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

[adregem]

[ And the world she will see is nothing to behold, not outwardly. The platform seems a more comforting image than the mundane interiors of the Voidtrecker Express. The train is long, running along each end as if endless in depth and discovery. But more than that, Olivia will find that space suddenly narrows into a vertical enclosure, where Roland has to share the corridor with others who may be passing back and forth, small apologies and excuse me's passed between folk. He waits for her to approach on her own, leaning his hip against the nearest surface before she crosses the distance. ]

Well. This is your new home for the time being. It's not much, but there's actually a lot here to explore. [ A beat. ] Maybe later, when you're settled in, of course. [ Now there's also the matter of getting Roland to an ICP to make an announcement, but before that, he's no cretin who rushes someone who looks ready to dart off at any second. He removes from his pant pocket a ticket, which he waves once in the air for emphasis. ]

Right now, that rucksack you came with is your best friend. Can you try and find your ticket? [ And he directs them to an empty table and bench; thankfully, they were able to enter the train through the Standard Car's single doorway. ] Oh, and check inside that bag too for an item from your world. We all came with one, it seems.

[ Roland smiles slightly. ] I usually ask newcomers to look for it first, so they have something familiar to hold on to while we give our welcome onboard speech. Heh.

[stopstaring]

[The moment they start encountering other people in close space, Olivia tenses. She still manages to squeeze her way past, but it's a rather vibrant reminder that she is not at all fond of crowds. It's one thing to be on a stage. It's another to be in a gaggle of them.

Somehow she manages to escape from it all, however. She can hear him and though she's listening, it's not all quite registering immediately. To be expected considering her situation. Olivia nods along all the same, because she is hearing him.

He asks about her ticket and it doesn't take her very long to emerge with it after tucking the flower he gifted her into her hair, just over the ear. She waves said ticket around for him to see and then once she's seated, she takes a moment to go through her rucksack.

...

Nothing. Which makes a little sense because her life is mostly music, which lives in her head and other stuff (like an oven) wouldn't have fit. So she closes it up and turns her gaze back onto him.]

I'm g-good. And listening.

[Just in case he wasn't sure.]

[adregem]

[ Olivia is...like and unlike Inigo in many ways, though he doesn't want to linger in that thought bubble for too long. For the time being, as he allows himself to dart glances between her and the people who come and go around her with some degree of worry, he notices that she is much jumpier than the boy he knows. She seems to be more aware of her surroundings, warier even. Perceptive to others in relation to where she is at all times. Is it because they lived in two different types of Ylisse - one from the past, the other from the future? Both torn apart by war? That would explain both instincts.

Or, as he comes to the foregone conclusion, Olivia just seems to be this way naturally. She's trying to power through it though, and that's admirable enough to warrant Roland's silence on his musings. The inclination to shy away is there but look at her rummage through her belongings, listening to him, reassuring him. He also decides that he has to put a stop to comparing one over the other if he is to create a meaningful connection at all. Olivia is Olivia and he is seeing the outmost side of her that he begins to take as it is. But it also tugs at an instinct he has to look out for the people on this train, born from revelations of days gone past...Can she fight, he wonders? Will she be able to handle things on Orange's side on a mission?

One thing at a time. ]

Sorry. [ It's his turn to apologize, momentarily lost in his thoughts. Roland shakes his head slightly, smile still present. ] You...didn't come with anything at all? That's new. I admit this is a first.

[ Well, he won't dwell. It is what it is. ]

Ah, let's move on then. But, Olivia...[ He looks around. For the most part the thrum of people coming and going thin out in intervals. Some are rushing to get their bearings, others are going about chore duty like a well-oiled routine. It's a bustling community made more obvious on platform days when new and old passengers come together to make one another comfortable. Such as now as he returns his gaze to her, brows furrowed back into place. Roland makes his sharp perceptions known by all means. ] If you want, I can escort you to your cabin first. You can come find me later if you have questions to ask about how all of this works. Your ticket there, it shows you details about yourself and where you're assigned to sleep.

[ He demonstrates it by taking out his ticket again, showing the side with information printed on the façade. ] We can go there for now, and you can take a moment to rest. Get your bearings. Admittedly, these are the most hectic days on the train. Besides, we'll have downtime. There's no rush at all.

[ He's kind about it too, the smile on his face turning a shade warmer to encourage her that it's okay to pause for the moment. It's true too. The amount of time they had in between missions felt like halcyon days going by. ]

[stopstaring]

[That obvious, is it?

"You... didn't come with anything at all?"

Was she supposed to? He's the only one to ask her about this and he's very much the first to seem so surprised by such a discovery. She slowly shakes her head at him, raising her eyebrows before she leans onto the table atop an elbow. Chin poised in the palm of her hand, she tries to gauge his response.

...Is there something essential here that she needs to know about? It's so hard to tell. Intuitive as she can sometimes be, she just doesn't know him well enough to make any deductions so quickly.]

Uhm. All right. But—

[She hesitates. Plainly. Eyeing her ticket for several long moments, she eventually moves her gaze back onto him.]

I don't w-want to trouble you. It's fine if you just point me in the direction I n-need to go. I'm sure I can find it the rest of the way.

[She's already put him out so much. It's not fair or right to expect anyone to guide her. In spite of whatever hindrances she might come across along the way, Olivia can make things work. Nothing's impossible, after all.]

[adregem]

It's no trouble at all. In fact, it's part of my job. [ He doesn't move out of his seat yet, arms still crossed comfortably as he converses. Roland, if anything, is always a little bit too calm on the outside...though he has been told it can get a bit irritating. Nothing to be done about that. ]

I'm one of the team leads assigned to the groups, you see. This wasn't required of us, mind you, but I'd rather use this time to help out. And I'd prefer to see you settled somewhere stable before the train starts running. It can get a bit jarring for the newcomers.

[ Despite his words, and a strangely understanding smile, Roland doesn't budge even then. He's waiting for Olivia to make the call. Experienced in spades; he's done this so many times that even faced with the mother of the boy he's come to call his own too, there's no effort at all. In fact, he seems to enjoy the act of being available. ]

[stopstaring]

[At least one of them is calm. Olivia may act composed, but her insides are a wreck. She knows she needs time to digest the situation and to really give it thought. It's hard to do that when she's near so many other people. The only reason she isn't completely losing her cool is because Roland is providing an adequate distraction.

That won't last forever either.

She does manage to eventually make her way back to her feet, patient and imploring as she eyes him intensely.]

O-oh. I see. That's n-nice of you. If you're sure it's no trouble... I guess I should f-find where I'm supposed to be staying.

[After a moment's pause, she frowns.]

...Will I be allowed to change? I'm not c-comfortable in this.

[Really. Because it's not her dancer wear. Olivia does not like wearing this new... contemporary wear.]

[adregem]

[ Olivia might not be so happy about her living conditions then, as soon as they arrive at the cabins. With two bunks on each side, one on top of the other, barely any leg room to maneuver if you're not careful...well, hindsight is 20/20. If Roland had been privy to her penchant for privacy, which he completely understands and prefers as well, he would have led her to the Quiet Cars instead. No distractions, no people, with booths sealed and soundproofed from the rest of the world. ]

[ For now, he'll lead with what Olivia gives him, mimicking her movements and standing up himself. But as he walks a little past her, ready to show her to her quarters, he pauses to glance over his shoulder at her question. Sadly, Roland shakes his head. ]

I'm sorry, Olivia. All new passengers only have this to wear until you can earn enough...currency to buy clothes from back home. [ The word switch is deliberate. Points will have to be explained at a later time. His point is emphasized since Roland himself is a stark contrast to her typical Voidtrecker orange ensemble; a black turtleneck and a long coat draped over his person. ] You can change out of your train uniform, but the question is more of what you'll be able to change into. Your rucksack will only contain different variations of your gear for the time being.

[ He tugs at the collar of his shirt. ] Though I can understand where you're coming from. I'm partial to a certain style myself. [ If she isn't opposed to it, Roland will start walking to the other end of the train, where all the Sleeper Cabins lay in one line. He's alert about the time too, watching the throngs of people file into the train as they're nearing entry into the voidspace. ] Are you looking to change into something specific from home?

[stopstaring]

[Currency. So basically... their equivalent to gold.

She frowns for the hint of a moment. So she'll end up in something she's uncomfortable wearing until she can get something... even remotely similar to what she's accustomed to. Not everything can be so easy. Somehow she's not completely surprised.

Olivia shakes her head.]

All right. I understand.

[What more can she say to it? She draws in a breath and then at his question, she eyes him for some moments.] Ah, y-yes. This... [She indicates her current apparel.] ...is n-not very me. It's not very good for dancing.

[Because naturally that's what the real concern is.]

[adregem]

I see. You must be very passionate about dancing to want your gear right away.

[ Roland isn't sure if he's being rude or not, but he finds that it's more disconcerting to tell Olivia that he already knows she's a dancer thru Inigo...So he will take the polite route, since he's already trying to get to know her as she is and not merely in her capacity as the boy's future mother. Plus, there's something he does want to add to the conversation as they continue to traverse each car, people asking to be let through, forcing either of them to give room, backs to the walls. ]

You know, where I come from [ - originally, at least. ] there's a style of dance that actually uses clothes like this. [ Hoodies and all. Sometimes, even looser, for maximum comfort. He turns to her with a smile, honestly intrigued. ] It's interesting the things you get to learn when you go around other worlds and meet new people.

[ Not that that justifies kidnapping. But the conversation comes from a genuine place of interest. ]

[stopstaring]

Er—

[She is. She simply doesn't want to say so, so openly. It's not like it's an actual secret, but if she talks about it, others might decide they want to watch her dance. And well...

Olivia is a strange girl. Prone to stage fright, but at the same time, an entirely different person when lost in her world of dance. Night and day.]

That... sounds like interesting kinds of dance. I don't know how I'd dance in a-anything like that. [But she's already said that, has't she?] But... uhm. You're r-right. I'm sure I'll learn a lot about... other worlds here.

[adregem]

[ He pauses, putting his back to the wall to give a couple of people room to pass by them. Though he doesn't make to walk so soon, opting to offer Olivia an encouraging smile, a look thrown over his shoulder.]

I'm sure you'll excel in it just as you would the dance style you're more familiar with. [ Such is the natural progression of people who have very specific passions, after all! ] I look forward to seeing you perform one of these days. Heh.