No Place Like Home: Outside

[voidtreckermods]

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NO PLACE LIKE HOME: OUTSIDE

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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

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.

Re: Go See A Star War?

[averyusefultray]

"They've been holding things together, but things have gotten worse." She's proud of what they've managed, but they had really needed her specific skills when the train took them out of the equation. "Trying to reach the main factory ends up here, but some things are in range."

Re: Go See A Star War?

[cureofmanyworlds]

“What should we focus on, then?” Nozomi asked. Tactics like this were a little over her head.

Re: Go See A Star War?

[averyusefultray]

"We can probably disrupt some supply lines. But I think the best option will be creating a distraction so the rest of my crew can hit something deeper in the city." If there's one thing Voidtreckers excel at it's causing a ruckus. And Hera knows how to use that productively.

Re: Go See A Star War?

[cureofmanyworlds]

Nozomi chuckled at that. "What better distraction than a girl in pink with super powers?" she replied, grinning.

Re: Go See A Star War?

[averyusefultray]

"You'll have to make an effort for them to see you. But whatever we do will be noticeable." Even if they can't see them... there are options. Especially if Sabine finds them some explosives.

Platform

[schrodingersghost]

"Hera!"

Danny was a little more wild eyed and windswept than normal, but he still has enough energy to run toward her.

"Are you okay?"

Re: Platform

[averyusefultray]

She looks him over to make sure he's okay. Frazzled and doing too much, but she's not seeing injuries at least. "Things are just a mess at home."

To put it mildly.

Re: Platform

[schrodingersghost]

The lack of injuries was mostly because he'd gotten ambushed with healing spells the moment he'd shown up on the platform.

He was starting to get a reputation.

"How big of a mess?" He was going to worry a bit.

Re: Platform

[averyusefultray]

"The new fighter they were working on went into production because I wasn't there to fly the data past the blockade." For a train that claims to want to help worlds it managed to pick a very bad moment to remove her from her own.

"My team hasn't been able to get much information about what's going on in the rest of the galaxy. But Imperial control on Lothal is tighter than ever while they press the citizens to work in the factory."

Re: Platform

[schrodingersghost]

"That's awful." Now he was going to be worrying about her world. "I'd like to offer to help, but...."

He knew that just fixing his world was going to take everything he had. And he couldn't keep clones active that far apart.

Re: Platform

[averyusefultray]

"BUt your world is as badly off as what the Ministry showed you?" The train really didn't show their worlds proper consideration in pursuing its goals. That was becoming quite clear.

prelude

[flatteries]

Honestly, Inigo is still a little dazed by suddenly ending up outside of the train, and even then suddenly back on the platform again after briefly having been in his own world - but he's slowly grasping the situation a little bit more, every time he sees someone else appear on the platform.

.. Hera this time, huh.

Inigo immediately walks up to her, the look on his face serious.

"Is this your first time showing up here on the platform again?" .. Look, it's a kind of odd question without the full context, but for all Inigo knows, she could have been back in her world again and ended up here a second time, or she could have visited another world entirely. It's better to be clear of the situation first.

Re: prelude

[averyusefultray]

The question tells her at least a bit of what's happening. Not a good sign but it explains a few things. "Has it happened more than once to some passengers?"

Not a good sign.

[flatteries]

"Yes." Look, a clear, concise answer. Inigo isn't screwing around here. Not when it feels so important to try and solve this situation somehow.

"It seems that whenever you leave to go back to your world, or someone else's world, you end up back here if you go too far from where you first show up when you arrive. So it seems like we're still connected to the train after all."

It's the only logical reason, right? Why they can only go so far in their own worlds, and why they keep being pulled back to the train. The tether must still be there.

[averyusefultray]

"Kriff," she mutters. THis is definitely a problem. "That explains why the kids couldn't see me at first and even Kanan couldn't sense me."

Or at least the best explanation she had available, especially for that last part. "Even though everything felt solid once I got their attention."

Very much everything.

[flatteries]

At least Inigo's expression softens a little when he hears that. There's something in his eyes - it seems to be sympathy, really, especially since he looks down at his shoes for a moment before raising his gaze back over to Hera.

Inigo didn't stick around in his own world for long enough to interact with other people, but he can understand how that might have been hard or awkward at first for the other.

"It makes it sound like we're only half in our own worlds." Or as their void selves. Not in their body, but instead just their souls, only barely noticable. ".. we need to find some way to fix it. Staying like this - it can't be good for any of us. Maybe we'll end up just like the other people who disappeared off the platform each stop."

[averyusefultray]

"Nothing's ever simple with the train." Starting with the fact that she was right about the implications of removing her from her world at the moment it did. "My partner can sense life and he couldn't describe it, but something was off. Staying in between can't be a long term option, pulling us back might be something trying to correct what happened."

[yondu]

The range is a hell of a limiter, but Yondu's interested. He's heard her stories and, fuck it, what if the Ministry fucks this up and he ends up dead? Might as well try to cram in a few more worthwhile things in his life.

"I wish I could bring ya some of the ship specs from my neck of the woods but I ain't been able to bring anything with me."

He's ready to head with her wherever she needs to go, though.

[averyusefultray]

"Whatever's happening is preventing us from bringing anything in that wasn't from the train." Which means not much. And of course that this went differently than they were told but they know that part already.

"We can still cause enough chaos to let Kanan and the kids hit targets deeper in the city."

[yondu]

"Yeah, alright. That sounds like a plan." And in Yondu's current frame of mind, he'd very much like to offer up some chaos.

"You're gonna have to give me a quick kinda sitrep or just, y'know, point me at the thing you want me to mess up an' then I'll do ya some favors." If he's going to go provoking fights, he might as well provoke some that are worth it.

[averyusefultray]

"THere's a minor outpost in range. We can disrupt some supply lines and it'll be enough to get their attention. We have schematics at the camp that'll help give you a better picture."

She starts leading the way toward the gate. "They need all the help they can get, and my crew at least is used to dealing with things that are a bit out there. Just... not usually for me."

Plus she wants him to meet her family.

[yondu]

"How did they take it? You bein' gone, you comin' back? All that?" He remembers all she said about them, even if he's reasonably sure they weren't totally in their right mind when they had that conversation. Not that it was profoundly negative in any way.

It's also strange to see aliens around that are different from the ones he's used to. As much variety, just all of them completely unfamiliar. He doesn't comment on it, figures that he's also putting out that 'well that's almost like something I know' vibe.

[averyusefultray]

"They got the messages I sent." That was a relief, they'd had to take that on faith and it had all been so new then. "They've been off balance, but Kanan and the locals have been holding things together as best they can."

SHe trusts her crew and they've proven nothing but worthy of that.

"Reappearing was a surprise but Kanan has ways of knowing it's me."

She looks him over again. He doesn't really look enough like a Chiss (a word she only learned on the train anyway) to be mistaken. He'll just be an unknown species.

And the first person they need to talk to won't be able to see his physical appearance no matter how much focusing he does on the out of sync VOidtreckers anyway.