voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post March]

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A New Platform [Intro Post March]

On the Train

Once again passengers are awoken by the morning announcement.

"Good morning passengers, it is day One of the month of Kazoo. 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 is thick, the air is warm and humid and there are rumbles of thunder, the air heavy with the promise of rain.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Alfredo Martini, Daia, Enna Alchiba, Lord El-Melloi II, Natsuno Yuuki, Nita Callahan, Saku Gyousou, Sakura, V and Wen Qing

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, and seems smaller with twenty-seven 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.

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'). Those not new to the train will note the addition of an eighth sleeper carriage. The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, it seems the month of Kazoo is defined by the tomato and there are plenty of them.

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 as thunder rumbles further and the storm threatens to break. 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

I. Platform
Platform day is a rare day for him to come out and have some fresh air and stretch his legs. But to watch people leave and go is very hard. In particular, watching Lady Wen Qing leaving, which hits him hard.

He walks near the barriar as they're leaving. "Wait come back!" But they're not looking back, and he knows they're not hearing his plea and they're not coming back. Not for a long time anyway.

He tried. With a heavy heart, he steps back, and he knew he must return back to the train.

II. Chores, garden, and around the train
Doing chores is pretty much routine to him. He wakes up early, set a schedule, and builds a routine. Once he learns how to do laundry, it's easy, but then again he does all the laundry for his husband also. The same goes for making breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the kitchen.

At one point, later in the afternoon, he does unwind for a cup of coffee or tea and meditates on the train. He then has an idea to go searching to the library to find any medical books and sure enough, he found them and starts reading.

III. Wildcard
[Anything else? Hmu here with any scenario!]

It was lunch time, wasn't it, and he was kind of hungry. Prompto was poking around the stores, checking out the options for food with a bit of bewilderment.

There were a lot of vegetables. Noctis was not going to like that.

More than that though, could he just take something to make? He turned when Xingchen entered the car a little bit and stepped back from the food he'd been eyeing.

"Is..." He swallowed. "Is this all...yours?"

Xingchen enters the area with an apron. He's been working on his cooking skills lately. He smiles brightly seeing a new face, so he greets him warmly.

"Hello. I haven't seen you before. You must be new. No, all of this food is for the entire crew of the train. I'm going to make lunch. Are you hungry?"

"Y-Yeah, I was trying to see what I should pick." Prompto admitted, and now that he knew he was supposed to be selecting this food he could go back to looking it over.

"I'm not sure what I want though."

He still smiles as he remembers the first day when he arrived, and he couldn't see food at all. So, to see the kitchen and food is a joy for him.

"The food is not cooked yet, but if you have something in mind, I can make something. I could make you something with rice, perhaps? I was thinking of a fried rice since its simple to make. But if you want something quick, I can make a sandwich too, I'm good at those. Whatever you like, I'll try to make it."

"I'm not really picky, so if rice is easy, sure." Prompto agreed with a bit of a nod. It didn't seem like something that would be too unhealthy.

"I j-just wasn't sure what to have yet."

"I'll make you fried rice and a delicious omelet, how is that?" For a start. So he stood by the stove and start cooking and frying using a spatula to stir and flip.

"So anyway, since you're new, I can tell you a few things about the train. For one thing, everyone is here for a purpose. That's to save worlds as the train travels through the dimension called the void."

"Th-that sounds pretty good!" Prompto said cheerfully. "Can I help with anything?" He wasn't going to make a stranger cook for him without at least offering.

"Oh, but, what about my world?"

With a smile, "You don't have to help with anything. It's on me." And it's finished, so he hands Prompto his lunch, which is fried rice and an omelet on one side of the plate.

"You'll need to familiar yourself with your team and your mission. As for your world, nobody knows, even my own. I assume it's still there and everything is fine."

"Oh, yeah, I mean, that makes sense." Prompto agreed with a bit of a nod.

"W-Whoa, thanks!" He smiled brightly and picked up the fork to give it a taste test.

"You're welcome." He's glad someone enjoys his cooking! He's learning new dishes and skills too.

"Do you know what color team you're on?"

"Based all the stuff I have being purple, I would guess that?" Prompto said, after swallowing.

"Hey th-this is pretty good!"

"Yes, I can see that. Purple. That's good. Be sure to check in with Roland and Tidus, I think he's one of the team captains."

With a nod, "Thank you. I don't cook on most days but if you like it, let me know next time and I'll cook for you."

"Wow, I'm gonna be spoiled here." He grinned, kind of like he thought he was spoiled by Ignis' cooking too.

"Roland and Tidus? Okay..." He nodded after a moment.

With a nod and smile, "I'm glad you like it. And welcome to the train. It will take a while to get used to. When you finished, just put your plate into the sink so I can wash it."

"Sure. I can do that." Prompto agreed with a smile. "It doesn't really seem so bad on the train?"

At least, not from a cursory glance.

He starts washing the dishes and drying them, "Do you mean getting used to life living here? No, it's not bad at all. You just need to know who is in charge, just follow the rules, organized what you need, and figure out what's everyone into. For me, the first few months, it's hard because I was blind. Then the healers helped me out and I can see again. But everyone is so nice here and we get along mostly."

"Oh...huh...I see." Prompto said, thinking about it and nodding slightly. "I mean it's great that everyone gets along." He was hoping that would continue. He wasn't a big fan of conflict.

"I'm still glad Noct is here."

Raven had watched Wen Qing leave too, and watched Xingchen's reaction. So when he turns and gets ready to go back on the train, she's there. Cowl up like usual, her blue cloak over her purple train-uniform. "Hey."

Usually Xingchen is polite and well-mannered, but somehow the energy is loss on him, and he's becoming tired and casual from the sad emotions around on the platform.

With a nod to his roommate, "Hey. You're coming on board later on? I'm going to get a cup of coffee." He has a lot on his mind. "The doctor is gone, so I think the situation doesn't look good for the healers."

"I'll be around." Raven said, with a nod of her head. "If it'd help, I'm a good listener, too." Her way of offering, if he wanted to talk about it.

With a nod, as he heads back on board. "I'll meet up with you later. I need time to think. With Wen Qing gone, there's...there's much to do in her place. I'm going to check the library for any books about medicine. We're not terribly close or anything, but she's responsible for my healing and surgery."

But he appreciates her all the same.

"We healers appreciate it. Just come find me when you want, even if I'm in a quiet car." That is a rare offer for her to make, too.

"Okay, I'm going to see if she leaves anything behind. Notes, journals, books...if nothing else, I'll check with Ichigo if he needs assistance. I'll...see you later once I figure things out." He pauses, consider he could now say the phrase, being able to see.

"Thank you, Raven." At that, he boards the train to do his errands.

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A New Platform [Intro Post March]

Xingchen | ota

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