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

Re: Later...

[myblueskies]

"Alfredo..." Romeo looked towards him, not smiling but glad to see Alfredo regardless, especially when it had been his words that had filled his head.

When I was feeling low, Bianca always used to tell me... He only has three... four memories of his time before the heavens and he knows each one well, holds onto the details in his heart.

"Alfredo. Who is Bianca?" He looked back at the sparkly bookmark. "You can't say about how I know her, or if she's my friend or anything." That would be dangerous. "But who is she? She sounds very smart..."

Re: Later...

[hisblueskies]

A few specific expressions crossed Alfredo's face - disbelief, followed swiftly by guilt at forgetting (of course, I'm one of the only ones he remembers. Stupid of me to forget-), a glance away where he tried once again not to be angry at how this had all happened to Romeo...

And then sorrow, which is the emotion that stays. Because it wasn't as if he'd expected to see Bianca again either.

"She's my sister. Younger sister. I'll always remember her words... at least we can both do that."

He looked away again, trying not to let those memories linger, like they had during that void storm, blinking rapidly.

"They gave me strength-" while we were apart, "and I hope they can help you keep doing the same."

Not that it's just words Alfredo had to offer; letting silence come, he opened his arms for a hug.

[myblueskies]

Sister? Alfredo has a sister? A sister who gave him strength and who said such big and important things such as that?

"She must be a really great person." He has so many questions but he buries them all down, he can't push his head like that. It's too dangerous.

And Alfredo looks sad, like Romeo has made him think of sad things. To bring up painful memories that he can't share. Romeo hugs him back, holding him tightly.

"She has to be, if she's your sister."

I hate it when my italics break like that, sob

[hisblueskies]

The hug goes on for some time.

"... She is. And, regardless of what happened to me - to both of us - I think - no, I know - she's still alive."

She deserved for things to go right for her, after everything.

[myblueskies]

"I'm glad." He is! It's good that Bianca is alive and he hoped she would have a good life, even if she must miss her brother!

He leans back a bit, just so he could look at Alfredo, though he didn't leave the hug completely.

[hisblueskies]

Alfredo's not looking at Romeo, so it takes him a moment to come back to himself, to try to shake this mood off.

It doesn't work very well anyway.

"But if she can live on, so can we. No matter how hard it seems."

He reminds himself that - no matter what she and Romeo could have become - Bianca still won't be alone.

Doctor Casella had looked out for them, after all. Even if the other kids left, the man wouldn't give up on his promise.

... Why are there still tears on his face?

[myblueskies]

"Alfredo..." Alfredo was crying now so Romeo had to try and be stronger, to try and keep his own tears from falling, to wrap his arms around his friends.

"She sounds very smart and very brave, so I bet she can live a really good life. Even if it's hard."

And so could they. "We need to try hard, for Bianca and Elfnein."

[hisblueskies]

Alfredo doesn't respond right away, much as his heart breaks for burdening Romeo in turn.

He whispers, "We will," before going right back to holding his best friend tight.

Through the tears, they'd stay together. And he would try his hardest to keep things that way.

wrap!

[myblueskies]

Alfredo and Romeo had found each other again, even after they had both died. Even after Romeo had forgotten everything. They had still found each other on this train.

So they would stay together for as long as they could and keep living.

No matter what.