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

"Why do you need one, anyway? Do we...thrash? In our sleep?"

But he's still inclined not to ask anyone else to be there for this. He doesn't even know what Yuume will find. More than that, there's no room on this train for personal concern over something like this; so if he can keep it between the two of them, then he will.

"I'd rather we just do this, you and me. Unless there's a greater risk in proceeding without a spotter, I trust I'll be in your good hands."

"Nothing like that..! Part of it is to make sure no one removes my hand from your brow- doing that could cause irreparable damage, as it forces an abrupt separation. However, they would also be able to see what we're doing, through my eyes- it allows an extra bit of input, particularly if there's something being hidden from our vision. The system can't be fooled by those things, as the system isn't 'alive'- and once filtered through that, someone watching the screen can see otherwise."

Ahem. That said. "But, if that's what you'd rather, we can do this alone. As I said, I've done that before, and it would be better to go in with something you're comfortable with while taking the risk, than otherwise."

Ah, that said- "...How soon do you want to do this, however?"

"Now."

He's nothing if not decisive, where it counts. The book in his hand disappears in his Arms Band, and the rest of the pile of items he brought with him are individually placed in the hammerspace afterwards. He speaks as he works, brow straight and shoulders back.

He sees the merit of the spotter, but - but this is just a check-in. A first look. A diagnostic...Surely they were going to be okay, just the two of them?

"Would that be possible, Doc?" A beat. He pauses before absorbing the last parcel in his Arms Band. "Of course, as a fair trade off, I give you my full consent to consolidate and keep any new findings inside my...soul, to your own field of research. It's only fair. You're doing this for free, heh."

Now.

Hooboy. "It is, yes- we just need to make sure that there's an available room in either Triage or Medical, and I'll need to make sure no one can come in. Ah-"

AH!!!

"Oh- I couldn't possibly..! ...well, I suppose a few points perhaps...but I absolutely refuse to use anything too personal..! It's still your soul after all..!"

To be fair to them both, the very nature of what's being looked into should be plenty enough for a Very interesting paper though.

He doesn't flinch even when Yuume gives him such a reaction. Instead, Roland stands and smiles, knowingly almost.

"Exactly. It is my soul." Roland says. "So if it's okay with me, then..." He trails off, cheekily, before taking a few steps towards the direction of Medical, halting only to wait for Yuume to either take the lead or so he can follow hers.

"Either way, I'm ready."

What's the worst that could happen? The risks were minimal if it was exploratory. He can deal with consequences for the price of deeper knowledge. He had to.

"Right." ..Well, she'll follow, and soon enough match pace where it works out- ultimately she's going to have to lead the way once they hit the narrower aisles. "In that case, let's see what room we have to work with."

Roland just nods at that, and as soon as they hit the Medical car, with Yuume scoping out the best place to lay, he gets to work too. Removing the outer layer of his long coat, revealing a black turtleneck and slacks. He starts moving about, removing objects that are otherwise sharp or dangerous just in case. Pushing a bed closer to another, if his understanding of this process is correct; that both had to be asleep for this.

He also wonders if this was the right move, if he should be going about his soul like a trip to the park...

But his curiosity about who he really is wins in the end. If there are dangers fraught inside of him, Yuume would be the first to point it out to him. So he waits for things to get settled for the procedure, patient and still.

While Roland starts to set up, Yuume simply busies herself with the door, setting up what's necessary to make sure no one comes in.

She turns in time to see Roland moving the beds together. "Oh-! We only need a bed for you, actually- I tend to simply sit in the chair. I won't fall out, if that's a worry."

Honestly, if anyone should be worried, it should be Yuume's non-existence chiropractor. Regardless.

"Alright- No one should be able to get in, so I simply need you to lay down as comfortably as possible- let me know when you're ready."

"Oh. If you're sure, then."

He stops pushing the other bed and eventually, ends up sitting on the closest one next to Yuume. He's feeling a little apprehensive, but this - this would be fine, right? Yuume was a professional, a doctor in her field, and even without a spotter...

It was too late to go back now, regardless. His own mind wouldn't be at ease if he doesn't do this for himself.

With a heaviness about his limbs, Roland nods at Yuume in quiet affirmation before setting himself down on the bed, closing his eyes as soon as his head hits the pillow.

"Ready." He swallows thickly, folding his hands over his stomach. Would she instantly put him to sleep? Would she cast a magic spell over him? How would this all play out?

He's eagerly anticipating it just as much as he's nervous to see what kind of world would lie inside someone like him...

A nod, and soon enough Yuume is checking over her glove before nodding. There's no need to set up the laptop, ultimately- if they don't have a spotter after all, no one would be there to watch.

Carefully, she rests the gloved palm over his brow. "Alright- Okaeri."

The passphrase spoken, both of them black out.

...And yet, not.

To Roland, it'll seem as if he blinked- one minute, they're in the medical car, and the next?

They're in what seems to be another world entirely. Roland shouldn't look too different from how he typically appears- it's his own soul, and he doesn't need protection from it. All he should be, is himself.

Yuume however, is in her armor- she is, after all, a 'foreign entity'.

Continuation here because we're gonna get recaptcha'd hehe.

A New Platform [Intro Post March]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

I'll be leaving the details of the dreamscape/soulscape/etc to you if that's alright?

yessss! :) sorry for the late too, i think i lost this notif!

IT'S ALL GOOD i say three days later

LOL SAME HERE