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

[bodyoftheseus]

V considered what Otoha said for a moment, taking the time to also examine the man before him.

"If you didn't do anythin' special then maybe whoever makes that decision thinks you're handsome." It rolls out of his mouth so naturally, so unabashed. There's a beat before he continues. "With some contracts I could earn extra for doin' somethin' special." He shrugs. "Hard to say without more info."

[subcircuits]

Another deep breath, and then Devero nods. "Got it," he says. And then, ma-hay-haaaybe stalling just a little bit, "We should put on some music. What are you feeling?"

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Hmm," something slow would probably be best, all things considered. "Do you want to teach me one of your waltzes?"

Slower, and something Koumyou knows for sure Devero enjoys especially.

[marvelous_murderbot]

"Oh, no, I was - not by choice - one of them. I have since shed that past and am attempting to be a useful member of society."

"I feel it only polite to be upfront about what my skills were used for in the past. Thankfully, I had those memories erased. Too many people wanted to know where all the blackmail material was, the hidden money stashes, and so on."

Given the size of Black Sun when it fell apart, each of those could easily fill warehouses.

[marvelous_murderbot]

"Oh," she replies, looking thoughtful. "So you've only been here for...one set of missions? I believe that is the correct number?"

[miseris_socios]

"... Hang on a sec." He pauses and digs into his bag, grabbing a pencil and flipping open the notebook. It takes a minute, but eventually he draws an (admittedly poor) sketch of a creature. He puts the pencil away and holds up the drawing.

"That's a type of Shadow. It's called a Cowardly Maya - probably because it's one of the weakest ones."

[controlsthedie]

"Ryo can be very stubborn, but that's not always a bad thing." He's at least a stubborn fool with a good heart.

Neither of them have any room to judge, and both of them also know with few words that Ryo is the main reason they are friends with Ryo. Thanatos doesn't know Otoha well, but he doesn't seem the person to easily make friends. Especially when he talks about being a trained killer.

"Ah, it happened in your world and not due to the train."

[subcircuits]

Well played, priest. "Oh, I'd love to," Devero says brightly. "One of Anada's, maybe!"

Now, he could jump down off the stage at this point and use to ICP at the end of the carriage to play music over the speakers. But that sounds like something a lotek would do, now doesn't it?

Devero half-turns away from Koumyou and gestures up the music library he's been curating in his Interface, swiping through his playlists until he reaches the one he's been assembling as he's been doing ballroom lessons with Trunks. He takes the Interface off, then, converting it to handheld mode and pressing play on the first song. He trots to a corner of the stage and sets up the little device there.

"All right," he says quietly, steeling his nerve visibly as he returns to his Sanzo. He holds his hands out in invitation. "Shall we?"

[bakegarasu]

"I -" His entire train of thought just stops completely and he slowly blinks a few times in surprise. "... I'm not handsome, I'm a monster." He's always been told so. Between the scars and just how he looks naturally... he's not attractive.

"I -" Nope, brain still completely derailed.

[so_dark_a_road]

"Oh, I see," he said. "We Elves use herbs for healing. Including those two, witch hazel and rosemary. It would make sense to use them on the train."

Curufin's body heat was beginning to dry his clothes already. "Yes, let's see what's in here."

He found a package labeled with his name. "Oho, here are the books I ordered for Senku!" He stuck the package under his arm.

"Find your epson salts?" he asked.

[its_dad_sanzo]

Yes, good. Koumyou watches Devero get his interface all set up, and when he comes back, Koumyou gives him his partially-covered hands. And a smile, of course.

"I won't start letting it react immediately. There's no rush."

[bakegarasu]

He snorts in amusement, wandering a little closer - enough to be conversational, not close enough to feel in his space.

"Yeah, no. This wasn't a train thing. My city had a guardian, but he was trying to get humans to believe in yokai again by attacking the city's human population to... I guess make them believe via fear? I guess? Yokai only survive on human belief, so in the 'modern' world people just... kind of don't. I didn't."

Anyway. "Only a Karas can really kill a Karas. Out of armor, maybe. In armor? No chance in hell that anything but a Karas' weapon is cutting through that."

[theturksway]

[Reno chuckled good-naturedly at her words. She was so shy it was adorable. Admittedly not usually his thing as he tended to like a good challenge, there was a certain appeal to it coming from the right person. She was pretty to look at and with her youth the timidness was adorable rather than off-putting. If she was lucky, she'd out-grow the shy nature and trade it in for either a refined demureness or sly coyness.

He shook his head as he replied to her words despite the silliness of them.]

I mean, personally I try to avoid it all costs... but there's no getting outta it forever. Gotta have clean clothes to look sharp, yo!

[Inane as the conversation may have been if he was going to hold it he was going to give it his usual amount of flair.]

[adregem]

[ If it wasn't her hesitation to draw anything down that did it, a flash of nervousness on her face that reminded Roland of something strangely familiar, it was what she said next that brought him to shock. His eyes grow wide, and his brows rise to his hairline. The journal and pen offered is soon forgotten for the moment. ]

Chrom?

[ Though it comes as a question, it can't be more obvious that Roland recognizes it, more than the woman might realize. He swallows quickly before speaking again. ]

You're from Ylisse?

[ In a person's life, there will always be instances where ones intuition rings a loud alarm to alert you that the feeling in your gut is worth chasing. That it's trying to tell you something, even in the senses engaged with the way the woman looks and talks and feels like all she wants to do is shrink away and never be seen. Roland, for once, follows this sense without question. The only thing to be said is that even in the steadily increased beat of his heart, he is still calm and collected outwardly. ]

I...know of him. [ He asks for the journal and the pen back with open hands, and as soon as they're returned to him, he draws precisely the Brand - not a tattoo - but the symbol of those chosen by Naga. Those in the royal line. A mark that he has seen over and over again, staring into a particular somebody's eyes on almost every given occasion they meet. But what could she be...?

He shows this to her, holding up the book by the bottom page. ] He has the Brand on his shoulder, correct? This one?

[so_dark_a_road]

"Corridors of darkness, eh? Sounds like a very efficient means of transportation. So, you've tried entering a corridor but haven't been able to use it to get to any world you've attempted to navigate to? You've actually tried this while on the train?"

He nods, though the expression on his face is just slightly tinged with alarm. "Heartless are made of the darkness in people's hearts? Good thing we didn't have that sort of creature in my world. Too many hearts there that were filled with darkness, and we didn't need any dire magic that multiplied that darkness." Curufin's heart had been touch by darkness, beginning in childhood and becoming more blatant once he and his relatives had emigrated to Middle-earth. Six hundred years after the exodus, he had figured out how to mitigate that darkness and to choose a new path for himself.

"Was your world destroyed by these creatures, or some world you knew of?"

[subcircuits]

"Let me at least teach you the steps first," Devero says with a chuckle.

Not that that's actually going to take him that long. Teaching Trunks has given him an idea of the best way to go about introducing someone to the swooping steps of the ballroom dances from his day and age, and he puts that practice to use showing Koumyou.

But where he'd started Trunks off easy, with Koumyou he jumps right to one of Anada's simpler rhythm waltzes: faster-paced, more complicated steps, more challenging with energetic dips and turns incorporated.

Of course, he's stepping them through it slowly to start. "--and then you put your foot here, right inside where mine is-- right, like that! And we both pivot, like this--" Speaking of dips, 'like this' is a twist down and back, Devero bending Koumyou in slow motion over his arm.

[thawed_pride]

"Then it seems to be simply an overlap in naming convention. It doesn't resemble any form of Heartless with which I am familiar."

He'll just...leave out why he's so confident he would recognize most, if not all, forms of common Heartless.

[its_dad_sanzo]

As per usual, Koumyou is extremely easy to lead through the motions, although since Devero is actively trying to teach him, it may even stick instead of him simply responding in real-time.

And then he's dipped.

"Oh!" Koumyou holds on tight with the hand on Devero's shoulder, just reflexively.

[miseris_socios]

He nods and puts the notebook away, starting to move again. The bag swings over his shoulder easily. "Yeah, I thought so. There's a lot of different types of Shadows... I could try to list the ones I know later." Not now. Not while they're exploring.

[subcircuits]

Devero's arm hooked around his waist is solid as a seawall, and the grin on his face is crooked. He quite likes getting a reaction like that. "--now bend your right knee, keep the other leg out-- center of gravity low while I--" He sort of steps over/past Koumyou and then turns himself, pulling the priest back upright and around in front of him.

"--That'll be a lot more impressive at speed, I promise," he adds once they're both back upright and steady on their feet.

[its_dad_sanzo]

"It's already pretty impressive!" Koumyou isn't shy at all about gushing, as usual. "You know, if magic lessons go well... maybe I should teach you martial arts, too? It's so similar to this..."

It's also all about center of gravity and balance and momentum, not to mention the footwork to make it all work. Which was why back at their very first meeting and very first dance, the priest had asked if he was also a martial artist.

[subcircuits]

Devero has to pause for a moment so he can tell Koumyou, "I'd like that."

Technically, he already knows martial arts-- well, a martial art, the Tri-Delta defensive art developed by the World Guard. He's rusty as hell, but the sparring session with Trunks and then the fighting during the mission has started shaking that rust loose.

"Everything I know already is focused on defense, and disarming your opponent," he tells Koumyou. "To be able to move like you would be... incredible."

He leads them back into the dance-- "Just do the main steps again, it'll be about four repetitions--" before reinforcing the caveat: "If the magic lessons go well."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"If the magic lessons go well," Koumyou agrees, "and this."

'This', of course, being the way the ends of the sutra start to trail behind him as they move together. Just drifting like tendrils of seaweed in the water, sliding out of Devero's way as though pushed by some unseen current, but very slowly and gradually lengthening.

And gaining numbers. It's several repetitions of the main steps before there's more than just the two tendrils coiling out through the air, but if Devero doesn't put a stop to it there will eventually be a lot of them.

[yondu]

"People from Terra.... I think Quill calls it 'Earth'?" He makes a loose gesture around his head. "It's a translator thing. But uh... he's still out there. Last I knew, anyway."

He better be. He can't know for sure. He just said good-bye to him what... seven hours ago? Eight? But he better keep going. He didn't want Ego to die and then Quill to lose all that newfound freedom.

But there's a sense of disappointment that makes Yondu want to try to find something interesting.

"Though the point bein' that someone from there can get more out of it than someone like me. Like he loved all the outposts. Made all kinds of trouble." At the time it was a pain in the ass, but now it's kind of a fond memory. Something you can look back and tease someone on.

[adregem]

"Oh, let's not. Seeing one flooded train car is enough, thanks." Seriously. Water magic was dangerous in enclosed spaces! But he walks closer, the sitar upon closer inspection, shaped not as he would have expected.

"I'd be happy to hear you play something else, though. What's your genre of choice?"