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]

Only to Romeo will Roland look any sort of tall. Tidus himself was already two inches hovering above him, growth spurts and good genes be damned. He did say his father was a famous blitzer, back in the day...Roland guesses athletes really just have the build no matter the generation.

He gets to work on the bookmark, some scissors too small for his fingers, but he manages to follow Romeo's instructions as soon as he can get settled in on a design. "Not too big for my book...Got it." He is dutiful in the approach, serene at the task with the occasional glance over to Romeo's own until the bookmark is offered as a stencil. He nods and gently handles it, dropping the pair of scissors and opting for a pencil sticking out of the supplies.

He draws in peace.

"I hope I can make one as nice as this." He says, offhandedly. "Think I've got the chops for arts 'n crafts, Romeo?"

[myblueskies]

Romeo watched him carefully, ready to help if Roland needed it, but he seemed to know what he was doing. Which was expected, he was a grown up after all. But some grown ups had never done art and crafts before, which was sad.

He was glad Roland wasn't like that. He nodded with a small smile.

"I think you are going to make a very beautiful bookmark sir."

[adregem]

The only reason he knows any sort of arts and crafts is because someone a little younger than Romeo enjoyed any sort of gift from his dad, but that's something he opts to remember fondly instead, not to be ever said out loud.

Then again, if it had that effect on him, then he knows it'll work on Romeo too. Somehow.

"Thanks, Romeo." He says, pleasantly, setting the mood. "What else do you think would look nice on the bookmark? Apart from the glitter?"

He hands him back the stencil and rummages around, glancing at the boy as he does.

[myblueskies]

"Um..." He sits up so he can look through the craft box, "Maybe some feathers... And you could draw something if you like."

There was lots that you could draw on a bookmark. "Um... What's your best book?"

[adregem]

"My best book?"

The question surprises him, but his natural answer to it, does not. His smile turns fond for a second, almost like a trick of the light.

"The one I'm still writing. It's full of stories with daring adventures and other worlds."

Roland answers, blue sparkles squeezed into the borders of his bookmark. "What do you recommend for that, then?"

[myblueskies]

"You're writing a book sir?" Full of adventure and different worlds! That sounded like a very exciting book indeed! And not too different than the adventure they had all found themselves on.

"You could draw your characters... Or a scene from one of the adventures!"

[adregem]

"Draw my characters, huh..."

He pauses, sets the glue down and stares at the blank bookmark like he's seeing far away.

"That's not a bad idea." Roland goes, convinced. Enamored by the thought. It'll be a lot of work to do but that's not what worries him; taking to being busy like a duck to water.

"I'm not good at drawing though. I don't think I even know how."

Not an excuse, but it's an opening he'll offer to Romeo to give him some sort of solution. To be taught, or maybe to have a book offered to him to learn?

[myblueskies]

"Drawing is very tricky!"

He told him with a small sigh, because he found it hard as well. What he drew never looked like what he wanted it to!

"Madoka is really good at drawing. So is Rapunzel so if you ask them they could help maybe..."