voidtreckernet | VIDEO-ish (cw: torture and murder)

[Before the ICP flickers on, every passenger hears a resounding, deep voice thunder through every car in the train, carrying with it a deathly—if odd—proclamation:]

PENALTY GAME: HELL REVERSE!

[Moments later, every ICP turns on to reveal a figure shrouded in shadows, holding the unconscious body of Xue Yang with one hand as the Eye of Wdjat blazes on both of their foreheads. It's clear they're in the gaming car, but if anybody tries to enter from either end, they'll find the doors are impossibly locked.]

Passengers of the Voidtrecker Express, I hold in my hands an unrepentant murderer who slaughtered one of your very own: the victim being A-Qing, and the criminal being Xue Yang. While she has returned, this crime cannot go unpunished, and I have taken it upon myself to try and burn out the stain on his soul—or, at the very least, provide adequate agony for all of his victims, both on the train and off.

If you need to see proof of my justice...

Avert your eyes if you do not wish to see memories of the brutal death of a young woman in her prime.

[The screen flickers once again, this time showing A-Qing's murder, although it doesn't have any audio. ((OOC: Additional CW for graphic depictions of murder.))

When it returns to the interior of the Games Car, the shadowy figure is gone, but their voice and Xue Yang remain.]

I leave it to the council to dispense their own punishment, as meager as it may be.

Remember, passengers:

I am watching.

[The ICP clicks off, and the train is deadly quiet.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

W-Who was that? Why... Why would anyone... why would he do that? Did that man... I don't understand. That man... that... that girl! All of that... will they be alright?

None of it was real?

Well..

[Okay, maybe backpedaling a little.]

We don't know exactly. Have you been to one of the movies in the cinema? The images aren't real even though you see them.

However, the important thing is that you know you're safe and loved on this train. We're not going to let anything bad happen to you.

I've never seen a movie. [She's not had time to do so and doesn't know what should even be the first movie to see.

But she hugs herself closer to Tony, still shaking.]

That man... that... that creature. How do we... how do you stop something like that? Why would the train bring someone like that here?

You haven't? Well, we should fix that.

[He holds her tighter, offering whatever support he could, trying to do what Alice's real dad would have wanted for his little girl.]

Whatever it takes.

[He smiles at her, despite how ominous that probably sounded.]

But don't you worry about that. That's for the adults here to figure out. How would you like some cocoa? We could get the other kids too since they might be scared. Think you could help me with that?

No. Someone mentioned I might like cartoons and something called Disney.

[Not talking about the giant scary shadow creature makes her feel less terrified. It helps that they're the only ones in the garden car right now.]

I would like that. The... the hot cocoa I mean. And I would like to meet more children. [Because Alice somehow keeps missing a good many of them.] Could I bring Dinah?

You probably would, yes. They're made for children, but some adults even enjoy them.

[Please don't make him admit he likes Disney movies. He swears he only watched them because Morgan was! And don't ask him about the time he was caught alone listening to the Mulan soundtrack.]

Of course.

[He holds out his hand so the kitty can smell his fingers before giving a gentle rub on her head.]

The other kids would love to meet her.

Will you watch one with me? I wouldn't even know which one to pick or if I could.

[Alice wouldn't know that admitting liking Disney is something a grown man should or shouldn't admit to.

She keeps holding onto Tony.]

I'm scared to go anywhere alone on this train until he's caught.

[He was taken back a little, but in a sweet way. The girl wanted him to watch her very first movie with? It was humbling to be revered so much by a child. It was a painful reminder of who he left behind but also so sweet that he could see that light again.]

I'd be delighted.

[He stands up and scoops her up in his arms.]

Then I'll just have to come with you. Do you want to stop by your room first and make this a pj party? We can sleep in the blanket fort.

[Alice gave a small nod.] I'll have to change into my pajamas and get a blanket for this fort.

[She swallowed and then tried to pull away... only to pause and go back to hugging Tony.]

Y-You promise the shadow monster w-won't attack me?

[Oh god, don't look at him like that! His old iron heart wasn't built to withstand such a terrible assault! He had started to walk toward her cabin, but her words and fear had him stop in his tracks.

What could he do? He didn't want to cross any lines here, but he had a scared child on his hands.]

What if I came in the room with you? I'll turn around while you put your pjs on, but I'll be right there to protect you.

[She gave a small nod.]

Thank you, Mr. Stark, I would really appreciate that. [And she was quite quick to give him another hug.]

[He was doomed. The kid 100% had him around her finger already. RIP non-dad version of Tony Stark.

He kissed her forehead and then walked her to her room like he promised. Soon after, they went to the dining room to play with forts and kitties.]

VIDEO-ish (cw: torture and murder)

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