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

Platform

[makeadragonwannaretire]

Azula was normally much better at hiding her distress, but it's been a rough year or so and her walls are down for the time being.

Strange clothes, strange looking people, she keeps looking back to the fog like she's on the edge of just slipping back into the mist but obviously she can't.

And so every few minutes she makes an attempt towards the train doors, stops and turns back at a loss for what she wants to do.

"Come on...just make a choice." She muttered to herself as she shuffled past Raven in what would be her third attempt failed. "Either get on the train or don't Azula."

Re: Platform

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"It's safe. Or at least much safer than staying on the platform." Raven offered calmly, tone almost deadpan.

[makeadragonwannaretire]

That's enough to get her attention. Azula whirls on Raven starring her down as fiercely as she can.

"And what is that supposed to mean? What happens if we stay on the platform?" As if Raven herself was the one threatening something tragic.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

Raven remains calm and doesn't flinch with the stare. "Everyone who's stayed on the platform has found themselves on the train anyway. But instead of walking on, they end up in the Luggage car at the back of the train."

[makeadragonwannaretire]

There's a flash of horror that rushes through Azula and she betrays herself by letting it appear on her face. The idea of waking up in such a manner is bordering on deadly humiliation not to mention creepy.

"How? Do they employ some kind of guards to track us down? Or is this more vague magic?" She was starting to notice how many questions led back to the Train just having powers beyond her comprehension and it frustrated her.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"We don't know. I'd put it in the 'vague magic' category. It's something the train does."

[makeadragonwannaretire]

"Delightful." She sighed looking defeated and feeling her mood crashing again. It had gone from manic the miserable in a short space of time and she was starting to get used to the roller coaster which she wasn't sure was a good thing.

"I guess I've no choice then. I can't be the only one who doesn't like being forced into this can I?"

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"Don't worry. You're not alone. We've had a few people find out about arriving via luggage the hard way, I think. Certainly you're not the only one who took their time getting on the train."

She was an interesting one. Raven wondered if the rollercoaster of emotions was just due to this situation or had been already in a difficult place before arriving. "Has anyone given you the basics of all this?"

[makeadragonwannaretire]

"A few things here and there. If I'm honest though for how friendly they are, they are not the most well spoken or intelligent welcoming party."

That was Azula toeing the line. This girl's tone of voice and expression (Or lack there of) was starting to remind her of Mai, and while that ignited a spark of anger in her chest it was more comforting then anything.

Maybe she just needed someone who was objective, sarcastic and mellow to get her in the door.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"There's no official welcoming party or anything." Raven replied. "What've you pieced together?"

[makeadragonwannaretire]

"That I've been brought here against my will to travel on some impossible train to worlds that I can't even begin to imagine and perform some kind of tasks on those worlds or else I will not be compensated for my time here." She rattled off the information somewhere between incredulous and sarcastic. After an moment she added,

"And there is a talking duck. Not a Turtle Duck or something normal. Just...a duck."

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"No one told me anything about compensation. But otherwise, yes. You have the basics."

[makeadragonwannaretire]

Azula's face fell at the possibility someone had lied to her and gotten away with it simply because she was so out of her depth here.

"I was told there is some kind of a points system which can be turned towards rewards. Was I misled? Because I'm sure I can find the person who told me that and punish them if they did."

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"Oh. That. It's more like points that you then use to buy stuff from a store with. You only get points by participating in train activities. That's all." Note to self: watch this person. They seemed very quick to punish, when no punishment was needed.

[makeadragonwannaretire]

"How...pedantic." She acknowledged trying to imagine herself taking part in activities like a child in school once more.

"But these missions sound like the important thing. So if that is not what we're being rewarded for then why risk our lives on them?"

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"Train activities include and are mainly comprised of the missions." Raven resisted saying 'we risk our lives because it's often the right thing to do', since Azula really didn't seem the type.

[makeadragonwannaretire]

Azula blinked as if waiting for Raven to laugh. When she didn't Azula laughed for her.

"Oh...oh you were serious about that? Well who are you to decide what's right and wrong in those situations? Or is it the train that decides that for us?" It sounded insane, and that was not a low bar for Azula's recent experiences.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"You don't have to participate. Not everyone does. But you asked about the compensation, so I was answering your question." Was Raven supposed to be offended or something? Mostly her opinion of the other wasn't very high so far.

[makeadragonwannaretire]

The longer Azula spent with this girl the more the familiarity was starting to eat at her. This one was just some creepier version of Mai after all.

"And you answered it perfectly well. You'll have to forgive me for being so forward." That was a word for it. Still between this girl, the train, and her apparent new job she was ready to start blaming other people.

"But it's a fair question isn't it? How do we know what we're doing is the right thing? Is it a group decision or does the Train make these demands of us in a more obvious fashion?"

[azrthmtrnznthos]

Raven raised an eyebrow with the first response, visible even with her cowl up. "It's often up to you, individually, although people in the group might try to sway you one way or another. The train generally has trouble communicating with us."

[makeadragonwannaretire]

"A small bit of personal choice. I suppose it's better then nothing." But only just. None of this sat right with her, the lack of control, the idea that they were some selfless heroes swooping in on unknown worlds to serve them like commoners.

But most of all this girl. This all too familiar monotone attitude.

"Well I should thank you at least...talking to you has helped me make my choice even if I don't like it." Could it even still be called good manners if she was doing it out of obligation?

"I am Azula, and I suppose we'll be traveling together for some time."

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"I'm Raven." A pause. "I've been here for a while now. Some people come and go quickly, others stay. We haven't figured out the how or why, yet."