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

[happyends]

"O-Of course I'm happy if you managed to do something that good!"

Especially since it sounds amazing. Was he really capable of beating someone that strong? As strong as a god? You can't get stronger than that.. And yet somehow he managed to do exactly that.

Madoka's expectations of his powers are shooting up tenfold now. Even though it's not the most important thing here.

"It's an amazing thing to do, sir. Even if you think you were only that brave and that kind once.. T-Then it's still a lot more brave and kind than some people can ever be in their lives." She won't let him turn down this compliment that easily, okay. She's determined now, in that way only kids can be.

"When I go home.." She stops for a moment. Is it really alright to share this with someone she only just met? But maybe he'll understand, considering everything he said so far, so-- "When I go home, I'm going to have to deal with something really powerful too. And it's probably going to cost me my life too to make sure it can't hurt anyone else, so.. um, I really hope I can be as brave and kind as you in that moment."

[yondu]

She is way too young for that. Yondu's already lived his life. It's no wonder she likes it here, if she has something like that waiting on her.

"Well, if I told you all that about my boy and Ego- that was the big bastard's name -and stuff, how about you tell me about this thing you gotta fight?"

And what the hell could make a teenager have to sacrifice herself to save people, and waste a whole life ahead of her? He's not gonna knock it, it'd be hypocritical of him, but it does chafe him to know that in a world full of people (he assumes) someone is putting that on her.

[happyends]

There have been times in the past where she's been more hesitant with talking about this, but Madoka did start about it - so then she figures it's only fair for her to finish explaining, rather than leaving him hanging. Especially if he actually wants to know.

"Well.. In my world there are these scary creatures called witches. They're like monsters, but nobody knows they exist, even though they lure regular people into their labyrinths and kill them all the time."

Her tone is serious, considering it's such a serious topic. But there's still an edge of that uncertainty born from shyness that Madoka displayed before too in it.

"The only people who know about them and can fight them are magical girls. Those are girls around my age who make a contract with this alien creature called Kyubey. Making a contract means you get to make a wish that'll be fulfilled, but afterwards you'll be obligated to fight those witches." Her gaze drops down, looking at her hands on the table. "But.. a really, really strong witch showed up in the city I live in right before I ended up here on the train. If no one stops that witch, she won't just end up destroying the town and everyone in it, but the whole world.. And other magical girls tried to fight it, but they weren't strong enough."

Madoka shakes her head, looking back up at him.

"Kyubey said that I'd be strong enough to do something about it if I made a contract. S-So I'm going to. I can't just abandon everyone."

[yondu]

"Sounds like you fully realize that some alien creature targetin' little girls is pretty shady, too."

He seems to accept all of the explanations, though. They're not foreign to him. Magic is real to him- Krugarr, a member of his team, had used it. Something threatening to destroy a world? Also way too normal. Fucked up, and normal. A labyrinth? Not out of the realm of possibility.

"Yeah, I think I'd not like the decision, but I'd make the same one. I will freely think it's bullshit that was put on you. Seems like you're a good kid. I had this whole life of bad ideas I needed held accountable for. You just sound like a good girl gettin' by."

[happyends]

Madoka smiles, but it's definitely a wry smile. "Yes, I know. Though to be fair, I was kind of late in realising it.."

She will readily admit to that. Madoka knows that she's more than just a little gullible, and that it took a lot for her to figure out that Kyubey wasn't exactly as cute as he pretended to be.

But it's not the main point here, which is why she quickly shakes her head, instead focusing on the next part of what he says.

"It's okay though. I.. I don't mind. It's a little scary, but as long as I can do something that will help the entire world, and help keep everyone safe.." Her voice trails off for a moment, but when she continues, her smile turns less wry, and she actually looks at him. "Then I'd be happy. I-- I don't know if that means being a good girl, but I'd like to be!"

[yondu]

"Girl, you're sittin' here talkin' to a mean old man who actually tries to look the part and treating him like a person and not just somethin' to be scared of. You're already good. And brave.

"You don't need to throw out your life just to wear the title of bein' decent. I get that you're committed, but at least realize you already pulled off the good stuff."

Which is about one of the nicest things he's said unprompted. But he's not had a whole lot of contact with young girls (aside from dealing with a few of Ego's unfortunate daughters). If anything, considering he's a space pirate- was a space pirate -in charge of a crew of angry and broken men, it's something he whole-heartedly avoided.

[happyends]

"But-- But of course I'm treating you like a person!"

That comes out more easily. But mostly since it's instinctive, something Madoka has already blurted out before she's really thought about it, her eyes growing wider. As if there's not alternative for her. Treating him like a person is only natural.

But a few moments after voicing those words, she starts to realise why he may have said that in the first place. Maybe he's not used to it - people treating him nicely. Considering everything else he's said..

".. I think a lot more people on the train will do that, sir." Even if people may not have been great to him back home, Madoka knows everyone on the train is great. Or, well, almost everyone. For a fact. She knows she won't be the only one to treat him kindly. "Especially when they realise you're actually really nice."

[yondu]

He wants to argue with her. But the truth is there's been a lot of guilt weighing on him what with Ego's kids, reconsidering how he treated Quill, all that mess banging around in his head he probably wouldn't be that much of a jackass to most of the kids on the train. To be honest most of 'em seem to realize that him threatening to eat them or someone else is just him foolin' around, anyway.

Peter just has no sense of humor.

"Don't go givin' me a bad reputation," he jokes. Not knowing that in less than a week the train will be swarming with child versions of the adults roaming around. He'll fuck up his own reputation.

[happyends]

If there's any testimony to the fact that Madoka seems to have caught on that there's really some warmth and goodness in that heart underneath the terrifying exterior, or that she's actively choosing to trust the man, it's this fact.

The girl actually gains a tiny hint of something more cheeky in her smile. But it's very light, playful. Madoka would never dare push a joke, after all. But around the people she's comfortable with? She can at least pull off a slightly playful joke like that.

So she just says: "I'm going to make sure to tell everyone how nice you are, mister."

There's no real threat behind it. Madoka would never. Granted, if anyone would bring up Yondu to her, she'd for sure let them know her opinion of him, but that's more natural! But it's not like she's going to seek out everyone for this specific purpose.

It's just a playful joke, because she's decided she trusts him enough to make one around him. It's even accompanied by a very slight (adorable) giggle.

"You better watch out..!"

[yondu]

"I tell you what, I'll take your advice. If we end up in trouble I'll do you the favor of talkin' to that Piccolo guy, since all y'all seem sure he's the guy to talk to. And I don't know that you got the best judgment of character-" he points lightly at her. "-but I think you probably see the best in 'em."

Which means even if Piccolo ends up not being that reliable, Madoka is persistent enough in her opinions that someone just might be driven to get their asses together.

"I figure you ain't wrong."

[happyends]

That gets the girl to smile, despite that light accusation about her judgement of character. Excuse you, she's the best at figuring out which grumpy people have at least some tiny gooey part inside of them that can be softer to some people around them.

"Thank you," she says, as if he's somehow doing her a service by talking to him. Really, Madoka is mostly happy because she thinks the two of them would get along, or that Piccolo may appreciate having someone on the team who's on his level of old and grumpy, rather than all these kids he has to herd.. "I promise you won't be disappointed, sir! And if you are, you can complain to me. I'll take full responsibility!"

Big words for a 14 year old who looks like the human embodiment of cotton candy.