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

[subcircuits]

Por que no los dos?

"It would have to change you somehow," he says, looking down at it as well. "Even if it weren't what it is-- that much responsibility changes anyone."

He disentangles his hand from Koumyou's but only to put his arm around him again. "Is that Seiten's, er, aspect, then? Light? And Muten is the dark?"

[its_dad_sanzo]

And Koumyou leans into his side again, too.

"The Seiten's dominion is over yang, or holiness. To put it in the terms I've used with some other passengers, it's the light of creation."

And it's just chilling here in Koumyou's hand. In Devero's, just a minute ago!

"It can create light from nothingness, and has some... restorative abilities, but I admit I'm not as good at using that part. Something has to be extremely serious to justify attempting it. I used it on Halo."

Dimly, he can still hear the screams when he thinks of that little side-quest.

"Muten, meanwhile, is... the emptiness of nonexistence. The void, even more than what the train is ferrying us through right now. An absolute absence of light or matter."

[subcircuits]

The entire light of creation, in the palm of his hand. If he were a spiritual man, it would mean more, but even atheistic as he is, it's something.

Devero looks down at Koumyou. "And she died anyway...?"

He purses his lips, and stares thoughtfully into the middle distance. "And the other three? If you don't mind telling me, of course."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Because her ship was destroyed, she faded away instead of dying of blood loss."

He makes a thoughtful hum at that question, and considers it for a second. May as well start with the easiest one, right? "Well, I know Maten quite well too, since it also used to be bound to me. That one's yin, or unholiness, and it banishes the darkness. In the hands of a fully-trained Sanzo, it's the only one that might be able to hold the Muten at bay."

Koumyou Sanzo had single-handedly protected the dual concepts of yin and yang, for over twenty years.

"The last two, I've never laid eyes on. Kouten is supposed to hold dominion over... protection, I think? If Maten can push back the darkness, Kouten could hold it there. And Uten, I know the least about. Logically, I suspect it can push the light back, like Maten can the darkness. Too much of either is bad."

[subcircuits]

"That's right," he says softly. "You told me that." And he hasn't really had time to process it since.

He doesn't really want to process it now! His brain would much rather fix on esoteric lore from Koumyou's world than the fact that he might die if anything happened to the train.

"I have to admit, I don't really understand," he muses. "There's one for light, and for banishing the darkness? Doesn't the light do that by its very nature?"

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Darkness can also be so thick that it consumes the light," Koumyou says quietly, looking at the far wall without really seeing it.

Which.

Yeah.

"My own teacher, Jikaku, once compared me to the moon, and Ukoku to the night. The two of us made a bet on which would swallow the other. Do you suppose he won?"

[subcircuits]

"A black hole," he murmurs. "Of course. A well so deep, everything gets pulled into it."

The arm around Koumyou's shoulders tightens, and Devero turns enough to tuck the priest's head under his chin. "No. I think he tried, and when you refused to be consumed he tried to shatter you."

[its_dad_sanzo]

Koumyou is fine with the gesture, and actually nuzzles closer in turn, practically in Devero's lap.

"Perhaps," he sighs, "I suppose he did try."

A few things, many times. Which brings to mind...

"If Ukoku ever appears on this train, you need to be very careful."

[subcircuits]

As close together as they are, Koumyou will feel Devero tense. "...Yes. I suppose I will, won't I?" After all, the man had tried to kill Koumyou's own son for taking up too much of his attention. "He feels entitled to you, doesn't he?"

[its_dad_sanzo]

"To put it mildly," Koumyou sighs, "but I can't call myself entirely blameless. I treated it all like a... game, you know? And I probably would again, if I'm being honest."

If you can't get away from the crow pecking at you, why not peck back? At least you might get a few feathers for the trouble.

[subcircuits]

Devero... doesn't like the sound of that. He sits up a little and looks away, catching his lip between his teeth and worrying it for a moment. "Even though encouraging him almost got your son killed?" he asks, the words coming out all in a rush.

[its_dad_sanzo]

Koumyou withdraws, too, sitting up properly and staring at some part of the room or other without seeing it.

"I suppose that's true."

If he hadn't made a game of it, hadn't made the bet, hadn't found Ukoku so very entertaining for all those years...

Would the heretical Sanzo have just... left him alone, eventually? Would Kouryuu have had to watch his father be torn apart before his eyes?

[subcircuits]

Devero wraps his arms around himself as Koumyou pulls away. He watches him sidelong, and after a moment murmurs, "I'm sorry. It's hardly my place to criticize. But--"

He squeezes himself a little. "If you want to try being a different person than you were before... that would be a place to start. He sounds dangerous."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"No, you're right," Koumyou murmurs, "thank you for saying it."

Now that he knows Ukoku has no qualms about going after anyone else Koumyou spends time with... he can't egg him on, anymore.

It was one thing when it was just himself in danger, but. It never really was just himself, was it?

[subcircuits]

Devero looks at him more openly, and nods once, grave. "You're welcome."

He gets up off the bed, then, and offers Koumyou his hand. "I don't know about you, but I'm starting to get tired of the inside of this room. Shall we?"

[its_dad_sanzo]

Koumyou's thoughts had already begun to spiral and spiral and spiral, down and down and down. Devero interrupts that, and the priest's face, when he glances up, shows his surprise.

"...Sure," and he takes his hand.

[subcircuits]

Let's just say Devero has an inkling.

Unless Koumyou stops or diverts them, Devero leads him by the hand out of the medical car and through the next four-- five...-- six? carriages--

To the music car.

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Coming full circle, are we?" Koumyou asks with a quiet little laugh. The sound is a touch wobbly to his own ears, but he doesn't hesitate to follow Devero on into the music car. He's dressed down a lot compared to that first meeting. Just his jeans, form-fitting shirt, and one arm-warmer.

His hair is still loose behind him, too. Fully dry now, and sleek from all the earlier combing.

[subcircuits]

"Mm-hmm." Devero leads him up the stairs to the stage deck. He looks the same, of course, but what else could he be wearing but his train uniform? He's still so new to all of this.

Maybe that's why he felt the need to retreat to something familiar, after how much has passed between them in just the past few hours. He leads Koumyou up onto the stage and turns to face him, holding their clasped hands out between them. "May we dance?" he asks him, his voice quiet but intent.

[its_dad_sanzo]

Up onto the stage, and Koumyou glances out at the seats. Making sure they're alone? But Devero asks his question, and the priest blinks at him, and then smiles a little. "Of course."

As with before, Devero will have to lead, but Koumyou won't have much trouble following.

[subcircuits]

Before Devero begins, he takes his Interface off and-- a little awkwardly, with just one hand-- clicks it down into handheld mode. With a few movements of his thumb across the screen, he starts some music playing. Then, almost carelessly, he tosses the little device away. It hits the floor and skitters almost to the edge of the stage before it comes to a stop, still playing. It's not terribly loud and it's certainly subpar sound quality, but it's audible.

Only once that's done does he take Koumyou into his arms. He leads, knowing now that Koumyou will be able to follow the steps of this stately, intimate waltz.

[its_dad_sanzo]

It takes Koumyou a second to settle into the pattern, with his mind lagging a little behind them as it is. But once he's got it, it's almost as smooth as it might have been had he known this dance already.

"Ah, the sad dance, is it? I suppose it's only appropriate."

With all the tears they've both shed, today.

Not that the dance is inherently sad, but he remembers how Devero had looked up here by himself, going through a dance like it with an invisible partner.

[subcircuits]

The steps are easy enough to follow, one-two-three one-two-three repetitive. They have their missteps, figuring out how to move together, but who wouldn't, in the beginning?

Devero ducks his head, leaning close to murmur into Koumyou's ear, "It's not as sad when you have someone to share it with."

[its_dad_sanzo]

Koumyou's free hand has settled naturally on Devero's shoulder, and his grip tightens just the slightest bit at having his ear murmured into. It's rather warm and intimate, the priest thinks, like he's sharing a secret.

"Ah, so like everything else, is it?"

[subcircuits]

"Well, almost anything," Devero says. He straightens up so he can grin crookedly down at Koumyou. "I wouldn't want to share Babysitter with anyone else."