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

[swansongs]

"Oh." He took a few moments to try and let that sink in, trying to figure out what the heck it meant. "How are you incomplete?" The guy didn't look incomplete, but Dyme had learned that looks could mean very little in this place.

[thawed_pride]

"My heart is elsewhere." A pause. "The metaphysical one, entirely separate from the physical organ. The overlapping terminology has caused confusion in the past, and I assure you that it is quite the important distinction."

[swansongs]

He opened his mouth, said nothing, then closed it again. This sounded a little familiar, but while he tried to figure out why, he had an important question. "What's metaphysical?"

[thawed_pride]

"It refers to parts of the known universe that are at least partially conceptual, or related to the mind, rather than purely physical. In the case of the heart, it means the core of emotion that one usually needs to be truly alive."

[swansongs]

"Oh! I...think I understand." He figured it was like when people said things like 'I love you with all my heart', and they probably didn't mean the literal organ. "Wait, how do you get separated from your heart in the first place?"

[thawed_pride]

"There are multiple ways. If someone is overwhelmed by the darkness in their heart, that darkness will take on a life of its own as a monster that lays claim to the heart that birthed it. These so-called 'Heartless' can then rip the hearts out of others to perpetuate their kind. In my case, however..."

He puts a hand to his chest.

"Certain tools can be used to deliberately separate heart from body, without necessarily creating a Heartless, and I allowed one such tool to be used on myself."

[swansongs]

Okay, darkness. Got it. Check. He assumed this was some magical kind of darkness or maybe unique to a specific world. What really confused him was the idea that technology existed to do this on purpose and that someone would actually do it to themselves.

"Why would you do that?"

[thawed_pride]

"Once again, it varies. Emotional pain can drive many ill-thought decisions...in my case, however, it was a calculated sacrifice. There was something I needed to do, and giving up my heart was the only way to place myself in a position to do it. Seeing as I know of multiple ways to become whole again, it's not quite the dramatic choice you might think."

[swansongs]

"Hmm." It still sounded dramatic to Dyme, but he didn't want to pry too much, no matter how curious he was. "Okay." He'd leave that part there, then.

"Did you get to do whatever you needed to?" Or had the train pulled yet another dick move and interrupted? For as nice as the train seemed to treat them, it sure didn't care about yanking them away in the middle of important parts of their lives.