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 might not quite be the right comparison but it makes Romeo smile at least. Figure out his own mystery, what he wants to do and what he can!

He tilted his head up, curiosity dancing in his eyes. "You got me something, mister Tidus?"

Of course he wanted to see!

"Sure did!" He pulls back his arms, the blanket still draping over them. "It'll be in the luggage carriage. Help me find it?"

They'll go together, but first, Tidus needs Romeo to move off him before he can get up onto his feet! A standing up that his legs particularly won't like after coming off the cold hard floor, but it's cool, he's still young and got his knees!!

He'll even offer Romeo a hand to hold once he's upright and on his feet.

He nodded and slowly untangled himself from the blanket. They were both a bit damp and he was very cold but he clambers to his feet and jumps a few times to bring feeling back into them.

He took Tidus' hand and smiled up at him. "Okay! Ready."

It was always a small adventure trying to find packages in the luggage carriage.

What's a little cold between friends? Let's hope that mood can be kept for the rest of the day and doesn't bring anything about because of it. For now, they'll have the luggage carriage waiting on them - not the most warmest place to enter, Tidus depositing the blanket to the wall near where they enter, but it lets Tidus really feel how much cold has settled into him, rolling his shoulders and clapping his hands together.

"Alright! Look for anything with my name on it. It should be...square shaped. Not big." 'Like a book' -- but that'll ruin the surprise!

"And if you see any chocolate, that's mine too," he adds with a thick joking lilt.

Romeo is still bouncing, moving is the best way to get warm after all. It's a little bit subdued, compared to normal but having a distraction is good at least.

"I'll keep my eyes out for chocoalte!" And a small square shaped package.

He clambered over some bags, to find parcels, looking... looking...

Oh there's some square ones! He began looking at names, not that one, not that one either...

Not that one, not that one either, until-!

"There, you got it!"

Has Romeo? He's got one package with his name on it, and Tidus comes beside the kid to take it from him, a quick, "Hold on, I need to check." Because this may or may not be Romeo's gift, so he'll need to peel at the corners of the folded section and take a peak in. Ah...

Ah-ha! Tidus grins, looking over at Romeo, and then holds it back out for him to take.

"Tear into it. Really make a mess!"

And get to what's waiting inside.

Romeo waited for a moment, letting Tidus check whatever it was in this parcel. Then he grinned as it was handed in.

"Yes sir!"

He ripped the paper, not actually making that much mess though he tried! His mouth fell open when he saw the books.

"Secret Detective Clubhouse. Keep Out!" He looked up at Tidus with big eyes. "You got these for me?"

There were five books! The picture on the front showed a group of children, looking busy solving mysteries! For a moment he forgot to be sad, gratitude filling his heart instead.

"An early birthday present," he says with a smile, a hand coming to clap Romeo on the shoulder. "Or maybe a late one?" Heh. "It's no library, but it's a start."

He wants to say, Happy birthday, but he'll hold back on it now. A giddiness in his stomach, at the way Romeo was looking at him, the hope he had that he'd like the gift for more than its gesture. Oh, Tidus hope he does. They weren't no magical transforming detective, but hopefully they didn't need to be...!

Romeo stares at the book for a moment and back at Tidus and the book and Tidus. His eyes filled with tears, but happy ones this time and he turns quickly, flinging his arms around Tidus.

"Thank you sir! Thank you so much!"

They looked like such good books. He couldn't wait to read them. It was so kind of Mister Tidus to buy him them, especially since they had no idea if it was even his birthday. Or if shinki had birthdays at all really.

He accepts the full-on hug, arms coming around Romeo in turn with a short laughter out of his throat. Tidus pats him on the back. He's going to Mister and Sir forever, isn't he...

"Anything for you, Romeo. You let me know what they're like, okay? We need more fun books around here!"

He held the hug for a few moments, grateful and a little overwhelmed. It's been a very emotional day.

He nodded into Tidus' hoodie and then drew back with a brave smile. "I will. You can read them after me if you want!"

Everyone liked detective stories, right?

"Sure thing! I don't read enough," he says with a laugh in his words. "We can be our own book club! I got some comics too, 'bout blitzball. You wanna read those too?"

This was going to be the most literature consumed month in Tidus's life, that's for sure. Even with half of it over.

(Okay, at least on the train.)

"Comics about Blitzball?" He perked up just a little more, Tidus was really helping his spirits today.

"Like Born to Blitz?" There were stories they could read about that?

A New Platform [Intro Post February]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject