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

[sizedoesntmatter]

Yugi laughed slightly at being dragged down and happily letting it happen as he sat on the other's lap. But after a moment he looked at him curiously.

"Celebrate in what way? I feel like you'll say a game or something since we're in the games carriage," And that was something he didn't mind at all really.

[blue_ice]

"We could tour the options I put in place for our game," Seto suggested. "I finished the midnight vista, and I wanted to show you...not quite as good as a real date in the stars, but it's something."

But he could be just fine snuggling like this a little longer. No complaints.

...all right, another minute. Then he'd get up.

[sizedoesntmatter]

"You may think that, but as long as we're together it will still be a good date." he decided to just stay around for at least another minute or two before finally moving to get off and holding out his hand

"Plus I am now curious as to what you have done."

[blue_ice]

"Always," Seto promised, giving Yugi another kiss on the cheek when he stood. Time to head upstairs to his setup.

"I've been testing flight physics. It's the trickiest part of any game to get right, aside from water physics. I don't have the rig to make it feel like you're truly flying ready yet, and I won't for a while, but those views..."

He tugs Yugi over and offers him a headset. "Let's look at the sunset. It's the next best thing to the real thing. You don't want to miss the winged Kuribohs."

Once inside, they'd appear together floating in space. All around them, gentle clouds swirled in pastel colors, slowly darkening to twilight.

And the Kuribohs drifted by, making their cute little noises. That's what Kaiba assumed they sounded like, anyway.

[sizedoesntmatter]

He had gone to follow and he honestly wasn't sure what he was going to be expecting.

Sure he knew what Kaiba could be capable of, but he still always found himself surprised since to be Kaiba always outdoes himself too with the things he does.

Taking the headset he looks at him briefly before moving to put it on. After a few attempting in making sure it was actually on correctly and he could see what the other had worked on he really couldn't help but be amazed.

"This is amazing."

[blue_ice]

Seto takes hold of Yugi's hand as they survey the skybox. It's all code, not real...but he's capable of crafting things so striking they're almost real in the digital realm, now. And he's proud of his work.

"If you think this is something, just wait...a few more weeks of work and we'll have a masterpiece on hand. You've been doing amazing work, Yugi, and I want to honor that."

[sizedoesntmatter]

"I think you mean we both have, more you than me." He paused for a moment before he figured he needed to clarify. "While I have done my part, you're the one who has to do all the code and that's pretty amazing, so I figured I would say that."