Conclusion

[voidtreckermods]

Thank you.

For those inside the system the voices of the Great-Seasons ring out around them once the red mass has vanished and the blue plinth it was smothering is freed once more. They don't have all that much time to reflect on that before they find themselves waking up once more in their bodies around the tree trunks.

Or at least, around the tube that is the Great-Season they entered through. All illusions have vanished now, all that is left are pipes and metal.

The Great-Seasons allow them passage out from the centre, no sentries or pipes attack them this time. Everything seems to have been put to rights, the walls in the Autumn sector have stopped moving, there is no strange weather effects in the Summer Sector, no engineering problems in Winter and all the camaloid creatures in Spring are calm. Any Helpmates they come across are doing their jobs and no longer malfunctioning.

After a small amount of time, enough to check that all is well, their SCA's light up. All Passengers are to return to the Voidtrecker Express.

Considering the vast distances involved it is probably best that they use the evacuation function to return to the Luggage carriage.

Once all Voidtreckers have returned the train returns to the Void once more.

Comments

Escape

[bakegarasu]

After a while, Otoha passes through medical to grab some supplies. He hears sneezing and walks up the stairs. Peeking through the door he spots Rich.

Hm.

A little bit later Otoha knocks on the door. There’s the faint sound of clinking as he shifts. “It’s Otoha. Can I come in?”

[firewalled]

"Hm?" Rich is roused from a restless nap at the sound of a voice, and as he sits up, it triggers another round of phlegmy coughing. "Ugh... Otoha? What's up?"

He doesn't seem to realize someone might be checking on him for the exact reason he was trying to avoid everyone.

[bakegarasu]

Otoha adjusts what he's carrying and opens the door, heading over to Rich. He's got some sort of noodles in a bowl, as well as what looks like tea. There's also a warm tortilla with some chicken and crab. ... Which is not all that's supposed to sit in a tortilla, but he tried.

He sets the stuff down on a chair and pulls off his trenchcoat, heading over and draping it over Rich's shoulders. He doesn't say anything, just quirks his lips slightly in a faint attempt at a smile.

[firewalled]

Rich blinks as he spots the food. He's not sure how appetizing it is, but... well, with his stuffed nose, nothing is really appetizing right now. He pulls Otoha's coat closer with a bit of a glare in Otoha's direction... but he's smiling too.

"You know I could have handled this on my own, right? It's just a cold."

[bakegarasu]

He's quiet for a few moments. "... I didn't mean to... I just got worried. Don't... want you to feel like you're hurting."

Did he go overboard? Shit.

[firewalled]

"Huh? Woah... hey, I'm not mad. You don't have anything to apologize for."

He looks embarrassed. "Sorry... it's instinct to want to act tough, right? When you're sick, you think 'cause you're a dude, you have to deal with it on your own." He sniffles. "I didn't want you to think I was hurt."

[bakegarasu]

"Oh I know how that goes." Fortunately, despite getting injured a lot, he's relatively healthy otherwise. "... I kind of went overboard. ... Caring about people is... new." Other than Reiji, but Reiji's an exception.

[firewalled]

"Aww, you're saying you care about me? That's sappy." Rich beams, but now his face is even more red. Probably that's just the fever. Probably.

"I... really appreciate it, though. I would've just sat here and starved if you hadn't shown up. Don't want people to catch this."

[bakegarasu]

His face goes faintly pink. Shh.

“... Don’t do that. You can’t skip meals, especially if you’re trying to put on some muscle.” Why do you think he brought protein?

[firewalled]

"Ah, right... I guess I didn't think about that. It's gonna be a problem for our training if I don't eat."

He isn't super hungry, but he'll at least pick up the tortilla. Protein is important!

[bakegarasu]

"I mean... you should eat, anyway. If you're sick your body's going to use up energy trying to heal."

He nudges Rob gently. "Don't want you getting sicker."

[firewalled]

"I guess you have a point. I just didn't want anyone to catch what I have. Especially since this would spread pretty fast in a tiny train car..."

It's just a cold, sure, but it's annoying.

[bakegarasu]

"Yeah. ... I could go back and get one of my hoodies if you're still too cold." It's not like he's using them anyway.

[firewalled]

"Oh, y-you don't have to do that... I can handle this. Maybe I'll just grab a blanket or..."

Even if a nice big hoodie to bundle up in sounds pretty nice right now, especially with his current hoodie soaked.

[bakegarasu]

"Rich." He doesn't sound angry, just a little exasperated. "It's not a big deal. It's not like I wear them, and I don't want you to feel cold."

[firewalled]

"Ah... well, I guess if you don't mind grabbing one." It's better than them just sitting in Otoha's luggage, collecting dust, right? And he definitely is still shivering.

[bakegarasu]

"I'll be right back. Try to at least drink some tea." He gets up and heads towards the sleeper cabins. It won't take him more than ten minutes or so anyway, so hopefully Rich can manage to eat a little by the time he gets back.

[firewalled]

When Otoha comes back, he might be pleased to note that Rich did take his advice, eating about half of his tortilla and sipping at the tea when he comes back. He's still not super hungry, but the food hasn't killed him, and the tea is helping to soothe his throat. He smiles a bit when Otoha returns.

"You're clearly learning from me. Nothing's burnt this time around."

[bakegarasu]

"I'm trying." He holds out a red hoodie. It's probably too big for Rich, but at least it'll be warm. "Here. Try to bundle up a bit more." He'll just take his jacket back for a minute so Rich can pull the hoodie on.

[firewalled]

Rich takes the hoodie gratefully, slipping it on over the tee he had available. The sleeves definitely are long enough to drape over his hands, but Rich doesn't seem to mind that too much.

"Mm... that's a lot better." He actually isn't shivering any more, so that's a much better sign.

[bakegarasu]

"Good." He pats Rich on the back carefully. "... Do you still need my jacket on top of that? I don't want you to overheat." He knows that's an issue for him sometimes, since he can't cool down the same way.

[firewalled]

"Ah, no. I think I'm okay now... there are blankets here if I'm really cold. But I mean, even my fingers are covered, see?" He lifts his hands so the sleeves of the sweater flop down over them. He probably does not realize how adorable that image is.

[bakegarasu]

He laughs a little bit and reaches over to ruffle Rich's hair gently. "All right, then. You make sure you rest up and get better. Do you want me to come check on you later, or just leave you alone?"

[firewalled]

"Mm, you can come if you want... just don't get yourself sick, or put pressure on yourself, okay? Now that I've got food, I can probably get the rest I need. And I'll be better in no time!"

He reaches up to swat Otoha's hand away, and then turns that into an arm flex. Which is super impressive with his sweater paws.

[bakegarasu]

"Okay, good." He lifts his hand and takes a step away. "I'd say call me if you need me, but I don't have a phone and I don't think we'd get reception here anyway."