voidtreckernet | [Video] Voidtrecker's history

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[Video] Voidtrecker's history

From: Storage.
To: All train.

[Fëanor has changed into regular Voidtrecker uniform but somehow it doesn't make him look less regal when he starts his address.]

Fellow Voidtreckers!

This Fëanor. I need to speak to all of you on the matter that is both dire and urgent. Each platform leaves us with our numbers growing and diminishing at the same time. Each time some come and some go. And yet we have no record of it. No way of remembering those that were here once but are no longer.

[Fëanor pauses, he looks straight into the camera for a few moments before continuing.]

I say we change that.
I say it matters that we are here.
I say it mattered that those that left were here too. They made a difference, they deserve being remembered. So do we.

We know there were Voidtreckers before us and yet there is no trace of them besides one personal log with no context. As if they never existed.

I say We deserve better.

It’s not even difficult. All we need is will and a little effort. We have a working printer and at least one working camera. We can take pictures of everyone who is on the train now. We have artists who can draw those that are no longer here. We can write their names and their stories so they won’t be lost to obscurity.

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You know about the wall of bugs I draw in the garden car? I can add the departed to the wall in insect form to keep them with us at least in spirit.

I will also offer my phone camera.

I can help store the information as well.

[Digitally, but it IS something.]

I know there are those among us who copy down the contents of each post; we should endeavor to continue that.

[For the love of Eru, please don't say departed. They did not die. They just left.
But he doesn't wince nor in any way show his annoyance with the unfortunate wording.]

That's a good idea. Thank you.

That is definitely worth continuing.

However, I thought more about people. Not everyone here authored a post to be counted among those preserved.

True.

And not everyone's 'real' names are featured on the Passenger Roster, so merely taking a screencap-of-sorts of that on a daily basis might not be accurate enough.

[A thoughtful pause.]

All the same, I am not certain if everyone would consent to having their picture taken, or portrait drawn. We can certainly debut something at the next platform and see if it suits.

You are quite welcome.

This is an excellent idea, Lord Feanor. Where shall we keep these records?

Will they be a series of vignettes, histories of each person, or something more cohesive? Are we to speak of who they were when they arrived, or touch on that, but concentrate mostly on who they were to us while they were here? Whose lives they impacted? Would this be best done by those who knew them well, or, at least for those still here, shall we write our own story?

[Gives a small smile and a brief little wave of greeting.]

Dunno if it's worth anything... But I can draw faces. Some say I'm not half bad. I've never had any formal teaching or anythin but...

I do have drawing skills, as you know, Father. Not as good as Mother's art, but I can at least make sketches of those who are already gone. I can also write, if we want to preserve memories of them.

No thanks.

That's a nice idea. If there's a camera, I can help take pictures.

[ She's not a professional by any means, but she knows how to work a camera at least. Or learn, depending on the complexity. ]

Can we opt into being drawn rather than photographed?

[Fingon does not respond. He doesn't trust himself to do so.

A few hours later, though, a series of sketches appear at Feanor and Nerdanel's cabin door. Maedhros and Maglor, from their youth in Valinor through to the fifth century of the First Age, with a final few which must be modeled on their time on the train.

Attached is a note.

I have no interest in offering myself to your project. But I have loved these two all my life, and whatever else I may say of you I know you love them as well.

If these assist, I am content. If not, throw them aside; it will not hurt their subjects either way.]

Edited 2020-08-07 04:30 (UTC)

Mister Fëanor..

[ Madoka sounds like she's kind of in awe. Fëanor sure knows how to make a speech, okay. ]

I think that's an amazing idea, but.. um, more than that, I wanted to say that it's so kind of you to even care for those of us who have left over time.

This is a very good idea.

[His voice is soft, thoughtful. He has been thinking of this a lot, the loss of those on the train. Seeing Wen Qing deal with her brother leaving... It had made him want to think of a way to help her.]

I can draw... I'm no great artist, but I am happy to draw those on the train and... I can probably draw some of those already gone if I met them...

[ It's a nice impassioned speech that Senku could not care about. In fact, he's only responding because it's Fëanor! Just the man he's been told to find. ]

Fëanor, your name was mentioned to me. What can you tell me about the void?

[ All this nice heartfelt sentiment he completely ignored, also this isn't even on topic.

There's a reason people say he's too blunt. ]

This? I love this. When it's my time to go, I definitely want to leave behind tons of good memories!

Thank you. It's harder on those that stay. I thought having even a small reminder might be good.

[They have no way of knowing where those that leave go. At least not yet. Maybe they're better off leaving. Maybe. It doesn't change much for those that stay, does not make them feel less bereft... does not make him less...
Isn't he an absolute master in framing his personal problems as general causes for all? It was never about other people. It was always about Maedhros and Maglor leaving. And how sudden their disappearance was.]

I don't think we have to limit ourselves to drawings or photos. I don't have any structure in mind. I think it would be best to let it grow organically. So if you feel more comfortable with writing than drawing then I think stories would be as good.

[It would be so easy to double down and agree. Yes, this was his idea from the start. Yes, he really cares about all those people. When the truth is, he does not. And he has yet to sink so low as to be lying to children. Especially as kind and trusting as Madoka.]

You give me far too much credit, dear child.

[But is he able to share his true reason?]

I just thought it would be nice to have some reminders. Everything changes so fast here.

[Apparently not. All he said was true. Why does it feel so wrong then?]

[When Fëanor picks up the neatly folded pieces of paper with a note attached he suspects nothing. Least of all what they are. When finds out, he leaves the cabin. Only to return when he is forced to by the train's own system of teleporting people back to their own cabins in the early morning. Whoever wants to find him before that, they will be unsuccessful.

It was obvious that of all present it would be his nephew to see through his polished sentences and correctly identify what this whole charade is all about. And yet he still did not see it coming ...

He should have spoken to him. There were millions of occasions. Though he's certain that Fingon wouldn't want to talk to him. Yet it still feels wrong that he at least didn't try. He should have done something. But then what would he was supposed to say? That he's sorry? Of course, he is but how it does even matter? "I'm sorry I left you to die. I didn't mean to." That's not only the weakest apology in existence it's also a blatant lie. He meant to. He left them on purpose. A wrong, cruel and vile purpose. How does one even begin to make amends for that?

And yet he cannot simply do nothing now. For in that Fingon was right, he loves his sons. He always had, even if now it's a little too late to realize he's rarely shown it enough and for all the suffering he caused then it's not difficult to get quite the opposite impression. That he valued some things more than them. Now that he had a second chance, here in this strangest of places, he still feels he hasn't done enough.

So in the late morning, a note appears on the door of Fingon's cabin, addressed to him and containing a single sentence.

Thank you.]

That is one thing. I believe we ought to refer to people as they themselves wish to be called, not what the train arbitrary thinks they should.

[Because names are no trivial matter and it is extremely rude to try to impose a particular name on someone who does not wish to be addressed that way.]

I intended for it to be voluntary from the start. I don't expect everyone to agree with me nor do I think they even should. I'd prefer to leave it as an option that people can participate in or not, rather than turn it into yet another thing to cross-out for people that already plenty confused when they arrive.

[The barrage of Extremely Sensible Questions is a major surprise for him. Especially, that he has no answers for them. At all. So there is a significant amount of time passing before Fëanor finally responds.

[(ooc: he might look all cool and composed in the video feed but we all know this is his the actual state of mind.)]

I see you have experience in such matters, Lord Glorfindel. What would you think would be best?

[First rule of court survival: deflect if you have no idea how to answer a question. And he very much doesn't. Not a clue. He did... not think it through, alright?]

I think no formal training is required. I envision this as a collaborative project so all contributions would be valuable.

Here I hoped I'll be able to get you involved in this project and now you have beat me to it before I even had a chance to ask. I think both would be good. At least a sketch and a name but if we have anything else, it would be even better.

[He pauses, clearly thinking about something else.]

I don't think I can be accurate with dates, times passes here too quickly for me, so it would be difficult to compose a true chronicle. At least from what I remember.

No one will force you.

[He probably should have left it at that.]

Just so that I know, do remind me who are you? I must have missed your name.

Thank you. We'll see how this idea will work in practice.

[He has a very vague idea about operating the camera. Mainly from what he observed by pure exposure and no real intention. Doubtful he's going to judge anyone on the merit of skill he doesn't have.]

By all means, yes. I never intended for those to be rules. They are merely propositions.

Of course.

Especially when some arrivals disappear by the next platform; it can be quite vexing to keep track of it all, let alone force fellow new people into considering it before they've processed their new situation.

I'm just not very good with photos. But I think what you're doing is admirable--and good. I don't want to forget someone just because they left.

If you wanna compare notes about some of our earlier friends, I'll be around.

[ ... ugh ] It's a good idea. Might want to make multiple versions, though, in case one 'disappears'.

Edited 2020-08-08 22:03 (UTC)

I can tell a lot of things. [Not necessarily about void.] The real question is, why would I?

[Manners, manners...]

It was mentioned you were researching it, and I'm interested in the scientific knowledge.

[ His response is straightforward and pragmatic. If it's a battle of manners, he's sure to lose. ]

You'd have a hard time if you tried.

[Then again if it was done after he left...]

Heh. Good one. [Look how amused he is with that (barely maintained) lineface.]

Perhaps if we took this to the Council for brainstorming? Or asked for volunteers to help coordinate it? There are some administratively gifted people on the Train who might have some ideas.

[Delegate to those who have the ideas and passion to see it through. Always the best way to go.]

I am always happy to paint something on the train somewhere as a memorial to those who have left.

Maybe something like a tree with names on twigs and branches that people can add to.

I'm sure you would.

[One day he'll get used he's talking to a duck. A very nice, well mannered, kind but still a duck. And a pilot, a damned good pilot. Let's not forget the pilot part, it's important. One day.]

I'd love to.

[A pause as he just blinks. Huh? Unless someone would intentionally...]

Why would it disappear?

[Don't feed his paranoia, please.]

[He doesn't understand where the problem is. He thought most people would prefer photos. Apparently she's not most people.]

Whichever you prefer.

[Um... now it feels awkward. Just a little.]

That was my reasoning behind this action.

[No, it wasn't... or not exactly? Part of the reason at least.]

That is correct. I was.

[Past tense. It... got sidelined by other projects.]

What exactly do you want to know?

[ Past tense? That's unfortunate. The void is a mystery, the kind that can't help but lure Senku in. ]

Were you able to discover anything of interest in regards to the void?

[ That seems like the best question to him. ]

[ One day!!! ]

Is there some way we could make a... super-mega-huge scrapbook?

[ For a moment Madoka is quiet - thoughtful - but then she slowly nods. For what it's worth, she easily believes him. Madoka has absolutely no reason to question or distrust Fëanor in any way when he's always been so helpful to her and others on the train. ]

It does, doesn't it..? I guess it's a little more noticable when you've been here for a long time, but.. the train is very different. And the people too. [ She speaks slowly and carefully, yet something about that last part seems to trip her up enough for Madoka's eyes to grow wider as she quickly adds-- ] A-Ah, not in a bad way though! I really like the new people, they're all really nice..!

The flash kind of makes me dizzy. [Quick change the subject] I wish we had this started earlier, I feel like I've forgotten some names already. It never occurred to me write them all down.

Okay. Just let me know.

Though some people might not want to have their pictures taken or anything. Maybe we could have a sign-up or something so we know who's okay with this idea or not?

Then I'm all yours. Just let me know if and when you need me and I'll help where I can.

[She shrugs] Bunks get cleared. Someone's cleaning up after us, so...

[But she's not here to spread paranoia, so.] Don't worry about it. You're in... [squints] storage?

I might be able to come up with dates, as I do keep a journal of my time here. Only problem is I'm using my own dating system, so I'll have to calculate when any event happened by a timeline of Voidtrecker Express months.

I... I think I am better at drawing, that writing I mean...

[He's only ever written as assignments in school. He wouldn't know where to start.]

It is a good idea... I can try and start some drawings... Um... If that's alright...

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[Video] Voidtrecker's history

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How very Vaire of you! Your mother would be so proud!

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voice from cabin 4:D

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Don't call him out like th.... argh... Just don't...

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Heh. Heh heh.

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