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

[namethattune]

Platform days are always chaotic at best, and this one had been particularly difficult in its losses. Siebren had taken the time to make the rounds - to assist newcomers and assure those who were frightened or upset - but knowing that Nita had departed for good weighed on him all the while. She had been important here, to say the least, and her loss would be felt by most people here.

Himself included. He would miss her, though he was trying not to dwell on the fact. It had been a difficult couple of weeks, and he is refusing to let their totality weigh on him. Let that happen later, when he has some time alone to think.

For now, he has not taken advantage of the spa in a while, and that seems like a good way to end the day. He enters the carriage in what seems mid-conversation to hear-

The worst thing about letting people in is losing them.

It's a hell of a statement to come in on, made all the worse by the person saying it. Of all the people who should not be forced to deal with loss...

"You are not alone, in that emotion or at all," he says gently. "Perhaps you can take some solace in that."

[emerald_mirror]

He'd sort of felt Siebren coming closer, but Xander started a little anyway--he wasn't sure the man would stop by. However, he's overwhelmingly grateful that Siebren is here. He gave Seto a squeeze, but got up, offering the other teenager a hand.

"It's not good, and it's not fun, no. To lose people. But you can curse the darkness 'cause your campfire went out, or you can try again if someone offers a candle, or their own campfire, you know?"

Clearly, that's Xander's philosophy, because it's obvious he keeps trying. "And you aren't alone, we're here."

Luckily it's only the cuffs of Xander's cargo pants that might be wet--as is typical, he's lost his shirt and isn't wearing shoes or socks on the train. But to him, it's all the better to reach out to Siebren for a hug, then beckon to Seto to join on in.

absolutely no pressure just realized I wanted to change tone

[blue_ice]

Seto is grateful for Xander's warmth, if still a little hesitant and new when it came to all this affection business. He lets himself take comfort in it...but a new complication to the emotion rises when he hears another familiar voice. Siebren. Seto realizes at that moment that at least part of what he feels is relief. So he takes Xander's offered hand and rises up beside him, draping his towel over his shoulders.

They're not alone. They have each other...for however long the train will let them stay together, he thinks. But there's so much more to say...

"If we're using this analogy...the flames that went out meant a lot to me."

When he wakes from his mental drift into images of flames, he registers Xander reaching for Siebren, then the angel's other arm extending his way. Is that too much? Surely it is...but as he watches, he realizes he'll never have the chance to hug Daia or Nita again. And if Xander and Siebren were to leave tomorrow, or even Seto himself...he'd miss that chance forever. And regret it.

So he follows Xander. A little slower, perhaps, but committed to his decision to embrace them. "And you two mean enough to me to drag me into this nonsense."

His tone is tired, but lighter than before. And he squeezes them fiercely enough to communicate the depth of feeling, even without the aid of empathy.