A New Platform [Intro Post December]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

It's only been a couple of days since the Voidtrecker Express took to the void once more, and many of the passengers are still recovering and recuperating after a very hectic end to their latest mission. Nevertheless, they are awoken by a familiar message.

"Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Imagination. Points have been updated on the system."

They have indeed, and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train for 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 the windows fill with the fog that means they are at a platform. It is warm outside with a pleasant breeze that flows down the platform, rustling the light spread of leaves that litter the floor.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Akemi Homura, Alfred the Poisoner, Donatello Versus, Chie Satonaka, Joscelin Fitzthomas, Ronan Lynch, Rose Tyler, Tangle the Lemur, Trowa Barton, Wester Mazaki and Whisper the Wolf all pass through the platform, not looking back before 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 swirling leaves at their feet, moving in flurries and rattling against each other softly. As their eyes adjust, they will see they are on a platform, cement and packed earth forming a very practical, plain-looking shelter. Behind them is a set of barriers, and in front of them is a single track extending both ways into thick fog.

They are standing, in clothes that are not their own and a style 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 eight 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's 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 lead to something terrible. 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 (see
'Publications'). The store rooms have been restocked with more jars of honey, the ingredient of the month of Imagination, as well as sundries.

A new carriage has been added right next to the luggage carriage. It is a second medical carriage, or triage carriage. Downstairs is more open with beds and chairs, upstairs are two surgical bays for those that need immediate attention.

For those intrigued by the claim of a parcel for every passenger they will find several large boxes filled with small blue bags. Inside each bag is ten dark blue coins imprinted on each side with a silver snowflake. Each bag has a small label with a passengers name. On the other side of the label it reads: Keep these safe for now.

Of course for any passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage as well.

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 taking advantage of the pleasant weather and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view again 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

Quatre Raberba Winner | OTA

[gundamofthedesert]

On The Train
He had known it. For some time he had known it because his space heart told him so. At the same time, he hadn't really wanted to believe it. He rarely left his cabin on Platform Day because of all the emotions going around, but he had this time, hoping that what he was feeling was wrong somehow.

He was not. Among those set to leave the train was Trowa. Quatre wanted so much to try and talk to him, but he knew it would do no good.

So he stood silently watching until the train stopped and the passengers depart. And it was at that point that he lost all ability to stand and slumped to the ground, wrapping his arms around himself.

It hurt... so much.

After Departure
Eventually, Quatre made his way to retrieve the violin that he had ordered. His violin. From home. He had wanted to show it to Trowa, that they be able to play together again, but that wasn't happening now.

So he found himself in the music car, playing his violin. Unfortunately, most of the songs sounded sad if anyone was good at interpreting music.

On the Train

[zechs_isonfire]

It's by chance that Zechs spotted the smaller pilot, as the train finally lurched forward to depart. In a ball on the ground, he suddenly seemed a lot younger, or perhaps it was better said, more his age. But the pilot looked - wounded. Crushed. Dealt a terrible blow.

Belatedly, it finally occurred to Zechs to wonder if the pilots 04 and 03 were close.

"Winner." He went over to his side and crouched down. "... Quatre?"

[gundamofthedesert]

Wounded, crushed... all of those were good words for how he felt. Of course, it wasn't something that he had any control over. Every Trowa had no control over it either. No one did; it was just what the train did and no one knew why.

It didn't make it any easier to see him go even though he knew all of this.

"He's gone."

This was even worse than when Duo had left.

[zechs_isonfire]

Quatre's voice sounded so much different than what he was used to. Even listening to the transmissions made when the pilot had first built Wing ZERO. Zechs didn't need to ask who he was referring to, of course. His brow furrowed.

... What was he supposed to do here? He wouldn't abandon him to sit there, crumpled, like an imploded tank crushed by the ocean's depths. Zechs wasn't his friend, however, and even if they were - he was too aware this was a task he would be terrible at.

All the same. He pushed forward. "... I know."

That wasn't good enough. "Come with me to the kitchen. I'll make you tea."

Was that better?

[gundamofthedesert]

It was certainly hard not to feel a lot small when someone you really trusted was gone and not through fault of either party. He certainly felt that way now.

At the offer of tea, he nodded his head. "Yes, I think that would help. Thank you."

Carefully, he slowly lifted himself up off the ground. He knew, as much as he wanted to sit there all day, it wouldn't bring Trowa back and it wouldn't help him. He had enough trouble with mental state already.

I.

[crimson_rain]

Hua Cheng can sense the excitement and energy of the other passengers who is guiding and orienting the newbies, which he politely smiles and said his thanks. But the human child that caught his eye and interests is the one who looks so heart-broken, and is on the floor, wrapping himself and all curled up.

Wordlessly, he doesn't say anything but didn't come closer either. He summons his spirit energy to form silver butterflies of light and sends it to him to surround him.

The butterflies of light swirls around Quatre, flying with every intention to cheer him up.

[gundamofthedesert]

Quatre kept his head down for the longest time, not noticing anything going on around him even though there were noise and movement. Yet, even though he knew that he was basically sitting in the middle of everything could he find the energy to move.

That was until there was a change in how the light was behaving around him. He looked up, surprised to see that he was now surrounded by a flutter of silver butterflies. In spite of how sad he felt, he couldn't help a faint smile, reaching out one hand as though seeing if one would land on his hand.

[crimson_rain]

Hua Cheng is a complete stranger, but he can't helped but be touched and stop for a while to help ease his pain. At this point, his partner Xie Lan already boarded the train, and he's on his way to join him. He could tell he's grieving for a loved one, having gone through the similar ordeal himself if not worst as there is no greater pain than a loss.

He smiles, seeing he looks pleased by them, so the silver butterflies of light swirls around him like fireflies. They move around him, distracting him, filling him with a healing energy of playfulness, of hope.

Several butterflies landed on his head, then some on his shoulders, and a small one on his nose, and another landed on his hand.

"Do you like them? If we board the train, I can show you some more."

[gundamofthedesert]

Quatre was sure that anyone who knew him would know why he was sad. If he had known others realized as well, he would have been a little more embarrassed about that because he usually kept things like that close. As it was, he was already making enough of a scene, but it was inevitable today.

He chuckled softly as the butterflies began to land on him. They were very happy, it was hard to deny that. At least at the moment, he could temporarily ignore it.

He looked up at the person who spoke, smiling. "Yes, I do like them. Are they yours?"

on the train

[blitzcheer]

He's not really sure what does it, when Quatre drops like that. Only Tidus sees it, and if there's people in the way he pushes forward. Doesn't matter if they don't know each other well - he comes down to join the guy, going, "Hey, hey - Quatre!", and even putting an arm over his shoulders.

"You okay? --Is it a bond?"

[gundamofthedesert]

Quatre leaned over towards Tidus as he came over and put his arm around his shoulders. It was comforting and having someone there helped to make things seem a little less bleak as they did when he had watched Trowa leave.

"He's gone. My friend is gone."

A very good friend, but he was too polite to announce such a thing in front of new arrivals, people he did not know.

[blitzcheer]

"--I'm sorry." It takes a moment, a pause for him to say it, deep and sympathetic. Genuine, but sombre. He understands, doesn't need to make guesses about how close they must've been. They were. And he gets it.

He doesn't rush to move Quatre or anything; would rather give him the time just to feel what he does, to hurt. Just says, "Take your time," and will even rub where his hand is on his shoulder. A small soothing gesture.

[gundamofthedesert]

Even just having someone around him right now was helpful. He knew he didn't have the best reactions to loss. That was pretty clear when he had taken certain actions after his father's death and granted, this wasn't a death, but he was still gone.

He leaned a little bit more towards Tidus as he rubbed his shoulder. "Thank you."

After

[marriedanidiot]

Nerdanel's second son was a musician, a bard of surpassing skill. But she doesn't need his talent to understand Quatre's pain.

"Oh my friend." She murmurs softly, sadly. "Is there anything I can do that would help?"

[gundamofthedesert]

Hearing her voice, Quatre lowered his violin turning to look at her. He didn't even feel the need to ask how he knew. It was pretty obvious in his opinion. Then again, he was a musician as well.

"Stay with me? He left the train today."

[marriedanidiot]

"Of course." She nods, coming to sit beside him.

"Would a hug help?"

[gundamofthedesert]

Quatre looked over at her as she came over to sit down beside him.

"I think it would."

It wouldn't hurt at least.

After Departure

[iamnotgod]

Webmind had not had a specific reason to be in this carriage, other than walking through it most days, but the violin was one of his favored instruments.

And, furthermore, he had known who was leaving this platform; much as he also missed Trowa, Webmind knew well he was not the only one affected.

"Quatre," he said softly, expression somber, not intending to interrupt...

Merely to provide company, and perhaps a shoulder to lean on.

[gundamofthedesert]

Quatre had been a bit lost in the music that he didn't immediately notice that someone else had arrived, but he heard the familiar voice. He lowered his violin and turned to look at him.

"Trowa's gone." It seemed as self-explanatory as to why he was sad as anything.

[iamnotgod]

"He is," Webmind confirmed, voice still quiet.

"Did you... want me to listen?"

To his playing, to anything Quatre wanted to say, or even to silence.

Webmind was here for that, whatever 'that' was.

[gundamofthedesert]

Quatre lowered his head slightly at Webmind's confirmation that Trowa was gone. Not that it would have changed anything if he had said otherwise, but the confirmation was still there.

"Please... I don't really want to be alone right now."

He wasn't sure if he wanted to talk or to play at the moment, but if Webmind was fine with either, then he would decide which he wanted.

Music Car

[laurefindil]

"That is utterly beautiful," Glorfindel said softly at the end of one such sad song.

"I am sorry for your loss," he said, offering the warmth of his aura to the young man standing alone.

[gundamofthedesert]

Quatre had just lowered his violin, turning to look at the other when he spoke him.

"Thank you." Both about the song and for the sympathy. "My friend left the train earlier today."

[laurefindil]

As a Team Lead for Purple, Glorfindel knew who had left, he made it his responsibility to check everyone who came and went when the Train docked. "I saw. I am so sorry. Is there anything I can do for you at this moment?"

[gundamofthedesert]

It made perfect sense that he would know, but he hadn't thought about that at that moment. Probably everyone who knew Trowa and had been in the area of the platform had seen him leave.

"Stay? I don't really want to be alone at the moment."