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

[makeadragonwannaretire]

Azula's eyebrows knitted in confusion at first and then she relaxed a little. Magic? Of all the things to seem ridiculous to her on a day like today why should magic be the one thing she was about to reject out of hand?

"Yes well, you may be right about that. This isn't exactly the most welcomed I've ever felt." But also strangely not the worst welcoming she's received in her life.

She still feels on edge, like this woman might turn on her at the drop of a hat but the distraction is enough to steady her breathing, keep her eyes focused on Zelda and not the swarming mass of strangers milling about nearby.

"What else can you do with your magic?"

[wisdominshadows]

"No," she agrees thoughtfully. "I've never met anyone who meant to come here- though someone must travel these roads between worlds willingly, if the records in the library are to be believed."

Which- well. It seems they are, all things considered. It's really quiet frustrating to believe an entity which kidnapped you mmight have a good cause.

"That is... an interesting question," Given that she's barely plunged the depths of the Triforce of Wisdom, honestly, Zelda's not entirely sure of the complete answer.

"I do have an affinity for light magic, and for healing. I can perceive truth from illusion. I can conjure fire and shields, and travel my homeland by the wind's gales or the notes of music. I can banish a demon to the void between the worlds."

And, at times, she shape Time itself to her will. But it doesn't seem to hold on the train. And besides, one must always hold something about oneself back.

[makeadragonwannaretire]

A library...that could be useful. Azula had learned some of her best tactics from books after all.

The list of this woman's powers was almost overwhelming to someone who prided herself on her mastery over fire and lightning. Any one of these powers would be enough to make you powerful in her world. But all of them?

"That is...quite the variety of skills. You must have been practicing and studying a long time?"

[wisdominshadows]

Depends on what's in the library, though Zelda would be impressed despite herself if Azula managed to weaponize the Merry Little Voidtrain books.

Aside from the 'set them on fire' option, obviously.

"Since I was about ten or so, I suppose?" Ten in earnest, with the first of her magic manifesting slightly before. She was hardly likely to forget that, Zelda supposed. One's first apocalyptic prophesy seemed a memorable sort of occasion.

"The train does seem to have an interest in those with what one might call 'unusual' talents. You'll find that there are a number of individuals with an extensive skillset about... and few who can be underestimated under any circumstances."

[makeadragonwannaretire]

"Well I would hope if I was being forced into something like this against my will I was at least surrounded by people on my level."

Little did she know she might actually be out of her depths among some of these power houses. She's already wondering what sort of weaknesses Zelda might have in case she ever needs to exploit them.

"But is it clear who among us is smartest or strongest? Any obvious leaders amongst this rabble?"

[wisdominshadows]

"Are you interested in such a position?"

Yes, Zelda's starting to get the impression she's being assessed. Blue eyes look back at Azula, careful, polite, and sympathetic; the mind behind them whirls about.

Not unsympathetic still- but 'rabble' is a very particular choice of words, isn't it?

(As is smartest. As is strongest. Why do so few people ask about kindness, soundest judgement, skill at organising?)

"I assume you've already noticed the colors aboard?" Red, blue, purple, orange- the first emblazoned on the newcomer's strange new clothing, the last echoed in the colors of her current dress.

"They indicate teams, as chosen by the train. Red Team tends to consist of particularly assertive fighters, as I understand it. Leadership, such as it is, is given by assent. You might want to speak to mistress Lightning, if you care for more- if she's not the longest-serving member of Red at the moment, then she nearly is."

[makeadragonwannaretire]

"Well it would be only natural given my experience."

She answered automatically, defensively. Why shouldn't she be a leader? It's what she spent her whole life preparing for.

So what if when she finally got to the top she lost everything in a matter of weeks?

"I shall seek her out then." there was a faint smile as Azula found the woman's name amusing. Lightning? Really?

"As for Organization if the colors are all we have to go off of I suppose it's a good start. It's just unsettling being thrust into such a chaotic gathering." She hesitated for her next question glancing back at the crowd before addressing Zelda with some level of earnestness.

"It's only going to get stranger for me once I step on board isn't it?"

[wisdominshadows]

A bit of snappishness, fair enough under the circumstances. Still, there was an underlying edge to that tone which made Zelda wonder quite what had happened before this woman arrived.

"And your experience you shall demonstrate. Though not immediately, I'm afraid; unless something goes terribly wrong the next mission won't be for a few more weeks."

She nodded as the newcomer agreed to seek out Lightning, and threw up a prayer to the goddesses in gratitude that her prickly edges wouldn't be coming into contact with the departed Tony Stark.

"Oh, much of it is what you would expect from a crowd of strangers in so small a space. We may come from a hundred worlds and wildly different cultures, but people are often simply people. But sometimes... sometimes the train reminds us that all of creation is a wild and varied place indeed."

Zelda closed her eyes.

"A word of advice for your first day? Never let yourself stare out the windows for too long. It generally leads to terrible headaches."

[makeadragonwannaretire]

People being people. She made a face at that and looked away towards the crowds once more.

"I used to understand people, then people changed." She commented dryly before looking back to Zelda with concern for the advice.

"Like motion sickness?" She had never had a problem traveling by boat or cart before but she'd also never been on a magical train before.

[wisdominshadows]

"They always do," Zelda said with a small smile. "It's the nature of life to change. So how can we not, when we are a part of it?"

She shook her head.

"Nothing quite so simple. The train was named rightly, you see- it travels through the Void between worlds, and there is nothing in the Void but chaos. Stare too long out the windows, and the view will give you a crippling headache."