A New Platform [Intro Post February]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Three days after the Voidtreckers return to the void after their adventures on the biosphere world, they are awoken by a familiar announcement.

"Good morning passengers, it is day Sixteen of the month of Jelly. Points have been updated on the system."

They have indeed, and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train for a while will also be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A lurch and a jolt and the windows fill with the fog that means they are at a platform. The fog seems thicker than usual and as they step out onto the platform they will find it is cold, very cold. Icy fog sticks to their clothing, makes it hard to see very far; the atmosphere is dark and gloomy.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Alexis Rhodes, Elfnein, Itsuki Myoudouin, Ken Ichijouji, MT, Neku Sakuraba, Nike Lemercier, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Rainbow Dash, Rei Saotome, Taichi Yagami, Tsubomi Hanasaki, Yuri Tsukikage and Zechs Merquise all pass through the platform, not looking back before they disappear through the barriers and into the fog beyond.

But on the platform itself there are new faces. Wearing hoodies in all four colours, in various states of confusion.

For New Passengers

At first all they can see is steam, billowing around them as they come to their senses. As their eyes adjust, they will see they are on a platform, glass and dark stone rising in sturdy arches around them. Behind them is a set of barriers, and in front of them is a single track extending both ways into thick fog.

They are standing, in clothes that are not their own and a style they might not even recognise. They are carrying a rucksack on their back. For a moment it seems to just be them, alone in the white haze; then the steam begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform is not large with sixteen figures scattered around, all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. To both the left and right, tracks disappear into the mist. Then there is a roaring sound and out of the fog arrives a train. Jet black with gold writing on the side. The Voidtrecker Express. There is a hiss as the doors slide open and out step a strange assortment of people. Some are human, some are less so. Most are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple, though some are sporting different clothes in a variety of styles.

The Train

After a short time, the doors hiss open again. Those from the train may encourage those on the platform to board. It’s not like there's anywhere else to go and even if there was, you feel a pull. A need to board, a feeling that staying on the platform would lead to something terrible. If that is not enough, there are plenty of people on the platform now, to encourage them onto the train.

Each ICP shows the same message and next to the screens there are stacks of leaflets written by those on the train, with further information (see
'Publications'). The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, including several crates of avocados, the ingredient of the month of Jelly, as well as all sundries.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags.

New passengers will find their ticket allows them into their cabins. They may need to negotiate for beds, especially if they want a top bunk!

Room is tight but there are storage cubbies at the head of each bed, beds fold up and the bottom bunks double as benches for the small table. There is storage under those benches full of spare blankets and pillows.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers braving the freezing fog, and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view again as it picks up speed.

"Welcome aboard, passengers of the Voidtrecker Express." A female-coded artificial sounding voice echoes throughout the train. "Please take the time to read the passenger information displayed on the Information and Communication points and familiarise yourself with the layout and emergency exits."

The train begins to tilt, leaving the ground and rising up into the fog-filled sky.

"Entrance into Voidspace imminent. New passengers are advised to remain seated. Entry into Voidspace in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

A shudder, a jolt, a lurch to the left. A flash of light, colourful and blinding. As quick as it happens it is done. The train seems to steady itself. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!

Comments

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"There's no official welcoming party or anything." Raven replied. "What've you pieced together?"

cw: suicidal imagery take 2

[miseris_socios]

Ken watches the reaction as Nemesis fades away, and... hm. Okay. Maybe electricity wasn't the best option. Still, it's the element he's got that can make an actual demonstration. He sighs and looks over the guy in front of him and presses the Evoker to his head, pulling the trigger.

The figure appears again along with the sound and the mist, and a slight glow surrounds Jack as he heals the damage he caused. If he makes trouble with someone here there's not many places he can run, after all.

"Like I said, I can take care of myself. My whole team can take care of ourselves, but I was on my own without them for a while and without this ability. Don't underestimate me because of my age." Nemesis fades away as Ken tucks his Evoker into his pocket.

[enthunder]

"... And then this train comes along with its own set of problems."

It's awkward, a particularly tense kind of feeling, being on the other side of a gap in memory. Or an alternate timeline, given how the Void works. Her duty to the goddess? Lightning's served a goddess, but she gets the feeling that Yeul isn't talking about Cosmos. Etro, then.

Figures miracles aren't free.

But her future - if it's still her future after all this, or ever was - is a problem to face later. She clicks her tongue, aggravated on Yeul's behalf.

"Sorry you couldn't catch a break. You wanna tell me about it, and I'll give you the tour?"

[enthunder]

"Huh? They're... fine, I guess." Coming up with a casual comment about a fruit is still a struggle, apparently. Since he doesn't look like he's going anywhere, she slides a bowl of them over to him. "If you prep these, you can decide for yourself."

[eyeslikeblood]

[If the prospect of raising the strange bond he now shares with Inigo was remote before, it's even more so as Olivia haltingly but effortlessly wins him over. Something to discuss later, he decides, when she has had time to adjust.

It means they have more time to compliment Inigo, which is always an enjoyable topic.]

He's the kind of person it would be difficult to dislike, I've found, and he has done a great deal of good. His bravery and compassion are a credit to you. If there is anything we can do to help you, it would be a pleasure.

[gundamofthedesert]

"That is definitely true. Many people were surprised by us, seeing that we were only teens fighting for our colonies to try and stop the problems. We assumed things about them, they assumed about us. Some of our best allies now started out as our enemies."

He nodded his head. "I am certainly hoping that I will be able to go home. I want to see them again. What would you do first thing when you got home?"

[controlsthedie]

Grief isn't something Thanatos has much first hand experience with. He's seen it. Mortals cry for their love ones. They lash out at him for taking someone away "too soon" as if Thanatos had a part in that. Some try to bribe him with all the riches they own believing that even Death Incarnate would have some want for them.

But feeling it himself? Thanatos isn't sure he'd recognize the feeling.

"For what it's worth, it seems time dulls grief."

[bakegarasu]

"And I have nothing but it, now." He's really not sure what to do with it... hm. Actually. "Do mortals believe in spirits in general where you're from? I mean, before you show up."

[deferences]

Sizhui's expression brightens significantly after the acknowledgment, a slow smile curving his mouth at the edges as he remarks, “A good one, I'd say, and I have to admit that my day is better knowing you are here!” Can... can he hug him? Is he allowed to do that again? Last time, it was somewhat awkward initially, although Wei Wuxian did finally accept the embrace. (Clinging onto his leg seemed to work better, oddly enough? But he won't embarrass them both by doing such a childish thing in public.)

The man heads toward him and Sizhui scoops the white rabbit up into his arms, a motion that prompts the black bunny to poke its little head out from his hoodie pocket where it'd been napping. He glances down, grins outright when the other rabbit yawns then he upturns his attention once more.

“No, thankfully, since I believe Hanguang-jun would've been quite upset to find all his rabbits had gone missing.”

[fivemilesdeep]

[That's...huh.]

[There's a story there - something that would make this all make sense, that Ryo isn't privy to. Given how prickly Ken has been during this conversation, he likely wouldn't appreciate an attempt to dig, so Ryo takes a slightly more practical approach instead.]

What you should do is take your tea once it's ready and find a place to rest - either in the quiet car or in your room. You won't be able to help anyone if you're sick yourself.

And...don't beat yourself up about what you left at home. Coming here wasn't your choice to begin with - you can't blame yourself.

[miseris_socios]

... You're probably right. And... um. ... No, what I left at home was at least some of my fault. Even if it wasn't my choice to come here...

[Crap, what a mess...]

I've been to my room. It's small.. and at least one of my roommates is an adult.

[A slightly less stupid-sounding adult, but... he can't trust what the guy says.]

So... maybe the quiet car?

[emerald_mirror]

[He hadn't walked on, though. When Siebren had stopped, so had he--it was impolite at best to leave your friends behind, even on a casual walk.

Nor is Siebren the first person he's known who dissociates, at times--Rekah had done that sort of thing a lot--but if he's stunned, it's because he hadn't been aware that Siebren has that sort of...curious affliction, as well.

He has nothing to say about that, either--Siebren will explain, or he won't, as he chooses. Xander isn't going to push--he knows the man has always been more of a private sort, and this isn't late night at the spa, where it's too late for keen ears to pick up such things. He does lay a hand on Siebren's arm, though--the nephilim is not entirely without things to say.]

You might be lonely, but you're not alone, okay? Not unless you choose to be. You don't have to share anything with me, but talk to--to Seto, or someone. I don't know who. But someone. Okay?

[Though he ducks his head a little, rueful. He'd say Siebren didn't have to thank him for doing something he has so little control over, but that would be rude, to say the very least.]

You're welcome, I think. Any time for you, though.

[He probably is taking a serious liberty, now, but--he leans in and gives the older man a quick hug, clapping his arm and squeezing it again, looking up at him earnestly with a slight smile. He's positive Siebren's probably going to run leave, but Xander's going to give him what support he can, at least.]

[fivemilesdeep]

The look straight into his anxiety is a bit unnerving, but...well, she's perceptive. He should know this by now. As for the rest of her answer...

He settles back in his bunk, partially to give her a reprieve and partially to hide his expression. He has yet to figure out how to handle homesickness with a straight face, and it's been particularly bad here. "It's okay," he says quietly. "I think we all miss people from home." He certainly has days when he wishes he'd wake up at home and find the entire train to have been one long, strange dream.

[emerald_mirror]

If Seto thinks he's getting away without getting hugged, he's wrong. The taller teen leans against him, and Xander slings an arm around him and gives him a big hug.

And, because this is Xander, Seto should expect the sloppy kiss (loud, but thankfully dry) that the nephilim presses against his cheek. He can definitely feel Xander's spirits lifting, and he seems more than a bit happier, too.

"You're good people, Seto. Yugi's a lucky guy."

[achickenformylove]

"As far I know, no one on this train had any previous knowledge of the train or any of the planets we visited. It's all people who had no connection to it at all."

[yondu]

"Alright. Workin' off next to no info, got it."

He attempts then to lay down in the bunk. But there's one problem.

For decades now the fin he's had installed has been shorter. The prototype has a larger range, but it's a good six inches taller than the other fin. And as he lays back, he manages to bang it against the bunk above him.

"Ow! Shit-" he grumbles, winces, making protective motions around his head as he ducks under to straighten himself out properly. He probably should have thought this shit through before commissioning the design. The hoods on the hoodies are pretty much useless, too.

"I see you over there you little furry bastard, makin' yourself comfortable," he half-heartedly mocks the rabbit.

leaves this here before i sleep B)

[blitzcheer]

Alert, alert, Inigo's really young and really good-looking, what mom is on the train!

Which--whoa. On all accounts even, though the 'young mom' part apparently wasn't all that new to Inigo, and a lot more than Tidus wants to think about. Please, let's not give reasons for his brain to start wondering what he would do if he met his younger parents. Nooo, thank you! The focus is on the woman that is here, her connections to his best pal on the train, and...

Well, he should say hi, right? But also--is that going to be incredibly weird to her?

Probably, but it's not going to stop Tidus from initiating some contact. Wondering if he should do it with Inigo to offer introductions, but since when has he been patient? Especially when he already has some idea of how she looks, and the train was lacking in pink, long haired girls onboard.

She's a hard figure to miss; real hard, when you're keeping an eye out. And does Olivia know what to do with herself while stuck on a train? Because they could be anywhere, Tidus having only just entered the carriage to see her in some part of the lengthy, but still narrow structure, and ah--it's an opportunity. A walk initial slow as he deliberates if he should bother her, but isn't that going to be weirder?

Gah, he hates overthinking things. So forget all that, and let's just-

"--Hey! Olivia?"

-give a friendly call out, a hand lifting if she might look over, a smile on his face.

[secretmakesawoman]

[Vermouth gets halfway down the hall before Ran calls out to her. And despite all odds she does pause, just briefly, in her retreat.]

[There are many things she could say, most of them she shouldn't, especially with Ran there. 'There's nothing left to say,' would be the smart way to leave it. She almost does... until Sera chimes in, and something else comes out instead.]

Your room? [That's where Yukiko's ally brought Sera? Well, she supposes it did work out for them, but she would have expected something more... well guarded. The comment is clearly more to herself, and so incredulous that it could be mistaken as snide. That is, if they hear it at all, given her distance.]

[Either way, it does put a damper on her dropping the question entirely. So she goes with the next best thing.]

The fewer people who could get involved, the better.

[Not only to ensure that no one stopped them from cornering Sherry, but in order to avoid silencing more people. Despite both their conniving plotting, it was one thing that both Bourbon and Vermouth generally aimed for.]

[blue_ice]

Seto is still working his way up to being comfortable with extended contact, so he has his little plan. Xander, of course, takes a mile when given an inch, and Seto's slightly startled. It's all so new to him, being accepted and cared for like this.

And, of course, he cares right back. So despite the squeak of surprise from that kiss, he clings and settles in for a proper, comfortable embrace. He radiates a playful fondness.

"...you're a really good friend. And not just to me."

[comefadeaway]

"Yes, actually, I don't mind it." Yoite smiled a little bit. "I have a coat like this at home, only it's black. So I like it already."

There was even a stylish knapsack inside the bag which kind of impressed him too, it looked nice.

"I think it was a good thing to ask for."

[comefadeaway]

"I don't think so. It's very confusing to me."

Yoite sighed a little bit. He was used to human opponents who would just die to his technique. It wasn't that he had no other skills, but robots were a lot more solid and not what he was used to at all.

[comefadeaway]

"I don't really know how it works." Yoite offered with a shake of his head. "It doesn't make much sense to me either. This place is very...strange. Also if you were dying, you won't die, the train told me that."

[comefadeaway]

"Seventeen shapes? That seems like a lot of different shapes." It was really impressive, Yoite thought. He just didn't know that much about these kinds of skills, but look he managed to make a crane and a cat, which is also kind of impressive to him.

[comefadeaway]

"I don't know. I don't really think so. I saw a doctor after I got seriously injured the mission before last." Yoite admitted. "He didn't recommend anything aside from eating a little more."

[comefadeaway]

"I don't know what it is you're saying." Yoite admitted openly. "I can't...guess what it is, but it looks like a cat to me? My friend has one. I know what she looks like when she's a cat."