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

Najaran OTA

[najaran]

Najaran Hadn't been feeling well recently. She even missed the mission which had made her feel worse. But she had to come to the platform, just in case. Duo might return. She had to know. Even though she was still feeling a little... off.

The young teen leaned against the side of the train, watching people as she clung to her man-headed cane.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin exited through the Luggage Car and stepped onto the platform, immediately spotting Najaran leaning against the train, holding the Goligan cane.

"Hey, Najaran! How are you doing?"

[najaran]

She gave him a weak smile. "Little dizzy, still," she mumbled. But I had to come out and see."

[so_dark_a_road]

He nodded and smiled back. "If you feel dizzy, feel free to lean on my arm when we go back into the train. Did anybody amongst the new passengers turn out to be from your world?"

[najaran]

"Thanks. And no one yet," she said. She was a mix of relieved and disappointed. She had been out here mostly to look for Duo, though. Unless someone pulled out a Card and started challenging people, she doubted she'd know if someone from her world had arrived. She knew so few people, after all.

[so_dark_a_road]

That he could understand, that Najaran would look for Duo. Those two had been good friends, and she obviously missed him. Curufin missed him, too.

"Oh, say, I was going to ask you something. Is there anything I could order for you from the train store? I have points, and I need people to spend them on." Najaran was one of his favorite people, too.

[najaran]

She blinked, confused. "Don't you want to buy things for yourself?" she asked, puzzled.

Re: Najaran OTA

[mynameisallen]

Allen paused for a moment, he couldn't help but be a little bit concerned. It was just something he did regardless of who it was.

"Are you okay?"

Re: Najaran OTA

[najaran]

"A little unwell," she said with a weak smile. "I'll go back to bed soon," she assured him.

Re: Najaran OTA

[mynameisallen]

"Will you need help to get back to bed." He couldn't be exactly sure, but regardless of the answer Allen had already decided to try and stick around.

"I mean maybe the medical carriage might be a better idea."

Re: Najaran OTA

[najaran]

"I' not that sick," she said quickly. And she wasn't, any more. She'd been pretty bad when everyone else was off on the mission though. And if she couldn't help, she wasn't going to take away people who could. "I just wanted to see if Duo was coming back. I'll be okay."

Re: Najaran OTA

[mynameisallen]

"You two must have been pretty close then?" He figured at least very good friends because even then seeing them leave would have still been painful and that hope of seeing them always being there.

He had a good few people we would love to see again personally after all.

So sorry! Not sure how I lost this thread!

[najaran]

"Kind of, yeah. I guess." Going by how much he yelled at her that one time, anyway.

[sciencegirl]

Entrapta gets off the train, hoping to introduce someone the way she was helped out. But she sees Najaran not looking at the top of her game.

"Hey! Are you alright?" She asks about as gently as her shrill voice can muster. "Do you need anything?"

[najaran]

Najaran managed a weak smile for her. "Sorry I haven't made food the last few days..."

[sciencegirl]

"Not even for yourself?" That is. Very concerning.

"Hey, when they let us back on the train, would you wanna come with me? I'm not the best cook, but I can make soup!" Kind of. She can follow a recipe, though, and she knows they have those.

[najaran]

"I ate," she assured her. "I just didn't think I should be cooking with a runny nose is all," she said, leaning against the train. "And we can go back on any time, I think. I... just wanted to see if Duo was here."

[sciencegirl]

"Alright then, as long as you're sure."

She pauses for a few moments, wondering if she should ask. She probably should, just in case she should watch too.

"Who is Duo?"

[najaran]

"A friend," she said quietly. "He used to be on the train with us."

[blitzcheer]

Tidus takes a sharp breath coming off from the train, a white trail leaving his lips with the cold air. It's look around him that helps him spot Najaran leaning there with her staff friend, and he gives a friendly "Hey" in greeting, before nodding out towards the platform.

"Not a fan of the weather?"

[najaran]

"A little under it, actually," she said, sheepishly. "I just came out to see if Duo came back."

[blitzcheer]

Oh--sick? Tidus scans the crowd of people from where they are for any sign of the long-haired guy, but things aren't easy to see in this fog. A mumble of an offer starting to leave his mouth, slow, until a thought clicks.

"The roster! People's names show up on there when we stop. We can check that."

[najaran]

"Oh, they do?" she asked, startled. "Where do we find it?"

[blitzcheer]

"Oh the ICP! Here, we can look-"

He's turning to go back to the doors in, sparing a look to see if she'll follow. One shouldn't be hard to locate and get booted up with the slip in of a ticket, sparing Najaran some room so she can stand beside him at the console.

I am so sorry, this got lost somehow.

[najaran]

Najaran followed behind him, trying not to sneeze all over him.

"Oh, one of these things," She said sniffling a bit.

She... was not good at using the ICPs.