A New Platform [Intro Post January]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

It’s been a month of ups and downs for the Voidtrecker Express and its passengers, but like clockwork, they are awoken by a familiar message that morning.

"Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Jelly. 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. The air is particularly crisp and clear here, the view blocked only by the fog around the platform, and while not overly cold, the temperature can best be described as brisk.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Fingon, Galo Thymos, Hikaru Aosora, Jin Ling, Lio Fotia, Minako Aino, Nerdanel, Nie Mingjue, Thorne.tcai, Webmind and Yotsuyu goe Brutus 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. As their eyes adjust, they will see they are on a platform, glass and dark stone rising in sturdy arches around them. 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; then the steam begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform is not large with fifteen figures scattered around, all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. To both the left and right, 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 step a strange assortment 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

After a short time, the doors hiss open again. 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 fresh ingredients, including several crates of avocados, the ingredient of the month of Jelly, as well as all sundries.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. For each member of Blue Team, a small gauze bag with their name on it contains a generous handful of sweet rainbow fudge.

New passengers will find their ticket allows 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 full of spare blankets and pillows.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers taking advantage of the fresh air, 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 itself. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!

Comments

Train Garden

[worthallthis]

Here's somebody that might not make you feel better, Thanatos, but Soldat is passing through on their cautious exploration of the train, and has to pause upon noticing the expression of pain.

If this were Beacon, they'd stop and come over to try and help. This isn't Beacon. (Does that mean you stop being you? No, it-- means I don't know these people. Mission. Asset, since when do you advocate helping people? No.)

They sigh, and drift over, making sure their shoes actually make noise. (God, I miss my boots.) "Everything all right?"

[controlsthedie]

Even if the sound of footsteps didn't alert him (and make part of his temple throb with each step), the strange sensations of death would have tipped him off. Thanatos turns his head slightly to the man.

"Could you walk lighter...?" he says pained. He then reaches for his hood and tries to tug down lower, as if that could help block out the noise, but this hood is so much smaller than he's used to.

[worthallthis]

Oh. Well, that's easy enough. Soldat's next couple of steps are completely silent, and they stop outside easy grabbing range. "I'm sorry," they say quietly. If footsteps are too loud, then a voice won't be pleasant, either.

They ease down to a crouch, so they're below Thanatos's line of sight. "Headache?"

[controlsthedie]

"Thank you," he says just as quiet. Talking isn't as bad as the intentional sound of footsteps. Somehow. "Yes, trying to find some quiet and less... everything."

[worthallthis]

Oh, do they know the feeling. "I have something I usually use. When I need to do that. Might not help the head, but. It might." It's worth a shot, if Thanatos is interested in trying. Soldat is already pulling their tablet out of the rucksack, to take a couple small sheets of paper from between its folds.

[controlsthedie]

"I think at this point, any relief would be welcome." Thanatos tilts his head and watches, unsure what this man plans to do with the paper. Writing perhaps?

[worthallthis]

Soldat offers one of the papers to Thanatos, then comes to sit on the ground in front of the bench he's on. "This is called origami. You fold the paper in complex ways. And it makes shapes. Animals, mostly. It's good for focusing on one thing that's okay, when everything else is awful." It is, in fact, Soldat's chief means of grounding themselves out of a panic attack. "I'll show you an easy one."

[controlsthedie]

Thanatos takes the paper in his hand and gently examines it. It's lighter than the parchment used back in the House. It feels almost fragile compared to it. This can become something else by folding it?

"Origami... please, go on." Even if his head hurts, he's curious.

[worthallthis]

"Just do what I do. Take it slow." They flatten their sheet of paper out on the ground, and start with one of the simplest origami forms they know, the first one they ever saw themselves: the crane. They go very slowly, wordlessly letting Thanatos see each fold-- and unfold, because halfway through they have to undo one of the moves they just made, as part of the process.

For Soldat, it's one of the most soothing things they know. Thanatos may or may not wind up agreeing, but even if he winds up frustrated with it, at the very least it's absorbing to focus on making each crease the right angle. Helps to block out too many outside stimuli.

[controlsthedie]

Sitting on the ground with the other man, Thanatos works slowly, step-by-step. He tries to be precise and careful as possible as to not crease the delicate paper needlessly. He doesn't see how it will turn into an animal yet, but he diligently keeps at it.

This may not help the pain in his head, but the wordless distraction is helping narrow his attention. (And that is a skill Thanatos needs to work on given his job requires his attention world-wide.) Soon, he'll feel a little more... comfortable, even if Thanatos doesn't recognize it at first.

[worthallthis]

By the time they're done, Soldat going slow and watching both their hands, making sure Thanatos copies them well enough to at least get a workable version of a crane even if it's not perfect, there's a pair of little paper cranes. They hold theirs up, pull the tail gently, and show Thanatos how the wings flap. "I make something like this whenever I need to calm down. Or just imagine it, in my head."

That's the first they've spoken since starting, relying on demonstration and the occasional hand motion to stop or slow down, or do something over. That seemed kinder for a hurting head, and all.

[controlsthedie]

Thanatos pulls the tail with caution, expecting the paper to tear as he does so. Instead, the wings flap once. He tries again. The wings flap once more. He made this? He made it. Thanatos can't help but to stare in disbelief. Has he ever made something like this before?

Suddenly, Thanatos is nerves and worry. "I have nothing to offer you in return."

[worthallthis]

"If you feel better, then you already gave me something," Soldat says lightly, looking kind of quietly pleased. "Besides. I like teaching." It feels like it's been so long since they were able to properly teach someone something. Nobody in Beacon really cared about origami, everyone already knew all the spirit language by the end, and there simply weren't enough people anymore for weapons class. This is a nice change.

[controlsthedie]

Just the act of teaching was a gift for him? "Then..." he starts but trails off, trying to figure out the right words to say. "I do feel a little better. Thank you for teaching me how to make an origami."

Is it obvious that Thanatos isn't used to doing anything that doesn't involve his work in some fashion? Or interacting with mortals who are actively dying?

[worthallthis]

Don't worry about it, Thanatos. Soldat isn't your typical mortal, and is in fact used to dealing with dead things more than living things, themselves. This is perfectly normal behavior. "You're very welcome." They settle back on their heels, with their own crane cupped on both hands. "You're new, too, yeah?"

[controlsthedie]

The crane in Thanatos' hands flaps a few more times. Part of him wonders if the shape of butterflies could be recreated in such a fashion.... Although he doesn't ask. "I am, and I shouldn't be here."

[worthallthis]

Ought to ask, friend, Soldat does in fact know how to make a butterfly.

They tilt their head at the statement, looking up vaguely in the direction of Thanatos's face. They're not great with eye contact, sorry man. "Why not?"

[controlsthedie]

Not many make eye contact with Death. He's used to it and doesn't find it offending. He doesn't make it much easier either.

"I have an important role to play back home, and being here keeps me from it."

[worthallthis]

That's a valid reason. Probably not unique to this guy, though. Even Soldat, technically, has been missing from their important role back home for some time, now. (And good riddance. Yeah, I know.)

But this guy is clearly missing his role. Maybe even worried about it. It's probably not a role centered around murdering people. "Is there anyone back home that can fill in while you're gone?"

[controlsthedie]

While not exactly a role centered around murdering people... the idea isn't completely that far off.

"No. Some parts others can do but not all of it." Then he hangs his head, guiltily. "Actually, no one can even do those tasks now. I need to be there."

[worthallthis]

Soldat is not the best at encouragement. While they're surprisingly optimistic for a murder machine chock full of trauma, sometimes there's just not a lot you can say. (Too bad we can't just make him another origami. I mean, you could, but it's not exactly on topic. Yeah.)

What they come up with, after a beat, is, "I'm sorry. Maybe you'll get to go back to it, when the train is finished with us."

[controlsthedie]

Soldat shouldn't feel bad about not being able to comfort Thanatos. He's just a workaholic who doesn't know the meaning of not-working. It's something he'll have to learn soon.

"I'll have to." However long it takes to catch up on the sheer backlog of work that will await him.

[worthallthis]

It's a fun thing to learn, Thanatos, Soldat will sympathize during the process. They're still not entirely used to it, themselves.

Well, they can at least offer one more bit of advice. "If the noise bothers you still. There is a car on the train where you can lock the door. And it blocks out all sound."

[controlsthedie]

Hundreds of years of doing otherwise is going to be a big hurdle to overcome.

"A car that can block out sound..." That does sound helpful. Thanatos gives a small, appreciative nod. He then winces a little from the movement. "When I feel like I can move again, I'll seek it out. Thank you."

[worthallthis]

Definitely worse than seventy, but Soldat has faith that he can do it. "It's between the dining car and the car with all the seats in it," they say, so he can find it more easily, and then they push up to their feet. "If you need more paper. To try that again. Or want to learn other shapes. You can ask me. Okay?"