voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post February]

Entry tags:

A New Platform [Intro Post February]

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He grips his bag tightly. He knows what his Evoker looks like - he's not taking it out around someone. And in any case he doesn't trust his stuff to not get stolen. He watches the 'tour'... well, at least there's a bathroom. It could be worse.

"Are there any rules I should be aware of?" It's basically a shared house, if he's going to be stuck here. Sometimes people have weird rules.

The shift in his demeanor is so well-hidden behind his tight-lipped smile that Roland doesn't sound any different than he did when he was explaining to Ken all about the room. The only notable change is the way he pauses for a split second, almost unnoticeable, as if the thought catches up to him before he can speak.

"Not a lot of house rules here, to be honest. Just...make sure you don't get too rowdy and damage the train, okay?" A beat before he rests an arm against his hip. "Inside and out."

Not that anything they've done has actively scratched even a little bit of the train's tough hide, but with the stakes this high, you can never be too careful. And it's obvious Roland's not sharing this little piece of advice because he has any sort of amore for the train, no. He sounds like he's wary.

So try to damage the train, got it. Or at least, consider doing it.

"Right. ... Other than the obvious... being on a train through space thing... have you noticed anything weird going on?" If the Dark Hour happens here... he's not sure whether it should or shouldn't. It's not like he could go information-digging.

Ken, no please -

Roland leans against the nearest surface, arms over his chest. "That depends on what you consider weird." The amusement underlying his voice is telling of how true such a statement is altogether. Some people adjust fairly well to the chaos of the void, while others, well. Not so much. "What I can tell you is what's normal. Or what to expect. There are times when the train throws us all in for a loop. Other instances that can be considered weird might happen on missions, on other planets."

"... Okay, fine. What's normal, here?" Even if he doesn't get an answer to his question, he can still get some information.

There, that's definitely way more specific. Roland lists it off, a little too calm for how incredulous some of the details may sound.

"Hm. Missions to save worlds is technically why we're all gathered here, but attendance seems arbitrary. You can go with your team, with another team, or stay onboard if you so choose. Expect that every two weeks. As for the train itself, well. It likes to keep us on our toes. I don't remember a single moment of peace, even when it was pretending to give us a reward for a job well done. Once, people got sick onboard. Then another time, we passed through a void storm that made us see visions of those who have come and gone, passengers and people from back home alike."

He frowns. Hearing that out loud was something else. They really were put through the ringer...

"The others are more mundane. Has anyone got to explaining to you ICP terminals, SCA protocols, the works?"

"... Great. So it's grabbed me from trying to help -" Nope, don't talk about trying to help keep the world from ending. That'll lead to questiosn he doesn't want to answer.

"So basically, a bunch of random sh - stuff." He should keep the 'innocent kid' act up as long as he can, it'll help. "And... uh. I mean, I read the terminal and the brochures."

Roland catches Ken's slip of tongue, his brow slightly raised in question, but opts to let it pass. Looks like his new roommate's got a bit of spunk to him. And unless Ken was just like Roland - with his youthful looks merely superficial - he didn't seem that much older than his son back home...

"Right." He says, simply and to the point. "Well, there's an ICP in here if you want to look around some. You'll find the roster of passengers, where their cabins are, and how many points you've got. Those are replenished every time we stop at platforms."

He sits himself down against the edge of his bed, arms automatically crossing over his chest. "The train's gotten...significantly longer since the last couple of stops, so it'll be good to tour it once you're settled. Got any particular interests?"

He hangs around Jin too much, honestly.

"Points... what are the points for? Just bragging rights, or can you do anything with them?" Interests... hm. "... I saw there was a movie theater as I passed through. Are there any superhero movies in there?"

"No. The points have a purpose," Roland answers quickly, a slight shake to his head. "There's a shop where you can purchase a variety of items. Last I checked now, they just added bigger pets...for a hundred, if you have it on you."

Nope. Ken didn't need to know Roland's gripes about the unfairness of the points system, so even if you could afford a hundred whopping points to spend, how would you get them back? They knew the broad strokes, but to this day, the train still won't share the proper breakdown of what action corresponds to a point. Alas. The adult has to adult.

It's at least a good sign that he smiles genuinely at the mention of superhero movies. "There's a least a hundred titles in the cinema car. Some of them are about heroes, yeah. My favorite's the one where a pilot gets powers after hitting a magic meteor. It's nice."

We love us some off-brand Captain Marvel.

Bigger pets... he wants Koromaru. But Koromaru isn't really a 'pet'...

"That's good. They probably won't have the ones I know, given how today's been going..." His luck isn't very good today. "... I read sometimes, when I can get my hands on books. I haven't... been able to go to school the past few years, so I have to keep up somehow."

Wow, between books and movies, suddenly Roland's engaged as ever with Ken. Both things, Roland's incredibly passionate about, though movies seemed to pique his interest moreso than the books.

He does however, store away for a later time the fact that Ken hadn't been coming to school for years at a time. A statement innocent enough on its own, but by experience alone, Roland knows its never as simple as one might expect. A story behind it all, but not one for him to ask or prod about for now.

"What do you like for both? Genres, and favorite books and movies?" Apart from the superhero kind, of course. "You can order titles at the store, once you've gotten enough points. If it's not here now, you can buy it and the train somehow acquires the closest thing to it."

"I like superhero movies and um... things that are a lot of just... good guys winning. I know the world isn't really like that, but it's nice to pretend that it is sometimes." It's never been like that, and he knows it. "I really like Phoenix Ranger Featherman R. It's still going though, so I don't know that it could get a collection or anything. ... It'd be nice, though."

Books... "I'll read most things as long as there's no romance. Romance is... I don't know. People get really weird about it. ... I don't really like mystery books either. Police aren't the good guys and neither are detectives."

He's just about ready to defend the integrity of a good 'ol fashioned crime novella, fresh off of watching a movie patterned after old noir movies...but it's overshadowed by a sudden affinity. Things that are just a lot of good guys winning.

Since Ken entered their shared living quarters, this might be the first time Roland actually smiles wide, genuine and real. He chuckles before speaking.

"You and me both. And even if the world isn't that ideal...well, maybe if we watch enough shows like that, it can be." Roland shakes his head, amused at what he just said. He turns to look back at Ken, understated in the pleasant surprise.

"If you don't mind me asking, what's Phoenix Ranger Featherman R is about? I've never heard it before." The name of the show is said a bit slower, making sure he doesn't get it wrong.

"... It's nice, but I don't think the world will ever be like that. Too many corrupt people who use their money and power for evil. If you can pick them off one by one you can make some things better, but people are greedy and lazy and prefer to get paid off to look away than listen to the truth."

He tries to take a few breaths to release the tension in his body. It's... hard.

"It's a sentai show. Like superheroes in spandex that beat up monsters in rubber suits? The effects are better than that now, but you can still tell that the giant monster and robot parts are just actors in suits flailing at each other with explosives added. I... I guess it's kind of dumb... but it's a lot simpler than the real world."

Quite a lot to unpack there, Roland realizes. And it's disconcerting to him again, at how the train never seems to run out of young kids to steal from their lives in order to play hero. Ken really didn't seem older than ten or twelve, yet he's already saying things like the world running on greed and corruption; how it's too ideal for things to change just because you watch a TV show to inspire you to be good.

It's always the young who get hurt badly by cruel fates, and it hits close to home regardless of Ken's true story. So he does his best to ride on the shift of topic, not wanting Ken's first day on the train to be anything but mildly comfortable at the very least. It's easy when his (not so) secret passion for TV shows and movies has never changed as the years went on. Certainly not on a void train forcing them with more downtime than he's ever had in his entire life as president.

"That sounds pretty neat," he responds, smiling. "Growing up, I don't think I've ever watched a show that's a...sentai, before. But I'm all for good guys in costumes beating up bad monsters any day. Don't tell me - " He makes a gesture with a finger poised up in point. "I bet someone transforms at some point." Robots in shows always mean transformations! That much he knows.

"Yeah, absolutely they do. They transform into their armor and then they also have these mecha that can link up together - and they have other units they can call in and change up their robot to make a super version of their mecha and -"

He stops, suddenly blushing and turning away. "... Mm. All of this is making me sound like a little kid..."

"...I don't think there's anything wrong with sounding like a little kid."

Children are more powerful and insightful than most adults give them credit for. Take it from a guy who's pledged allegiance to one, and he's the best person Roland knows. But upon seeing Ken's reluctance to indulge this hobby, the action to shy away is met with a burst of enthusiasm from Roland, who doesn't stop it this time around. He's only just met him today, but what harm could there be from it? Though he still keeps to his poise, Roland turns and starts rummaging in his assigned cubby by his bed.

"Do you wanna see something cool?" He asks Ken, hiding something behind his back. Effectively, unless his other roommates have already glimpsed it by accident, Ken would be the first person to see his prized possession apart from the other three who helped him build it.

Edited 2021-02-06 09:15 (UTC)

"People don't take you seriously..." Not at his age, especially, or younger. "But um... what is it?"

"Well, whoever they are, they're missing out on some pretty good ideas." If he was one to wink, now would be a time for it. But he manages to sound genuine despite the steadiness in his demeanor. Returning to the item in question, Roland reveals a perfectly built robot model figurine. On its plastic stand, it reads MaDnuG Beta GBZ-99 Re-ZG.

"Speaking of robots that come together." He chuckles. "I grew up wanting this, but we couldn't afford it. My friends on the train got it for me as a gift a couple of weeks back. We had to build the model, but here it is at last." He offers it to him gently, holding it by the bottom. "Told you it was cool."

So if Ken would like to be a kid, even here in the privacy of their shared quarters, he had every safety and freedom to do so. Roland would be the first to jump in and share in his joy.

He watches as Roland pulls out a model and... huh. He's seen stuff like these. He looks it over carefully. He'd never been into that kind of anime. He takes it by the bottom, turning it around. All the joints are put together without any gaps... he's seen some ones that are kind of rough-looking, but this is really nice.

"... You liked this kind of stuff growing up? Most adults act like they never liked things until they got old..."

The MaDnuG is observed closely for a few more minutes before he sets it down gently next to him, on the bed. He's smiling still, happy for the recognition. He's not at all bothered that Ken already thinks of that him in a particular way, perhaps more used to it than he lets on regardless of how long he's been on this train. Or how much he's changed.

"I did." He replies smoothly. "I was a big fan of toys and movies. Adults who pretend they're not into this stuff are probably doing it because...they have to look a certain way for work." He chuckles, but there's little mirth in it. "If they look like they're too young, the adults don't seem to take them seriously even if they make sense. So they hide and grow up faster."

If he's speaking from experience, it's not obvious. The only thing lending weight to his sentiment found in the softened lilt of his voice.

"Most adults are liars, if the last two years have taught me anything." He'd been smart even at 9, started to notice how teachers deflect thing sometimes... "I don't know why people lie to themselves so much... if there's something you like or want you should be able to go get it."

Like, for instance, revenge.

"I tried to get a job a few times, but people would just laugh at me. I'm just as capable as a lot of them. I... my team knows I'm into that kind of stuff, but I'm not... people would look at me like I'm a kid."

"What kind of job did you want to get?"

The figurine slowly drops to his lap as Ken's words are mulled over in the silence of his thoughts. He seems to be fairly experienced despite his age - sadly, none of them indicative of good experiences...As much as Roland detests the train for what it has done to them all, at least there were chances here to make better memories than home. Roland hopes Ken can go through more pleasant days while waiting to return to his story.

For now, he'll deflect on Ken's thoughts on adulthood and what adults have done to kids like him. Not out of guilt, but understanding that adults tend to work underhandedly when they see the need, or find it more convenient. Perhaps he might know a thing or two about that himself, but that's not for Ken to know right now.

"I don't know. Something... that I can at least make a little bit of money. We just need some sort of income. ... Safe income, without putting ourselves in danger. I didn't really have... plans for the future. Survival until tomorrow is never sure, surviving the next weeks or months is about all we can work on." And the others... might not have years. Probably don't. He looks away, trying to gather himself.

"... Like I said, no one cares about us. We have to make our own space in the world."

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(off-brand/AU! gundam robots to avoid 4th wall breaches lol)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject