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

S'awright. /paps/ [Video]

[unfavorableinstigation]

Persephone!

[Nita still has a smile for her, all the same. She also holds up a neatly-folded outfit.]

And- ah, thanks? I'm just not much on fashion, is all.

[She's still not sure how to feel about that, exactly.]

And, well - this one, at least, Ryo thinks would look good on you, and I agree!

... Want to come over and talk about it, at least?

[Whether Persephone takes the outfit or not, probably better to discuss this off-Network.]

[springforth]

I--well if you're sure? I'm going to try to talk you into at least keeping one, you know!

[Persephone sets down a bag somewhere off screen and shakes out her hair] I'll come over, give me just a second?

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita nods, managing to smile through more than just her embarrassment this time.]

Well, all right - it's always good to see you, anyway.

[springforth]

[Persephone disappears, reappearing a few minutes later when she knocks on the door. She calls through the door, her voice a little lighter, a little teasing] I'm here for fashion consultations?

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita slides it open, having put the folded gray outfit back on the bed for now.]

Ready to receive!

[There's a more easy grin on Nita's face this time, and she waves Persephone on in before she'll even think to close the door again.]

[springforth]

[Persephone slips in, taking a seat beside the outfit and waiting for Nita to close the door.]

So this is it, hmn? [She pats the little pile of clothing] I saw your haul in passing, you had pretty decent luck this time.

[unfavorableinstigation]

[There's no satisfying click or beep, sadly, but Nita follows Persephone back to the beds, sitting across from the goddess on the other bed.]

Yeah, I guess I should be surprised. Not sure where the ones I gave Bryn a while back ended up, though...

[They had split Nita's last four-outfit order, she recalls.]

[springforth]

I've gotten some really really weird ones in my attempts. I got this in this morning's attempt though, maybe the train was feeling generous today. [She smoothes out the green skirt]

[unfavorableinstigation]

Should've known.

[Nita replies, eyebrow and interest piqued.]

Maybe it's a matter of supply-and-demand? Though I couldn't begin to guess who supplied the worse options...

[She's seen alien fashion styles back home, though, so it's more a figure of speech than statement of fact here.

That Nita is avoiding the initial line of questioning is just a bonus, right?]

[springforth]

Couldn't say.

[She finally picks up the outfit, holding it up to look at properly. It reminds her of something Hecate might wear, if it were a little darker. Sleek but flared, fashionable. Mature, more mature than her usual choices. But that's not a bad thing right?] Oh it's really pretty. And warm with all the wool and fur. Are you sure?

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita glances aside, not really looking at the rest of the room so much as Away.

Still, she nods.]

I'm sure - it's not like I shouldn't share, you know? Spread the good luck around and all.

[springforth]

[Persephone sets it down on her lap and looks at Nita a little closer]

Nita, what's wrong? If you don't want to give it away, don't. I don't get why you're buying a bunch of things to keep none of them anyways. Are none of them really your style?

[unfavorableinstigation]

...

[Nita pauses, holds her breath - then pushes out a sigh.

Followed by the truth.]

I'm not someone who keeps things focused on herself, okay? That's not what I'm for, and most of the time it does nothing for me!

I just... also hate seeing things go to waste.

[She curls up her legs under her as she speaks, not that she notices the shift herself.]

[springforth]

Not what you're for?

[Persephone frowns. Hard. This is deep frown territory here. And then she leans in a little and places a hand on Nita's arm]

...It's fine to not want clothes, to not want to keep things that you don't want. Lord knows, I've never understood all those big houses filled with stuff.

But you deserve to spend your points on yourself. On books or food or whatever it is that you do value. You aren't here to buy things for the rest of the train, to give it all away. If you didn't want them to go to waste, why did you buy them in the first place?

And you're not for anything. You're you, yourself, and sure you do extraordinary things for yourself and others, but you're not for anything or anyone but you. You're not an object.

DEEP FROWN TERRITORY I love it - forgive Nita, though; she needs a moment. XD

[unfavorableinstigation]

[There's quite a prolonged, stunned silence before Nita responds. Even in her own head, the peridexis' pointed silence is telling.

If you didn't want them to go to waste, why did you buy them in the first place?

She doesn't have an answer to that.

Her breath hitches, and she hides her head in her hands as she tries to steady herself.]

[springforth]

[Persephone winces and keeps her hand on her arm, unsure if this is helping or hurting]

I even get it if you just wanted to test it, like gambling for good clothes or to see if there's a pattern. But you didn't act like that's what you're doing. You act like of course you'll buy it and of course you'll give it all away and why would you keep anything?

You know you're worth spending money on, right? Even weird train points money. Especially weird train money.

[unfavorableinstigation]

[The physical touch itself doesn't seem to make a difference, apart from Nita curling up tighter.

Instead she breathes; not regularly, not yet. Still trying to get her feet back under her.]

...Wouldn't know what to get...

[springforth]

Oh Nita...[Persephone breathes out, soft. Look she's not good at buying things for herself, it'd been a few months since she bothered, but she still does.]

There's nothing you like? Nothing you'd want? From home or just to have because it's neat? Nothing you've always wanted but couldn't afford or didn't feel like spending the money on? I mean, an expensive pair of diamond earrings and a pair of sunglasses cost the exact same. Normal rules don't really apply. This is just--we're stuck on a train to do dumb missions saving every world but our own. If you just wanted a nice blanket, no one would judge you.

[unfavorableinstigation]

[If Nita were a little less... falling apart right now, let's say, she'd probably say something like, 'what, the blankets here aren't that bad!' Possibly even with sarcasm!

But she's not even at that level yet.

But still, she knows she should say something, even though she feels like a mess right now.]

... I never did get that bike for my birthday. Not as much to get out of it here, though.

[springforth]

[Persephone crooks a little smile at that, leaning in] Imagine the havoc you could cause, careening through the hallways, someone running ahead to slap all the doors open. It'd be great.

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita scoffs, though it sounds more like a choke. Her hands are still covering her face, mostly.]

Sounds like the sort of prank that would only be funny once.

[Or until someone got run over. Either-or.]

Or- We could do a follow-up to that gingerbread kit?

[Her voice hitches on that question; she tries to swallow, looking visibly annoyed by how out-of-sorts she is.]

[springforth]

Of course, if you'd like to. It's fun to decorate something. Maybe we could just get a bunch of things to make decorated cookies?

[She taps her fingers on her leg, wanting to hug but refraining. Making Nita curl up on herself hurt. Her own desire to do something was nothing against it.]

Really Nita, anything. Or nothing. We can sit down and make a list of all the silly things you've ever wanted in your life, or we can just throw it out the window and let you collect points like a bank.

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita sniffs, rubs at her face; her breathing's definitely more regular, now, though she's still curled up.]

... Decorating cookies sounds nice, yeah.

[She tries to sit up, and winces; oh yeah, she's going to regret sitting like this later.]

I have no idea how some people have hundreds of points. I know Curufin's been here ages, and Tidus works hard, but-

[The topic shift, intentional or not, seems to help animate her again in less-distraught ways, but it's not as if she's suddenly recovered from her emotional upheaval.

Nita makes an abortive hand gesture, before going back to rubbing at her face again.]

I could always try... buying shower materials? Something for S'reee, anyway, at least. I know I've tried altering what we already have, but if something exists out there already-

[Though that's still not focusing on Nita, so it's not quite what Persephone is aiming for.]

[springforth]

Don't ask me, I wasted a bunch of points this platform.

[Persephone twists at her skirt in her lap, watching her sit up and wince with some sympathy. She's done that to herself before. The dreaded post upset muscle pain.]

Shower materials? Like--fancy soaps?

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita shoots her a wry look, which softens after a moment.]

I was thinking more of pipework, but - that could work, too. Get some of the nice smells. Ones like home, or neutral ones.

[Air freshener has its uses, what-what?]