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

[controlsthedie]

"... There's a way to speak to the train?" Thanatos looks at her puzzled. "Is there some special ritual needed?"

He doesn't know of any way someone could possibly help. Death needs to return home, to stabilize the cycle of life and death. Maybe he could try explaining his situation to whoever is in charge, get them to understand.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"It's a message on the ICP, when it tells us about what month it is, and the chore list, and stuff. It asks for feedback. You could try using that. No special ritual needed."

[controlsthedie]

Message on the ICP... That sounds like one of the strange technology things. Thanatos looks at his wrist. It was called some three letter name, wasn't it? And Persephone and Ryo had talked to him using it...

Thanatos pokes it, trying to get it to display the message she speaks of.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"That's not the ICP. That's your SCA. Safety Control Appparatus. It's what allows us to understand each other if we speak different languages. It beeps when you're in danger, and while you're wearing it, if you die on a mission you reappear in Luggage." Raven wondered if anyone ever got a proper explanation on their first day anymore.

[controlsthedie]

Thanatos was too busy panicking up and down the entire length of the train, trying to find a way out, to get a proper explanation. He also hadn't thought about the fact that he could understand everyone, likely deciding it was some nature of his divinity than the device. He looks at it again.

"I knew the train interfered with death, but I didn't realize this was what did it."

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"We still don't know a lot about our SCAs. Or the Train in general." Raven replied quietly. "I can show you where you can ask, on the ICP, if you want."

[controlsthedie]

"Might as well. The worse that can happen is that I don't get an answer." Thanatos doesn't seem very hopeful. It's feels dangerous to hope, and honestly, Thanatos isn't sure how much more he can take in such a short period of time.

And then Zagreus arrives.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

Raven gave a soft sigh. He likely wasn't even aware he was radiating very little but gloom and despair. And normally, she wouldn't mind except he'd been doing it for a while and it wasn't just like the usual 'background noise'-type emotions she could tune out.

"This way. What were you pulled from, when you arrived here?" Because she might as well ask, while leading him to one of the ICPs.

[controlsthedie]

"I was leaving the Underworld to collect my next assignment on the surface." Thanatos assumes he radiates gloom on a good day to mortals. They tended not to like being near Death, even the God of Gentle Death.

"The train pulled me mid-shift."

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"What did you do for the Underworld?" Raven didn't seem surprised at this concept at least. She did want some more details though.

[controlsthedie]

"I am Death Incarnate, and I also bring the souls of those who have died peacefully to the Underworld," he says it so plainly. He's not trying to intimidate or impress. It's just a fact.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"Cool." Was all Raven said, not sounding particularly intimidated or afraid. Her voice was as calm as ever, and she might've even sounded slightly impressed. "Although I can guess why you're radiating distress so strongly now."

[controlsthedie]

Raven will be able to feel how cold and guarded Thanatos becomes when she says she can guess why he's so distressed. He forces himself to look forward, to keep his face as blank as possible.

"I would keep your thoughts to yourself." Thanatos may try to sound imposing, but fear is the true emotion he's trying to stamp down.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"I would love to, except I'm an Empath. You've been shouting practically in my ear for at least a few days now." Raven could go cold as well, not backing down at all.

[controlsthedie]

Thanatos stills, no longer following. If only he could just turn off his emotions... but the fear and caution seems to only grow stronger. She could be dangerous. Don't confirm anything. Don't let it get out. She can't know. This is different than telling Persephone and Ryo; he knows, trusts them with the information of what happens when Death is trapped. He doesn't know this cloaked passenger before him.

So he does the only thing he can think of in order to keep that secret safe.

He shifts to whatever end of the train is furthest from their current location.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"Oh for the love of Azar." Raven said softly, scowling. She got it--he didn't want to deal with this. Unfortunately she didn't want to deal with his screaming despair and woe and gloom constantly. The others who had problems were all quieter--she could shove 'em to the background. His was constant, and she wasn't able to tune it out.

Fine--she could teleport too.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Raven's soul self manifested briefly, as she focused on following that emotional beacon. Reappearing wherever he was. "Look, normally I'm all for privacy..."

[controlsthedie]

Thanatos exhales in relief when he reappears after shifting. He doesn't know if his presence on the train will do anything about the nature of death here, but he doesn't want to risk it. What if people decide that he's better off chained and locked up for the sake of everyone else? The world, the train. It doesn't matter. He can't go through that again. He--

Raven's appearance makes him spin around, wide-eyed, and immediately teleport to the other end of the train.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

Raven blinked when he vanished again. And huffed. "Alright, one more try." Because she could sense the beginnings of fear and panic starting--but it was just adding to the 'noise' she was sensing from him. Loudly.

So once more she focused on that noise, and intoned her mantra quietly. As soon as she reappeared "I just want to talk..." was out quickly.

[controlsthedie]

Thanatos barely reappears when he sees Raven appear before him. They're probably startling onlookers during their impromptu chase.

He doesn't even consciously mean to teleport this time. He simply panic shifts to the greenhouse. He's not even sure why he chose that location. All he knows is that he can't be caught if he doesn't stay still.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

Well....that had gone well. Raven sighed, and resigned herself to more headaches. Heading for the kitchen first and herbal tea, then to find some paper... She hadn't actually gotten a name besides Death Incarnate, but there were only so many death-gods of the underworld, right? Scanning the passenger roster wouldn't be too hard to find him, hopefully.

SO, Much later--there is a note placed on the table in Cabin 4a, folded and addressed to Thanatos.

To Death Incarnate,

I'm sorry I scared you badly enough to panic the other day. I truly just want to talk; as I said, I'm an Empath and you're one of a few who has done the equivalent of shouting in my ear for the past few weeks. I want to help you learn to shield a bit better, for your sake and mine. Please come talk with me, even if it's just by sending a response note.

Raven
(Cabin 3-B)

[controlsthedie]

By some stroke of fate, Thanatos find the letter before any of his roommates do. He reads it carefully multiple times and even talks with Mort about it. The letter goes through a few drafts before he's satisfied. The lettering is neat and crisp.

To Raven,

I had not realized I have been causing you pain. This place brings up memories better forgotten. If this shielding is something you are willing to teach, then I will attempt it.

Thanatos

It doesn't go into detail into why or what he's feeling, but he hopes secrecy can be allowed in this case.