voidtreckerexpress | 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

"That is big band swing from the 1930s and 40s, on Earth," Soldat answers readily, mixing up waffle batter at the moment. The next song in the queue starts up, Ella Fitzgerald this time. "It's my favorite. I can change it, if you'd rather, I have a lot of music I can choose from."

"No, it's okay." He says it almost too quickly. He doesn't want to put anyone out just because he's curious, and he definitely doesn't want to get in the way. "I've just- never heard it before. Is it from your world?"

"Yeah, from when I was. You know. Before this." They hold up the metal hand and wiggle the fingers lightly, managing to keep "when I was still a person" behind their teeth. They've learned the value of discretion on that particular subject. They can't really lie about it, but they can avoid mentioning it. "I've got a lot of music from later on, too, of course. I like most music."

A metal arm-

Ryo pauses for a few moments, remembering a child on a beanbag chair a few days ago and putting the pieces together. Oh. This is Soldat.

It puts him at ease and gives him a bit more context (though, fortunately for Soldat, not enough to know what 'before this' refers to). "I don't think I've heard most music," he says a bit sheepishly. "I didn't know how different music could be until Rich's concert." He'd attended a usual bardic show. It had been anything but usual, and he'd loved it.

But he'd come here for a reason, initially, and he'd gotten ahead of himself. "Do you need any help? Orange team is supposed to be cooking, so..." He'd like to at least try to do his part.

"If you want to bring me another couple tomatoes from storage, or carry that coffee pot out to the dining car, that'd be helpful," they suggest, since they understand sometimes people just like to help. They feel that way all the time. "But I've traded my chores with Saash, so I'm technically supposed to be here, too. It's fine if you're just passing through."

He smiles a bit at that. "I can't imagine Saash would be interested in cooking." He can see a cat on the counter, sure, but actively cooking? Definitely not.

He moves on to do as Soldat asks, providing tomatoes that, as best he can tell, are ripe enough to be eaten, and taking coffee out to where it is sorely needed.

"Yeah, she seemed to think the same thing." Soldat shakes their head, amused. "Thanks, Ryo."

And they settle in, back to work. There's a lot of cooking to do today.

A New Platform [Intro Post March]

no subject

shows up a week late without starbucks

Soldat provides the Starbucks, it's fine

Soldat is a good

no subject

Wrap (soonish) as discussed?

wrap!