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

[so_dark_a_road]

"Yes, your Cards are really important to you," he said. "Can you give me an exact description of a Culdcept Card you would especially want? I can ask at the train store and find out if I can buy something from someone else's world. I'm not sure whether the train will permit that, but it never hurts to ask."

Ugh, this siomehow got lost. I am so sorry!

[najaran]

She considered. One card she especially wanted? She wanted all of her own cards back of course, and that included the cards that had been Kigi's that had been entrusted to her care... but...

But she also had to think about taking away cards that the Black Cepters especially wanted. the Dark Lord - the Lord of Earth, and the Lord of flies specifically came to mind, but she wasn't sure she was strong enough to contain them. Lord of Flame was with Zenith, and she wasn't sure how safe that was... but it also seemed to be kind of sort of fused to him. She wasn't sure he could survive having it ripped away and she really didn't want Zenith here. Or worse... just his arm.

Lord of Water was... actually in a good place where she was. Despite how and why she was created, Lord of Water was helping people. Sort of.

There were some cards she had only heard of, and never encountered, that were said to be powerful, but a lot of them were spells she wasn't strong enough to control or creatures she wasn't powerful enough to summon and the thought of them being trapped in their cards while she was here was just too sad to think about.

Then her shoulders slumped and she realized that if she had a chance to get one card that hadn't been hers specifically, there was one card it had to be. Because as much as she'd love a Dragon... she owed the Woodfolk still, didn't she? Sure she had planted so many of them to make up for what she had done, but if not for her... that Woodfolk momma wouldn't have been weakened and she never could have been infested.

Najaran still heard the baby Woodfolk's cries some nights.

She swallowed hard. "Woodfolk," she said softly. "There are cars with dirt and grass where they can grow. I wouldn't take them into battle, but... I owe the Woodfolk. I kind of mistook one for a tree stump and hurt it. That let it be infested and turned evil. Even after we saved it..." she shook her head dashing away tears. "The Woodfolk helped save us after that. I need to do something for them. Even if it is just giving them a home where they can't be infested anymore."

No problem! I've been gone for so long and couldn't have responded anyway!

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin gave her a small sympathetic smile and responded, "So, the card you're talking about is called Woodfolk? Or does it have some other name? If that's the one that would help you do something for those people, and you give me your permission to try to purchase it at the train store, I'll go for it."

Re: No problem! I've been gone for so long and couldn't have responded anyway!

[najaran]

She sniffled and nodded. "Thank you. And yes, there are lots of Woodfolk in Rakan, but so far all the Cards that have shown up were ones I actually knew personally, so I think the train would bring those Woodfolk here. And even if not... I can still help and protect whatever Woodfolk show up. Joaquin said they're all connected anyway, I think. Or maybe Alta said it?" Now she was confused. "Or Kigi?"