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

[shitcopper]

"We do 'missions,' huh? Bold to contract me for that. I hope they can afford my rates." Mercenary work is so beneath Caster. She's a merchant.

Well, she might have a little experience in fighting supernatural threats. And saving the world. And people. But it was going to be expensive.

She takes the offered hand, though. "Caster. And I go by Caster." Yes, that's a class, not a name. Don't blame her that's just how these things work.

[fightcreamsundae]

She makes an amused little chirp at the way Caster introduced herself, mimicking her own introduction. She was easy to amuse. "It's nice to meet you Caster." Her tail swayed cheerily, but it slowed as she considered what Caster had said about rates.

"Umm, I want to say it's not really a contract because you're kinda here whether you want to or not, but I guess you can stay on the train during missions. I think that'd be really boring though!" But it was technically an option, yes.

[shitcopper]

"If it wasn't a contract I wouldn't be here." That's how summoning works, sorry she doesn't make the rules. She just breaks them on occasion... but not here.

"I'll have to learn more about these missions before deciding if it's worth participating, then. No pay, and putting myself in danger? It's not warming itself up to me."

[fightcreamsundae]

Cherry didn't comment on the contract thing. She wasn't sure what exactly that meant, but ultimately Caster was here and would have to work that all out for themself. Cherry couldn't answer questions about that.

"Would you really not help a people just because you weren't being paid in a currency you recognize?" There's a frown to her as she asked this. The thought of someone choosing to sit out just because they weren't being paid really bummed her out, though she couldn't say it was something that was foreign to her.

[shitcopper]

"Hey now, don't make me out to be heartless. I never said I absolutely wouldn't."

There's a certain tone slipping into her voice her, something like a salesman making a pitch. And indeed, she's selling something - maybe not a traditional sale, but she's selling an idea.

"But you've got to do a cost-benefit analysis. How much danger are these in - am I saving lives or preventing injury or saving homes or just keeping things convenient for them? How much danger am I putting myself in to do it? And, yes, am I being duly compensated for work I'm performing?" She looks thoughtful. "These are all important considerations. You shouldn't undervalue yourself, either. Most people only have one life."

[fightcreamsundae]

Cherry listened to what Caster was saying, hanging on every word.

"I never would have considered all of that. The people I have been around most go into situations without doing all of that and figure it out as they go." She paused as she thought about it.

"They do it because it's the right thing but I think also because the stakes are really high? When I came here they were in a whole other shard that needed their help and they were working on saving that whole world. Hopefully they're back home by now though." She got a thoughtful look on her face.

"I'm not sure what they get paid, but they have such a reputation that things just kind of work for them or are minimal in cost, I think. Though I know none of them want for gil."