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

[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."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"...Babysitter?" Koumyou has to ask, quirking an eyebrow.

[subcircuits]

Devero can't help but fluster a little, though at least his feet keep moving. "...My exo. One of my neos named it that and it kind of stuck."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Your robot armor is named Babysitter," Koumyou can't help but laugh at that, and at Devero's reaction. The hand on Devero's shoulder slips a little higher, toward his neck, the priest getting a little more comfortable with their dancing.

"So, does it babysit you, or everyone around you?"

[subcircuits]

He shrugs-- not enough to dislodge Koumyou's hand-- and chuckles at himself. "I have no choice but to admit that it's fitting," he says as they sway together.

"Everyone around me. I'm the guy who pulls all the neotek's asses up off the ground when they overbalance and get stuck on their backs like turtles."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Neotek is... a novice? Of some sort? A trainee?" All these words Koumyou doesn't know! But at least there's a little context, for that one.

And then, even more amused somehow, if in a warm, understated way-- "Are you an instructor, Devero?"

[subcircuits]

"--Ah, sorry; it's someone with new Implants. New technology; neotek. There's always a learning curve as a person and their new hardware- and software-selves all get to know each other, and it's always the worst with fresh Implants."

Devero laughs softly. "Guilty as charged."

[its_dad_sanzo]

Finally, the glint of mischief makes its way back into Koumyou's eyes, where it belongs. He takes his hand off Devero's shoulder and covers his mouth with it, like he's scandalized.

And then, in a sing-song voice, "~I got kissed by teacher!~"

[subcircuits]

Oh, it heartens him to see that. His eyes go soft even as he laughs. He leans in and thunks their foreheads together-- which means he gets a chakra right in between the eyes, whoops.

"And teacher kissed a holy man," he says, grinning with teeth. "They might need to lock me up, I'm a menace."

[its_dad_sanzo]

Not only is the chakra raised, and hard, but it doesn't even move. It's like the tiny half-marble is part of Koumyou's skull.

For his part, Koumyou laughs, and reaches up for Devero's forehead. "Are you okay?"

And, because of course he has to continue the joke, "Are you suggesting I should chain you up, Devero?"

cw kink

[subcircuits]

"Kiss it and make it better?" Devero asks. Is he-- is he pouting down at Koumyou?

He bends his head for the kiss-- and splutters, discomfited enough to actually fall out of step. "Wh-why would you suggest something like that?" he squeaks out, his face instantly flaming red.

[its_dad_sanzo]

Koumyou was just about to do it, too! But then Devero's composure explodes, for lack of a better word, and they both fall out of step together.

The priest blinks in confusion, takes a good look at that red face, and bursts into laughter.

"What-- I-- did I say something that weird?"

[subcircuits]

That doesn't help. Devero backpedals a step, eyes going wide as his rising flush reverses abruptly. The color drains out of his face. "Rust and ruin, you meant that literally, didn't you?"

Devero actually has to whirl away, covering his mouth in mortification that he possibly just let it slip to his new boyfriend that he's a total pervert.

[its_dad_sanzo]

"--Ah...?"

Koumyou reaches to put a hand on his back, and tries to peek around Devero's side at his face, "Is something wrong? You went really pale..."

cw abuse trauma

[subcircuits]

His face is completely covered by his hands, but he peeks sidelong through his spread fingers at Koumyou. Maybe he's waiting for judgment, or distaste, or a slow spreading smile, predatory and sharp, as possessive fingers latch around his throat--

The priest looks baffled. And he's from another world, and he's not experienced like Devero the whore is and maybe-- maybe he doesn't know about kink.

Devero's hands slide down to cover just his mouth, then lower to reveal a nervous smile. "If I tell you it's a weird, embarrassing sex thing that I don't really want to talk about right now, can we let it go?"

[its_dad_sanzo]

Koumyou blinks a few times, processing that, and then offers a shy little smile in return, "Consider it done."

The hand on Devero's back strokes up and down, an attempt at soothing. Koumyou's absolutely out of his depth, here. "So tell me more about Babysitter, how big is it?"

[subcircuits]

What a good distraction. What a good Koumyou. Devero smiles gratefully at him, relaxing palpably as he lets out a breath. Then he turns and catches Koumyou's hand, towing him over to the edge of the stage. It's raised a few feet from the floor below, so when Devero streeetches a hand out into the air above, he's marking a spot a good eleven feet above the floor. "Something like this tall, maybe a few feet taller," he says. Next he spreads his arms out to max extension and flicks his fingers. "About this wide across the shoulders. It's a Beetle class, so it's not the biggest exo I've ever jockeyed, but I've been with it longer than any other."

And Babysitter is his, in a way that his Guard-issue SC-ORP090K unit never was. Babysitter's got aftermarket upgrades, courtesy Techstead's labs, upgrades that he helped install and test himself. He's been its jockey for years, trained with it and learned with it; it's truly become a part of his hardware-self, as much as his personal Interface.

[its_dad_sanzo]

Similar size to a lot of the robots on Nion, then, but Koumyou was pretty sure they hadn't had any people inside them. The carnage would have smelled a lot differently whenever he lit one on fire from the inside with lightning.

Let alone when the sutra turned whole battlefields of them into oily metal confetti.

"I suppose it has to be at least that big, to fit you inside and still have enough room for all the... stuff."

Yes, stuff. It's a very technical term. He's very good at science!