of Xichen for a while. Not when the other looks so unsteady. He does eventually tug the other over to where he'd been meditating and encourages him to sit.

He hears the unspoken words before Xichen says something else that is so very Xichen it unlocks some tension in him. Even when the mention of his sworn brother being without his sword makes him less than pleased.

"You have not lost my trust, or my loyalty. If it becomes needed, I will defend you myself." Because face it, even without a single blade at Xichen's command, this man is strong and skilled in other manners of battle.

[lanxichen]

"Da ge..."

Xichen allows himself to be led, arranging himself into a cross-legged position as gracefully as always, but the hand he settles on his knee still shivers slightly.

But the one he raises to touch Nie Mingjue's face, finally daring to touch back.

You have not lost my trust, or my loyalty.

Xichen lips tremble, fingers lowering to hover over his throat... then settle on one shoulder. Whole.

"Thank you." For all of it. The promise, as well as the trust... as well as the parts that Nie Mingjue doesn't wave off, doesn't just forgive because it is Xichen. Xichen knows far too well that he needs the accountability, and the sternness of it is as familiar and longed for as an embrace.

A deep breath.

"What do you need from me?"

[brightjade]

He doesn't flinch or shy from Xichen's touch, even as that hand hovers near his throat. So. Xichen even knows about that. He wishes otherwise, briefly before dismissing it. Mingjue sits opposite from him, but close enough their knees can touch.

He nods, gaze not leaving the other man's face. An embrace might come later - after all, Meng Yao gets hugs. Why not Xichen?

The question doesn't spark an immediate answer. That would be thoughtless, and this man deserves far better. And with a clearer head...Mingjue is better able to give it.

"We have made mistakes," he echoes what he'd said before. "We have the chance while here to learn from them and do better. I do not know if what we do here will carry over. We must still try."

A moment's pause. "...Speak with Meng Yao. I will be with you if you wish it." He wants to believe Meng Yao won't hurt Xichen. But he'd wanted to believe so very much of that man in the past, and had been proven wrong. Even today, just now when Xichen had played his xiao, he had believed Meng Yao had broken his promise.

So he must do better.

cw: gore and spoilers

[lanxichen]

This time, even Xichen can't suppress his shudder, nor the tears from falling.

Jin Guangyao, the villain who had ended and destroyed so many lives. Jin Guangyao, the man who had brought such a painful end to their brother, and who had dismembered his corpse, and and and--

And Xichen still grieves.

"Da ge, he... I..." No, that won't do. "I ran him through with Shuoyue. It is not what took his last breath, but it would have." He's not saying that he can't, or that he won't.

But in a very different way than how it must hurt Nie Mingjue to reach out to him, it hurts Xichen, too.

"I didn't... only make mistakes. I didn't do anything right." Neither in his mercy nor in his punishment.

[brightjade]

So this too is what eats away at Xichen. Mingjue's jaw clenches as he listens, able to picture the scene. Even if it feels wrong, still. Somehow.

Lan Xichen and Meng Yao had seemed to have a connection from the moment they'd met. He'd heard about it from Meng Yao himself, how gentle and kind Zewu-Jun was. And he'd seen it himself.

He could back off, be gentle and let Xichen not speak of it now that Meng Yao is part of their conversation. But what would that help? He hasn't spared Meng Yao a second of what he knows of the younger man's future.

"Tell me. Tell me all of it."

[lanxichen]

"It... was the very end. Meng Yao had - confessed all that we asked of him, and I had long seen that - he had forsworn the right to call me er ge." Xichen doesn't hesitate or flinch. This is not being harsh, he doesn't feel, Nie Mingjue has the right to know how badly his sworn brothers had messed up.

How badly Xichen had messed up by insisting on this in the first place. He had hoped, oh how he had hoped, that all the way the three of them cared for and completed each other would be their salvation.

And it had been their downfall.

Nor does Xichen stumble upon the name. Sometimes he still does in his thoughts, but never out loud.

"His arm was cut off, and even so, I told him if he were to move, I would kill him. It was a matter of time, I knew, that he would have to meet that fate, but it - had to be done right. A proper trial. Justice, not murder. Then I turned away - to get medicine for his arm. A cry that he did move, and half my blade was through him. It - his blood roused your fierce corpse again.

"He pulled me towards you and then - yo-- the fierce corpse's hands almost around my neck, he pushed me out of the way. Then his neck was snapped."

Xichen's lips twist in something that is not even remotely a smile, his eyes glassy.

"Sealed away in the same coffin, both of you. No way to go on. That... that is what I brought upon you."