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

Yoite | Nabari no Ou | Blue Team

[comefadeaway]

Platform

Yoite didn’t think that he’d ever see anyone he knew on the platform, it wasn’t about that, he just wanted to get off the train for a few minutes.

He stepped out and looked around briefly, it seemed unlikely that people would ask him things so instead he tilted his head back and enjoyed the fresh air, regardless of how humid it was.


Luggage Car

He wasn’t disliking this whole shopping experience, it was kind of fun every couple of weeks to find himself with new things.

He scooped up a new book with his name on it, and started looking around for the other two packages he’d ordered.

He never knew what to get, but Soldat had had some good ideas.


Library

Yoite was settled at a table with a book in front of him. He wanted to see what kind of thing he could do on his own, and then he’d be happy to show it off to his friends.

He leaned forward and looked at the instructions.

In front of him he had a square of origami paper that was a shimmery metallic blue colour.

Carefully he began folding. If it worked like the book said, soon he’d have a boat.

Wildcard

[Choose your own adventure. Also - it should be noted that Yoite is deaf and may not respond to a verbal greeting on its own until you catch his attention.]

platform

[blitzcheer]

There's a pat on the back of Yoite's arm, as Tidus comes to stand near to where he was. "Hey!"

--Except he totally didn't wait for the guy to look at him yet to say that, so he repeats it, smiling, volume turned dow the second time; then nodding out towards the rest of the platform.

"You hoping to see someone you know?"

[comefadeaway]

"Kind of." Yoite said with a pause. "It would be nice to see Miharu, but I don't think he will come here." He admitted.

"I just like the fresh air."

[blitzcheer]

"Train's always funny, who shows up and who doesn't," he comments. "Who's Miharu? You knew them for long?"

There wasn't a lot Tidus knows about Yoite, he realises, but it's not really a bad thing. Still, no reason not to learn a few things now, right?

[comefadeaway]

"Not that long." Yoite said. "He's someone very important to me...to everyone really." He explained.

"But mostly he's my friend. I was trying to protect him before I came here." He didn't know how good of a job he was doing though.

[blitzcheer]

"Ohhh," he hums, a nod following it.

"I had someone like that too," he admits. "Someone important to me - and everyone else too. She was something called a summoner. Ever heard of anything like that?"

[comefadeaway]

Yoite considered that. He shook his head. "That's not quite what he is...even if he's supposed to summon the Shinra Banshou." He explained. "He can't do it yet. I just need to live long enough to get him there."

[blitzcheer]

"Hey, you're young!" Tidus says with a friendly pat on Yoite's shoulder. "'less you're talking about whatever's bad home. You did talk about doing some extreme stuff that one time..."

Back at the meeting... ohh boy.

[comefadeaway]

"Oh, well I'm not dying right now because of the train." Yoite explained. "If I got back I will probably continue that."

He tilted his head. "What was extreme about it?"

Library

[crimson_rain]

In the library, just close by, Hua Cheng is gathering art supplies from the storage room. At his big table, there's a collection paper, brushes, paints, and mediums to use for drawing and painting. When he noticed Yoite working on origami, he approaches him.

"Do you like art? I'm teaching an art class so if you like to draw, you can join me and I can teach you."

[comefadeaway]

"I...don't think I've ever done that." Yoite said, trying to think about it. "I don't know."

He gestured slightly. "I...like origami?"

[crimson_rain]

"I am thinking of being an art teacher here since art is what I'm good at back home. You should try painting. It can be good for creativity."

With a smile, seeing the origami book with the instructions. "Origami is fine. I have a lot of paper you can use and cut up if you want. Do you wanna try make a few paper animals with me? I can bring some paper for you."

[comefadeaway]

"I bought some." Yoite said with a smile. "It's in my room. I just brought this one with me to try this."

But he considered the question and nodded. "I want to make more animals. I already learned how to make a crane and a cat." Soldat had been teaching him.

[crimson_rain]

He gathers some colored papers and a pair of scissors to sit next to him. "Crane and cat. What kind of animals do you like? I can make you some. I can make rabbits, frogs, horses, snakes. Do you have a favorite animal?"

[comefadeaway]

Yoite shook his head at the question. "No. I don't really know many animals." He was woefully uneducated, but he knew cats.

"Can you make a rabbit?" He decided.

[crimson_rain]

"If that is what you like, I'll make a rabbit for you." He picks up the scissors, cuts up a lot of paper, folding them, and as the result, he makes many rabbits. Some stand up on hindlegs and some on fours and make a small group of them using colorful paper.

"How about that? Do you like rabbits? I know our team leader, Lan Wangji. He owns rabbits for pets."

[comefadeaway]

Yoite smiled at the variety of bunnies. Admittedly, it had distracted him from his boat making but that was okay, he was enthralled by Hua Cheng's process.

"I think so." He said with a bit of a nod. "He does?"

Re: Yoite | Nabari no Ou | Blue Team

[strawberryprotector]

Ichigo was on his way to the kitchen when he encountered Yoite in the garden car. He gently put a hand on the teen's shoulder, hoping not to spook him too badly.

[comefadeaway]

He was a bit surprised, only jumping slightly and turning reflexively. If Ichigo looked closely, a kunai had landed into one of his hands, but it slipped back into its hiding spot as soon as he realized who'd interrupted him.

Yoite didn't mean to be so jumpy, it was just a force of habit.

"Hi." He smiled at Ichigo.

[strawberryprotector]

"Hey there. I'm sorry for startling you." He'd seen the glint of a blade in the teen's hand but wasn't worried. He ruffled Yoite's hair lightly, smiling warmly. "How are you today?"

[comefadeaway]

"I'm good!" Yoite said with a little smile. "I got some origami papers and a book."

[strawberryprotector]

"Hey, origami is a good way to pass the time. Do you know how to make a crane?" He had learned back in grade school, but Ichigo knew that Yoite's upbringing had been so drastically different from his own that he didn't want to assume.

[comefadeaway]

"Yes!" Yoite exclaimed a bit brighter. "Soldat showed me how to make a crane and a cat and I learned how to make a boat from the book."

It wasn't a lot of shapes, but it was still good.

[strawberryprotector]

Hearing that had Ichigo smiling even wider. "I don't know if they have this tale in your world, but in mine there's a story that if you make one thousand paper cranes you can get a wish granted."

[comefadeaway]

"A wish?" Yoite asked, tilting his head. "What kind of wish?"

He didn't know if there were rules to that kind of thing. He also didn't think he had a thousand papers yet, but making a thousand cranes might be kind of relaxing.