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

[fivemilesdeep]

[He straightens up at the comment and smiles. He's not sure if it's supposed to be a compliment or simply an observation, but he'll take it.]

It's bread and bone broth, though they won't be done for a while yet.

[subcircuits]

Awh, but I'm hungry now. [Devero makes an exaggerated expression of disappointment, then smiles, trying to convey that he's not legitimately whining.

He does set down his tub at the foot of the stairs and wander closer for a look into one of the pots.] Where did you get the bones? I don't exactly remember seeing stacks of femurs in with the pantry staples.

[fivemilesdeep]

[There's a moment where Ryo's expression freezes in place as his mind scrambles to solve the problem-]

[But it's only a moment, as Devero makes it clear he's joking, and Ryo shrugs instead, as though he hadn't just had a momentary flash of anxiety.]

There's avocados if you want a snack.

[It's fine! Everything's fine.]

From Senku. Evidently Inigo killed twenty bears a few missions ago, and Senku has had them in storage ever since. They've been using them to make food for missions - that's what this will be for too.

[He nods to the pots on the stove.]

He probably still has extra if you need them for anything.

[subcircuits]

[Devero throws his head back and groans, even more exaggerated for effect.] Don't remind me! A man can only eat so much avocado in a day. [He says it like he's been force-fed avocado and only avocado for every meal for the last two weeks.

The deliberate clowning gives way to genuine amazement pretty quick, though.] They're bear bones-- twenty-- wait, Inigo killed twenty bears?

[The same Inigo who seemed like he might implode in on himself with nervousness when Devero had happened upon him dancing in the music carriage?]

[fivemilesdeep]

If you want something different, you can learn how to cook.

[The sass is easy and toothless and out of his mouth before he can really think about it - he'd picked it up from Lia, and it's the same response he gives Orion whenever Orion comments on what he's making. And he'd just said it to someone he barely knows.]

[But- but they're both joking, right? It's fine, right?]

[Gods he hopes so. Either way, he'll know pretty soon-]

[His anxiety almost prevents him from realizing he has been completely validated by Devero's shock, but he catches up pretty quickly.]

I know, right? And he doesn't seem to think it's impressive!

[It's pretty amazing, okay]

[subcircuits]

[Devero looks for a moment startled by the sass, and then he laughs. He has a big, booming laugh that fills this deck of the kitchen car.] Can't argue that, now can I!

He doesn't? [Right after he says that, though, Devero thinks back to the skill with which Inigo dances-- and his utter conviction that he's terrible.] --Actually, I can believe that of him.

[fivemilesdeep]

[Ryo relaxes slightly at that laugh, and then smiles. That sort of laugh can't be faked.]

Why? Does he do that often - do impressive things and then insist they're not?

[subcircuits]

I have to admit I don't know him well. But I got to dance with him once; he was sublime, and yet he kept acting like he had to apologize even daring to perform in front of my eyes.

[fivemilesdeep]

Maybe he's just...[Ryo shrugs a little helplessly.] -like that? Maybe he doesn't realize he's impressive.

Though I don't really know him well enough to say either.

[subcircuits]

You know what this means? [Devero grins.] We both simply must make an effort to get to know him better, so we can figure it out.

[fivemilesdeep]

[Ryo smiles back.] Sounds like a plan.