voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post February]

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He hasn't recognised anyone either, as he quickly scans over the new people. No one he knows, from Tai or from Hourai.

But plenty of new people nonetheless and he stuck close to his king as they moved through the crowd.

He looks up as Gyousou calls a name. Olivia? Someone from Tai? That isn't a Tai name... But... Who else would his king know?

He is answered without even asking.] She is? [His voice is low as he looks over at her, eyes wide. ]

She looks so young... [Inigo certainly hasn't mentioned people being immortal like sages in his world...

Time is often strange on the train, people came from different worlds. He feels a spike of worry for his friend.]

[Her name. She picks it out right, likely because it's the first familiar thing she's been greeted with. But the voice it belongs to isn't one she can identify. How likely is it that there's someone else with her name?

Olivia scouts around quickly and her gaze moves between Gyousou and Taiki and from the way they're looking at her... Well.

What follows is lacking grace as she motions to herself.]

M-me? [She asks it stupidly. Yes, of course she's Olivia. No, there probably aren't other Olivias.]

[He hums agreement at the observation. She is young. Perhaps too young to have borne children, given the odd reproduction of these other worlds. Still, that doesn't mean she isn't someone precious to Inigo, and someone he's heard only good things about.

He schools his expression perhaps too late, but the warmth of his following smile is entirely genuine.]

Pardon me for my rudeness. This place is... outside of time, and your son is a dear companion to the both of us.

Yes... Sorry... [He smiles, sticking close to Gyousou's side.]

It must be very confusing for you. [After all, the train was still confusing to Inigo and he had been here before Taiki and Gyousou had even arrived.]

He will be glad to see you.

[She looks between the two of them again and zeroes in the moment they make mention of Inigo. Not by name, but... Well. They obviously know who she is. How? She's never seen either of them before.

More importantly they know Inigo. Who are they to him?]

Er. I—

[Please excuse her while she tries to... put herself together again. This is a lot to take in.]

You're friends with Inigo? [She motions between the two of them.] He's here? [An obvious question with an obvious answer. They just implied he is, after all.]

Yes, to both questions. [Her mentioning his name is the perfect confirmation that this isn't all a misunderstanding, and Gyousou's shoulders relax.

Ah, she seems a little overwhelmed. A familiar feeling; he slows down, tries to temper himself.]

I'm Saku Gyousou, called Gyousou, and this is Taiki.

He's a good friend. [His voice was very nervous, after all this was Inigo's mother. Someone he did not want to make a bad impression in front of.

He just smiles when Lord Gyousou introduces him and nods politely.]

He will be very glad to see you.

[It seems she knows him at least, so perhaps it is the case that something similar to immortal sages happens in Inigo's world.]

[Olivia finds herself only with more questions than answers, but perhaps that's to be expected considering the circumstances. It's jarring to have people know her, or know of her and to have no very little idea of who they are. But it also means that Inigo has talked about her.

Well. Of course he has. What kind of son wouldn't talk about his mother? Even if she doesn't feel very much like his mother at the present point in time, it doesn't change the fact that a very future Olivia is very much a mother.]

I... uhm. I hope so. I'll be happy to see him, too.

[She turns a little pink at the thought. She has a lot to learn and a long way to go before she can be what she feels is worthy of him, but she has to try.]

I'm... g-glad that he has friends here. Good friends who have been kind to him. Thank you for being so kind to him.

[If the prospect of raising the strange bond he now shares with Inigo was remote before, it's even more so as Olivia haltingly but effortlessly wins him over. Something to discuss later, he decides, when she has had time to adjust.

It means they have more time to compliment Inigo, which is always an enjoyable topic.]

He's the kind of person it would be difficult to dislike, I've found, and he has done a great deal of good. His bravery and compassion are a credit to you. If there is anything we can do to help you, it would be a pleasure.

He has many friends. [He nods at her, smiling a little brighter. She is very kind, so much like Inigo himself. It is clear that Inigo takes after her, his gentleness, his nervousness.]

He is a very kind and very brave person... uh... [He glances at Gyousou and then back at Olivia with a nervous smile.] Sorry... We shouldn't keep you stood in the cold, do... Do you want to go inside?

[Just listening to their overwhelming compliments regarding Inigo and his person fills Olivia with warmth. They credit her, though the truth is that Olivia has no idea what the future her is like, how much she's changed from the shy girl that she is in the here and now.

Whatever future her has done has evidently been the right thing to do. Olivia cannot help but feel a small pang of envy. Or is that insecurity? It's so difficult to determine.]

I'm h-happy to hear all of this. I couldn't be more proud of him.

[Spoken like a mother who has no idea how to actually be a mother.

It's not until cold is mentioned that she realises how cold she actually is. She looks between the two and offers them a nod.]

Y-yes, that'd be fine. Thank you...

[ His smile is a little chastened at the reminder that not everyone is used to the chill, and he gestures them both to precede him into the nearest open door of the train waiting beside them. ]

I'd imagine you'll want to explore on your own terms, but we are at your disposal if you have questions.

A New Platform [Intro Post February]

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