voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post February]

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"It is. They are very happy." Besides, he could always ask to visit WangJi's rabbits as well. WangJi didn't mind others spending time with them.

At that, WangJi couldn't help but smile. "I'm glad that we were able to help with yours."

"I'd had no idea he would even want to until we were at your wedding and I explained marriage to him. He hadn't heard of the concept before."

"I'm glad that the idea appealed to him. Since it makes both of you happy."

That was the best reason to get married. Because it made you happy. It didn't always happen in his world with arranged marriages, but he had his Wei Ying and couldn't imagine anyone else. That was how it should be.

Ichigo chuckled softly. "I didn't even know it would make me so happy until the idea came up. And now I can't stop grinning."

"That is a good sign, I think. That you are unable to stop grinning."

Like how he smiled most often thinking about WuXian.

"Right now, my next challenge is whether or not I can make a decent curry for him for dinner tonight. He's never had it before."

"Unfortunately, I do not have advice for 'curry'. I have never heard of that before. But I wish you luck with it."

"Thanks. I think it would be something similar to what your husband might cook, to give you an idea. Just a lot less heat to it. There aren't nearly as many chilies in it."

"I see. So it is spicy, but not overly spicy for the most part? He would probably eat it."

"There's a little heat to it, but the kind I got isn't meant to be hot so much as just really flavorful." Perhaps if there were leftovers he'd save them for Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian.

"It sounds as though it might be an interesting cuisine."

WangJi was so completely unused to spicy food that even that might be too much for him.

Ichigo smiled brightly. "If there's more than we can eat, I'll label the leftovers for you and your husband."

"I would appreciate that and I know Wei Ying would as well. But do not feel obligated to."

Aka, not to feel that he had to make sure there was some for them if he and his husband were enjoying it enough to finish it.

"I'll keep that in mind." Ichigo's smile notched just a smidge wider. "I'd better get up to the kitchen and get started, though."

"Of course. I don't wish to keep you."

A New Platform [Intro Post February]

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Wrap here?

Sure