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

[bakegarasu]

"Yes, now you need to actually be able to hit me." It's not fair, he dodges too fast and they both know it.

"Yes, I know it's not 'normal', but it's more normal in a lot of ways than what we're used to. ... And more normal than how he lived even when he was 'human'. "She's on red team so she's supposed to be on cooking this month and... uh." Rich already saw how cooking went with Otoha. "... Might need some help."

[kabano]

She almost protests, but keeps quiet instead, scowling to herself. She is right there, but Otoha knows better what happens here and what help she would need. Although, she has to wonder whether or not she's actually required to do the cooking or if anyone would actually want to eat what she managed to make.

"I can manage." She can't manage.

[firewalled]

"You know you're cheating!" Rich huffs, but at least he's good natured about it despite all that. Otoha is helping him a lot after all, so Rich is more than willing to do the same.

"No, it's okay if you need pointers! I was cooking for myself since I was like 10 or so? I've got it down pretty good by now. At least the quick stuff, which I think is what people are looking for."

[bakegarasu]

"Probably." He chuckles and looks over at her. "It's okay. ... People are helping me realize that it's okay to ask for help sometimes. ... And you have a personality, so you're a person, even while you're a city."

He glances over at Rich. That's right, sin't it? He needs a reality check on this one.

[kabano]

She glares a little, but shakes her head. She doesn't need to know how to cook, she's not a person. No matter what Otoha or his friends said. After a moment, though she sighs. There's not any point in fighting about it--not here and not now. Had they been at home she could have argued, but now...she doesn't have anything to stand on.

"Fine. Show me."

[firewalled]

"I don't really get the world you guys are from or what the situation is... but if you're sentient, you're still an important person. Especially if you have a personality. I mean, certain things I don't want to think of as a person... but you seem like a nice city. I can definitely call you a person!"

She's not manipulating him like the SQUIP, so that's a huge plus!

"Oh! Do we wanna take this to the kitchen? I'll show you how to make chilli or something."

[bakegarasu]

Both of them have low standards, excellent.

"That one's pretty easy. ... I think you might like it." Maybe? He has no clue at this point. He just flanks her, keeping her protected while still making sure conversation can happen.

[kabano]

What a thought. Her, a person. And she seems like a "nice city?" What a strange boy, though he seems to mean well, which is better than some people she's met.

She really does not know whether she even needs food and she certainly doesn't want to waste any more time, but apparently that's all she's got here.

"Very well."

[firewalled]

Excellent! Rich is accomplishing something, maybe! At least he's going to help her figure out how to cook. He leads the way to the kitchen, and then starts pulling out various ingredients.

"The first thing we're going to work on is cooking the meat. Usually I'd use ground beef, but we just have bird meat here."

[bakegarasu]

"We also have bear meat still, I think? But that probably doesn't go as well in chili." He chuckles and looks over at Yurine. "Apparently the mission before last one of the passengers killed... a lot of bears. Too many bears."