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

[wishalone]

Kyoko's attention on the forced bedtime topic screeches to a halt, because this is way more important.

"You know Madoka?" Wait, no, that's probably not that much of a surprise. She's been here a while, she said, and it's not that big a train.

"Wait, is she the only one with pink hair here?" That would be even more weird to her than Yondu being blue, because Yondu is blue. If he's blue, and there's someone else who's pink, then why the hell would there only be one girl with pink hair?

[yondu]

"She might not be, she's the only one with pink hair that I know, though. Sometimes you come across a notable Terran. She's got pink hair. Then there's Siebren who's literally seven goddamn feet tall. You gonna remember some people."

But.

"Yeah, I wasn't in a great place when I showed up. Had a real long, real bad day I got yanked out of. We're talkin' 'had raccoon touchin' my head and fought a planet' bad. An' she stopped an' talked to me. Told me a little bit about where she comes from, not a whole lot, though."

[wishalone]

A... raccoon... and... fighting... a planet... Yeah, she doesn't even know where to start with that. This is one of those times where she's refusing to ask, because she's betting she probably doesn't want to know, anyway, but her face when he says it is a comical 'what the fuck' expression, even if it (mostly) settles back to something neutral enough.

"Yeah... We're from the same -- I don't know what to call it. But I know her from back home." And she knows how Madoka just kind of has that special ability to change your mood to something less awful, just by talking to her. But she's not going to admit that, hell no.

[yondu]

"You have no idea how bad I wish I was jokin'. You might like the raccoon, though. He was funny. An asshole, but funny." He responds because... yeah, that's messed up. But far easier to put out than the grueling emotional toll of that day. How his whole life built to a crashing crescendo. A whole lot of carefully balanced pain slipped and crashed like a house in a landslide.

"She told me a little bit about a big ol' witch but not too much more than that." The 'not too much more' was a pretty dang big thing, but not something he'd readily mention. "Sounds like you girls have you a hell of a time."

[wishalone]

"So now you're saying the raccoon talked, too? Jeez... As if it isn't weird enough to have one touching your head..."

But something about Kyoko's casual behavior cracks, though, when he says witch. Her gaze sharpens, narrows for a moment, and she studies him, as if really looking at him for the first time.

When she thinks about it, it isn't surprising for Madoka or Mami to mention witches to other people here. But Kyoko can't help this reaction, this sudden scrutiny. Madoka told him. (Him, an adult. A man. Someone who isn't involved in any of this.) And not just about witches existing, but about specifically...

"Walpurgisnacht? She told you about that?"

[yondu]

"She told me it was real big an' real bad. That witch what was comin'." He can see the scrutiny, so he raises a finger. "I think she reckoned I understood 'cause that planet I mentioned? It was also out to take a hunk of universe with it. So..." He hauls himself up to take his own turn sitting on the counter.

"So I guess that means y'all is from around the samish time. They do that where sometimes they'll take someone from one time, then grab another from years down the road. Or another timeline altogether? I found a double of my roommate earlier and tried to talk to him like it weren't nothin'."

He doesn't pry about the witch. It seems like a lot. But this other bit she needs to know.

[wishalone]

"Yeah, Madoka said something about that. I ran into her on the way here." Kyoko reaches for the bag of chips, even though she just ate and is feeling decently full. "We're not from the same 'timeline' though. We figured that out."

He made food with her, joked about violence, and Madoka told him about Walpurgis. But it's still too soon for Kyoko to be willing to tell him much herself. So she's not going to explain what's different, or what matters about that. What about it matters to her.

"But... It probably doesn't say anything good that that witch showed up in two different timelines."

She doesn't know what it would mean. But... The idea of Homura being the only magical girl left to face her, in Madoka's timeline...

Crunch.

... is there any point in thinking about this? It's not like she could do anything about it even if she thought about it to death. It's not her problem. (She hates that she can't stop thinking about it.)

Crunch crunch crunch.

[yondu]

Oh, that looks like some sort of anxious habit. But he doesn't stop her. Doesn't point it out, 'cause he's had big space pirates do the same thing. Look directly into a future battle stuffing their face with a bowl of barsnacks.

"Yeah, sometimes I figure some assholes are inescapable. The just keep turnin' up in places you don't want 'em, includin' between timelines."

He'd heard stories in the past, but he didn't know how reliable they were. Stories could be exaggerated or stretched, but this train made them feel very likely. "Just gotta figure out how to kick an ass as they come along." Though he really hates hearing how Madoka has to go about it.

[wishalone]

A witch like that... No one magical girl can beat it.

As we are now... Don't you think we could defeat even a Walpurgisnacht?

If Madoka contracted, maybe... If Madoka was powerful, if she had time to train, if she and Homura had time to learn how to fight together... maybe. Kyoko can't say she likes the idea of Madoka becoming a magical girl, even in the face of Walpurgis showing up. That kind of wish would be the one meant to protect what matters to her. But, with how Madoka's home life is, she...

Ugh.

"Nothin' I can do now." She says it blasé, but she's good at saying things she doesn't feel. "I'm not even gonna get to fight the one in my time. Which is a shame, 'cause I totally could've taken her on."

[yondu]

"Well, I'm sure you're more than enough for here. An' sorry for bringin' it up." Because that phrasing is... relatable. And that's godawful comin' from the mouth of babes. "I just worry about her. She's a good girl. Seems like a whole lot to be goin' through." For them both to be going through. They're both good girls, really, but it seems like Kyoko'd be less fond of being called such a thing. So he doesn't.

But he bet Kyoko can't deny it about Madoka.

"More friends is good to have around anyhow. And you seem like you're just stubborn enough that you wouldn't let her get herself into too much trouble."

[wishalone]

Friends. Kyoko reflexively wants to protest. Who said anything about being friends? But... She wasn't even able to deny it to Madoka's face. And after all she's admitted to Madoka during their talks... It's not the kind of things she'd tell just anybody.

Besides. That's not the most important thing in what he said.

"Trouble?" Kyoko echoes with a frown. "What kind of trouble could she get into here?"

[yondu]

"The missions can get rough so they say. Now, they keep sayin' it ain't too bad for Blue Team? I think 'cause from the sound of it, see, Orange runs recon and tech. Blue runs defense, like protection work. Red an' Purple run offense, but to different degrees. Purples and Oranges end up doin' a lot of medic stuff, too."

At least that's what he's put together.

"Honestly I ain't got a clue why I'm on blue. Never thought of myself as any kinda protector."

[wishalone]

"Huh..." Well. At least whoever or whatever's responsible for this train put some thought into it. Kyoko plucks a little at her purple hoodie. Offense, then? "Well, I can say they put me on the right team." Not that she's any good at healing magic. But she can definitely fight on the front lines.

Now that she thinks about it... "So, you and Madoka are on the same team, then." A beat. Then, a slow grin. "Maybe they put you on blue 'cause they think they're funny." Blue man in blue clothes.

[yondu]

"Not gonna lie I figured that's why they did it." He pulls a face, and plucks at the blue hoodie he has on under his leather coat.

"You got no idea how fast I'm gonna put on my old uniform when I can afford it. Ever wear somethin' and you know it don't feel right? That's what this feels like."

[wishalone]

Kyoko shrugs, but not in a dismissive way. "Yeah, that's what school uniforms felt like to me. I never stayed in 'em longer than I had to, back when I still went." It doesn't occur to her that she shouldn't say that part to an adult. Yondu doesn't strike her as the type that would scold her for truancy, anyway.

"I dunno if I'm gonna bother buying my clothes back. They weren't much different than this, anyway." The bottom part of her cargo pants could be zipped off, she discovered when she stopped by her cabin. So Kyoko's in shorts, and even if they're longer than what she's used to (still hanging around past her knees), she's more or less okay with it. "It's stupid that we have to, though."

... hang on a minute. Something has finally processed. "You wear a uniform?"

[yondu]

He flicks the collar to the coat he's wearing.

"I'm somethin' called a 'Ravager' back at home. Meanin' I'm part of an organized fleet that doesn't ally with any empire-" he'll just omit an important detail as he usually does "-an' usually we steal from those empires."

Basically, she's right. She could skip all the school she wanted and the most he would say is, 'make sure you can read and write and do math and figure out the rest from there'. He's a space pirate.

"So we all had these kinda uniforms, custom made to suit us. Usually outa this kind of leather. But I gotta order me the rest of it an' I gotta get my badge back. I mean, it's petty, but to me bein' a part of that life was the most free I ever felt. I need a bit of it back, even if it's just bein' in the right skin." Because that's what that uniform felt like, another layer of comfortable protection that defined him. Sure part of that persona was unwilling, but the part of it he earned gave him strength.

[wishalone]

Kyoko's opinion of him might have just ticked up a notch or two. Space pirate is definitely cool.

But it's more than that. Kyoko finds herself rubbing her Soul Gem ring with a finger absent-mindedly.

"Makes sense to me." Spoken with all the gravitas of someone who does, genuinely, get it.

There isn't anything she has that's like that that can still be separated from her. Her magical girl outfit... Her Soul Gem. Her spear. Things that embody the life she leads, the things that give her the power to live her life the way she wants to. But if any of it could be taken away...

"I'd want it back, too."

[yondu]

"If I gotta do some missions to get it back? Then yeah, I'll do some missions to get it back. Hell, it ain't gonna take some cheap ass uniform to let people know I'm blue team." He opts for humor, despite the seriousness of the topic, and gestures at his face.

"They let you buy some clothes for cheaper, too. Random stuff? But I'm not quite up for takin' that risk. I don't really know what other people get. And we've already established this train is plumb crazy."

[wishalone]

"Eeeeh... There's no way I'd buy random clothes." That just sounds like it's asking for trouble.

"At least we're getting paid. We're risking our necks, so if we weren't getting something out of it, I wouldn't be doing it, no matter what anybody said." It's not entirely true. She'd still go to protect Mami (... and Madoka). But it's the principle of the thing.

[yondu]

"See? You're livin' your best life right there. Don't let no one use you like that. You get somethin' out of it. And as long as you got a person, don't let them get used, either. Because back-up is underrated."

Yondu's still team-minded. Even if at the end all he had was his crew, and then the Guardians, he still thought and worked with people. He knew he couldn't expect love from them, but there's some basic symbiosis that comes with keeping each other's asses safe that works, even when you're a cynic.

[wishalone]

"You don't have to tell me. It's stupid to live any other way. If you don't live for yourself, you'll just get other people caught up in your own problems."

Even after everything, she still believes that. She doesn't know how to strike the balance between these feelings she holds so strongly, and the way she knows she wants to use her magic. Between the person she became, and the person who promised Mami she'd live to atone for her sins. But she knows she can't leave it behind.

"My friends don't think like that." Friends, plural. Not just Madoka. "That's why I can't just leave 'em alone."

[yondu]

"Gonna be honest... sometimes it feels better when they don't think like that. Means life ain't kicked their ass all that much yet. Whatever people are doin' around 'em is workin'."

Which is how he sees it. How things have played out from his POV, scenes from his reference. People naive and upbeat, needing someone to scare and flog away the bad before it reaches and scorches that life out of 'em.

[wishalone]

"Mm, you're not wrong. It's why I don't want people like Madoka," and Sayaka, "to end up like people like me. But what happened was my own fault. It wasn't about life kicking my ass. I know what that's like, too, but I know that isn't the kind of thing I can protect them from. But I can try to stop them from making the same mistakes I did."

That's... really simplifying things. But even if she isn't willing to give Yondu the full story yet, she doesn't have a problem with telling him something like the shape of it.

[yondu]

He remembers what Madoka said, about how there might not be a lot of choices outside of the one she has to make. Madoka's gonna make her own unfortunate choices, he just hopes this place gives her an out.

"I've made some pretty big mistakes too. I know you're real young but I think you got the right idea." He'll acknowledge he knows she's still a kid. That's important. But he gets the bit about mistakes all too well. It's a warped sort of kindness that he doesn't go digging, even to try and make her feel better.

[wishalone]

"One thing I've learned is that life doesn't care if you're young or not." She was even younger when her father was excommunicated, after all. That had nothing to do with magical girls or witches. "So I look out for myself, and I look out for my friends. So long as I have the power to do that, that's all I care about."