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

Della Duck | OTA

[sos_pilot]

Platform - For Newbies

[ Della has learned that, amazingly enough, being whisked away from your home and endangering your lives bi-monthly is not for everyone. So, she hopes this month she can make it easier on the new folks. How? ]

Free hugs! Get your free hugs here!

[ She even has a big sign in her hands saying, well, exactly that.

FREE HUGS.

Ya'll need to get mom'd. ]

Train - All Over

[ Della's also been feeling kinda dumb over the past few missions, and got the idea of how to best refresh herself - ordering The Junior Woodchuck Guidebook from her realm! She's pleased as punch to get it back, and can be found reading it everywhere.

... Seriously, everywhere.

Hanging upside down from her bed, stirring stuff in the kitchen, reading as she's walking - if you need to be somewhere, she's accidentally in your way as she reads. ]

... Ha ha ha, forgot about that one. Good times, good times.

Wildcard
[ make your own prompt! feel free to hit me up on plurk at melcat33 ]

[10billionpercent]

[ Excuse him Della as he moves out of the way so she can get by. ]

What're you reading so intently, Airavata?

[ Senku can't help but be curious about books. ]

[sos_pilot]

[ It takes her a moment to realize she's being talked to, and when she does, she grins, holding the book up like a prized trophy. ]

I'm glad you asked, Sen-Shine! This is, without a doubt, the greatest book across all the worlds... the Junior Woodchuck Guidebook!

[10billionpercent]

And what, exactly, is a Junior Woodchuck?

[ He tilts his head curiously. ]

Platform but not a newbie

[pleple]

Do you really think that will work?

[ Ple Two usually pops out for at least a moment, even when she doesn't expect anything exciting. There's always the outside chance someone she recognizes shows up, and then she has to deal with that...

Right now she's just eyeing 'free hugs' warily. ]

[sos_pilot]

Hey, it couldn't hurt.

[ She grins, wiggling eyebrows. ]

Is it working on you?

[pleple]

No.

[ Ple Two narrows her eyes. ...she doesn't hate hugs but this is way too public. ]

...that is, uh. I'm not... interested in that... here.

[ But she tries to soften her answer a moment later. ]

Train

[sizedoesntmatter]

[Yugi seemed a lot happier than he had been a couple of hours ago as he looked at the ring he was currently wearing around his neck before letting it fall back down when he heard someone.]

Ah, hello Della. What are you reading?

[sos_pilot]

Hm?

[ It took her an extra moment to realize someone was talking to, but now that she knows, she twirls the book around before all but shoving it into Yugi's face. ]

This, young man, is the greatest thing to have ever existed! The Junior Woodchuck Guidebook!

[sizedoesntmatter]

[Yugi had to be surprised for a moment at a book being shoved at him. But she seemed so excited he couldn't help but smile.]

So it's something wilderness related? [He was for the most part taking a guess.]

what do you MEAN for newbies!!

[blitzcheer]

What inspired this?

[ He's grinning, voice calling over from where he stands with his hands shoved in his jacket pockets while she's making her sells pitch. A selling of free hugs!! ]

you guys can't hog all the hugs!!!!

[sos_pilot]

[ She gives a half shrug. ]

Just seems like a lot of people could use them. Some of you are, like, super depressing. What better way to make people feel welcome?

watch us!!!

[blitzcheer]

Okay, just so we're clear, my super depressing arc is over and I'm back on my cool adventure arc.

[ He doesn't think he's getting called out but COVERING HIS BASES. ]

But also, are the guys who could do with them gonna admit to it? Hugging isn't very cool when you have a tragic backstory.

train

[happyends]

[ Madoka only barely manages to dodge Della before she full on crashes into Madoka. But that's only one problem being avoided here, since Madoka watches the other walk on-- looking like she's right about to crash into a door ahead of her.

So of course she calls out, running after Della. ]

A-ah, miss! Please watch out..! [ Even if that book is very entertaining, it's not worth your life, okay! ]

[sos_pilot]

[ Being from a cartoon comedic series, of course Della hears the warning... all too late. ]

Huh? Watch out for wh-

[ BONK. Della fumbles backwards, rubbing her sore beak, but then she laughs it off. ]

My bad! Ha ha ha!

[happyends]

Are you okay?!

[ Della may be laughing it off, but Madoka sure as heck seems a lot more worried. She keeps moving until she's caught up with the other, only then stopping her jog. But it probably makes the worry in her eyes all the more noticable when she's this close to Della now. ]

Does it hurt? S-should I get some help?! [ She's so ready to run off to the medical carriage if she has to, don't test her! ]

Platform

[makeadragonwannaretire]

Azula has only now started to come around to the idea that she needs to get on this train.

The fog is ominous enough but after getting some explanation from a couple of stray passengers she knows her time for making the choice is running out.

And that fog is looking more and more ominous every second.

"OK Azula...this all sounds insane but you can't go back, only forward. It's all going to be fine so long as..."

She stops and looks down at a duck woman holding a sign that says "Free Hugs".

...

"No. Never mind. I'd rather die in the forest then risk my sanity here."

Re: Platform

[sos_pilot]

Oblivious to the existential dread she's struck in this teenager, Della merely wiggles her eyebrows, thinking she's got a potential customer.

She opens up her arms. "Bring it in, girl!"

[makeadragonwannaretire]

This is the first time in her life Azula has ever considered that ducks might have eyebrows and she hates that fact.

"No...no way. Not even a little." She backed up slowly still unable to take her eyes off the oversized bird.

"What even are you!? Where is your shell? Why do your feathers look like hair?"

3rd + wildcard to make it spicy

[adregem]

[ There are three sharp knocks coming through to her cabin door before a familiar voice pipes up pleasantly on the other side. Hope she's not too busy with her reading! ]

Della? Are you home?

[sos_pilot]

Mm-hmm!

[ Della's laying on her bed, reading up a storm, making a noise to acknowledge she heard... something??? Yeah sure whatever, next page! ]

1/2

[adregem]

[ He waits for her to open the door after such an acknowledgment...but nothing. So he calls again, but gets more or less a similar treatment. He sighs. ]

Okay. Well. Here goes nothing.

[ He inhales quietly, before throwing his voice out. ]

[adregem]

[ Loudly, enough to get through the other side. Not dramatic enough to warrant a serious reaction, unable to hide the sarcasm, but it's convincing nonetheless. ]

Oh no, there's a minotaur loose on the train!

Oh, I absolutely have to

[marvelous_murderbot]

Platform

[She approaches, hands carefully folded in front of her. The sign drew her curiosity, as did the unusual life form. She'd met avian species before, but this was a new one. And the sign was interesting.]

[Also, she wasn't sure how she could read the sign, which bore investigation.]

[And though it's not foremost on her mind - or so she tells herself, despite its persistence - she's never actually been hugged in her existence.]

Hello. I would like a free hug, please.

[sos_pilot]

[ Finally! Pleased as punch that someone was taking up her offer, Della tossed the sign aside and went in on the hug, holding the girl gently but tightly. ]

Welcome to the train! And welcome to free hugs whenever you'd like!