Engine 21 (12) : Once, Destiny City had a functioning train station. Over the years the tracks took their damage, and the cost to repair couldn’t be justified. So the city let it, and the station, fall into ruin. Of course there have been rumors that the train station was a hot spot for ghouls, stuck in perpetual transit. Lost souls with no place to go. It’s not uncommon for trespassers to come out of the station claiming they saw some frightful apparition wearing outfits right out of the mid 1900s. Sometimes, they even hear the whistle of a train, or the clattering of the track as a phantom train rolls in. Engine 21 was the last train to depart from the station, allegedly, and derailed on the way to the mountains. There were no survivors, but the legend differs in how many souls were lost. Some say, if you stand on the platform at 3:33AM you can hear their screams forever cemented in an endless loop, reliving their deaths nightly. It’s not uncommon for people to say that the railroad crossings will mysteriously light up and lower despite no oncoming trains, and some have even said they’ve seen a phantom train speeding through the night. Maybe it’s just a ghost story, but maybe you’ve seen something, too.
The wind howled through the skeletal remains of the old train station as Hekate stepped onto the crumbling platform. Her boots crunched against the loose gravel, the only sound breaking the eerie stillness. Abandoned by Destiny City due to budgeting costs, it was left to rot and rust away - broken beyond repair and left to ruin.
She glanced at the cracked face of the station clock, expecting to see the second-hand tick slowly, but there was no movement, perpetually stuck at 5:42:30. Hekate hummed to herself, a sound that resonated much louder than she’d intended. From her subspace pocket, she withdrew her phone to check the time. “Eighteen minutes until the rumored witching hour,” 3:33 AM, when the lost souls of Engine 21 supposedly returned to relive their final moments. At least that’s what her client was gossiping about at the vet clinic yesterday.
Unaccustomed to staying up so late, she covered a yawn with the back of her hand. With the mention of this being a hot spot for ghouls, Hekate had assumed that it was perhaps some other Dark Mirror Senshi out and about gathering energy with their wraith; playing on the whole fright fest haunted house to attract naysayers. A brilliant ploy, she had to admit.
The station was just as Bella’s owner had described - broken tracks, shattered windows, the faint scent of damp decay. No ghostly apparitions yet, except for her wraith companion floated silently at her side, expressionless as ever; but it didn’t count.
Hekate ran a hand through her teal hair, her lime green eyes scanning the shadows. It could all just be a ghost story, the kind people like to tell to scare themselves. But there was a pull to this place, something more akin to idle curiosity probably because she had seen stranger things than phantom trains, and been to places just as surreal and unexplainable as this station.
With only minutes left before the rumored hour, Hekate found a slanted slab of concrete that had once been a bench to settle on and wait. Her heart was steady and her senses alert, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was watching, waiting.
tefla
Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2024 4:54 pm
One would have really thought that Destiny City needed to fix the abandoned train station. Even if it were to just to make it look more, and here Xihe scrunched up her face, presentable. A few extra thousand dollars, if spent wisely, could work miracles. Sure what had happened was a tragedy, and as her civilian self, Audra felt bad for those that had lost their lives, but still appearance could maybe help those restless souls that were said to still haunt the place.
"Maybe if people took the time to spruce this place up, or make it like a shrine for those that died, maybe they could move on. I don't understand why they keep this place in disrepair," Xihe was more musing to herself than anything else. It took the pinging of another powered aura on her internal radar to snap her out of the miniature rant that she had felt she was leading up to.
For a moment the senshi was conflicted about whether or not she wanted to proceed or not but curiosity won her over. The aura of the unknown individual was similar to her own and that in itself was comforting. With a bounce in her step Xihe closed the distance between herself and her fellow unseen dark mirror senshi. The question of why there would be another dark mirror signature all the way out here when the station seemed abandoned was strange though. Covering an unexpected yawn that had snuck up on her she grimaced. At least she chose to sneak out in the wee hours of the morning where she wouldn't have to attend school later on. Being a teen ... and a magical warrior was hard enough. Getting grounded if she was found out would be the icing on a cake that she wanted to avoid.
No time like the present to introduce myself to a total stranger, Xihe thought as she rounded the corner to glimpse the platform and the figure standing there. "Hello. Care for some company?"
Hekate turned at the sound of soft footsteps behind her, her eyes narrowing as a figure stepped into the dim light of the station platform. The Dark Mirror Senshi had long peach-colored hair, and her slate-grey eyes glinted with something akin to curiosity, or so she assumed.
The wraith at Hekate’s side stirred slightly, though it made no sound, their guest definitely had its attention.
Hekate tilted her head, studying the young woman for a moment. If not for the broach that hung from the bow that kept her collar in place, or the detail on both bracers, she would have thought the girl was the Senshi of Fae or Pixies if only because her overlay looked to be detailed like wings which were mirrored in the details on her shoes.
“I don’t mind the company,” she said after a moment’s pause, her voice steady but tinged with suspicion. “I’m Hekate.” Something about this encounter felt too convenient, more than just happenstance; perhaps even intentional which propelled her initial theory into more of a certainty - this stranger wasn’t here by accident, and neither were the stories.
tefla
Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2024 6:13 pm
Xihe had already guessed that the one on the platform was someone she had yet to meet. Then again her small entourage of known members of the court was just that, small. It wasn't really also an entourage. Or if it was, she wasn't the de facto leader of it. Shrugging off that concern Xihe felt that maybe she could at least try reaching out to others and this unknown senshi would be a good start. The wraith that seemed to be at the other's side had Xihe wondering if she should release her own but thought better of it.
"What brings you out here Hekate?"
Simply deciding to use the strength she had as Xihe, the senshi leapt onto the platform to where the other was situated before she gave a shy smile, "oh, I'm Xihe by the way. It's nice to meet you."
Now that she was on the platform proper Xihe gave the area a evaluating look before she groaned. There would be no way that she could make this place look beautiful again. Turning back to Hekate she watched the wraith at the senshi's side with something akin to curiosity before she couldn't hold back the question that was on the tip of her tongue, "how do you get your wraith to stay at your side like that," she pulled out her own mirror shard containing her wraith, "I have to seemingly fight with mine to get it to go where I want it to."
“I caught wind of a few rumors floating around about this place and thought that a Dark Mirror Senshi, or perhaps a few of us, were out here causing mischief and mayhem.” One brow raised, Hekate smirked in a way that seemed like she believed that she had solved the mystery of Engine 21. “I haven’t caught wind of a meeting or mission so I guessed that this was just a fun way to gather energy with wraiths.”
To which her attention shifted to the semi-transparent creature floating beside her. “Honestly, even though I’m just a basic senshi, I’ve been a member of this court for almost ten years. It could be just time, maybe. Or that I’ve proven that I’ll protect it from senshi and knights once it’s full of energy.” She paused to allow the wraith a moment to confirm or deny her statement but it just stared ahead at the broken train tracks blankly.
“I don’t know if they understand anything we say, but for a while, I would talk to it as if it were human. I’m unsure if that made an impact but I’ve never had a problem with my wraith trying to fight me.” That actually sounded concerning if Hekate were to be honest. “You might want to talk to Remarque if you’re comfortable talking to our Prince. Otherwise, an Eternal might have some insight on how to make it more obedient.”
However, the idea of a rogue wraith only lent itself more to her assumption that Xihe was here running amok with an unruly wraith scaring trespassers and the like.
tefla
Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2024 7:53 pm
"I wonder if it has to do with time. I'm probably considered still very, I guess, wet behind the ears when it comes to the ins and outs of being part of the Court. I would have to imagine though that I would know if there was a meeting or mission. Unless I'm being kept out of the loop for my own safety."
Xihe reflected on her own words for a minute before realizing, that while possible, it was probably an unlikely scenario. Mirrorspace needed all of her Dark Mirror Senshi, leaving any member out in the cold, so to speak, wouldn't be beneficial for anyone.
When Hekate mentioned talking to Remarque or another eternal about her wraith Xihe cocked her head to the side. The way that the other senshi had worded the sentence seemed a little strange and it was then that Xihe realized how she sounded when she had been asking about control. Her complexion flushed before she shook her head back and forth. "I don't think I came across clearly. When I release my wraith it doesn't actually try to fight with me, it just ... doesn't always like to listen yet. I'll tell it to go left and it'll choose to go right instead. I still get energy for the court, but it's like my wraith knows that I'm not at all experienced with commanding it. Think of like an inexperienced rider on a horse ... the rider isn't familiar with things. That's how I see the relationship with my wraith as being like."
Xihe moved around the platform before pausing to look in the direction that Hekate's creature was looking in. There was nothing down that way except for empty track line that needed repairs. "I've heard nothing of the rumors myself but I know the story behind the tragedy that happened."
“That… makes more sense,” humbled by the correction, Hekate acknowledged that she had misunderstood Xihe’s question.
To be truthful, on occasion, she had experienced a similar behavior from her wraith. But from her observation and experiences, the creature was simply selecting an easier target. Though not particularly pleasant to look at, the wraiths were not aggressive like the youma that Negaverse Agents tended to keep as pets and seemed to prefer the path of least resistance. Or at least an option that wouldn’t end in it being dusted once it finished collecting the energy from its intended target.
“I’ve caught wind of a couple of rumors ranging from people claiming that they know someone who has seen ghouls wandering around the station, lost souls lost in transit with no place to go. Most seem to agree that their clothing seems to place them in the mid 1900’s. There are other rumors that at 3:33 AM people have heard the sound of several people screaming, claiming it’s an echo of the moment before their deaths.” Hekate wasn’t sure what parts were true, if any of it, but was curious to see if she could catch the one behind the rumors since the time was so specific.
tefla
Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2024 8:59 pm
Xihe wasn't at all keen to find out if the rumours were true or not but since she was here, and it was drawing nearer to the aforementioned time of 3:33am what harm would it do in sticking around for a bit longer? She had long since known that there were stranger things that ran amok at times when it came to the turning of the seasons. Giant tree bugs that reminded her of her own spherical insect over the summer, and a monster that lurked in the fog during her first Halloween as a senshi were just a few of the instances that she could recall. A haunted train station would be pretty mild in comparison. At least ghosts couldn't hurt a person, could they?
"I think I understand," was all Xihe said in reply to Hekate's thoughts of compliance in their wraiths. It would make sense that the wraiths would choose the safest path for themselves in order to avoid being dusted. "I'll definitely have to consider that the next time I go to gather energy."
Upon listening to Hekate speak of the rumors that she was following Xihe nodded in silence. She had spoken the truth earlier and even though perhaps a little spooked at the idea of seeing actual spirits did she find something she could lean up against in order to wait, "do you think two of us being here would change anything? I'm not familiar with ghost or haunting lore but if we aren't on our lonesome are we less likely to encounter something?"
“I don’t think us being here will make much of a difference. However, being as we are, it’ll be easier to determine if someone powered is out here putting on some elaborate theatrics. I have a theory…” She paused for dramatics before delving in on her thought. “I believe there is a senshi out here using illusionary magic, perhaps a Dark Mirror with their wraith or a Negaverse Agent chasing homeless people with their youma.” Logical explanations for most of the rumors she’d heard thus far.
“However, I’ve seen my fair share of unexplainable things, so if in the next four minutes, we find out the rumors are true, there is a restroom over there,” she pointed in the general direction to their left. Although there was a pillar in the way, on the other side of it was a noticeable sign hanging from one hinge above a doorless entry. “There’s a mirror we can escape through.”
tefla
Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2024 2:37 am
Well, it was good to know that there was a way out if one needed to take it. Xihe had listened to the theories that the other dark mirror senshi was espousing with an open mind. Everything that was being said could possibly be true. But so far Xihe had not felt any other auras besides Hekate's. Her gaze flew to the indicated bathroom before Xihe shifted from one foot to the other. She continued to watch the wraith at Hekate's side before slipping her own mirror shard back where it belonged for the time being.
The anticipation to see whether or not the rumors were true about screaming individuals or even a ghost train speeding past would be most interesting.
Her eyes caught on the dilapidated building once more before she made a thoughtful expression. Her voice was quiet, almost as if she were not wishing to break the silence, in order to query Hekate about one aspect of her theory, "what happens if you are proven wrong?"
Xihe found herself hoping that it was really apparitions and such but at the same time it would mean that years ago, a train full of people had lost their lives in a horrible accident.
Shanyume
I'm sorry, my brain stopped working halfway through this tag.
“I’m not sure.” Hekate’s shoulders rose and fell in an unconcerned motion. “If I am wrong and there is some paranormal activity going on here then I suppose we should let Remarque know about it.”
“However, if it is another senshi I’d prefer we not fight them if it can be avoided.” Although she had no friends who were corrupt or agents, it would be unwise to start something with the Negaverse if this was some mission the two of them had stumbled upon. “If something comes at us I can try Jinxing them with my magic. Bestow bad luck upon them essentially.”
Although, if there were actual ghosts haunting the train station then the effects of her magic might not work on them. “Only a few more seconds now. Are you ready Ms. Xihe?” Her lime green eyes slid over to the restroom area, suggesting that they move a bit closer to their escape route.
tefla
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2025 5:00 pm
Xihe had been keeping a close eye on the tracks that ran past the station as Hekate talked. She wasn't exactly sure what she expected to see if all the reports happening out here were caused by senshi. It was strange though because besides herself and Hekate there didn't seem to be any other presence that she could sense. Wouldn't they have been able to pick up on signatures of other individuals present, or were there items that could mask powered auras? When the other Dark Mirror senshi asked if she was ready Xihe simply nodded in response. The quick glance to the doorway where the escape route through a mirror stood had the senshi of cicadas moving closer at the silent suggestion.
Even if these were spirits, they'd not be able to harm them but perhaps it was better to be safe rather than sorry. Her gaze drifted over to the tracks once more before she cocked her head to the side. Her voice was barely audible as she spoke, "I hear something coming. Can't see anything, but I hear something."
Hekate’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly, her ears almost straining to hear what Xihe seemed to pick up on. Working in a clinic where the patients yelped, screeched, and barked for the majority of the day had clearly taken its toll on her ear drums.
But then the sound grew louder in a crescendo of terrified screams. Still, she sensed no aura but the chill that raced up her spine and back down her fingertips was something that couldn’t be ignored. “This isn’t a Senshi’s doing,” not unless they were wearing a medallion of some sort masking their signature.
Her expression shifted from curious to concern to genuine worry rather quickly when she saw an apparition. A ghoul, maybe. Or a lost soul perhaps. But one thing she knew for certain, it wasn’t anything like the wraiths she “What do you want to do?” Should they try attacking it to see what happens or leave?
tefla
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2025 1:06 am
The sight of a full-body apparition was startling to say the least and Xihe's eyes shifted to Hekate before she hesitated to respond. There was a moment in which she swore that there were less visible spirits moving around the station. Biting her lip the younger senshi backed away from the one apparition that seemed almost tangible before stopping.
"If the rumors are true about how these people died, I don't think attacking it is the right answer. They may not appreciate the extra animosity an attack would bring. I also don't know if senshi magic would affect them. All my attack does is provide me with a bit of a shield."
Her gaze lingered on the visible spectre before she felt a small chill go up her spine, "it may be better if we left these spirits alone. They seem trapped here ... doomed to constantly relive their deaths."
“I think you might be right, Ms. Xihi." Her tone was solemn, as if she pitied the spirits that would never leave this place. ”I’m sure my magic would prove useless against something unaffected by terrain.” Plus it would be in bad taste to give something more bad luck when they were already dead.
The screams grew louder in a cacophony of noise and it took all of Hekate’s willpower not to give in and cover her ears with both hands to deafen the sound.
“Let’s leave this place then, shall we?” She motioned with her head toward the restroom where the mirror hung unbroken.
