A New Platform [Intro Post March]

[voidtreckermods]

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!

Comments

Platform

[famtastic]

She pops out of the fog, into his line of vision, beaming like anything.

"Hallo! Are you new here? Or have you been here before? It's a bit odd, isn't it? A bit exciting. I think we're waiting on something to arrive. Can't remember how I got here though. Do you? Any ideas? I'm the Doctor, by the way, what's your name?"

[fennu]

Jiang Cheng looks almost immediately overwhelmed, blinking at the stranger - the enthusiasm is already a lot and reminds him far too much of someone he would much rather forget.

"I... Do not know how I got here," he has to grit his teeth to be polite, on edge and eyes dancing to see if he can catch sight of the red robes that were now fading out of his vision. "It is a - pleasure to meet you. I am Jiang Wanyin." He offers a stilted, if present, formal bow.

[famtastic]

"Me either. Seems to be going around." She returns the bow, a little deeper and slightly awkward as if she's out of practice.

Then straightens, hands on hips.

"I mean it looks like a train station, doesn't it? Or a tube station. Maybe a bus terminal but I doubt it. Or a Pod Porter but... no pods." She wrinkles her nose and looks around. "The question is why, and how...and who..."

[fennu]

It's obviously almost immediately that Jiang Cheng is somewhat overwhelmed by her... Everything, and he breathes out a little before he tries to wrap his mind around what he needs to say in reply.

"Whoever it is, I will find out." Clearly he's unhappy. "And they'll send me back."

[famtastic]

That's not unusual. The Doctor tries to tone it down but it's difficult for her not to go at a million miles a minute, especially when something exciting is afoot.

"Will they?" A faint smile. "I wonder if it'll be that easy. You seem like the kind that would get yourself in trouble regardless." But there is definite approval in her voice.

[fennu]

He's immediately on the defensive, face twisting a little - as if he's about ready to snap back at her but he swallows it down. Luckily, being polite is so ingrained in him that all he can do is go with it.

"I am not going to get myself into trouble," he replies, voice tight. But politeness does come first, doesn't it? He gives her another proper bow, bending with his hands in front of him. "What is a train?"

[famtastic]

Interesting reaction. It seemed he was a stickler for the rules type, but aggressive, and imperious. A warrior, she thought, or a fighter of some stripe anyway. And possibly from some other time or place. Not that the hoody and trousers were much to go by, but his hair spoke of it for one thing.

"Good question. It's a sort of carriage powered by machinery instead of an animal or psychic impulse." Though they also might be involved, but best not to confuse the subject.

[fennu]

"Psychic impulse." That's something to think about. There's no reason that this can't be linked to cultivation somehow, even if it seems far and beyond anything that he would ever recognise from home.

The ring on his hand sparks, just a little bit.

"Are they common?"

[famtastic]

She notices that spark and files it away for later.

"That depends on where and when you're talking about. In some places yes, in others no. Elsewhere they're only relics of the past. Here?" She shrugs. "Who knows. It's all a bit of a mystery."

[fennu]

"That doesn't make any sense." It comes out with a sharp snap, his eyes flicking to her before he looks away.

Trying to be polite doesn't always work.

[famtastic]

"It does if you think broader than one time and place. It's like-- hmm--" She tries to think of a point of reference. "In some places, a horse will be common. You'll see it everywhere. But other places, there might not be any horses or few and far between because of the climate or that horses aren't convenient there or they just don't have any yet."

[fennu]

Jiang Cheng isn't even sure what to say in response to her, trying to wrap his mind around all the things she's saying. The notion of being from different times and places... It makes his head hurt.

"So? What does that mean?" His jaw is tight. "That this is normal?"

[famtastic]

"Not even a little." This is going to be hard on him, she can tell. She makes a mental note to check in on him when things get started. Whatever gets started.

"There is going to be a lot to take in and get used to. Some things you may not even comprehend."

[fennu]

"That isn't going to be a problem. I'll learn."

It's not that Jiang Cheng really thinks that she is being rude or unkind; he's simply in a bad mood.

[famtastic]

"Yeah. You seem the competent sort." She wasn't offended. It took a lot to offend her.

"Tell me about yourself. Where are you from? What do you do?"

[fennu]

That, at least, makes him brighten just a little, some of the tension fading from his shoulders. Yes, he is competent, thank you.

"I am Jiang Wanyin, leader of the Yunmeng Jiang Cultivation Sect. I hunt evil creatures."

[famtastic]

That he was some kind of leader wasn't surprising. He seemed to carry that kind of weight but also with fairly good diplomacy. That was why she was never able to remain a leader for long. Too much work.

"Monster hunting, huh? I've done a bit of that. Monster taming too. Occasionally monster befriending. Bit of a Jack of All Trades." Which amused her in a way she couldn't explain. Well she could but it would require entirely too much context.

[fennu]

"We've never tamed them. Or befriended them."

Well, he hasn't. Other people that he knows? Well, they don't count, do they. He huffs.

"We get rid of them before people die."

[famtastic]

"Then I'll know who to count on in a crises." And keep an eye on to. Some monsters were only monsters because people decided they were. "In the meantime... I suppose we'll just have to wait and see what's out there for us. You never know who might need us...or why."

[fennu]

"Does that happen often?" The question comes almost too easily. "People needing our help."

[famtastic]

"For me? Usually. Here.... Probably? But I'm as new as you are. So we'll have to see." She shrugs. "Either way it's bound to be interesting."

[fennu]

"I'm not sure that interesting is the word I'd use." But he doesn't seem to be ready to snap in half any longer. "But there's no way out?"

[famtastic]

"Probably. There's always a way out somehow. But you're going to wear yourself out if you don't find something to look forward to." Just saying. It was harder to find fun in rough situations, but you had to look on the bright side because the dark side lead to...unfortunate things.

[fennu]

"Look forward to? What's to look forward to about being stuck on that?" He glances at the train before he breathes out sharply. "I'm not an idiot. I'll figure it out."

[famtastic]

"Well, I mean I guess the alternative is being absolutely miserable for the foreseeable future." She shrugged. "Really it all comes down to perspective."