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

[eternalgrief]

"I trust you," Huaisang says as soon as the other stops speaking and he supposes that his behavior doesn't back that up. He doesn't trust Lan Xichen's ability to believe the truth -- or he would have seen it but he knows that this one is from the future somehow and knows the truth. There's no reason not to trust him. But he's already creating the habit of holding people far away from himself.

"Is it not obvious what would trouble me here?"

[lanxichen]

Xichen breathes out, then steps closer and reaches a hand to squeeze Huaisang's shoulder.

"It is - in a way." He considers his words carefully. "But will you not consider that the one person who was never deceived by Meng Yao, who ever remained vigilant from the moment he posed a threat to the very end, may have this in hand... now that I will not interfere?"

[eternalgrief]

Huaisang glances at the other's hand and he lets it be a small comfort. And he doesn't immediately dismiss what the other's says and he'll probably continue to ponder on it as time goes on as well.

"Then what would you have me do? I do not understand how anyone is giving him a chance at all."

[lanxichen]

"I - when it all... came to light. I knew my judgment was compromised. So if I am giving him a chance, it is because your brother is. And because I know that my brother's eyes are clear enough to stop me, and him, if that becomes necessary."

Another long breath out.

"But if I had to choose such a chance, of my own will, it would be because I know some of the reasons why he made some of the choices. To be recognized by his father, to be wanted. To not be looked down upon.

"They were still his choices, for all he did not acknowledge that in the end. But he had... motives, to make them. If he has none of them - perhaps he will make better choices.

"As for da ge...

"I think it sits ill with him to accuse someone of crimes he has yet to commit. He has ordered restrictions, too. But if you wish for his complete reasons, you might need to ask him. I think - he will answer."

[eternalgrief]

"It's not enough," Huaisang says simply. None of it is enough for him. Maybe Meng Yao had his reasons but that didn't change that he had been loved and wanted and he had betrayed them in the worst way. And perhaps Meng Yao could smile his way into the good graces of his brother and of course, Xichen but not Huaisang's, the rage he feels is something that can't be so easily doused out.

"If I could go back to before, I would kill him before he has the chance to do the things that he did."

Huaisang means it. If it would do any good here then he would have found a way to kill Meng Yao already but he knew that here people just returned.

[lanxichen]

"It..." Xichen hesitates, then looks down. "Before coming here, I had a lot of time to think. Back... at the end of the Sunshot campaign. When da ge came to, he attacked Meng Yao, and I stopped him. Because Meng Yao had been giving information to our side, and because he had just killed Wen Ruohan.

"I have been thinking - if I had not stopped da ge then, perhaps - so much would have..."

His hand drops helplessly. "That is why I said that I would trust da ge's judgment. In your anger - can you not do so much, at least? His eyes were never clouded, for all that he did, does, love Meng Yao."

[eternalgrief]

There's a moment of heartbreak that flickers across Huaisang's face before he covers it up, keeping his expression as neutral as he could. But the idea that it could have ended before... There could have been less lives lost even if he had been stopped then. The ache is almost too much to bear. He doesn't understand how his brother and how Xichen could approach things the way they are?

All he could feel was the burning rage and the sadness that threatened to pull him under and drown him and the pain of the betrayal.

"I can't trust anyone else's judgment when it comes to Meng Yao."

[lanxichen]

"My judgment, I can understand. Where do you think da ge erred?" Other than trusting Xichen, but that is different altogether.

[eternalgrief]

"He hasn't before but..." Huaisang exhales. "I can't do it, er ge."

There's a moment where his voice breaks where the fact that he's barely keeping himself together shows.

"I can't give him a chance."

[lanxichen]

Xichen watches him for a long time, but in the end, his eyes don't go distant with judgment. Instead, he slowly, slightly, nods.

"Whoever thinks that you and da ge are nothing alike, simply knows neither of you." Yes, Nie Mingjue is giving the chance that Huaisang can't, but it's two sides of the same coin, going by the things that Meng Yao has been forbidden.

To Nie Mingjue's mind, it is only himself that he is risking. To Huaisang's, it's his da ge. The center of the universe. The gash that keeps on bleeding that it must feel like everyone is asking him to leave unprotected.

"If you cannot give him another chance, then do not. Obey da ge in what specifically to do or not do, but...

"Keep watch. Examine what Meng Yao does, what the rest of us do. And if he tries to deceive us, I will listen. No matter what else, I will listen."

[eternalgrief]

Huaisang looks up at Lan Xichen and he studies his face and he knows that the other speaks the truth and still...

"Swear to me," he says softly. He doesn't know if his brother somehow got wrapped in deception if he'd be able to reach him but Xichen, he could. "You won't let him get away with anything again."

[lanxichen]

There is a tiny flinch, and Xichen's eyes grow a little bitter. But he does not turn them away.

"When I was given the knowledge. When young master Wei and Wangji came to me with what had transpired. I did not let him get away with any of it. And I will not. He will not harm those who deserve better."

[eternalgrief]

Huaisang notes the change and a part of him wants to apologize. It isn't fair what he said he knows that.

"He will not harm anyone."

[lanxichen]

The thing is... It is Lan Xichen. He will, in fact, gauge if he believes his own actions and decisions righteous, with a severity that he applies to nobody else. He would not make such a commitment unless he believes it right. Not even to appease the hurting heart of a younger brother.

The flinch was because Huaisang forced his hand, before. But he has not, yet, at Huaisang's age, and by the same token as not judging Meng Yao for things he has not done yet, he will not judge Huaisang for what he has not done yet, either.

"He will not." It had never been Xichen's intent to enable that in the first place.

Though Huaisang is letting Meng Yao be hurting him, right now - and Xichen does not truly know how to help him, other than let his rage run some of its course. The proper part, not the excess.

"Huaisang... if it were to prove true. If he keeps to his promises. If he helps da ge, instead of hurting him. Will you allow yourself to see it?"