voidtreckermods: (train)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] middleofsomewhere2022-02-12 07:08 am
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No Place Like Home: Outside

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
COMMUNITIES
CITIES & KINGDOMS


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.
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fennu: (JC6)

[personal profile] fennu 2022-02-24 03:28 pm (UTC)(link)
It's not easy, clearly, and Jiang Cheng recognises and understands that; it's a difficult position for anyone to be in, let alone his nephew. It's likely an unkind thing, for him to be brought here to a Lotus Pier that must be familiar but so completely different all at once. There's not much that he can do to ease that, but at least he can just act as he should, the sense of being an uncle slash father once more.

There are many things he needs to be better at, and he knows that. His conversations with Wei Wuxian come to mind and all he can do is huff a noise.

"Then it's a good thing you're here, then, if you missed it so much."

Frowning, he looks around the pier, trying to think about how his nephew could have possibly got here, but... It's not something that will come to mind immediately. He has to understand that.

"Come. We'll walk around and try to figure it out as we go."
to_rise_above: <user name="kagaminokakera"> (jl186)

[personal profile] to_rise_above 2022-02-24 08:33 pm (UTC)(link)
It's unkind, yes, but there isn't much he can do. After stumbling here, he finds excitement, but that excitement immediately dies down as he ventures further and further into the heart of the sect. The stare of confusion and lack of recognition. Jin Ling feels out of place, yet he is too stubborn to leave. He is aware that this might be complex for Jiang Cheng too, given that he's responsible for a lot and it's natural for him to be like this. Jin Ling can't find it in his heart to be mad or blame this person for anything. Jiang Cheng has been nothing but kind and accepting of him and Jin Ling wants to do the same.

If anything, he's happy to have someone he can call uncle and share some familial bonds with with. His eyes seem to light up at the thought. He won't be kicked out. He can stay! Even if it's for now, he seems a little more content.

"I haven't seen it for a long time-- and really? You won't ask me to leave?"

It sounds hopeful and being as simple as he is, Jin Ling's mood brightens just a bit as he follows after Jiang Cheng.

"The only thing I remember is a lot of fog. I never seen such thick and dense for before! It felt really weird. I don't know exactly if it has anything to do with it, but it's something that's been consistent."

So many places he found himself in. He can't say they are pleasant places. At least, Lotus Pier is almost the same and he feels safer here, for the most part.
fennu: (146)

[personal profile] fennu 2022-02-25 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
At least Jiang Cheng knows he isn't to blame for this, for dragging an unsuspecting a-Ling to a place he might not recognise and may not want to be. It would be as though he had arrived in a Lotus Pier in a mirrored world - similar enough to ease some of the numbness in his heart but so different that Jiang Cheng can barely tolerate it, like sour tea on his tongue.

It must also be difficult for a-Ling, to come here and be so far and yet so close to home. There is no denying it.

"Why would I ask you to leave? If you were trapped here this would still be your home. If my a-Ling got stuck in your world I would expect myself to do the same."

It might take a while to get used to, as it had for him, but he would want to make sure any version of his sister's child was well taken care of. The idea that he wouldn't is unfathomable, especially with all that his nephew had been through. He promised his sister he would take care of Jin Rulan and he intends to keep that promise until the day he dies.

Moving forward, he snaps his fingers to make sure that Fairy follows them both.

"The fog would make sense," he nods. "I awoke here and I haven't tried to leave since. Some of the disciples have been able to see me, but sometimes..." He frowns. It's not like they forget, necessarily, but the further he goes from the hub of the pier the more difficult it is for them to focus. "Remnants of the train, I'm sure."
to_rise_above: <user name="kagaminokakera"> (jl128)

[personal profile] to_rise_above 2022-02-26 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
It's a weird concept of seeing an almost mirror reflection of a place he is very familiar with. It does leave a bad taste in Jin Ling's mouth as well. He can agree to all of that and just take things in stride. There's nothing else he can really do at this point.

One of these days, he might actually get to go home and not a place he doesn't want to be. Maybe, he'll wake up one day and forget about all the craziness he's gone through. Even though, he thinks about it that way, Jin Ling wont' really want to forget about all his experiences. Everything he's gone through up until this point, helped him mature in many ways.

"...Thank you-- jiujiu."

He's a little taken back, but he can't deny that it's something he expects his uncle to say. Jiang Cheng really cares about him and Jin Ling can feel it from his words-- straight forward and firm. Whether his uncle knows it or not, Jin Ling is really touched by those words, so much that he runs at his uncle for a hug.

If he's stuck in here in this version of Lotus Pier, he thinks he might be able to handle it. Especially, when he's welcomed here. It's different and there's adjustments he'll have to make, but it's not hard per say. He just has to get used to the differences. He's content that he can at least call another place home.

Fairy hears the snap and barks happily as she dashes towards her master and Jiang Cheng. As always, she's always good and obedient.

"--Sometimes--what?"

There's a long pause before he manages to speak again, "There's no doubt about it. I've been observing it, but I can't find out what's wrong with it. If I didn't run so fast earlier-- maybe I wouldn't have ended up caught in the fog."

He has no facts to back this up, but it's the best he can come up with for the time being.
Edited 2022-02-26 04:14 (UTC)
fennu: (008)

[personal profile] fennu 2022-02-28 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
For a moment Jiang Cheng is caught by surprise, but it's a very a-Ling thing to do; a quick, brief snap of it before it slips away and the strange wall between them rebuilds itself. He knows he was not a particularly loving uncle, not in comparison to the doting and gentle Jin Guangyao, but he is realising in hindsight that there was so much more he could have done. Jin Ling is well aware of the fact he can turn to his uncle for any comfort, but for displays of affection?

Jiang Cheng is too much like his mother for that.

Wrapping his arms around a-Ling feels familiar, wonderfully so, and he gives into it for a moment before they break away and become two separate people once again. He should make sure both his nephews are aware of how loved they are, of the memories that he holds of their mother and father. They deserve to know those stories, to be aware of the depth of the heritage that they share.

Something for him to improve on in future.

Walking ahead, Jiang Cheng forces himself into a more neutral expression, not letting himself give into his fears. If a-Ling is here then he once again has to make sure he is strong, able to protect, and that is what is most important. Nothing else matters if it means keeping his nephew and his Sect safe.

"Sometimes it feels incorrect," he admits finally. "There is still the fog, and there is a great deal of confusion in Yunmeng. At first I thought it was because I have been away for such a long time, but it is more than that. It can only be the train doing it."

Looking down, he tilts his head.

"Why were you running so fast?"
to_rise_above: <user name="kagaminokakera"> (jl128)

[personal profile] to_rise_above 2022-03-06 03:59 am (UTC)(link)
Jin Ling always feels at ease when Jiang Cheng is around. It is true that he isn't the type to give affection. Even Jin Ling himself doesn't really understand affection and always thought that the things he's seen with both Jiang Cheng and Jin Guangyao are forms of affection. He's learned that there are various forms of affection. Either way, he's fine with the small amount of comfort. the hug is returned and it makes him feel at ease. He doesn't have to think about being kicked out or being treated any differently.

It's a small gesture, and a small action, but it means a lot to Jin Ling that his uncle is willing to give him that moment. The comfort only lasts just for a moment and he's back to standing again, a few steps from his uncle. It's enough to ease his worries and he understands that Jiang Cheng isn't the type of person that is affectionate. Those are definitely left to Jin Guangyao. Regardless, he's content with the little he gets.

He follows after Jiang Cheng, keeping in pace with him, as Fairy keeps to the rear of Jin Ling and Jiang Cheng. His eyebrows knit together briefly.

"It really looks like the train is influencing a lot of things, even if it's not directly connected."

He seems to regard that statement seriously as he recalls seeing the fog many times.

"I was try-trying to get out of a tight spot-- I can't really explain it but this is the third place I've-- wandered to."
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