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

[deferences]

Mmhmm.

[most of which are already on the train, much to his luck. having inigo answer what he's saying is more than enough acknowledgment, he needn't worry himself about making eye-contact the whole time, too. in fact, sizhui almost prefers helping his friend out this way, giving comforting gestures, chatting quietly, and just. anything he can do to distract from bad feelings, you bet he's gonna try his best.]

Wei Wuxian, mischievous and carefree. Lan Wangji, almost ascetic yet... open-minded. [that's a safe enough word, yes? if sizhui were the type, he would've made a joke about wine mom dad and vinegar dad, but alas. one day soon though, inigo might unlock the tragic backstory that led to him being adopted. (twice, to be fair!)] They're here, on the train, should you like to meet them sometime.

[flatteries]

[ Here on the train, huh..? What luck, Inigo thinks. Not for him, but for Sizhui. If there's anyone who deserves to have their parents here with them, it's the other guy. Not that Inigo thinks Sizhui couldn't go without, that's not it-- it's just that Sizhui is so kind and sweet, so soft around the edges, that Inigo is glad he has people who care for him that deeply right here with him, even during this odd experience.

All he gives in response first is a hum though, before finally speaking up a moment or two later. ]

I don't know, maybe I should make sure they're not the kind of parents who mind another guy cuddling with their son. [ Is that a joke. Is it serious. Who knows, it's so hard to tell from Inigo's mumbly, comfortable tone.

(Though he does know some parents can get ridiculously overprotective about that kind of thing..) ]

I'm happy you're all together.

[deferences]

[convenient, for sure, seeing as he'd only just started remembering wei wuxian, who the man was (is?) to him and how important it truly is. had he arrived here all by his lonesome, it would've been a different story, and perhaps he wouldn't even befriend people this quickly. it wouldn't, however, have changed his kindhearted, helpful nature any, so friendship would be inevitable. of course, he'd be biased and insist inigo deserves some family, too.

but well, when he puts it that way, it sounds questionable.]

Considering they're two men who cuddle together often, I'd imagine they won't have much to say. [except possibly prying into his business about what sort of ‘friend’ inigo might be and sizhui, obviously, would be forthright with them: just a friend. overprotectiveness though, that's another story, but one he'd have no trouble handling.

because he can be a strong, independent cultivator who's capable of making his own decisions, you know!] Me too, although I never imagined there would be so many of us here at once.

[flatteries]

Maybe there's something special about your world.

[ Because Inigo has been here for so long now - about to come up on half a year - and he's only seen one person total from his world arrive here before, only to watch him leave again not too long after. While he can't deny that there's an awful amount of people on the train who look very similar to Sizhui, considering the very specific hairdo and all..

But he does his best to not be jealous. Sizhui is a good person. He deserves it. Whereas Inigo, well.. Not really. ]

I hope you guys can stay together too, no matter what happens. This train can be pretty cruel with who it suddenly pulls away. [ Hence, you know, the reason he's hugging with Sizhui like this in the first place. ] Just.. make sure to let me know if you ever need some comfort over something like that, okay..?

[deferences]

Maybe, [sizhui repeats beneath his breath, partially excited yet halfway worried about his world being ‘special.’

inigo is understandably envious, taking into account how many people there are from his world, even if some are from a different...variation... (now there's something he'd never considered explaining to anyone!) one person coming and going isn't fair, his friend deserves more than that.

he doesn't know this, however, but if he did, lan sizhui might have a questionable slip of morals. how terrible would he be, wishing someone to appear on the void train for inigo?]

Aiyah... [a brief placeholder while he attempts tamping down the abrupt rise of emotions; they were doing alright, avoiding the subject, but being brought back to it again isn't too terrible.] Don't worry, I will. [the second pause is longer this time as he shifts, takes inigo's shoulders and makes certain they make direct eye-contact when he continues,] I promise, Inigo.