middleofsomewhere | Day 7: Screw your courage to the sticking place: Start

Day 7: Screw your courage to the sticking place: Start

For those who have been on the train a little while they will be expecting this, the beginning of a new month, after certain passengers have strange dreams. Early in the morning of day seven of the month of Egret their SCA's glow the colour of the void and a holographic message appears. Their next mission. Another world to save.

Preperation

Those that go to the dressing room will find flight suits and helmets, one per passenger. Those who are not human shaped will find ones adapted for them, some of them quite odd. The flight suits are tight fitting and light, but once they put them on they will feel quite warm. Each is the colour of the Voidtreckers team and have a black train symbol on the chest, the helmets have clear fronts and coloured backs.

They have an hour or so to prepare for their mission. Time to make sure everyone understands what a space ship is, at least. Hopefully.

Arrival

"We are now approaching System #7212108." Finally it is time. "Warning: Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A jolt, a flash of light and suddenly the colours are gone, out of the windows they will see they are in a large hanger.

And outside of the train there are five scaled humanoids with guns pointing directly at the train. Those that try the doors find they do not open.

"What void transport is this?" One of the creatures demands. "We didn't request void help, explain yourselves."

Another speaks. From where they are stood near the engine. "Voidtrecker Express."

Even though the voidtreckers are unfamiliar with these people the surprise is clear in the creatures eyes.

"Stand down." They snap at the others, who lower their weapons and step back.

The commander looks worried. "Give them anything they need." They turn to hurry out of the hanger.

The doors open, allowing the Voidtreckers off the train.

One of the remaining guards steps forwards.

"I am Hitrinto, I apologise, we were not expecting you." They look worried as well. "We have everything under control but if you are here..."

At that moment there is a clatter of noise over the radio.

"There are reports coming in of a second wormhole in the system." A second voice spoke almost immediately. "Shield Station Two has been hit. I repeat Shield Station two is taking heavy fire." A third soon after. "More enemies ships sighted, reports of a second wormhole confirmed."

Hitrinto looked at the Voidtreckers grimly. "Come with me."

If the Voidtreckers indeed follow them they will find an array of ships. Hitrinto quickly explains the basics, two person ships are easier to pilot. The controls can be shared or can be set so one person drives whilst the other concentrates on fighting. They have solo ships but they are difficult to pilot and they will only give them to those who have ship fighting experience.

Another guard hands out blasters and will give quick lessons to anyone who is unsure on how they work. For all that they were surprised they guards seem to accept the presence of the Voidtreckers and work quickly to get them armed and ready for battle. Choose ships, have a quick practice of weapons and get ready to go!

Onward!

Blue team are already where they need to be, they can begin to explore the station, get the lay of the land and figure out a plan of helping guard this place.

Everyone else is off, purple and red are off to the second wormhole, orange to the shield station that needs help! Board your ships and set off to help!

(OOC: Team posts detailing the next part of each mission will go up on the 15th March)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A soft smile came to Gladio's lips then and he gave a nod of his head. As he'd done before, he decided to sit himself down for this. Towering over the young teen just seemed rude when he could be on her eye level. So he plopped himself down by the wall, with his back to it, and gestured for Madoka to join him if she wished.

"That's right. Iris. She's..." Gladio chuckled and shook his head. "She's a little spitfire. Tough as nails. Stubborn like the rest of us Amicitia's. But she's sweet." And he loved her, no matter how much she could drive him insane. He missed her deeply. If he stopped to think about it too much he knew he could spiral into a depression thinking about how he had left her all alone. Without their parents, they were all they had.

"You'd like her." Gladio looked over at Madoka with a grin. "Think she's about your age. 15. You're around that, right?"

Apparently he doesn't have to ask twice, because she's quick to sit down alongside him when he gestures like that. It's starting to feel kind of familiar by now, anyway.

Madoka seems interested in his talk about his sister too. If not just because there's something oddly cute about it. He's obviously fond of her, and that's just nice to hear about. Gladio seems to have a nice family...

She only snaps out of staring at him with a small smile when she's suddenly asked a question, making her nod again. "Yes, I'm 14. We sound very different though.." 'Tough' is pretty much the last word Madoka would ever use to describe herself. "B-But not in a bad way! She sounds great!"

And kind of cool, honestly. Especially if she isn't even that much older than Madoka herself.

"I'd really like to meet her.. But it's probably better for her to not be here, huh..?"

"Actually, sort of wish she was." Gladio admitted with a smile that held the barest hint of sadness. "I know the world's probably gone on without me, if what Prompto and Iggy say is true. But I hate the thought of Iris being there alone. We lost our mom when she was a baby. Lost dad recently too. So it's just us." And if she was there with him on the train he would be able to keep an eye on her. Or at the very least, he would just have her with him. Gladio knew she could take care of herself.

He reached out then and lightly rapped Madoka upon the knee with his knuckles. "I think you and her are alike. You'd get along well. She'd love you." He continued and grinned, knowing that she would think Madoka was adorable and would probably hug the poor girl until she squeaked.

"You think so..?" Maybe Madoka ought to be more aware of just how lovable she can be, considering how big of a chunk of the train passengers totally adore her, and yet his words seem to come as a surprise to her all the same. "Then I promise I'll do my best to be good friends with her if she does show up..!"

After all, Gladio is so nice already. Madoka can only imagine his sister must be on a similar level of niceness then.

The part about their parents though.. that's kind of sad. Sure, Gladio seems old and strong enough that he could take care of himself, but it must be sad to lose your parents, no matter how old you are. But he manages to smile as he talks about it, so Madoka does her best to not let her own expression drop too much either. Maybe if she focuses on something not sad..

"And-- And I'm sure she must be glad to have such a reliable big brother. You know, mister Gladio, I actually have a little brother, so I'm trying to be a reliable big sister too."

"You do?" Gladio's brows rose and he gave Madoka a curious, interested smile. He hadn't known that. But then again, she hadn't known he had a sister. It wasn't a conversation they'd had yet after all.

"Younger... so still has a lot of growing up to do, huh? Don't worry, kiddo. You'll be a good role model for your little brother. Us Big Siblings have a tough job. But I think we're up to the task, don't you?"

She nods with a smile at the growing up part. "Tatsuya is only 3 years old.. So he's still just a baby, really. But he's really cute!"

It's only then that she realises it may be the first time she's even spoken as much about him ever since showing up here on the train such a long while ago.. Not that it's too surprising, with how close she plays her cards to her chest about pretty much anything from back home. But the way Gladio looks so interested and is so sweet about it manages to pull some of it out of her anyway.

"And, um.. I'm not sure if I'm as up to it as you! You seem like an amazing big brother already. I probably still have some ways to go, but of course I do want to try my best!" There's an unspoken 'but' hanging in the air after that sentence. It's so obvious, since Madoka wears her emotions on her sleeve. Even her expression makes it clear that she's thinking about something - hesitating.

For a moment she looks away before she dares to look back at him, apparently having made up her mind.

"Mister Gladio, can I maybe ask you something..?"

"Don't sell yourself short. You've looked after me and I'm bigger than you." Gladio grinned at her. "Sure a three year old will be a piece of cake compared to that. And you look after your dads, right? I think you're doing a great job." But he knew his words were just that, words. It was up to Madoka to find it within herself, to realise he own strengths.

But he could see there was more she wanted to say, so he waited. And when she finally looked at him and asked, he smiled as reassuringly as he could.

"You can ask me anything, kiddo. What's on your mind?"

It's true that it's honestly something Madoka has to realise for herself. And getting there is still a long, long road, but.. even so, his words do help a little for the moment. She does try her best to do what she can for the people around her, after all, and it's nice to hear someone acknowledge it..

Besides, she trusts him enough to not be lying about what he's saying. And she trusts him enough to actually start about what she wanted to ask, even if it's coming out a little slowly, cautiously.

"Um.. Well, you're an expert when it comes to protecting, right?" That's one way to put it.. "What if.. you wanted to protect someone. Or maybe even more than just one person. But the only way to do that would be to go far away from them. Probably even to the point that you'll never see each other again.. Would that be a bad thing to do?"

Gladio waited for Madoka to work up to what she wanted to say, and when she finally came to it, a sad look crossed his expression for a brief moment before he was able to give her a warm smile.

"I wouldn't say expert..." Gladio spoke softly, deep voice low and holding a hint of amusement. Then he sighed and leaned back against the wall behind him. He tilted his head until it hit the wall and closed his eyes. He knew what he would do, of course. But what he would do and what Madoka would do were two different things. Except she was asking for his advice and all he could do was be honest with her. The teen deserved that much.

"That... would depend on the circumstances. Will going far away really protect them? Or will it protect you?" He asked quietly. It was a common misconception that leaving would protect the ones you loved, when really you were going so you would be saved from the heartache of maybe being there to lose them.

There's another slight moment where she mostly contemplates emphasizing how hypothetical this scenario is. Or that it's not about her. But it kind of feels rude to do that when he's trying to give her such earnest advice, so she decides against it. She's terrible at lying anyway.

"It really will protect them. If you wouldn't do it, then.. they would all definitely end up dead. The whole world would probably end up that way." Her voice gets a little softer, like she doesn't want anyone else to overhear it - even though there doesn't seem to be anyone else around right now. "But if you'd leave, then they would definitely end up safe and alright."

Gladio opened his eyes and turned his head to face Madoka. He didn't know if they were close enough yet, didn't know if he would get a slap. But he just held open his arms for her. She definitely sounded like she could do with a hug. And if Gladio was good at anything, it was that.

She's so lost in her own thoughts that she doesn't even notice the silent offer at first. It's only when Madoka glances to the side that she realises he's holding his arms open like that at all.

And it's.. unexpected. It's not as if she doesn't know at this point that Gladio can be so sweet, but this feels like a whole new level of it. Even though she was just selfishly talking about her own problems, and even though they're supposed to face a mission soon.. He still wants to comfort her.

There's no way Madoka is going to reject an offer like that. She just silently moves to lean against his chest, letting him wrap his arms around her. She doesn't cry - she doesn't even look particularly sad, per se, more just troubled.

When she accepted his offer, Gladio smiled and gently pulled her to sit across his lap and just folded her up within his arms. She didn't cry, though he didn't really expect her too. That hadn't been his fear. All he'd wanted to do was offer comfort. Especially when he now had an answer to her question.

"To protect the people I love... to make sure they're happy and safe... I'd do anything. Even if it meant leaving. Even if it meant giving up something very precious." And damn, did that hurt. There was a very real chance he might actually have to do that. Gladio knew, without a doubt, that if the time came he would stand down and walk away. "... But you have to make sure you've exhausted all possibilities first. If it's truly a situation where there's no way to win... Yeah, yeah I'd go. I'd hate it. I'd hate whatever put me in that situation. But to protect my friends, I'd do it." And live a long and lonely life ensuring it would never happen again.

Madoka quietly listens to him as he talks about it, and even when he finishes, the girl is quiet for another moment, contemplating the words. Gladio would do it, huh..? And he's not a bad person by any means. He's strong, but sweet, and he likes flowers, and he even offered her a hug just now when she seemed to be having a tough time. He's such a good person, so it must be the good thing to do. The right thing to do.

She looks up at him in the hug, offering him a thin smile.

"When it's my turn to do that.. I hope I can do it as bravely as you could, mister Gladio." So she won't regret anything. So she won't feel bad leaving anyone behind.

"That's the thing, kiddo." Gladio looks down at her and returns the smile with a kind one of his own. "We can do the right thing, or what feels right at the time... But sometimes it doesn't work out that way. If you went away, I know a dozen or more people who would chase you down. Or who would watch the world burn just to spend a few more minutes with you."

For a brief moment his arms tightened, giving her the gentlest of reassuring squeezes. "With all the best intentions in mind, our loved ones will always find a way to pull us back and save us from ourselves. You're never alone in any of this. Ever."

"Ever.."

She repeats the word, then grows quiet. She doesn't doubt what he's saying. Madoka knows there's so many people who care for her. Who'd help her. But at the same time she knows that her problem isn't something that can be solved by anyone but her. Madoka silently contemplates it for a moment as she leans into the hug.

It's not the right moment to get lost in thought about that though, and she knows it. So after remaining like that for a few moments Madoka pulls back a little and smiles at him. ".. Thank you. It's very kind of you to say all of that. And to listen to me. We should probably get going soon though, huh..?"

The girl gently pulls herself out of the hug, standing back up on her feet. For a moment it looks like she's already going to leave, but then she turns back to Gladio with a warm smile.

"Um.. I know I don't have the right to chase you down if you'd go away like that." She should probably leave that up to the people closer to him, right? Like Ignis and Prompto. "But.. I'd miss you anyway."

She may not have known him for long, but he's so sweet. And caring. And if there's anything this conversation has proven to her, it's that she really likes having him around.

Gladio was more than a little sad for Madoka to leave his arms. As much as he had been offering her comfort, he had been taking an equal amount for himself. Though he knew his thoughts then were selfish, so the teen pulling away was probably for the best.

He watched her, not moving from his seat on the ground, with a gentle smile. He nodded at her thanks but not trusting himself to do more than that. Maybe they should get ready to ship out, but he needed a minute to think...

When she stopped and turned to him, though, Gladio chuckled. "Screw rights, kid. If you had to go away I'd definitely chase you down." And he would. He'd hunt for her. Nevermind the fact Ignis and Tony would do the same, but... he would. And he'd miss her. She was a sweet thing and didn't deserve to have this kind of weight on her shoulders. If he knew how the hell to take it from her he would. That was, Gladio believed, his job. To take the weight. Why else did he have his strength if not to use to to protect his friends?

His reaction to the last thing she said makes her pause. She stares at him, obvious surprise on her face. It shouldn't even be that surprising, since it's in line with all the nice things he's said and done up to this point, but at the same time.. Madoka's selfesteem is just so low that it's always surprising when someone cares for her.

Madoka ducks her head slightly - shyly, but happily. Even if she knows she can't get anyone else involved in her own world's problems, the sentiment still makes her so happy.

"I.. In that case, I'll definitely chase you down too, mister Gladio." She fully lifts her face again to be able to look at him, putting her hands up in the air. "Screw rights..!"

.. she's probably learning the right thing here at its core.

Gladio laughed, but hoped like hell Ignis or Tony didn't hear Madoka. Out of context it could seem like he was teaching her bad things. But what it really was was touching and had him grinning widely in response.

"Exactly. Screw it. We'll chase each other down and to heck with the rest." Okay, so maybe he was trying. He didn't really like to swear around kids, but he'd gotten a little heated there. Gladio tried to bring it back in though and avoided any more swearing.

Don't worry, Gladio, Tony might just find it weirdly endearing.. It's Ignis you have to watch out for!

And hey, at the very least it seems to have sufficiently cheered Madoka up. It's hard to not feel reassured in the face of Gladio's outward confidence. She smiles.

"Um, do you think you're ready to get going now too..? Or do you need another moment to yourself? I can go ahead or wait for you if you want..!"

"You go on ahead." Gladio kept his grin in place. He was cheered up and did feel a lot better after talking with Madoka. But a minute or two to gather his thoughts were needed. Then he would head out a new man with a purpose and a goal.

"I'll catch up with you guys." He winked and grinned all the wider. "Can't let you have all the fun, now can I?"

Madoka nods, clearly having enough faith in the fact that he'll be okay by himself for a few moments.

.. and maybe he's even made her a little giddy, since she giggles and can't help but reply: "You better hurry before the fun is all gone!"

With that, she gives him a quick wave, and then she runs off.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Day 7: Screw your courage to the sticking place: Start

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject