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

"It's a person that gets made." Considering that's pretty much how she precluded the word homunculus, Najaran is definitely going to have to take her word on it.

...Potato has now noticed the stick.

"What's that?"

"But aren't all people, made by Culdra, if nothing else?"

"I am Goligan," the stick responded. "a pleasure to meet you."

"I don't know who that is." So, that's a problem. "But homunculus get made by people, like a 'cheat', that's what Granny said."

Well if Granny said-

Oh heck. "OHH!! You're a talking stick..!" Potato has now forgotten everything else, it's Goligan time.

"Oh..." Najaran said, considering that, then nodded. "Ah yeah. Sorry, I keep forgetting to introduce him, I guess."

"You forget..?"

Oh no!! "Goligan-stick, you're not lonely right..?" Oh no!!!

"Well he's not exactly shy about doing it himself," she protested. Then she muttered "So why's it my job?"

"Ah... I thank you for your concern, but I am fine," he assured Potato.

"You put him on your hip!" she says, as if that makes all the sense necessary.

But Goligan can certainly defend himself, and he's done well enough with just that statement. Potato blinks, and slowly nods. "Oh! I guess I'm wrong then."

Well, at least she admits it?

"Well yes," she said, unsure where this is going. "It's hard for him to move on his own and my hands were full..." Why was that a problem? Knight carried her all the tie in combat, but no one expected Knight to introduce her...

Well, it's not a problem now. As Potato noted- she supposes she was wrong to say that Goligan needed someone else to introduce him!

So now that's two who don't know where that's going, and even worse, she's about to ask a terrible question.

"...How come you're a stick?"

"I am unsure," he said. "I have been like this as far back as I recall." He had suspicions, but no knowledge.

"That sounds like a really long time...." She says the words with vague awe- but then again, a long time could well be a week to Potato.

Najaran nodded. "I found him when I was a little kid."

"Little...." Slowly, Potato turns her eyes toward Goligan. "...Were you a little stick?"

"No, I was the same size. She was smaller. though perhaps her teeth weren't."

"Hey," she grumbled.

"Are big teeth bad?" Potato is now stuffing her hands in her own mouth, feeling around. "AUH DON FIN AH HA' WUR T'F..."

She's trying to say 'I don't think I have real teeth', but that's a bit hard with two fists in your mouth.

"No no, big teeth are fine," Najran hastened to assure her.

"When Najaran found me, she started chewing on me," Goligan said, dryly.

"I was a child! Are you ever going to stop bringing that up?!" she asked, frustrated.

"Perhaps when the scars fade."

"You're a cane! Scars don't heal!"

"Exactly."

"One of these days, I swear I'm taking sand paper to those teethmarks," she threatened in a way that made it clear - she hoped - that she'd never actually follow through.

"Ahh!! Chewing is mean, why did you do that..." fusses the potato, before she looks over the stick.

"...Oh- but I saw someone use a special glue thing to get rid of cracks in wood once..! It looked just like wood, so maybe it's just a wood bandaid. You could use that."

Se huffed, exasperated. "I was a child. I was starving, and I didn't know he was alive!"

"...But you can still fix the wood now can't you?"

Potato blinks, curious. "...Just because you didn't know then, doesn't mean you can't fix a hurt now right?"

"It doesn't hurt him now," Najaran said, "and I'm not sure how to fix it without actually hurting him. So we've mostly ust left it. Besides, people have scars. It happens. And a few bite marks are nowhere near as bad as how my Master looks..." she shuddered.

Potato blinks- still very confused of course- and simply looks to Goligan.

It would probably help poor Najaran's case far more if the stick confirmed it! C'mon Goligan, throw her a bone here!

Goligan catches that and offers a small smile. "It is part of my job to keep Najaran humble and grounded."

"What and what?" Najaran asked.

"She is a work in progress."

"I think I've been insulted," Najaran muttered.

"So you're okay then..?" Well.

If the cool grandpa stick says so..!!

"Then everything else is okay! It's even nicer to meet both of you now!"

Which is an odd thing to say, perhaps, but she is undoubtedly a very odd potato.

"Ah... yes."

Najaran just smiled. "Do you need help settling in on the train?"

"Settling?" Wait, she knows that word, she's heard it at the hotel. "Mnh! Nope! I can do that!"

Settling means putting your stuff on the train, and going to bed. She definitely knows how to do that. "Thank you though!"

(no subject)

najaran - 2021-04-04 09:27 (UTC) - Expand