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

[tortoiseshelltigress]

Saash just blinks up at V, waiting. Once he offers his hand, she baps it gently a few times. It does seem likely that if he'd offered a handshake, he'd have gotten one in return--the cat's aware enough of human customs; adopting them here with so much human interaction doesn't seem to bother her.

"I think so long as I'm not swatting you, you're probably fine, aren't you? Not that I tend to do that regularly, it's hardly polite." Another blink up at him. "It's nice to meet you, V. Though I do wish it could be under better circumstances." To wit, not on this train. But it is the way it is.

[bodyoftheseus]

It's less about the cat adapting to human ways and more about trying to bridge the the gap in a way that is comfortable for both of them. Cat paws are delicate things, and she was definitely a more delicate cat to begin with. It was like foreigners taking some name that would be easier for people to say - it was a trash arrangement because people were too lazy to learn how to say their name correctly.

"Would hope you'd swat at me if I did somethin' wrong - won't learn otherwise." Though when it came to cats he was pretty good at picking up on their body language and not pissing them off. He'd hope that she'd still chastise him when he made a mistake either way.

"Don't think we'd meet in any other circumstance." For better or for worse.

[tortoiseshelltigress]

"Why swat when I could use my words here? In any other circumstance, though, swatting would be a necessity," Saash admitted. Perhaps an unhappy necessity, but there it was.

"And true, likely in any other reality, we aren't like to meet. But this is a happy accident, isn't it?" Her tail vibrated, even as she closed her eyes in amusement and bunted his hand again--were it in range, that was.

[bodyoftheseus]

"Not allowed to use your words elsewhere or somethin'?"

At the head bunt he cautiously gets her head a pet, some gentle scratches behind the ears. He was mostly cautious to see if she was comfortable with it, if maybe she considered this somehow... de..humanizing?

"Certainly not somethin' I'd ever expected." Surely this couldn't be real. Cats can't talk like people. "Verdict's still out on happy, though can't say I'm unhappy to see at least one cat's here."

[tortoiseshelltigress]

"Cats aren't supposed to talk." She half-lidded her eyes, whiskers thrust forward as she gives a breathy little laugh. "So no. Precisely that."

De-felinizing, maybe? No, not at all. Saash knew that humans and People were often thrust together and made companions, and Rhiow did nothing but enjoy her partnership with her ehhif. And Saash herself liked the one who looked after her back at Grand Central--save when he came with the flea powder!

"I'm sure there are more, I've smelled them." She'd say that she was the only one who spoke, but Saash was certain that wasn't the truth, either.

[bodyoftheseus]

"Aren't s'pposed to because it's a secret or aren't s'pposed to because some sort of sci-fi experiment bullshit?"

As long as Saash seemed to be appreciative of the pets he would continue, but the moment she seems to lose interest in it or seem unhappy with it he'd stop. He doesn't comment on there being more cats on the train, but there's a subtle turn at the corners of his mouth that seem to imply he was pleased with the answer.