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

all the threadjacks!!

[foxyou]

The boy's not wrong about there being a lot of questions - but Shen Qingqiu was never a particularly talkative person, so he's choosing to sit through the whole explanation and sort out which questions he wants to ask at the end. His tail thumps softly against the bed as he listens, but otherwise: Silence, and the occasional tiny frown or furrowed brow.

Allergies and tempers he mentally sweeps aside, the idea of an object with its own conscious spirit isn't particularly new either, but the rest! "What is an elf, or an angel? Are they different species of demon?" And why would anyone want to glow like the sun--wait no that's not important. "And is there any explanation as to why we cannot look at the void without adverse effects?"

Because if not, he wants to investigate....

it's not a devil that appears...well

[emerald_mirror]

There's a casual whistling tune that sounds outside the cabin in the hallway, and the door slides open, allowing the whistler entrance. He's a tall young man, well over five feet but not six yet. His silver hair has been allowed to grow out a bit and get messy, though he has a pair of braids, one on each side of his head, that make an attempt to tame it. One of them has what appears to be a strange white puffy scrunchie attached to it, but what is likely the most eye-catching is the wings he bears. Even tucked into his back and folded, they're a bright emerald green and they frame his head. And make entering the room a slow process, since that door was not made for someone with wings...

"Oh hey, new face! Hi! I'm Xander!" He pokes the scrunchie, which isn't actually a scrunchie at all, but a very small bat, who blinks oildrop eyes once she's disturbed. "Say hi, Cottonball! That's my bat. She's harmless, unless you're a piece of fruit. Then she's murder." He laughs, then--clearly he's trying to make a joke. He knows he automatically makes it more crowded, so he hauls himself up to his bunk, sprawling out and smiling brightly down at Alfredo and the other fellow.

[foxyou]

Being a twiggy 5'7" teen himself, it isn't the newcomer's height that bothers him so much as the cheery attitude...is that the angel? Are all angels this happy? Reminds him of someone back home.....

The reassurance about the bat is appreciated - he may have given it a wary look in the few seconds before hearing it was safe - but the young fox still looks like he's trying to look less unhappy than he is at the intrusion of another roommate.

"...I'm Jiu. Hello." Greeting complete, he scoots back on his own bed somewhat, leaning his back against the wall. "Do people ever attempt sleeping outside of the rooms they've been assigned? These rooms seem rather crowded for...four people." As if he hasn't slept in more crowded conditions before.

[hisblueskies]

Alfredo's glad enough to see Xander - seeing as it puts to rest at least one of Jiu-ge's questions - but the new question is something else he can easily answer, so after greeting the angel with a grin he gets right to it.

"They definitely do; we still all end up back in our assigned rooms each 'morning', though. No one's been able to see how it works, but it's also another reason to respect each other's space."

Moreso than they would anyway, since it's a small room and all.

[foxyou]

One question is answered, but how many more have popped up in its place? He's not really bothering to count. Plus he still doesn't know if an angel is a type of demon or not...should he ask? Is that an acceptable question to be asking someone? Probably safer to leave it for now.

Shen Qingqiu turns his attention back to the boy helpfully offering answers. "So what we're assigned is what we get, is that it?" Terrible for a variety of reasons--but he's used to forced associations and cramped quarters, so he'll just have to deal with it and move on. Readjusting his position to sit cross-legged on the bed, he continues: "This whole things sounds as if we've all been bundled onto a field trip together against our will. Next I suppose you'll be telling me we have to work together to rescue the residents of whatever place we stop at from some danger or other."