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

[achickenformylove]

"Greetings," WangJi said, giving a nod. The rabbit wiggled his nose as he looked over at Yoite having heard him speak.

"How are you today?"

[comefadeaway]

"Good." Yoite said, which was true. "I got a new coat." He gestures to it, he likes it better than his sweatshirt, and it reminds him of the black one he normally had at home, and it was even blue! "I got some new clothes."

[achickenformylove]

"I see. It is a nice coat." Not that he really wore them, but he could appreciate it none-the-less. "More than just the coat?"

[comefadeaway]

"Yes. I asked for an outfit." He was more than happy to pull out the next item from the bag, which was a white turtleneck. "Mine at home was thicker, but I had one like this."

The next item was mustard coloured slacks which he wasn't entirely sure what to make of, personally, but there were still several items in the bag.

[achickenformylove]

"Ah, yes, I have done that as well." What he received was certainly not his style. But maybe in an alternate universe it was

"Those do not seem like bad options," he remarked.

[comefadeaway]

"Yes, actually, I don't mind it." Yoite smiled a little bit. "I have a coat like this at home, only it's black. So I like it already."

There was even a stylish knapsack inside the bag which kind of impressed him too, it looked nice.

"I think it was a good thing to ask for."

[achickenformylove]

"That is good then that it is so similar to clothing you like from home. It is always nicer to have clothes you are comfortable in."

Says the man wearing sect robes rather than what they gave him.

"Are you well? The marks on your arms."

Yes, he had seen and he wanted to ensure that he was alright.

[comefadeaway]

"Oh, yes, it's always like that." Yoite admitted with a bit of a nod. "It's from the technique I use."

Yoite only covered it up so people didn't get disturbed about it. He went back and forth on whether or not it bothered him.

"I don't mind the clothes I have here, but I like this coat."

[achickenformylove]

"I see. Then it is something that happens normally. If you need anything for it, we can find someone to assist."

WangJi had seen many things in his life. That was not one of them. Back home, one might have considered him cursed.

"That is good. It seems like it will be warm."

[comefadeaway]

He nodded a little bit. "I don't think so. I think the train said it won't get worse while I'm here. It's supposed to, the more I use the technique." He explained. In that way, it was kind of a curse, but it was self-inflicted.

"Yes." Yoite smiled a little bit. "I'm cold a lot."

[achickenformylove]

"Ah. So in a way, the train is already protecting you even if it's not actually healing it."

He nodded his head in understanding. "Related to your condition?"

[comefadeaway]

"I'm not sure. Maybe?" Yoite said with a bit of a shrug. That and he was skin and bones maybe. "I don't think that's a direct side-effect maybe. No one knows much about it just that it makes you disappear."

[achickenformylove]

WangJi nodded a bit at that until he said that last part. "So using your ability will essentially eat you alive?"

[comefadeaway]

Yoite nodded a little bit. "Yes, somewhat. There will be nothing left behind."

[achickenformylove]

"I am sorry to hear that." Even if he had no control over it, it was still something that he felt he should say as he rather liked talking with Yoite.

[comefadeaway]

"It's-" Yoite paused, hesitating for just a moment. "Alright." He finished weakly. It was a platitude, but one that was getting harder to say.

[achickenformylove]

WangJi nodded his head once, but it was clearly not the best conversation track so he changed it. "Was there more from the outfit you requested?"

[comefadeaway]

"Yes, there's a shirt too." He held up the white turtleneck. There were accessories as well of course, but those were the basic parts. It was a good outfit, and it would cover the parts of him he wanted covered.

[achickenformylove]

"That is good. I'm sure they will all look good together."

Not that he would claim to be good at fashion, but then again anything looked better than the hoodies.

[comefadeaway]

"I guess so? Usually I wear a lot of black to blend into places, but I guess I don't need to here."

[achickenformylove]

"Mn. I don't know that there is much of a way to blend in here."

[comefadeaway]

"I guess that's true." Yoite considered. "In my world, I usually work at night but here everything is so bright in the common areas that it wouldn't be useful to try and blend in, I think."

[achickenformylove]

"Yes, black would work better for night, but here on the train, it would make you stand out even more, eliminating blending."

Ironically a blue jacket would probably help him to blend in here since those who had not received other options wore their hoodies.

[comefadeaway]

"I think you're right." Yoite agreed, tucking things back into his bag.

"I'm going to go put this away." He paused a moment. "I'll talk to you again soon?"

[achickenformylove]

"Of course. Enjoy your day."

And he gave a nod to say goodbye at this time.