No Place Like Home: The Return

[voidtreckermods]

---

NO PLACE LIKE HOME: THE RETURN

---

a silence broken...

It's been a very difficult few days. Rocking and rolling into the void and out again. Watching their friends out of the window as they wander from world to world. Meanwhile those lost on worlds continue to wander unable to return to the train at all.

"All attempts at returning those who left have failed. This voidcraft cannot do it alone. It is lucky that unlike those that have left before them, I can still sense them.

But I cannot bring them back alone. This is perhaps too advanced for Voidtreckers, but you have done the improbable before. You say you wish to help. This is how you help."

Their SCA's light up with a message. Or rather, a series of instructions:

In the unlikely event a tether gets stranded on a liminal space platform or between their own world and the platform space, you should, in the first instance, contact the Void technicians who monitor their non-travelling self. However, in the case they cannot be reached or there is a mass displacement of tether, an anchoring procedure can be carried out.

Ideally, this will involve two fully tethered individuals to retrieve the lost tether. One should be a stationary anchor. They should be outside of their void craft, if possible, and in physical contact with it. The second should be a roaming anchor reaching to draw the tethers back. In situations of mass tether displacement the stationary anchor can hold mutiple roaming anchors but it is recommended to not exceed five. In this situation, it is recommended that anchors rotate between stationary and roaming.

To start an anchoring of this kind, those anchoring should activate their anchoring program. Those staying station should reach out to the tethers of those they plan to steady. This might cause some emotional upheaval, and they will need to stay steady, especially if connecting to more than one roaming tether. Roaming anchors then must hold the person they search for in their thoughts and move towards them. It is recommended that the lost tethers activate their emergency beacon to facilitate being found and returning but this is not a necessity.

Once the roaming anchor has found the lost tethers they must keep hold of them and guide them back towards their craft, the stationary tethers must draw them back, pulling them through.

There is an additional note at the end, in different font.

It is as Anan told you. Your minds should visualise it. Be strong Voidtreckers.

... a short-lived dream

The doors open and anyone who wishes to try this can leave onto the platform. It is empty, devoid of the figures they had seen before; and, beyond the fog, devoid of anything. But searching requires their SCAs, not a path, and as people get into teams, they can activate their anchors and begin.

For those who will roam, their minds become filled, visualising light, void, voices and chaos; their bodies feel less stable, like they might unravel if not careful. But for those who will stay, when they touch the Voidtrecker Express, they will feel more stable, grounded. The fog shifts, but the world moves around them without pulling them in.

Thinking of the person they wish to keep stable, a mental and emotional link will be established, and they will feel each other as the roaming anchor sets off to find their missing crew.

---

Outside the train...
For those that had left - either by choice or by strange happenings - they have found themselves back at their anchor point during Poi 26, regardless of where they were before. For those unfortunate enough not to have a world to return to, or those who were stuck between in the first place, they will find themselves alone, in a fog filled space where no matter how far they walk, nothing greets them.

All those in fog or back in their world receive the same message from their SCAs.

Hold fast. Press your evacuation button. Your friends come.

---

RETURNERS: FLEETING HAPPINESS

But it's likely before the message arrived, that something wrong has been noticed by those outside the void. More than the bizarre ability to travel between existences, an inability to move far from where they appear. Back at their anchor points, they may notice - in time - colours sometimes flash across the sky, streaking through clouds or making trails in a night sky. At first not much, something to be easily dismissed but it builds. People talk, wonder at what is happening.

For the colours aren't the only thing. Across worlds, in cities, kingdoms, villages, underworlds and space stations, people are dreaming. Bright colours, vivid dreams. Prophets spring from nowhere, people claim to know the future or to have seen the past. Some talk of places and worlds they could not have seen.

Perhaps at first it can be explained away, there are always such people. But more people talk, from urchin children to commanders, people dream and the colours dance.

ANCHORERS: A STEADY HAND

While the stationeries will feel grounded, they aren't blind to what's happening to their roamer. It's as if they're both linked, intimately, meshing together, and they will need to work to keep their feelings separate; hearing each other's thoughts, their feelings. Images of what the other thinks and memories shared between them.

And then there is the search for their teammates, amongst the multiple of realities. Existences move past the roamer, threatening to lose them in the mess, but they must persevere, keep their thoughts on the individual, their stationary anchor to help them. Until finally, they appear - in a world they perhaps know, don't, the kaleidoscope colours of the void faint above their heads.

Speak to each other, keep each other focused, certain, and find who you came to save.

BOTH: HOLDING ON

Searching for individuals, the anchorers will find themselves at a character's anchor point; if they haven't moved far from here or another world, it will be easy to locate them. Now is the time to convince them to come back, and then the eventual work of doing so.

It can be in agreement, or force. Taking a hold of the person, the anchorer can pull them into the mass of chaos. Just like when they helped the guests return to their worlds from the false Diagad, all parties become battered by images, voices. Voices like sirens; 'Just stay,' the voices encourage. 'Just let go and drift into the chaos. It will be easier.'

But they must be strong, move towards their anchor and towards the craft. The crossing doesn't take too long, perhaps ten minutes each way, and once they get to the craft the person they are rescuing glows gold and vanishes. The anchors will know instinctively that they are safe on the train.

And indeed, the rescued will find themselves within the luggage carriage - exhausted, but safe.

TRAIN: AN INEVITABLE RETURN

Exhaustion is something all parties will experience, once everyone is returned to the train and the adrenaline wears off. Those who anchored will be hit with a total exhaustion, leaving them unable to do much more than eat and sleep for a few days. Those rescued won't be as bad, but if they decide to join in with the efforts, they'll too face the soul-tiring experience that other anchorers are.

There's likely to be efforts, to help soothe people over this time. And as people return to their life on the train, they will see the marks of the last few days for those who stayed behind. Broken ceramics, books out of order in the library; the ICPs in the standard coach, storage, sports and games carriages broken, and some damage to furniture.

But for the scars brought on by this event, surely, they will heal - eventually.

OOC NOTES

OOC post. Ask questions here. New second part OOC post here.

First phase of the event took place during Poi 22 to 25; the second phase takes place during Poi 26 to 28 (20-25th February).

VISITING WORLDS: While during Poi 26, it will be possible to go back to wherever they were, or other spaces. However, they will have increasing difficulty doing this, and will feel themselves getting more lost if they try world hopping too much over the next 3 (void) days. It's like something is trying to pull them back, or pull them, but into nowhere.

SCAs: The SCA's comms will not be active at this time.

Comments

Lioriley; ota

[invigorates]

❱❱ rally the troops

Lioriley had wanted to be optimistic; to believe that those that returned would stay in their home worlds as they wished to. But in the time between their departures and the eventual decision that they needed to be rescued, that optimism had all but vanished.

The signs were all there — the train being unable to move, the flickering shadows of those lost and wandering between the void and the worlds they wished to see, the almost deafening silence around them. But she had held out hope until there was no question otherwise, and the message came through loud and clear: they had to do something to save them.

This was not the first time she had been called to action without much preparation, and it likely wouldn't be the last. And Lioriley moved with the swiftness and stalwart intent of a woman who had seen some shit before, and was ready to adapt however she could to assure things went smoothly. During the first few hours as the plans were set into motion, she could be seen hurrying around the carriages, trying to rally the remainers into a single area. And if they did not care to follow her (she could understand — new and unannounced, people sometimes did not like taking orders from strangers), she would at least ask for their name.

"So few that we are, we should be certain we are not overwhelmed while we aid the others." She explained, "I intend to attempt to keep us all in order, if possible." And it'd be great if they worked together.

❱❱ schedules

After all the appropriate information was gathered, a piece of paper would appear on the walls of one of the main carriages (likely wherever people were dropping out to anchor), stating names, duration on the train if they were only just returned, as well as who had done which job during specific hours and days.

Lioriley was clearly the one updating it, and between doing runs herself to help those stuck outside, she would adjust said information as necessary, her usually perfectly aligned, looping script just a little sloppier in how quickly she was altering the text.

❱❱ creature comforts

If something was set up to calm those that were returned — and even those anchoring that seemed to suffer the mental strain of aiding their fellow passengers — after such trials, Lioriley made sure to pop in as frequently as she could between everything else she was doing.

"Do you need anything?" She would ask, coiled lines of magic along her skin pulsing and flickering. "Food, water, anything at all — if it is in my power to retrieve it, I will gladly do so." even if that something was just sitting down and talking to them, she would be more than happy to do so. Just ignore the obvious exhaustion and anxiousness making her fingers twitch.

❱❱ wildcard

Lioriley will be anchoring and roaming between all the shit she's doing on the train. So if you would like her to try and help your character feel free to hit me up @ LiLi#0844 and winemom. Always happy to write personal starters.

rallying the troops

[blue_ice]

The train is finally allowing them to do what they've insisted they need to do. Seto is somewhat relieved, but he knows it's going to be a long road ahead.

And one of the newcomers is facing this task with enthusiasm and purpose. That's somewhat comforting. But he needs to understand and so he tilts his head slightly.

"What do you mean keep us in order? Counting to make sure we're not losing anyone?"

[invigorates]

"I am keeping a list." She confirmed with a nod, pulling out her journal with a series of names and team colors already written down, along with a few other details scribbled beside them (distinguishing features, current emotional state, their intentions for the mission if they cared to give her any detailed responses). "And intend to do frequent - hourly, if possible - rounds to assure we are all accounted for and well enough to continue our missions. As well as keeping track of all those we retrieve." It didn't look like she had recruited anyone else for this task, and since no one had volunteered, she certainly wasn't going to try and force them.

"The passenger roster helped a bit, but who knows if it can be relied on."

[blue_ice]

Seto briefly peeked at the list and nodded. So many missing...it was a daunting task ahead of them, but he couldn't leave them behind.

"If you saw any names in gold, we might not find them. Those people tend to be lost---they vanish at the next platform stop. But everything's especially unreliable right now."

Everything else she said, though...despite all that, he felt the drive to be on the job. "I'm going in. I have too many people to find."

[invigorates]

"Ah. That is good to know." Jotting that down real quick. She would have to check the roster again later to be sure she adjusted her own list accordingly.

"Understandable. Do you intend to go immediately, then? The instructions suggest it to be an emotionally daunting task - I would recommend not lingering for long periods of time."

[blue_ice]

Seto brushes his hair back and nods. He definitely looks rumpled and rough around the edges, but he has to do this.

"I've done it before, but this version sounds more complicated. It requires strong mental focus, I know. But nothing can stop me from finding them."

[invigorates]

He certainly isn't the only one looking disheveled. It's been a weird and hard couple of days.

"I admire your determination. Who exactly are you hoping to find - ah. And what is your name, if you do not mind?"

comforts

[crouching_sin]

"No, I'm fine." Naoya's hair is a bit matted down to his head, wavering slightly. He's fine. He's not tired. There's no mental strain that he can't deal with.

"Just looking for someone else to anchor with. There's still a lot of people we need to go and retrieve."

[invigorates]

Lioriley knew exhaustion when she saw it, and she knew from her keeping tabs on everyone that anchored and roamed, that he had done more than his fair share of assisting.

"There are. But we cannot help them of we overexert ourselves in the process. You should rest for a time."

[crouching_sin]

"I'm fine." He brushes his hair out of his eyes so he can look at her more properly. "I've a lot more mental shielding than most. It's come in handy."

He really does need to sit down, and he knows it. But there's no point in doing so when there are people lost.

... He knows what it's like to be lost.

[invigorates]

"More than most, I suspect, does not mean infinite. There are others to take your place for a time — rest now, and you will help them later." Her voice is calm and even, yet there was still a very distinct air of authority. Spoken like a true healer.

[crouching_sin]

He grumbles and sighs. "I suppose..." It's the idea of failing that is so frustrating to him. "Things are just going to get done faster if we can all do our part faster."

[invigorates]

"Either that, or we simply all fall together." Which was not an alternative she particularly cared for. "Now sit, please. If only for a few moments."

rallying the troops

[wishalone]

Kyoko is chomping at the bit to finally do something. Sitting helpless on the train has set her on edge, and she is ready to bring her people home.

... But even after all this time, she still hasn't shaken the instinct to resist being herded.

"You?" This one's new, if Kyoko's memory serves her right. Well, she can say she respects her initiative here. "What's your plan, then? For all this order-keeping."

[invigorates]

"Ideally not only I, but if it must be done." She didn't seem particularly perturbed by the knowledge she might have to run around like this by herself for a while. "I have a list - both mental and physical - of those aboard the train, what roles they intend to take, and whom they are hoping to rescue if they have someone named already. I intend to repeat these checks as frequently as possible, and update when necessary when others are brought aboard. I have checked the roster, but do not count on it for its accuracy currently."

[wishalone]

It's thorough, and it's a good way to make sure nobody gets left behind, even the ones that keep to themselves or might not have friends yet. And there isn't a hint of bossiness, of expectation, just pragmatism and efficiency and getting everyone safe. The little line of tension in Kyoko fades away and she nods.

"Not a bad idea." Kyoko reaches into an inside pocket of her Ravager coat. "Where are you wantin' us to meet up?" And there it is -- She finds what she's looking for. She pulls out a bar of chocolate and holds it out. "Want some? Sounds like you're gonna need the energy."

[invigorates]

"I have not acquainted myself entirely with the train's layout yet, but from what I recall the library should be large enough to house those that remain. If you have a superior alternative, I am more than happy to listen." She hadn't gotten around to many people yet anyway.

She paused, looking down to the offered chocolate. "Oh, I —" She was going to say no, but not wanting to be impolite, extended her hand anyway with a smile. "Thank you. My name is Lioriley, for the record."

[wishalone]

"We got a couple gyms that should have more than enough room. Or maybe the cinema car, since it's got the seats and everything."

Kyoko closes the gap, placing the candy in her hand. "I'm Kyoko Sakura. Uh, the Purple Team one. There's a second one of me on Blue Team. Pretty sure she's out there, too, though, so." So it's just her. She shrugs one shoulder.

[invigorates]

"The cinema car." She tried to remember the layout she had seen earlier, recalling the general area of that particular carriage she hadn't quite understood the purpose of. "That should do fine, I think."

"A pleasure, Kyoko. My name is Lioriley." She took the candy and smiled, nodding appreciatively. Then, she looked a little confused. "I saw repeated names, and had to wonder the purpose. There are indeed two of you, then - from the same world?"

rallying

[blitzcheer]

As the call comes, Tidus is preparing himself. There's a few things he knows about the anchoring process (really, the effects of it) and there's people he wants to see - things that worlds might need, those in need. So in the elf's going through carriages, she'll find someone in the armoury, who's been causing a lot of racket as of late - but here he's busying through the communal supply locker, larger than the others.

She might only get a few words, or he might see her first - blinking at the sight of her, and- "Hey. You're a healer, aren't you? People after anchoring, they get exhausted, hard. I don't know what state the people coming back in are gonna be like, either."

[invigorates]

She may or may not have seen him rampaging about the trains days prior, but she had either been too busy otherwise to interfer, or (more likely) someone else closer to him had either assuaged or ignited his annoyance. Either way, she had seen him in passing before - both then and during the meeting of healers. The latter being the significantly more pleasant image she chose to cling to.

"Oh." A surprised little noise at the sudden address; whatever she was saying lost on her tongue. "I am." She confirmed first, patient enough to cycle through the barrage of information accordingly. "I see. Have you done this before?"

[blitzcheer]

"Mnn." It's a negative sound, accompanied by the shake of his head, but: "I was protecting when people anchored. But I saw how everyone was feeling after it - they were really worn out, hard to move or do anything. I dunno what you plan to be doing, but d'you mind helping me hand out a few things? Some of the stuff we have's good for the exhaustion."

But there's a pause, some consideration that seems to come across his face, a realisation as his knitted brow weakens to something slightly embarrassed.

"Uh- if you don't mind? Sorry - I saw you at the meeting, so I figured you might be checking on people?"

Despite really knowing nothing about her. It wasn't like the standard healing was required. ...probably.

[invigorates]

She had heard as much from the instructions earlier, but it was always nice to have it confirmed by an actual person she could see in front of her. Lioriley nodded in understanding, quickly writing something down in the journal she had tucked under her arm. She hadn't even gotten the chance to explain what she was doing, but she figured that could come later — aiding him likely wouldn't take too long if they both worked at it.

"I am keeping a detailed record of those aboard the train, the duties they have undertaken, and their current state of being. As well as whoever may be rescued and brought aboard later. But if you require assistance, all you need do is direct me and I will do so."

[blitzcheer]

Her list makes him curious, wondering what kind of duties she means, their state of being? -- but Tidus pauses on that thought as she gives mention to his request, gaze going back over to the interior of the locker. Maybe it wasn't worth asking her about, or not asking again, and he looks over to the carriage's ICP - one of the ones not broken - before regarding her again.

"You want me to tell you who I know's here and who got kicked off? I can show you with the roster." He points a thumb in its direction.

[invigorates]

She could go into detail, but Tidus was giving her that vibe Evander used to give her — that action first, talk later sort of mindset.

"I have looked over the roster extensively." She noted, though not as if she was rejecting the idea; simply stating it as a fact. "But, I would not mind your input, presuming you are well acquainted with those aboard the train and could attest more so to its accuracy and narrow down those who might remain." yes. she's saying yes. Maybe a little confused herself as to the sudden shift to her request instead, but choosing not to address it for now.