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

[so_dark_a_road]

"What an interesting life!" said Curufin. "A shinigami is a powerful spirit who has lived a life as a human being but had to die before his or her powers would manifest? And is a shinigami's job that of protecting the living? That shinigami was generous to you. So, even now, you have shinigami powers?"

[strawberryprotector]

"For the most part, yeah. But I'm a unique case. I had the powers inside me already, because my dad was a shinigami. He abandoned his post as a division captain to save my mom's life." It had been a one off situation, after all.

[so_dark_a_road]

"I see. Your dad passed his powers on to you, his son. Is he still associated with the afterlife organization that shinigamis belong to? Or did he leave to take care of his family?"

[strawberryprotector]

"Well, my mother was from a race of humans that have spiritual power, and got poisoned by the energy of a hollow. The only way to save her was to contain that energy within the energy of a shinigami. So my Dad abandoned his post, sealed the power that was poisoning my mom, and started to live as a human. And then when I was born, I took that poisonous energy along with what I would have naturally inherited from both of them anyway. If you ever see a solid white version of me running around with yellow and black eyes, that's Shiro, the hollow inside of me."

[so_dark_a_road]

"Your father sounds like a really good person, and a loving one." Curufin almost winced at that description of the hollow, but he didn't think any the worse of Ichigo because of that. "Shiro, all right. If I ever meet your inner hollow, I'll be sure to greet him and engage him in conversation."

[strawberryprotector]

"I bet he'll like that. He doesn't get to talk to folks much." It almost made Ichigo want to let his hollow roam the train just for fun. But the amount of chaos was unimaginable.

Want to wrap this thread?

[so_dark_a_road]

"Then if such a thing ever happens, I'll be sure to welcome him and talk with him." Curufin had less fear of chaos than did some. He'd be pleased to meet Shiro!

Sure, thank you for the thread!

[strawberryprotector]

"I can tell he's happy to hear that. I'd better get all this to the kitchen, though. I'll see you around the train, Curufin-san." With a warm smile and a little bow, Ichigo said his farewell and headed further up the train.