No Place Like Home: Outside

[voidtreckermods]

---

NO PLACE LIKE HOME: OUTSIDE

---

HOME SWEET HOME

You find yourself not on a wide station platform, in the clothes you last remember, holding what you were when you went through the glas door. There's no longer a train behind you, no sound of its whistle, with no other passengers around you in similar style of clothing to your own.

You're somewhere familiar, or just - the last place you remember being before your life became tethered to the Voidtrecker Express. A field, a city, a kingdom, or perhaps even a space station. You should be nowhere, yet you find yourself somewhere, despite all odds.

People - if there are people - don't at first notice you; but attract enough attention to yourself, and that will all change. Friends, family - are they near, a phonecall away? It's either everything you wanted or everything you imagined (for good or worse), and it could seem unbelievably real. But it is real - you're off the train, back somewhere you know.

Finally - the journey is over...

---

...If only.
You're moving away from where you arrived, for whatever reason. Who wouldn't? You may be far from home, have business elsewhere, or want to go sightseeing. It's time to return to - and live - your life, and that doesn't include sticking to one place.

But you'll find that when you reach a point, the world becomes...foggy. A fog that you hadn't seen in the distance before it appears, and when you walk through it, you'll find yourself in a place some have already found themselves in.

Because for some passengers, there was nowhere for them to return, and so the barriers lead only to fog, and then straight back onto the platform. The Voidtrecker Express may be stationed, or there may be a blanket of fog where it should be; sometimes, it can be caught trying to leave the station, only to come back a few minutes later. The doors are shut tight, and the windows are obscured, showing nothing inside.

Those who came from somewhere can go back, should they go through the turnstiles again. And if they want, they can take people along with them, too...

---

But sometimes, they go to a world no one knows. They go through the barriers into nothing, a black emptiness. Not space, for those that know space, and it doesn't seem to be the void either. But it is a void, devoid of anything at all. Just a darkness so complete they will not be able to see anything at all, they will only know their companion is there through touch and sound. How they are breathing, how they are living at all, is a mystery; one probably answered only by the SCA on their wrist.

Being there brings an unease deep down inside them. This place is not natural, not somewhere that they should exist in. Not a place that should exist at all. Luckily they are never there for more than a few moments before they return once more to the station, fog covering them like a safety blanket.

A DIFFERENT CORNER: LOCATIONS

In the first couple of days (whatever that means, when time doesn't match up between most places), the only way to move to another's tethered location is by them leading another there. But after that, individuals will show up in other locations when they reach close to the distance limit. Indeed as time goes on everything gets a lot less stable. They may know their five miles perfectly but still one step to another leads them back to the platform. Attempting to return to their world leads them somewhere else entirely.

And there's quite a few places to end up.

---

SETTLEMENTS

• Buddhist Temple, China ( Koumyou Sanzo | TL )
  
• Rebel Camp, Lothal ( Hera Syndulla | TL )
  
• Homestead, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ( Nell Ingram TL )
  
• Capsule Corp ( Trunks | TL )
  
• School Grounds, College ( Idia Shroud | TL )
  
• City Ruins, beach ( Najaran | TL )
  
• Hakkei Palace, Tai ( Taiki | TL )
  
• Gusu Lan, mountain sect (China) ( Lan Jingyi | TL)
  
• Lotus Pier, riverside, China ( Jiang Cheng | TL )
  
• The Endless Abyss, Hell ( Shen Qingqiu | TL )
  
• Hyrule Castle Town ( Zelda | TL )
  
• Haven Palace ( TL )

COMMUNITIES

• Spaceport ( Yondu | TL)
  
• Mobile Station Base ( Kiyoiri )
  
• Arkwood, Town (Ryo | TL )
  
• Techstead, Town ( Devero | TL )
  
• Tatsumi Port Island ( Ken Amada )
  
• Mor Dhona / Town, Mountain, Lakes ( K'zeka Tai | TL )
  
• Hyrule Field & Lon Lon Ranch ( Link | TL )
  
• Ishigami Village, Japan ( Senku Ishigami | TL )
  
• Aether Paradise/Artificial Island/Natural Preserve ( Katsuya Jonouchi )
  
• Nautilus ( Spark/Clef TL Clef | TL Spark )
  
• The Underworld, Hades ( Zagreus and Thanatos | TL )
  
• Sanctuary ( TL )

CITIES & KINGDOMS

• Saillune City ( Zelgadis | TL )
  
• New Mantle, City ( Ruby Rose | TL )
  
• Brooklyn, New York City, USA in 2017 ( Jake Peralta | TL )
  
• Azabu-Juban District, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan ( Usagi Tsukino | TL )
  
• Hau'oli City ( Eva Iden'no | TL )
  
• Gauig City ( Little One/Buttercup | TL )
  
• Kyoto, Japan ( Masumi Sera | TL )
  
• Shinjuku, Japan ( Yosuke Otoha | TL )
  
• Kingdom, Evermore ( Roland Crane )
  
• Garlemad, Kingdom ( Zenos | TL )
  
• Kingdom of Knothole ( Mina Mongoose | TL )
  
• Domino City ( Yugi Muto | TL )
  
• Amnity Park ( Danny Fenton | TL )
  
• Garlemald ( TL )
  
• Lothal ( TL )
  
• Los Angeles ( TL )
  
• The First - Crystarium and Lakeland ( Elidibus | TL )

OOC NOTES

OOC post. Ask questions here.

LOCATION TOPLEVELS: Since it'll be easier for players to engage with settings presented by those offering them, when we see a toplevel for one of the above locations put up, we'll add it to the list! We've also included the OOC comments for settings to the side, so any questions can be left with the player, as well as extra details. Please always speak with the player first if you intend to do anything drastic to the setting!

A REMINDER: Time of log is Poi 22-25, but time within worlds can last up to a maximum of two weeks. Minimum is whatever you want it to be.

During Poi 22 and 23, characters will need to be led to a location to be able to access it. From Poi 24, people will show up in locations regardless of invitation.

The second half of the event will go up during 20th to 25th February (Poi 26-28). But as always, play around in here and do as you like!

If your character's setting isn't above, link us to it in the Questions post, along with your toplevel! We'll add it.

Comments

lan jingyi | two branches below

[jingyeets]

See below comments for threading on his world without Jingyi attending, or his personal prompts:

GUSU LAN | LAN JINGYI (AU)

[jingyeets]

Gusu Lan, the Cloud Recesses, rises as mountains and buildings of a very particular style, visible to those who step away from the platform, either led by Lan Jingyi or, in later days, finding themselves present for unaccounted reason. Each finds themselves beginning in the place where Lan Jingyi stood prior to his arrival on the Voidtrecker Express: a training yard that has been converted into a very odd sort of sickroom, completely open air but for the covering artfully spread across half the area, under which a familiar young man sleeps, covered by a white sheet. If he's in human form, it's because the spirit of Lan Jingyi is as well; if he's in dragon, it becomes apparent that the body of Lan Jingyi is not clothed, because his body likewise gains dragon form as he does. Their transformations, body and spirit, indelibly linked.

Yet outside that training courtyard, just large enough to contain a dragon and still showing signs of wear and tear from months of transformations while unconscious (not unheard of, Lan Jingyi will say, but unusual in the course of things), lies a town-like sect woven into the valley landscape of the mountains it sits perched within and between. Waterfalls cascade down the taller back mountains to course through the sect itself, winding in the ways nature has intended. Smaller creeks can be found, along with crafted ponds for senior households and visitors and the teaching areas of the sect; the kitchens produce foods gentle to the stomach and tongue, but warm and filling, always.

Visitors will be met with curious looks by the young disciples, and cautious, often aloof respect by the older disciples, and even more cautious consideration by the elders. They'll be greeted, once they strive to make themselves known, even fed, but only the youngest ask many questions, and only the Lan Sizhui, Lan Wangji, and Wei Wuxian of his world will actively speak with the visitors. Lan Xichen might be tracked down as well, but he's busier with sect dealings, and upcoming nuptials, though no one seems inclined to say whose they are.

Guest right is granted to all visitors, and guests are expected to treat themselves and their surroundings with respect. Then again, all the Voidtreckers caught between realities needn't make themselves known, and there are rabbits to play with, or dragons to watch in flight, and a whole natural world within the limited sphere of wandering to experience. (Or, perhaps, near limitless warm, bland food to fill stomachs searching for that kind of fare.)

( ooc: please indicate which npc(s) you're looking to speak with if tagging this thread. lan sizhui, lan wangji, wei wuxian, lan xichen are some available: anyone in the untamed canon is likewise available, because why not? they can be invited to visit gusu lan for the right reasons. )

[mtsilver_conquor]

(OOC: Please contact me first (either fenixofthedark#9631 or Dark_fenix ) before threading in Eva's world without her. This is so I can give you any extra world info you'll need :) )

[Platform]
She can't say she's surprised to be back on the platform; not when the SCA had remained. Not after seeing her body in the hospital. Not after that conversation and a half with Satoru and Fluffy. If Senku was here, she couldn't sense him, yet it didn't mean shit.

Not when this is just another thing in a long line of them when it comes to life on the train.

Still, it's not an easy thing to process; she'd wanted to go home at least, to see Satoru and her family, and her hands shake as she stares at the SCA. Hands form fists as she steels her will into that of Eva the Champion.

"Ok. That's how it is?"

Doesn't matter how many times she comes back, she still says it. As if she's trying to will it into not being so. "Wonderful."


[Choices - Daytime]
Her first trip to the world was by herself and she dealt with a few things as best she could, but now... She's brought people here. Friends, found family, or even just curious people who want to see a world dominated by pokemon. She'll bring them all.

Compared to what she wears on the train, Eva is in a teal-green shirt, jeans, and white sneakers with a myriad of pokeballs on her 'belt - though she has a familiar rucksack on her back and she's not letting go of that anytime soon. Also the SCA, but details.

"Right, so; we've got pretty much the run of a city and there's a lot of things to do!" Eva says to whoever's come with her, with a laughing grin that is all confidence and ease as she sweeps a hand out towards Hau'oli City and the city life that is her home. It's noise, it's green, there's people and (reasonably sized) pokemon everywhere. What cars can be seen are small, sleek and compact. The same with the odd truck here and there. The air is clean and salty. All in all, it's a vibrant place full of life and laughter. "There's the beach, the shopping district, the mall, the parks, libraries, the marina... One of the Take Off Zones if you want to go for a flight..."

She points upwards. She doesn't mean planes or helicopters, she means literal flight on pokemon, some of which can be seen high above. "The choices are endless, really."

She means it, too. "Just let me know what you want to do and we'll go from there, ok? And don't worry about cash; I'll take care of that."


[Choices - Nighttime]
Nighttime is much the same as the daytime, though there are notably fewer people and pokemon around. Any wild pokemon that can be spotted are distinctly nocturnal.

"Right, so; we've got pretty much the run of a city, and like in the day, there's still plenty of things to do! and there's a lot of things to do! The beach, the shopping district, the parks. Bars and clubs if you want? One of the Take Off Zones if you want to go for a flight..."

Eva shrugs. "The choices are endless, really. Just let me know what you want to do and we'll go from there, ok? And don't worry about cash; I'll take care of that."

Daytime

[tactlesstantei]

[Masumi was more than willing to see Eva's world, curious about what kind of place it is, but she's still taken off guard actually seeing it for the first time. She's visibly staring around, taking in the sight of so many pokemon in one place, and it takes her a moment to pick something to do.]

How about the beach? [She always did like the beach.]

Yondu Udonta - Filler and OTA

[yondu]

Accidental Good-byes - Closed

Yondu's quiet about his good-byes. He's gonna miss some people but wants them to make it home. Offers them polite nods and such and hangs around in case anyone wants to shake his hand or say their piece of flip him off or whatever the hell ever. He's good for it. Give 'em closure. But it's when he's about to get back on the train, pressing his ticket to the barrier, that the panic hits. It's practically a countdown and he's getting desperate, mashing the ticket repeatedly, panic growing. He's pausing to observe someone else try to make sure it's working for them. Watching them board before he tries again.

He doesn't want it. He doesn't want that moment of air being ripped out of his lungs, to feel the cold sinking into him again. He doesn't want the stars to fracture and blur and disappear from his vision. He doesn't want to feel it, not again, not like it was. He's waited so long to board that he doesn't have much time. It's practically a countdown for him.

---

Small favors, it's not out in space where he eventually finds himself. It's on a spaceport colony. It smells stale and the air has that odor of having been cycled through familiar regulators. There are Orloni scampering around the dingier parts- little creatures with the personality of rat pirranha that scuttle into garbage cans. The nicer points, the brothel, the gambling house, some nice inns at least trying to pretend to be for classier clientele (or at least ones that pay better) are cleaner but bright and gaudy and garish. Yondu's been here before- not in a couple of decades, it's changed quite a bit and he tried to stay out of range of Ego's curiosity, but he has been here. A station close to where the planet used to lie. One where he'd even picked up a few payments from him.

It's sitting in front of an information terminal that he digs up articles and stories and personal accounts on the equivalent of stellar social media. Capt. Yondu Udonta died a hero, a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. His funeral was attended by the 99 remaining Ravager clans. The colors were flown in his honor. There are news anchors talking about successfully heists carried out by the united Ravager captains. There are further successes from the Guardians. There was a purge of 'most-wanted' posts about Yondu in the Kree Empire to stories about how their superior training enabled the former Kree soldier to help save their world and so many others from Ego's wave of destruction (isn't that a hell of a historical edit). There's a video of Stakar Ogord with a metallic stone, talking about how it fell into his lap and how a childish voice entered his head. He'd somehow imagined that it was from one of Ego's victims through some magical means that Krugarr couldn't identify. It had told him that Yondu was sorry, but had been making up for it.

It leaves him sitting like a lead weight for an hour, unsure of what to do. People pass him by like he doesn't exist all the time, while he tries to absorb the knowledge that Yondu Udonta is no longer the vile Ravager exile with a scum of the universe reputation. He's a hero, who gave his life to do the right thing. He was a beloved father and friend and this man he's just read about is somehow supposed to be him? Never before has an idea worn him out so much as trying to wrap his head around that kinda thing and it leaves him just sitting for a while, mentally spent.

Fuck It - OTA

Coping is digging through old illicit bank accounts. Coping is scrounging up the pay that was meant for a good 300 some crew members and using it to vent 'cause it ain't like they're gonna be using it. It's slamming his hands on an inn's front desk until someone pays attention to him and renting a temporary room next to the casino. It's drawing increased attention over drinks, raising his voice and yelling as he gets increasingly riled up. It's slow-dancing with a pretty Krylorian woman at a neon-lined brothel and it's slapping someone badmouthing his son's reputation across their face and reveling in the fight it provokes. It's getting dragged off by the Nova Corp officer hanging out nearby. It's smirking behind the cop while he leaves concerned messages of, "This guy looks familiar, can you run a check?" over his comm, until he looks into the back of his transport and Yondu's gone, his cuffs laying in the backseat.

Because Yondu's back on the platform, having left the allowed range, and after a brief moment of surprise he gets it, and realizes that he can just be as much of a little fucking shit as he wants to be.

Eventually, he makes his way back (eventually, because now he's got it in his head that in case things fuck up he needs to see whatever he can while he has the chance, and takes his own spells of world wandering). He'll gladly bring someone with him if they choose to come along. When someone swings by the platform while he's there? He hollers out to them. "Hey! Wanna take a load off? Believe me, I got ya covered." If they don't have a comfortable place to stay at home, he can rent them a room there. Somewhere to sleep and shower and eat if they're adventurous enough to try alien foods and see stretches of impossibly clear streaks of nebulas and brilliant glistening stars. He's got some leftover money that he's planning on burning through. Might as well treat some friends.

[OOC: Catch him on the platform or somewhere on the spaceport. If someone has left their world and needs a place to sleep or something he'll get them a room.]

Fuck it

[gathersnomoss]

"I thought you re-boarded the train." Zelgadis said honestly. Well, shame on him for not noticing at the first departure, because he was too caught up in his own troubles.

Danny Fenton | Amity Park

[schrodingersghost]

Platform: Arrival
Danny had had a very exciting return to his world. The situation in AmityPark... well, chaos was the only word that came to mind. It had taken a weirdly long time for anyone to notice he was there. But once he was.... Well he'd been fighting ghosts and dodging ghost hunters non-stop since.

He'd been trying to put some distance between himself and one of the new hunting teams, when he abruptly finds himself on the platform. While flying at top speed of course. Danny makes an attempt at stopping, but only succeeds at crashing into the ground.

After a long moment he groans and rolls over.

"This really isn't my day."

He'd get up in a bit. Just give him a moment to rest and heal up.

Platform: Meeting Up
Danny was standing by the stile, staring at the way back to his world and frowning. He hated to admit it, but he needed help. Even if he just considered Amity Park, there were too many ghosts out for him to handle himself. Let alone the ghost hunters, who only seemed to have increased in number.

"Hey!" He says to anyone nearby. "Have you ever considered ghost hunting as a career?"

So You Want to Hunt Some Ghosts
"Right," Danny says. "So I think the first stop is home. We can pick up some thermoses. And other stuff." He makes a face. "A lot of my parent's inventions are really stupidly named and go off on me all the time, but they are useful."

He leads the way to a house that would have appeared to be a perfectly normal brick family house. If not for the giant glowing sign pointing to the front that proclaimed the location of Fentonworks. And the enormous structure on the roof that bore a strong resemblance to a flying saucer.

Ghost Fighting
Danny lands on the ground and immediately slumps as he checks the thermos.

"I think I need a vacation from my life," he groans. "Just how many ghosts are out there?"

And of course that is when his breath shows on the air for a moment as he shivers.

"Great. Now what?"

Platform: Meeting Up

[gathersnomoss]

"What, like an exorcist?"

Zelgadis Greywords | Saillune City

[gathersnomoss]

Platform, First Return
Zelgadis had left, after debate. Ultimately, he needed to know what species his body was, even if it meant finding out the answer wasn’t the one he wanted. Of course, then he learned that the train hadn’t figured out the re-tethering process. He’d been going out to look for answers when the fog rolled in and he found himself on the platform.

He stared in confusion for a bit and then his brain started working. If he’s not tethered to his body, he must still be tethered to the train. “Dammit, you shouldn’t have offered if you weren’t sure you could deliver.” Zelgadis could cope (though he better try to go back to his world and explain some more). Other people might not.

Platform, An Offer
A bit of experimenting let him know the limits to his tether, and that he can return to his own world when he's booted out of it. And, well, he’s feeling generous. “If anyone needs food or shelter until the train figures out what the hell went wrong, I’ve got a friend back home who can cover it.”

Saillune City (with or without Zelgadis)
[If you want to explore or interact with NPCs, hit me up. Check out the setting information.]

first return

[flatteries]

Inigo also isn't sure who can cope and who can't. Zelgadis has always been kind of a hard one to read, so when the other appears on the platform, Inigo is quick to be by the other's side. There's a slight frown on his face as he stares at Zelgadis, as he takes in the words the other is saying.

".. are you alright?"

The other seems to be disappointed by this development, after all. Judging by that 'dammit'.

"It seems like something has seriously gone wrong."

Nozomi Yumehara | OTA

[cureofmanyworlds]

Nozomi, Queen of Bad Ideas

Nozomi figured it would be a quick hop and back in. All she wanted to do was peek in, see how things were, then return to the train. Easy peasy, right? Well, when she hopped out of the train, onto the platform and away from it all, she found herself somewhere different...

...an empty black void. There was nothing there. No land, no sky, no animals, no people, no light, just darkness. The feeling was nothing but terror. This was wrong.

However, the feeling is fleeting as Nozomi is soon spat back out onto the platform, her purple eyes wide in terror.

"What... what in the world was that?!"

Fighting the Train

Regaining her wits, Nozomi took notice of the train leaving... and returning. Leaving and returning. What in the world was going on? First empty voids now the train stuck in a loop?

With each time the train passed, Nozomi tried to get its attention. She would bang on its doors, hop up and down waving her hands in front of windows, yell at the top of her lungs to get them to stop.

After awhile, this changed to her becoming Cure Dream and trying to force her way in. This was ridiculous!

"Hey! Train! Stop it! WOAH!" Nozomi yelped, getting knocked for a loop as the train left again.

Wild Card

(OoC: Any other shenanigans here? Hit me up!)

Queen of Bad Ideas

[paopuofyourlife]

"Are you okay?"

Kairi was quick to rush over to the other, having been spat out herself to the platform, but the difference was her reaction, so she couldn't help but be a tiny bit worried.

Usagi Tsukino | Azabu-Juuban District

[another_moon]

Welcome Home

Usagi let out a small sigh of relief as she finally returned home. Everything was still standing, no one was causing mischief (hopefully), it was almost like she left and came back almost instantly. Of course, calendars will tell her that she's been gone for a few weeks. True, she has a mission to do here, but she feels like she has time. She wants to hit her favorite haunts - different restaurants, the park, Crown Arcade, her school, the like.

"C'mon, let's go have some fun!" she said, smiling.

Awakenings

A movie audition? Oh, that sounds like fun! Oh, sure, Usagi knows she isn't going to get the part (her? Acting? Ha!), but she has to try it out for sure! Of course, she knows she isn't alone in this as she's joined by four other girls - A blue-haired girl who seems more focused on her studies, a raven-haired girl that seems to have a fire in her eyes, A tall brunette whose power hides a kindness, and a blond who instantly recognizes Usagi.

"Usagi?! When did you wake up?!" the blond said, surprised.

"Minako?! When did you get back?!" Usagi replied, equally surprised.

Of course, things wouldn't be too friendly as a strange bull-themed woman showed up.

"Uh, she part of the movie?" Usagi asked, confused.

Downtime

Great. Just great. Another threat has arrived in her home and she needs to fight again. Of course, she doesn't have to right now, right?

Right now, she's hiding out at a cafe, sipping away at a drink, trying to process everything.

"Something... feels off, doesn't it?"

Wildcard

(OoC: Is there a place you wanna go to? A character you want to meet? A monster you want to fight (during the Makai Tree filler arc, naturally)? Hit me up!)

Awakenings

[redmeguca]

[Kyoko was there to cheer on Usagi, of course, even if her girlfriend didn't think she'd get the part. Things became strange earlier for her though, as an intense feeling of deja vu overcame her the moment she locked eyes with the girl with the black hair.]

Wait, is that-

[Of course, anything else is cut off as her ring starts shining just before the bull-woman makes her appearance, the same way it would when she was tracking a witch in the old days.]

Usagi, I don't think she's here to audition. Not unless they're looking for talent from living curses these days.

[bakegarasu]

[Otoha's goodbye thread is here if you want it.]


Despair (closed to close CR)

He's home. Finally. It takes some wandering, but Otoha finally finds the shrine he uses as a gateway to the yokai realm. If anywhere is going to tell him what's going on, it's that place. He needs to see what's going on with the yokai, to fulfill his duty as Karas.

... But the gateway won't open for him. He holds up his amulet, the symbol of his pact, and... nothing. He tries to wave it around, but nothing happens. "... Yurine? Yurine!" He calls, and finally the white cat he's familiar with appears before him. "Yurine, why can't I -"

"You are no longer Karas." His heart drops, and he stares at her. "But my amulet..."

"The city needs a Karas, always. You have been gone. Your body is being taken care of, but you are no longer Karas." He stares at her, disbelieving. "But I... I have to be -"

"Goodbye, Otoha." The cat turns and jumps away into nothingness, the tinkling of a bell the only thing to stay behind.

He moves, faster than he thought he could, up and away from the shrine. He keeps running, not stopping. His heart is breaking and that's all he can see - not the cars that screech and honk as he passes by them, not the people he dodges without thinking, He can't see, he can't hear anything other than his own breathing, until he feels something snap like a rubber band and fog surround his vidion -

And he's back on the platform, staring at the train.

He falls to his knees and screams, covering his head with his arms as he cries, tears and snot gathering at the end of his nose. He coughs and wheezes helplessly, unable to stop himself. His chest feels like it's being torn apart, and the worst squeezing he's ever felt - the closest to pain he's ever felt - grips his chest with an intensity he'd never imagined.


Wandering

Otoha wanders along the platform, trying to figure out what to do. Should he go back? No. Should he go somewhere else? He's not sure where to go or what to do. He can't seem to get back on to the train, and the train itself seems to be... looping?

He sits for a while, then gets up and wanders about. His mind is a blank, and he looks over at the ground. There's nothing. There's nothing left for him.

Maybe a change of location will do him good? But he's not sure how to get anywhere else... though he can take someone to Shinjuku if they really want.

[knifewithnoname]

She's been on the platform a little while, since she returned from her world. Just sat in the fog. The train comes and goes, people come and go. It's strange and she's slowly picking up what is happening. People can go to their worlds, but only so far and then they end up back here.

It's a trick. Or a mistake. Something has gone very wrong. Some people seem mad, some are leaky eyed. But she is surprised to see Otoha.

The leader of the red team is not someone who shows feelings much. She has never seen him leaky eyed before and now. To see him collapse, screaming in agony. She rushes over, assuming he is hurt, but no. He doesn't care about hurts.

This is something inside. She dropped to her knees near him and reached out, confused and worried.

"Can you be hearing me?"

What had happened?

Little One | Gauig city

[knifewithnoname]

She thinks she is prepared. She has made up her mind to go home and she knows people might be confused, be mad that she vanished. But she has to go back, make sure they knew she didn't leave on purpose. Hadn't abandoned her duty or her god.

She didn't believe it was going to work until she stepped through the barrier. She had seen so many people try and bounce. But it did, she moved through and she was home.

Stood in the kitchens of the Poison Apple. Yes, she had been washing pots... She looked at the sink, there's no pots there right now nor is there the usual box that was stored underneath for when she or her sister needed to reach...

Of course they hadn't needed such a thing, not when she had been gone. She closed her eyes for a moment. She had to brace herself. She might be back. But her sister never would be.

She took a deep breath and left the kitchen...

Back on the Platform...

Not being seen was weird, strange and unnerving but she had used it to her advantage, snooping. What she had learned had been...

Maybe she should have expected it. After all why would anyone care? She was just a brat. A useful brat but nothing that couldn't be replaced. Perhaps she was too used to living with heroes, people whose worlds might have ended because they weren't there to remember that without her, the world would not even blink.

She had approached Taiwin eventually and came out of that conversation even more confused. So she had left. She was going to the temple. That was where Priestess Elina had wished her to go before the train had kidnapped her and so that was where she would go...

Gauig was a relatively big city and so she hadn't even gotten to the edge of it when she... found herself back on the platform. "What? Why do I be being here? Do this be being a trick?"

She is not in the mood.

Visit Gauig (open to anyone, tag in and I'll make a more specific starter)

If people express interest she will take them to her world. She has no idea what weirdness is happening but it's not as if people are easily noticed so she's not worried.

Also it's much easier to steel honeycakes if people can't see them.

A place of nothing

Bouncing between worlds was strange but also sort of fun. It was cool to see how things were and it keeps her mind away from the realisation of her place in her world.

Though part of her is aware that something quite drastic has gone wrong. It becomes even more apparent when she steps out into nothing, darkness so extreme that she almost forgets what light is. When she's back on the platform she is very quiet, looking very shaken.

[ooc: Feel free to plot with me on plurk: damua or discord: damua#1089. If people want to meet with/talk to her guardians I can facilitate that!]

A place of nothing

[cureofmanyworlds]

"H-Hey, are... are you okay?" Nozomi asked, noticing her shaken state. She was equally shaken when she ended up in that void.

"What happened?"

Idia Shroud | Twisted-Wonderland | Spoilers for chapter six!

[flameinthedarkness]

Back home [Closed]
This is what he had been hoping for. A chance to go back. Though… in a way Idia will miss the train. It was nice getting to do his own thing, having no responsibilities, able to use his time how he wanted. And… maybe he didn’t mind all the people he had met there. Some were ok. But they didn’t compare to the person he was heading back home for.

Stepping back into his world Idia had expected just what the train had said, to be placed back where he had come from. His room back at Night Raven College, where he had been the day of the VDC, setting up ready for a night of gaming to distract himself from the horrors of having to do a public speech earlier in the day. And in a way he came back to that… but… not quite. It was a room in Night Raven, and in dorm Ignihyde, he recognized that easily enough. But it wasn’t… his. None of his gear was there, nor Ortho’s stand for his repairs and place to go into sleep mode.

…what?

It must had made a mistake, right? Well, at least no one else was in the room, so Idia was able to slip out smoothly enough without being noticed he just popped back into existence, quickly exiting the room into Ignihyde’s hallways. Then stopping, and looking around. Wait… this… this should be his room. A look back and forward several times to confirm that clearly this was not ‘his’ room, but that it was in the location for the dorm leader…

Oh…

i – And back again
It takes the equivalent of a couple of days before Idia comes crashing back onto the platform between realms, landing heavily on the ground as if he had come in a good six plus feet above the ground. He lands hard with a cry of pain, stiff from the impact, then lets out a tired sigh as he just kind of allows his body to relax against the ground, not planning to move just yet. Yeah, ok, that hurt…

Eventually he will push himself up to sit back against the ground, rubbing the sleeve of his jacket over his face and pulling back to see if he had hurt himself enough to bleed. It didn’t seem that way. His knees and elbows may tell another story though. As always his skull-shaped computer is bobbing happily away beside him, having shot down when he came crashing in to follow behind its owner, but unlike Idia it had stayed floating.

Looking around to see where, and who, was around him, he let out a sigh. “Oh… I see.” Of course…

ii – One more time!
The thing was, despite how everything went, Idia did want to head back. He had discovered nothing physical he had tried to bring back from his world came with him… but his computer’s updated data did.

And that gave him ideas.

Plus… he would like to try and work out just what had happened while he had been away. There was a lot of unanswered questions. As he moves to head back out, he notices someone heading his way, confused at first, then taking a guess, “Do… are you wanting to come too?”

iii – Surprised visitors
Eventually Idia will decide to have one last day in his world before leaving it forever. However in the days leading up to it, if others find a way to arrive without Idia expecting them he will do his best to try and track them down and make sure they haven’t gotten themselves in trouble. Whether it’s from running into them himself, or hearing rumours of the more ‘attention grabbing people’ going around the school.

He won’t always stick around if the person wants to explore without him, but does ask if they do cause trouble to not link it back to him and clean up their own mess they make…

iv – Wildcard

[OOC: Information on Idia’s world is found HERE via a Google Docs file. Be aware of image spoilers for the Japanese version of the game (mostly maps of dorms), and if you would like more information please let me know. Note if you’ve looked before, I have updated to add in the uniform appearance and some other notes under the location images.]

i-ish

[yondu]

Yondu's back to the platform again after yet another escapade to just... vent. He doesn't know what the fuck he's doing. Still coping to his own 'good news' and maybe it's just a case that his fucked up head doesn't know how to react to good things. But, sure. Just pick a fight with a guy that he caught insulting someone else and chase him down until he disappears.

Dude probably thought he was real slick, getting away from him like that.

But Yondu's fairly satisfied, standing on the platform again and wondering what to do with himself before he makes whatever venture back to his world. The thump from somewhere near him draws his attention, though, and he loosely heads that direction (towards blue glowing through the fog).

Once he finds him it's Idia, looking worse for the emotional wear himself. Don't he always, though? Normal state of affairs for this kid.

"Took quite a tumble, kid. You alright?"

[springforth]

A. Platform (Early Day 23)

The first time she walks through the barrier, the expected things happen. Artemis cries on her shoulder, she talks to Eros, her mother appears and they spend a few days talking and fighting in turn. And finally, her mother convinces her to take a little break back home, just for a few days, before she goes back to school. And it's when she's on her way there, for a visit, not for keeps, that she disappears. Right back on the platform.

No--no wait--she doesn't notice anyone else on the platform, just turns right back into the fog. The platform is quiet for a long moment, more time passing outside it than within, then she arrives back, her eyes red, her hands covered in tiny cuts that are starting to drip ichor. Wait, where did the phone go? Oh sugar snaps, it's still at home, isn't it? It's only then that she notices anyone else on the platform.

"Does destroying a phone get rid of what was on it?"

B. Home Sweet Olympus

For those who wish to visit her world, she's reluctant but she'd become aware of how little people had noticed her. That's how she got the phone in the first place after all.

"Well. This is my place. Well, it belongs to Artemis really. But this is where I lived on Olympus. Tada..." She gestures around a very pink room. It's bare, like no one really lives here, but there's more here than there was when she arrived. Clothes, a few books. Her phone even.

"I wish I'd been taken from the Underworld instead. It's much more scenic but I haven't been able to get to it. You've noticed that right? That we can't go too far. But if there's someone you'd like to meet, I could try calling around." Eros knows everyone.

B

[controlsthedie]

There would be a slight reluctance from the both of them. Thanatos seems less guarded than he normally is. He's faced a whirlwind of intense emotions recently, and he hasn't really had a chance to fully comprehend it all since he threw himself into work as soon as he was able. Still, if Persephone was offering to show him what her world, where gods could have lives beyond their domain, then he should see it. Maybe learn something.

"This is Olympus?" Thanatos walks to the window and peers out. "We're in Olympus?" All said with a hint of awe. Hypnos might have made it to Olympus a few times and had gotten into trouble for it, but Thanatos has never been. Death isn't exactly welcome by Olympians. (Besides Ares and Hermes, but they're oddities.)

"I don't know if anyone would like to meet me. Your world's Thanatos probably got my message from the river on Tschering and would want nothing to do with me." He... might have accidentally traumatized his counterpart in trying to warn about Sisyphus.

Thanatos | The Underworld, Hades

[controlsthedie]

For ease of reference: visiting the Underworld aka Hades

NPC Option (no Thanatos present)

I am willing to NPC some Hades Game characters without Thanatos present. If your character would want to interact with one, let me know. The threads will likely be on the short side as most of them have so much more to worry about, and I am more comfortable with some over others.

Hypnos, in particular, will be happy to give advice to all of those who have died, so if you want him and your character has died before, give me of info about it!

Or if you wanted to play in the Hades world with someone else and don't need Than or an NPC, you can do so here as well.

Thanatos | The Underworld, Hades

[controlsthedie]

Is home where the heart is? | Closed to Zagreus

The first thing Thanatos is aware of is the pull of threads upon every part of his body. He doubles over and grits his teeth. Mort squeaks alarmed. Then... the pull begins to lessen. Hermes and Charon are at work. It is then that Thanatos notices the heat of Asphodel, flooded by the River Phlegethon. The scent of sulfur fills his nose. This is where he was last.

Where is Zagreus?

Thanatos shifts to the House of Hades, not caring that he has just startled Hypnos, a large group of shades, and the Lord of the House himself. Zagreus was expecting to rise out of the Pool of Styx. He's from further along the Fates' tapestry. Thanatos searches for that familiar red thread so dear to him.

Where is Zagreus?

Thanatos holds his breath, despite not needing to breathe. His body goes rigid as he looks towards the pool. He's being addressed by someone behind him, but Thanatos doesn't hear them. Is there someone already there at the steps? Is someone just now rising out of the Stygian waters? Is he going to be his Zagreus?

"... Zag?"

Or did Thanatos open himself up to greater heartbreak?

Shifting to the... Platform?!

Once his initial return was over, Thanatos intended to jump straight into work. He needs to talk to the Ministry group present on the surface. He needs to bring shades to the Underworld, to bring relief to those suffering. The pull of the threads are not as strong as before. Hermes and Charon have already started without him. Now, he needs to join in. He barely takes the time to change into his grim style of dress. (It'll save time trying to deal with shades even more confused by his sudden approach.)

With a "See you later" to Zagreus, his Zagreus, his Life, he shifts to the nearest soul needing collection.

Except, there's no snowy wasteland. No soul needing collecting. Mort squeaks confused statement, bordering on a question.

"No, this is not the surface." They're back at the platform. He sees the VoidCraft among the fog as if it never left. Thanatos immediately tries to return home... and he does. He tries for the surface again. The platform greets him. "So, it's a temporary return."

Still, a little time back home helps so many break free from their suffering on the surface. He cannot deny those people that. Nor can he deny his part in bringing his world back from the brink, even for a short while.

After having been back to the platform

Now that Thanatos has confirmed that he can travel back and forth from the platform, he has been away from his world for very short periods of time. Mostly it's to give Hermes and Charon a break from the flood of new arrivals. (And for the Ministry somewhere on the surface to stabilize some of the dying, so that all life doesn't perish.)

He also sometimes leaves just for a break from the chaos he stirred up in the House of Hades both intentionally and unintentionally. Thanatos... hugged Hypnos ("Whooooaaaa!"), which was something they hadn't done since they were godlings. He kneeled before Lord Hades apologizing for his long absence and reaffirming his determination to make things right again. Which led accidentally to angrily confronting both Lord Hades and Mother Nyx over their lack of inaction concerning his confinement. In front of everyone in the Great Hall, gods and shades alike. He included details of his escape attempts never before revealed to them. His fear, his pain, his desperation, his feelings of betrayal that the first face he saw belonged to an Olympian who needed him to cause pain. Not his family or coworkers who should have known where he was the whole time!

Some part of him felt justified when a shade's whispered comment validated his struggle and revealed that the shade now understood Thanatos's dedication to his role. Born of a love of Life and not a desire to destroy it. Lord Hades and Mother Nyx didn't respond, but their silence said something. He would give them time to think before they gave him a reply.

Out of view of everyone, more privately, Thanatos also had asked his mother if she had anything to do with Mort's disappearance. She didn't give him an answer for that either, but something in her expression softened, turned regretful. Her hand found his, and when she removed it, two familiar stones rested in his palm. The ones he had sent to her through the river months ago. She met his eyes. "Fate has not been kind to you, my son, but in this, you have unlikely allies. Shoulder not this burden unseen and alone." Nyx said nothing more, but something was veiled in that darkness.

Thanatos is most often found in the West Wing balcony overlooking the River Styx. He pours over scrolls upon scrolls of parchmentwork. They cover the small table, the chairs, the recliner. He scribbles notes, fills out needed records and forms. Mort helps locate a scrolls from the pile or takes the partly filled out paperwork from Hermes and Charon for Thanatos to finish. He cannot help collect souls, but he can help speed up the process this way. (And Hermes has been given a pouch of what savings Thanatos still had. The technicality continued to be wordlessly exploited for the benefit of those areas with no one left to do the rite.)

Time is limited. His original body and his inability to reach the surface proves it. Thanatos will do what he can.

Wildcard: Choose Your Own Adventure

[[ OOC: Got an idea? Write up a starter or plot something out. Feel free to contact me by journal DM, aviekokyre, or Discord: aviekokyre#3411 ]]

jake peralta | ota, branches below

[monkeyinthewrench]

prelude/not replyable to

The instant Jake lands outside the precinct, he reaches for his phone. Signal at last!

"Amy...Amy! I missed you so much---yeah, babe, it's really me---I know I was supposedly in a coma, but that's not half the story. I'm outside the precinct, let me tell you! You're not gonna believe it but it's true, I swear I wouldn't lie. Call Da---Holt, call Charles, Rosa, Gina, Terry, everybody! Yeah, Hitchcock and Scully too, I guess."

There's some hyperventilating on the other end of the line. Jake's going to need to go into emergency management mode right away. He dashes up to meet the group, and faces intensive interrogation---they're detectives, after all---but after a long day of questioning, his squad accepts that he's really back. They're less sure about the trip, though...clearly it was a coma fever dream.

There's some weirdness as he moves about the borough---but it's going to be okay, right? He ends up making plans with Amy and Charles for a trip to Coney Island, but when they almost reach it, he finds himself stumbling back onto the platform.

"...damnit! What the hell's going on?"

((will you tour with or without Jake? your choice))

talk to jake: platform chatter, take a tour with him

[monkeyinthewrench]

an invitation

After an initial questioning sesh, Jake starts to catch on. They're accessing bubbles of home, and they can't go too far...but maybe he can go back. Just a little while longer. He soon runs up to badger someone.

"Hey, you want to come to New York with me for a bit? I'm trying to convince my squad all this really happened and they still don't believe me, but they'd definitely believe me with you, right?"

the uninvited?

Or maybe you've slipped into the city without Jake. If he spots you, he'll rush over with a wave.

"Hey! Welcome to town, I swear you'll get used to the noise. What's up?"

Devero, Techstead, and The World After

[subcircuits]

First, an unwelcome return home. Then...

Poi 22 - 23

[subcircuits]

FIRST RETURN (limited to one close cr only please)
Devero comes stumbling through the barrier, so fast and unsteady on his feet that it's only a few paces before he trips and falls heavily to his hands and knees. His face is streaked with tears and his huge chest heaves with panicked breaths. There's fear in his eyes as he lifts his head and looks around--

And recognizes that this is not Techstead.

His expression crumples first, fear transmuting into an almost-- radiant?-- relief, visible only for a moment before the rest of him crumples as well.

Don't mind him, he's just going to huddle here on the platform and have a little cry. It's fine. He's fine. Everything's fine!

GEARING UP
Find Devero sometime later, rocking back and forth on his feet and staring at the barrier with determination. He's talking to himself in a low, intense voice: "I have to go back. I have to. Just for a few minutes. I have to get Sir Beepers back, if nothing else. That's all. In and out, that's all."

...If it sounds like he's trying to talk himself into this, he is.

He jumps a little when he realizes he's not alone, shying back like a startled horse. "Sorry, am I in your way-- I can move--" Even if it's someone he knows, someone he's close to, he still slips right into that thoughtless self-effacement, as if his very existence is an inconvenience to the people around him.

Ryo | Arkwood | Closed Prompts

[fivemilesdeep]

[Please contact me - Kiaxet or Kiaxet#7085 - if you'd like to thread in Arkwood. Thanks!]

Narrative

[fivemilesdeep]

[Space held for narratives!]

Taiki | Hakkei Palace

[longforgottenpromise]

CW: Executions, dead bodies

He knows that he is going back to pain, to grief, to a kingdom shattered. Would it have been any different if the train hadn't taken him? He doesn't know. He had been prepared in that moment to die with his king. All that mattered was proving that Gyousou was the king, that Asen was false. But then he had vanished... It had been a year.

Once again he had been gone for far too long, a whole year of the people of Tai struggling to survive in cold and hunger. A whole year for Asen to bring pain and misery on the people. So he thought he was ready as he pressed his ticket to the barrier and stepped through.

The square is a mess. It looks nothing like the ceremonial place it is supposed to be, the stones are dirty and broken and the lingering smell of blood assaults Taiki's nose. He looks up and steps back, a strangled cry cut off in his throat as he takes in the scene before him.

A row of bodies, skeletons now, ragged clothes hanging loosely on them. His hand came to his mouth, stifling a cry or preventing himself from throwing up. He's not sure. He forces himself to take a step, another, another. Above his head birds circle. Jisen, more than ever before, out in the open like this.

Another step, his eyes fixed on the body of Gyousou. He had known, deep in his heart that his king was dead. Ever since they had learned that they were likely all from different worlds. The king he had reunited with on the train wasn't his Gyousou. His Gyousou is dead, Taiki had been so close to him and then so far. Now his king was dead.

So too were those that helped them. The bodies are barely recognisable, bones and rags but as he forces himself to look he sees one is missisng an arm, another is so much smaller than the others it is clear who it is. Risai, Yari. Who else? Everyone? Everyone who had helped him? He had brought about all their doom.

Kokki are meant to be auspicious, good luck for the kingdom that they serve and yet Taiki brought nothing but pain and death. Truly he was a curse and now... Lord Gyousou was dead. Asen had won.

He had dropped to his knees, he's not even sure when, his tears cold and icy on his face. He doesn't know who the others were. People loyal to Lord Gyousou. Perhaps citizens who fought back. But they were all dead now. Their bodies left to rot, to be displayed as a warning for all those who dared stand against Asen.

Footsteps and voices broke him out of his frozen grief and he scrambled towards the platform that held Lord Gyousou's body, making himself small. Two guards walked past, their eyes glazed in the way Taiki knew meant their souls had been taken by the Jisen. Was there anyone left in the palace who were not so affected?

They don't see him, which surprises him because his hiding place is not a good one. But it is good luck that he knows he shouldn't squander. A cold hardness filled him, a resolute feeling that had been so much part of his time in this palace but had slowly disappeared in his time on the train, softening under friendship and kindness.

But it is so easy to slam those walls back up, he can't grieve right now. If he gets caught then Tai is truly doomed. Lord Gyousou is dead. His king, his first king is gone and those feelings are far too overwhelming right now. Enough to slay him.

But if the king is dead then somewhere the new king lives. That is the way of these kingdoms and Taiki is a kirin. His duty is clear. Find the king, help the king to rule fairly and justly and serve the people of Tai.

If his king is dead then he must find the new king. They could be anywhere but he is a kirin and he is not searching blind. He looked around, the courtyard was clear. He took a breath, looking at the bodies one last time and then moved. He had to be quick, he didn't want to be spotted. He kept to the shadows, ducking into a passageway the moment he could, Hakkei palace was full of passageways, some were servant passageways, so that they could move swiftly in their duties. Others were more secret still, passageways made to be taught to the kirin. Many of those led into the emperors inner palace but others led away, towards the sea of clouds and that is where he went.

As he ran he tried to focus. A feeling, a pull, a hint, anything that would tell him in which direction to go. The ouki would not feel the same for a new king, but he hoped that he would recognise it. He emerged from the buildings at a stony hill, gemstone statues scattered around, making it perfect to dodge between. Soon he was at the edge of the palace, the sea of clouds beneath him.

He looked back, allowing himself one last moment. It might be a long time before he was here again and then he turned away, climbed onto the railing and jumped into the air, transforming as he did so and flying in the direction that felt most right...

Back on the Platform

It doesn't take very long at all for a kirin beast to cover five miles and so as he flies, the sea below him and no real idea where he is going he frowns as he sees fog... There should be no fog above the sea of clouds...

He's on a platform. On a train platform. A kirin beast, stood on the stones, looking very confused.

Visit Tai

Some time later after he's figured out what is going on and found some clothes from somewhere he is once again on the platform, this time with a purpose.

His face is hard and resolute. Those that know Taiki well may have seen him like this before, during missions or times that were difficult. There is no trace of the soft spoken, slightly timid boy. Though he is certainly not brash or impolite. Just direct.

"Would you be able to help me?"

For those that agree he will lead them back, to that courtyard filled with the skeletons of those he loved. "I have a plan."

tai time

[jingyeets]

Having offered over his outer robe to his friend when he'd been stranded on platform without anything to wear, he's still in the rest of his layers now, expression grim as he surveys their surroundings. All these skeletons, the strips of clothing, the lack of respect paid to the dead...

He's not here to lay them to rest, but part of him wants to ask if he can ensure they are anyway. Instead, he turns serious eyes toward his friend.

"Explain."

What plan, and to what ends? In this world of people born from fruits of trees and as fruits of prayer, but also out of compulsions and fates and complications of politics and destinies, stolen and granted, because no matter the world, people are people, and power always drowns the addicts with its allure.

jiang cheng ( ota ) lotus pier

[fennu]

ARRIVAL / BACK AT THE PLATFORM.

Returning home feels like a punch to the gut.

Jiang Cheng recognises Lotus Pier as if he's stepped into a dream - the rolling mountains behind the rivers, the flowers breaking out over the water, the slightly muggy feeling in the air. It makes him feel as though he is whole once again, as though he belongs, and the ache of leaving the train behind something that makes him uncomfortable, but it is forgettable.

He wakes in his chambers, makes his way around the familiar compound, ignores the disciples and begins to storm out of the stronghold and around the familiar rivers. The first thing he wanted to do was to explore, to reacquaint himself with all the things he knows. He pushes himself to move and walk around Yunmeng, to delve deep into what he knows as home - and it doesn't take long for him to lose himself to the fog, to stumble out and find himself back on the platform.

The rage he feels, the rage that's on his face, is unfathomable; there has never been anyone quite as angry as him, standing in the midst of what feels like nothing, like a betrayal. All he can do is stand there, glowering, hands shaking and Zidian sparking - his empathy power broadcasting to everyone just how absolutely miserable he is.

LOTUS PIER PROPER.

When he realises just how limiting his return home is, when he realises that it's complete nonsense, another broken promise, all he can do is go back to Lotus Pier and haunt the stronghold like he's a ghost.

There are numerous places around the Pier that he spends his time, hovering around; it seems as though people can see him and sometimes can't. Sometimes there's a sense of people coming to him for commands, for something, as if he had never left, but Jiang Cheng isn't sure if that is when he is is asleep and dreaming. Most of his time, otherwise, is spent on the edge of the pier, staring out at the scenery, what he had missed and what he hadn't really come back from.

For anyone who visits Yunmeng there are plenty of places to visit: the main room, with the grand Lotus throne and laid out purples and silks. The middle of the stronghold, where disciples can be found training, or moving around, bringing things backwards and forwards. There are the family spaces, with empty tables because there has been no one to eat there in years; with no family to share it with other than a-Ling Jiang Cheng had not bothered with the formality. There's even the possibility of seeing into well decorated bedrooms, some that look more lived in than others. Some seem haunted, left and abandoned in the midst of a Sect growing around it.

The most beautiful aspect of Lotus Pier is, of course, the rivers. There are boats that can take you out to see the lotus flowers in all their glory, with a chance to see and pluck lotus pods as you go. The river is beautiful, and reflects the sky and the scenery around them like a mirror.

It's no wonder Jiang Cheng longs for home so very often.

WILDCARD.

( Feel free to find Jiang Cheng anywhere else (somewhere in Lotus Pier, stuck on the platform, etc) or PP/DM me for something personal! )

Lotus Pier Proper!

[to_rise_above]

Not again! He doesn't want to drift anymore. How can he end up in this predicament again and again?

This fog, was starting to give him a major headache. He's not even sure how this keeps happening. How he keeps trying to find a way out with Fairy and he finds himself back at the beginning or somewhere else. It's like he's a ghost floating from place to place. He absolutely, hates it.

What more is the familiarity of the place he finds himself in. The air-- the fee, Lotus Pier?! How long has it been since he's seen this place? He remembers all the time he's spent here and even though, there are subtle differences from his own memories, it feels completely nostalgic. His second home away from Lanling Jin. A place where he grew up with the strict training of Jiang Cheng.

The strict training that helped him shaped his horizons. He feels strangely content, but hurt at the same time. This is the third time this has happened-- a illusion like space where he thinks is reality but it's not. He doesn't even wait a minute to gather his thoughts before he spirals throughout the main room and through various rooms in Lotus Pier, wondering how far it stretched or if he may find a familiar face.

Fairy dashed along with him. Eventually, he knows he's going to get scolded, but whatever!

inigo | ota (platform)

[flatteries]

(1. the platform, earlier)

Inigo has no idea what's going on. He never meant to leave the train, making all of this way more confusing. Walking as far as he could just put him back on the platform here, which is.. even more confusing. Why is he off the train, despite not consciously deciding to get off? Why is he back on the platform, as if they weren't permanently sent back to their worlds after all? Why is he still wearing his SCA, and..

Why.

Why is any of this happening?

Inigo just stares blankly as she train leaves right before his eyes. Totally dumbstruck for a few minutes, until the train is suddenly there again, like this is some terrible nightmare.

He turns around, looking at whoever happens to just be showing up on the platform as well, throwing his hands into the air in total confusion and desperation.

"Did the train just leave and come back?!" Sorry for speaking up out of nowhere with this, but can they have some answers. Just one answer would already be great.

(2. the platform, later)

It doesn't seem like the situation is changing though. No matter how long Inigo stays on the platform, the same stuff just keeps happening over and over again. People leave, heading into various worlds, but everyone just keeps ending up back here after a while. The train keeps leaving, and then returning, and the doors just won't open.

Inigo is squatting on the platform. Looking like he's given up, but he's frowning, still thinking. There's got to be some solution to this. They can't just.. stay like this forever. Right?

(Please.)

He turns towards the most nearby person, waiting until he has their attention, and then says: "We've got to do something." They can't just go in and out of worlds like they're tourists! "Something is so wrong, and-- and we've got to fix it! Both us and the people still in the train, we're all stuck!"

And that can't be good for any of them. Inigo wonders if the people inside the train can see them here from the outside - in which case he's sure they must be worried about all of this too. He told Tidus that he wasn't going to go home.. Surely the other would know, right? That he didn't just change his mind? Ugh, this entire situation is somehow both stupid and terrible, all at the same time.

Platform, Later

[sizedoesntmatter]

He was never really home for long the next time he returns. He had been so close to figure out just where a few people he didn't know were. It was honestly frustrating to not know where one of the most important people to you is right off the bat.

But for now he was going to take a break, watch as the train does whatever it is it's doing... which was weird.

"Your right something is wrong. I mean no one is staying home long enough, people who didn't plan to are here and.. the train is being more odd than usual."

OTA- come visit garlemald

[asheaveniswide]

Zenos was already planning on finding a way to negotiate a return to the train or contact the Void Ministry; there was a far vaster universe out there than Garlemald had access to, and if anyone stood prepared to make the push to a greater, wider reality then it was surely his people. An opportunity to leave simply meant opportunity to speak to Nerva, make arrangements, solidify his position in the city and guarantee things would indeed be running in top form while he was once more absent.

He is one of the few returning to his place with a light heart and an eager step; no disaster awaits on the far side of the fog.. not yet. No doom hangs precariously in the balance, and he at least has a world to return to.

The distance limit is discovered quickly however, as the Garlean prince reappears on the platform, looking terribly interested - and disappears back to his world again; this must be tested.

Again a reappearance. "Ah, wonderful. This solves how to get back." Has he noticed the train seems to also be having issues? Certainly! Is it weighing on him as much as it probably should be? ... Not even a little bit.

He still has things to tend to but at least now he knows the limitations of his tether.. and that other people are visiting worlds they have no place going to, by the looks of it. For those still on the platform, Zenos utterly fails to look disappointed, even as others are obviously distressed or heartbroken or worse.

"My fellow passengers. As it seems we are ... for a time, remaining here.. Garlemald opens her doors to you, for a night, or two, or longer if you so desire. Pray use no magic within the city's limits, else risk your heads. Otherwise... it seems some of you are in ... dire need of rest and a place to lay your burdens down for a time, and there is much to see and do even in the narrow confines of our current limitations. As crown prince, you will be under my protection; I will arrange for places to stay. Come."

It is indeed an invitation, and one he intends to uphold as he turns and disappears back off the platform. He could offer a great deal of protection and safety, given his position, but the warning about magic use seems ... very specific. If any do venture to follow, a nearly modern city awaits, with towering buildings, neatly paved streets, vehicles and an active, bustling population of multiple species and even the occasional robot-looking thing. Many are civilians, but there's an obviously strong presence of military or police, in uniform and armored, going about their business. The air is cool without being cold, with the mountains in the distance snow-capped and surely frigid, but there's still leaves on scattered trees and the occasional park is vibrantly green and warm.

It almost seems inviting, for anyone who isn't familiar with the Garlean Empire's bloody reputation.

Mina Mongoose (AU) | Kingdom of Knothole

[mystic_mongoose]

Welcome Home

"Home... oh, wow, it's a little bigger than I thought!" Mina said, looking out at the forest city that was her home There's no real reference as to how it looked before she ended up on the train, but by her reaction, she was certainly awed by how much it changed.

"C'mon, let's go see what's here! Maybe I can find some of my friends!" she said, urging people on. The creatures here are of various animal races and they'll certainly keep a wary eye on you - even if Mina's with them, they're human and there's still lingering resentment from their offshoots, the Overlanders.

You'll certainly find numerous amenities around amongst the village, though certainly no cars. Gotta hoof it here. The big telltale object is Castle Acorn.

Reunions

Oh, sure, Mina's return is a cause of celebration, but there's an even bigger celebration going on as crowds rush towards one of the entrances. There's Two hedgehogs flanked by a squirrel.

"No way..." Mina said, shocked. "They're... they're alive. They're..."

She sniffled as she ran out towards them. "SALLY! Is it them? Is it really them? Sonic and Shadow?!"

"They're home, Mina. You're home, they're home...!" Sally said, releasing the boys to hug Mina. "Everything's a-okay again...!"

Holding Sally, Mina called over the others. "Hey, don't be lumps, come join in!"

Training Time

Once everything settled down, Mina's stepped away for some private time by a large lake. She's joined by two others: a green hued echidna and a a pink echidna.

"You sure you wanna do this? Even Knuckles isn't that good at it." The pink echidna, Julie-Su, replied.

"I got the slap mark on my face from Sally when I told her that." Mina admitted. "Called me selfish, mean, a jerk. Glad Sonic calmed her down."

"I'm sure she would have slapped Sonic if he did the same thing." Knuckles replied. "But, at the very least, you're learning. Best to have more to work with."

"I guess. Also, don't blame me if something blows up..." Mina said.

Robot Ambush

Wandering outside the forest, things aren't looking too keen. A massive robot army is heading this way and they all look vicious! Some look silly, some are humanoid, some are massive, and some look silly.

"Oh, great. Looks like the docs have a temporary truce on their hands." Mina said. "Hope you're ready for a fight...!"

Wildcard!

(OoC: Anything else you wanna do? Characters to talk to? Places to visit? Hit me up!)

Hera Syndulla | Imperial Occupied Lothal

[averyusefultray]

Prelude/Without tagalongs

She really didn't know what she was going to find when she made it back given the situation she'd left. It turns out... well, it's by no means good, but it could be worse. The Empire's presence has gotten stronger, but her family are still okay. Still putting up a good fight, just like she trusted them too.

She's surprised it takes an effort to get their attention. Especially with how Kanan could always see her. But she manages and can finally explain some mysterious rocks.

Not to mention finish certain business the train had rudely interrupted.

Once that and some more family friendly hugging is out of the way it's only a matter of time before she heads far enough into Imperial territory to...

End up back on the platform.

Go See a Star War?

This clearly hadn't gone quite how they had been told. But maybe there were still ways to make the most of it. It's a limited range, but she still has to do everything she can. And if they have travel options... she'll certainly ask for help with noted exceptions. "There has to be something we can do to help my family.

Or maybe people just really want to see a galaxy far, far away.

Surprise Visitors

Or perhaps someone has found their way along without her specific invitation. It's lucky that it takes an effort to be seen with the alert level around the camp. Seeing Hera in her element probably explains a lot from the train.

Go See A Star War?

[cureofmanyworlds]

Thankfully for Nozomi, she could accept help like this. It wasn't a void, it was something tangible to visit. And since Hera needed help, she was going to do what she could.

"We'll figure out something, don't worry." Nozomi said reassuringly.

Lea | Stuck Between| OTA (with possible bonus Xion)

[hotheadwarmheart]

One Step Forward

Unlike the others, Lea knew he wouldn't be walking through the barrier alone; Xion would be coming with him. They really could have done with more time to prepare, to say good bye-Xion especially, most likely- but beggars couldn't be choosers.

His feelings were mixed, to say the least, though. Also unlike most, they wouldn't be going home; they'd be going back to Diatu. Though maybe in the time since they'd been gone, the researchers there had found a way to send everyone home? One could hope, he supposed. Either way, they'd be one step closer.

Still he found himself lingering on the platform, ready to share a few last goodbyes with those also leaving. But in a few moments it would be time to walk into the fog and off the train for good.

Two Steps Back

Except that's not how it worked out at all. Lea staggered out of the dark void, back onto the platform, looking around to make sure Xion was still with him. "Xion?", he called out. Followed immediately by, "What in Light's name was that?"

Stuck in the Middle With You

So yeah, he wasn't going to try that again. But now they had another problem. They couldn't go out through the turnstiles, and the train was seemingly gone, in its place nothing but a wall of fog. And they hadn't exactly come prepared for an extended stay on a void platform.

Fortunately it wasn't too long before another familiar face appeared, walking back through the turnstiles. "Man, am I glad to see you," he said. It didn't matter who it was; he was glad to see anyone else from the train just then. "Do you have any idea what's going on here?"

Wildcard

(OOC: Other platform times between worlds. Go for it.)

Stuck

[miseris_socios]

Ken looks... tired as he steps out from the turnstiles. He's feeling... a whole mess of things, some of which involve the train and some of which involve what he just got informed of.

He almost doesn't hear the question when Lea speaks up, and it takes a few moments for his brain to catch up

"Uh? I don't... know. Sorry. I..." His lip wobbles dangerously, as if he's on the verge of crying.

Shen Qingqiu (AU)

[foxyou]

Platform

[Shen Qingqiu steps without hesitation into the fog, and finds himself standing alone in a small cave. Which is fine! They'd been told they would be sent back to the exact spot from which they'd been taken, so it's not as if he hadn't expected to find himself back here.

It's just....he'd kind of hoped he'd find a familiar face in the area too, despite how long he'd been gone. But the cave was empty, and when he walked out, there was no one among the trees outside, either. Attempting to spread out his senses to locate any nearby lifeforms yielded a few possibilities, but following those leads led him first to the local monsters (which he ran from) and eventually into an uncomfortably familiar fog.

So here he is, standing back on the platform again, looking a conflicted mix between angry and broken-hearted.]

Shouldn't have gotten my hopes up. [This is muttered mostly to himself.]

Wildcard

[Jiu's mostly going to spend his time either moping around on the platform or wandering into other people's worlds for lack of anything better to do, but he does make one or two more forays back into the Abyss, and while nobody's actually invited, you're definitely free to follow him...or just show up by accident. He'll try to make sure you survive, I promise.]

platform

[flatteries]

Yeah, this seems typical, doesn't it.

[ Look, at least he isn't all alone on the platform? That's at least something. And that's exactly the thought Inigo has in this very moment too when he sees someone else appearing on the platform, because he sure already exhausted all his options for what he can do here by himself.

Which is why he shakes his head, not lingering on his statement just now, because he wants to do something productive here, if they're stuck in this crappy situation anyway. He might not know the other, but.. ]

Please tell me you have some sort of power that might help pry open the doors of the train.

[ .. oddly enough, the train isn't standing there right now though, so it might let one wonder what Inigo is even going on about.. ]

Zelda

[wisdominshadows]

[Just splitting up the prompts separately to keep track of them]

On the Platform

[wisdominshadows]

First Arrival

Zelda flashes back onto the platform with wide eyes and a notable shake to her step.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but if you have a moment," she pauses, just clearly trying to properly string her next thought together, "but... I don't happen to look freshly bombed, do I?"

Some Time Afterward

Her third return home, and everything is in a frustrating stasis. If the SCA hadn't been enough evidence that the trip home was running into difficulties, the fact that she could walk into the market in full royal dress without turning even *some* heads would have done the trick.

And the Voidtrecker Express- she eyes the fog-shrouded space where the train should be in considerable frustration- is currently out of contact. She might have expected as much.

A sigh, and in resignation she "I don't suppose anyone is up to giving guided tours of their worlds?"

A pause, then she adds, "Or at least recommending us something to eat?"

Wildcard

During various visits back, Zelda will be off trying to meditate in a corner of the platform. Feel free to bother her.

Patricia Tannis || Sanctuary || Whenever

[sirentologist]

((Sanctuary 3 is a spaceship, no more than half a mile long and about half as wide. There are a few people on board, but not many. It contains several levels, and has a weapons bay/store, cargo area, bedrooms in the back, a bar with slots, Tannis's lab, a hunting lounge, and the bridge/control area. It is currently operated by an AI that sounds shocking like Ice T. I'm not even kidding.

It's small enough to explore, but let me know if you need more information on a particular area!))

The Room

On the way toward the bridge (which is surprisingly accessible), on the left hand side of the hall, a door is open. Beyond it is a staircase down that ends in a small room. There's not much inside but some simple furniture and a large chest in the back of the room. It might be small, but at least it's comfortable.

Tannis is standing in the middle of the room, quiet. She's not crying, she doesn't do that, but she is...feeling strange, and looking like it too. She's not moving, not really looking around just...standing there. Staring. At the room and through it. It's obvious that she's almost not really there, remembering or thinking of something else. Enough to be thoroughly distracted.

It's hard seeing this place again, but she doesn't really understand why. It's just a place, even if she was supposed to be there.

The Lab

On the top floor is a laboratory, which contains several scientific tools, alongside a vending machine and with an arcade cabinet in the back. There is also the corpse of a small dinosaur-like creature on a table in the center of the room, looking particularly torn up.

Don't ask questions you don't want the answers to.

Tannis is more active in here, bustling around, checking on things, grabbing things she'd like to take back with her (would that even work? She doesn't really know and doesn't care either way. Either she gets what she wants or she doesn't and that was a good experiment).

She's apparently more up to talking, too, and calls out as soon as she hears footsteps enter the doorway.

"Watch where you step or leave."

Lab

[silver_eyes_rose]

“Woah, sorry!”

Ruby wasn’t sure why she joined Tannis. Maybe she wanted to understand the woman more. The fact that she was over here running around a lot more than she used to gave her a hint on how she really worked.

“So, this is where you work, huh?”