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

Kitchin

[paopuofyourlife]

While Kairi's chores this month wasn't to actually cook but rather to clean, Kairi was still planning on making something and then doing her chores right afterward. But the problem was she didn't know just what she wanted to do.

So she had spent what was perhaps five minutes just staring at the counter, arms crossed and deep in thought.

Re: Kitchin

[hotheadwarmheart]

Lea had observed her staring at the counter as he did a bit of meal prep of his own. The kitchens were a busy place; unsurprising, as anywhere food was tended to be fairly popular, but it was especially noticeable on platform day, with all the new people learning their way around.

Kairi wasn't quite new, but she was studying a section of the counter with the same intent expression as a new arrival might have upon first exploring the train. He walked up to stand beside her, looking at the same spot on the counter for a moment before speaking. "So," he asked her, "has the counter given up its secrets yet? Or does it need a few more minutes?"

[paopuofyourlife]

"With due time it will give me the secrets of what it prefers to be cleaned with." Said in a somewhat joking manner as she soon added the chuckle behind it.

"But I'm thinking about what to make for people. Sure it's not my chore but with purple having the bigger group I figured to help out on others if they need it."

[hotheadwarmheart]

Lea chuckled too. "Yeah I like to help out in the kitchen too, even when it's not my chore," he said. "As for what to make, I know some people are doing soup. It's easy to make in quantity, it's comforting, and it kind of requires you to slow down to eat it. And given how hectic platform days are, slowing down for a bit is always a good idea."

[paopuofyourlife]

"I consider it a learning experience since it's not something I did a lot of before. Like cooking." She did probably clean at least at home. At least before everything that happened.

"Soup seems easy enough and one could add whatever the ingredient is for this month. Depending on what it is I guess."

[hotheadwarmheart]

"Tomato, I think," Lea said. "Which can go pretty well in soups and even be the whole base for one, so it should work fine. Or at least a lot better than avocado would; we'd probly end up with guacamole instead of soup if we tried to put avocado in it."

[paopuofyourlife]

"Avacado sounds like it wouldn't have been a good soup." She could have also been very wrong. But at least with tomato there are options for by itself or perhaps with others things that they might have.

"But I think putting tomato with something might be the better idea here. Do you know what other ingredients we have?"

[hotheadwarmheart]

"Hmm...", Lea said thoughtfully. "Well there's always a good supply of things like rice and noodles and other basic stuff. And thanks to Persephone, we generally have a good stock of fruits and veggies too. As for what we have in the way of protein, we'll have to check the stores car."

"Wanna go do that? We'd have to go there to get any ingredients we need anyway, after all."

[paopuofyourlife]

"I can do that. Shouldn't take me too long." She soon turned on her heels going to check. Soon she was back with what there was placing it down.

"There we go."

[hotheadwarmheart]

Lea had more been thinking of them going together, but this worked out too. He examined the ingredients and gave a satisfied nod. "OK, we can definitely make something good with this," he said. "We'll need to chop up the veggies, so did you want to start a pot of water boiling while I do that? Should be some good-sized soup pots in one of the lower cupboards."