A New Platform [Intro Post April]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Once again passengers are awoken by the morning announcement.

"Good morning passengers, it is day Sixteen 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 after lunch. A lunch that may be a bit sparse: between the big eaters and the stress bakers, the stores have been stretched thin the last two weeks.

"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 steam is thin, with blue skies seen above. The sun shines brightly down, warm light pooling on the platform.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Cassie Lang, Glorfindel, Jessie Custer, Olivia, Paddra Nsu-Yeul, S’reee, Thea Queen, Wei Wuxian.

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, open, with a vine-covered wall stretching high either side of the barrier. 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 eighteen 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 doors close behind them.

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'). The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, including plenty more tomatoes.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. There is a suitcase stocked with spare wash kit items, for those who are running low as well as a box labelled Do Not Use Yet that is full of small 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 who are making the most of the sunshine. 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

[hashtagparkerluck]

{ Breakfast! }

It’s new people day so Peter’s at breakfast this morning. He looks much better than he did last new arrival day and far more awake. Did he sleep at all? He’s usually dead tired about this point. He had to have slept some, right? He’s sitting at the table with a cup of coffee loaded up with milk and sugar. He’s extra excited today because he’s got packages to grab once they get to the platform.

In the meantime though, as means to pass the time, Peter’s playing on his DS, frowning at the screen as he mashes buttons. “Oh shit!” He breathes, eyes wide. He pauses and then looks up at whoever’s at the breakfast table with him. “Uh… sorry.”

He should probably try to avoid cursing at the breakfast table. There are probably kids around.


{ Platform Arrival }

Still feeling antsy, Peter opts to take a quick shower just to pass a little more time. Unfortunately for him, the closed off room and sound of running water completely drowns out the sound of the warning for void departure meaning that he’s completely unprepared for it when the jolt hits and he slips before he can manage to catch himself.

“Fuck!” Peter curses as he manages to smack his face against the faucet.


Peter was in a good mood but that was before he lost a fight to the shower stall. There’s an ugly bruise just on the side of his left eye and he will absolutely not be talking about how it got there. It’s fine, it’ll heal in a few hours anyway. He’s out on the platform though, squinting through the crowds in search of a family face.

He rubs at the bruise on his eyes and ventures a little closer to greet the newbies.


{ Dressing Car. }

Peter’s back in his web hammock, playing on his DS and mostly avoiding people so he doesn’t have to explain his bruise to a single other person. It’s been a few hours though so it’s nearly completely faded away and he can face people again. There’s still the matter of giving Tony’s suit to him but he’ll do that after the bruise heals.

[averyusefultray]

She has heard all the swear words. She is aware that teenagers tend to use them. Even if that one's not in super common circulation around Lothal for whatever reason.

She's more concerned about the caf and the teenager, really. "Game not going well?"

Alvin Murphy | Red Team

[zombiemessiah]

Platform

Oh come on!

Murphy looks down at his new clothes. He just got a nice new outfit! A new outfit! In the apocalypse! Do you have any idea how hard that is to do? Newmerica and all or whatever they're doing now. I mean, it's an exciting time. People are actually shaving and wearing make-up or doing what the hell ever again!

Yes, he appreciates that these clothes are clean. Does he appreciate suddenly being in them? No.

"Warren!" He shouts loudly. "Doc!? ...Did I get kidnapped all by myself again 'cause I hate that. Great." Well, they were off in their various new lives, doing their new things. They weren't anywhere near him, he suspects. But you know what? Sometimes when someone is kidnapped they hope their sort-of friends are there with them.

A second effort, and a psychic wave comes off him. A shout out for anything. Vanilla Zs. Blends. Talkers. Anything between. Nothing. But if he listens carefully, he could almost swear there's something else.

The Train

Murphy's found his 'item', a leather jacket worn over his hoodie with "Murphy's Limbo" written across the back. He's now examining the train starting with his car, his room, and moving down it. Occasionally dragging his red hand around the wall, draping himself over a piece of furniture, getting into cabinets. Just stopping in various cars and giving his own little critical appraisal.

"Well, it's a step up from being kept in storage crates or wearing a shock collar. We get pillows and everything. Like living in the lap of luxury."

"Who makes a library without a built-in encyclopedia from 1977? What are you going to use when you need something to burn in an emergency. You people need to be better prepared."

"Oh, that's cute. A rock garden. Specifically made for a glass house near you."

"Do they even have the good drugs here or are we- what is this new age shit? Is there even any lab equipment on this thing?"

His commentary is rarely wholesome and probably only occasionally welcome, but someone might catch him making some wry remark as he gives his catty inspection of his new 'home'. He was even starting to get used to being in the same place!

Food For Thought

When Murphy had gotten on, he'd found an item waiting for him in Luggage. Brown-paper wrapped, specifically labelled for him. He'd sniffed, held a comfortable weight in his hands, felt a familiar but unnervingly fresh give when he gave it a gentle squeeze.

And kind of figured that this wasn't exactly a thing that most people get? No, couldn't be. But while he could, you know, just leave it here and come back. Probably better to put it in the fridge or the freezer. That's where he takes it.

"This is a big refrigerator, I bet you could hide two dozen bodies in there." He calls from the door of the big storage to whoever else he hears in there. As he does, he looks at the brown paper wrapped parcel in his hands. "Seriously, where are they getting this food from? And more importantly, do they have tupperware in here?"

[OOC: Prose or brackets are good. Murphy comes with some warnings. The first time Murphy won't label the brain in the fridge, so it'll just be in there with no explanation.]

Train

[inquisitor_lavellan]

Alley has actually followed Murphy for a few cars, listening to his commentary with growing amusement. Not really on purpose, they just happen to be going the same way. But in the garden car, the glass houses crack actually gets an amused snort from her.

"Believe me, there's plenty around here who would throw them, too."

Yondu Udonta | Blue Team

[yondu]

Back In His Own Skin

As soon as Yondu has the chance, he's in the luggage car picking up his packages. A few are easy to deal with. With the yaka metal, he can tuck a bar's worth in a coat pocket and stash the rest away in his cabin. Then he puts on the rest his Ravager uniform and he was 100% right about how it would feel. Freedom in clothing form. Like his true self, down the "flames", a metal badge on the left side of his coat.

He heads back off into the train to check in on people and hopefully avoid the platform 'cause he doesn't like explaining to people they got no choice in being here. After his history, it's not right. I tastes bad in his mouth to say it. Hates to be one of the people that plays along by it without more of a fight.

He'll let other people handle that bit. They're better at it anyway.

He walks with the faint, clinking rattle of some bars of yaka metal cut into strips, mostly meant as gifts for people he worries about or who have done right by him. A little goes a long way and he feels like he's holding a goldmine on his hands. Even his arrow felt like a rarity. In this he's got a whole big tribe's worth of hunting gear.

The very selfish, greedy part of him loves it, and right now it's overwhelming every other part. He's letting himself be a Ravager and a Centaurian. He's serving his crew and the tribe he's making in his own head. Sentiment, festering and deep, is coiling through him hatefully. It's going to take him out at the knees eventually. The only safe place he has to hide and just let it stew a little is in the Ravager perspective, in the hunter's view of things

Yondu'll go around and go find his people to check in on them. He's got a few other specific ones he wants to seek out because of that. If he sees any strays along the way, he'll try to set them straight.

[inquisitor_lavellan]

Here! Comes! A! Dog!

Yondu's going around looking for people, and he just so happens to be facing the direction Bean the mabari is coming from. He's bounding down the hall at almost full-tilt, barking happily (and loudly), and making a few people jump out of his way to avoid being run over.

Bowling for people, as it were.

Think fast!

But when Bean catches sight of Yondu, he actually sliiiiiiides to a halt, coming to a stop a few dog-lengths short of either impact or zipping past him. The giant dog -- 4'4" at the top of his head -- tilts said head to one side.

Inquisitive whine?

🌙 Koumyou Sanzo | OTA

[its_dad_sanzo]

( Koumyou is in his traditional Sanzo garb, as usual. Also I will match prose or brackets!)

---

Koumyou...

Koumyou just wanted pancakes.

Or at least, that's what he's making when he turns away from the stove for a second. When he turns back to it, the pan is on fire!

"Aaah! Oh no!"

Reacting with instinct instead of with his brain, the priest reaches toward the nearest sink, planning to just borrow some water out of the faucet spout with his chi--

This isn't the first time he's popped a pipe trying to get some water for a fire. The water comes bursting out of the side of a pipe in the shape of a long, sinuous dragon. But once the dragon is out, the water keeps spraying at full force through the hole left behind, geysering into the air.

And when the water dragon slams into the fire, it sends the hot pan and pancake batter skittering across the stove top, and--

Apparently it was a grease fire!

How?! With pancakes?! Who knows! But now the fire's all over the place, thanks to the water.

Koumyou just... stares, as water rains down and the fire burns merrily all around. "...O-oh, oh no."

Oh no indeed.

[hashtagparkerluck]

This is... a scene to walk in on.

"Oh Shit!" Peter cries, not enjoying the thrumming of his senses alerting him that Hey! That's a fire! How did he manage to scorch the ceiling? He fire alarm chirps loudly and it's like it jolts right through him. Today just in not his day.

He grabs the fire extinguisher off the nearby wall and pulls the pin before aiming it at the dangerous flames.

Ray | OTA

[pragmaticcollaborator]

1. Platform

[One moment, Ray's with Emma and the other kids, freshly escaped from Grace Field House, and the next moment he's on...a train platform? With clothes he definitely was not wearing just a moment ago, surrounded by people he does not recognize. At first, he has to wonder if this is some sort of demon trap, but no. That doesn't quite make sense.

So for now, he's just going to step back, towards that wall and away from the crowd, as he tries to figure out what is going on.]

2. On the Train (Anywhere on the train, pick a car)

[Other people on the train might see a young boy, about twelve, with a large bandage on one ear and a neck tattoo reading 81194 wandering the train. That would be Ray, just trying to get his bearings and figure out the layout of this place so that he can at least have some idea of what the train is like. He doesn't like it of course, he doesn't like being trapped all over again right after having just escaped Grace Field, but he can at least get a start on looking around.

He won't approach anyone just yet, due to his being more focused on exploring for now, so anyone wondering about him will have to talk to him first.]

3. Sleepers (Closed to cabin 8-A)

[Eventually he has to make his way to his assigned cabin, 8-A. Eying his ticket, he lets himself in and picks a random unoccupied bed to drop his bag on. If anyone is in the room, whether they were already there when Ray arrived or if they arrive after him, they'll be greeted with a basic 'Hello' as he goes through his bag.]

Sleepers

[redmeguca]

[Kyoko glances at him as he comes in and lets out a halfhearted groan.]

Aw man, I was enjoying only having to share space with the Doc. Eh, guess I couldn't avoid more roommates forever.

Noctis Lucis Caelum (AU/CRAU) | OTA

[waywardking]

>>>PLATFORM<<<

Noctis has experienced enough platform arrivals to know what's going on. He knows what the train sounds like, and the people who've just arrived or wandered out to see who just arrived make the platform a confusing blur of colors.

He has no idea how he got out here.

He doesn't normally take his pack with him...really ever, as it's hardly needed. But he can feel it on his back, like it was when he'd first arrived--even though he doesn't recall even leaving in the first place.

"Wish someone would warn me about this shit," he grumbles, summoning his cane to make the trek back into the train.


>>>TRAIN, OUTSIDE 1:B<<<

"Dammit, what's up with this door?"

Noctis' ticket won't let him in what he's sure is his room. Furthest sleeper carriage, second cabin. But it isn't letting him in no matter how many times or ways he inserts the ticket or tries the door.

He could probably check the occupancy list, but that would be admitting defeat. Instead, he huffs and gives the cabin door a kick...and tries the ticket again. Once again, he's denied entry.

"I hope Reggie isn't stuck in there."


>>>WILDCARD<<<

Would you prefer to run into Noctis somewhere else? Or have him run into you? Feel free to start something!

train

[runicfeathers]

Willow was on her way back to her own room when she hears the grumbling, turning to see Noctis at the door. She's sure she's seen the man around before, but can't remember.

"Is everything alright, what's wrong with your ticket?"

She's definitely never known a ticket to deny access to someone's room if it's theirs.

Zelda | Orange Team

[wisdominshadows]

Ah, sunlight- now there’s been something missing from the past few platforms. And if it’s only for a few hours, then one must take advantage as one can.

Armed with a book and some odds and ends from the kitchen, Zelda heads out to find an unobtrusive patch of ground where she can sit for a little while. How much reading is she getting done? Probably not much - but for now, sitting and soaking in the light is more than enough.

[10billionpercent]

It had been quite a long time since he spoke with Zelda, but that was neither here nor there. She seemed to be enjoying the whole sunshine thing, if he had to guess. He couldn't complain, being cooped up on the train was no fun.

"Reading anything interesting?" Senku asked.

Senku Ishigami | Orange Team

[10billionpercent]

I. Platform

Senku wasn’t the most bouncy person, but he was really dragging himself outside now. He was kind of worn out, more emotionally than physically, but he also hasn’t been sleeping outside the enforced sleep and he’s tired. Droopy.

He yawned a bit, for the purpose of going out to meet people he was in an orange shirt and his black pants.

“Hey, welcome.” He said. This was progress on his social skills, really.

When he was done greeting people, before leaving, he would stand aside and look around for someone, pointing at them.

“I need a spotter. Just...watch me.” Senku said before he unclipped his SCA and took it off without waiting for a response.

[ Note: If you choose the SCA option, please indicate what language your character speaks because Senku does not have translation services right then. ]

II. Dragging Feet & Shopping Time!

Senku was probably in the way. The thing was, the train was super, annoyingly long, he was tired and he already walked slow.

So he was kind of holding things up. It might be best to walk around him.

Eventually, though, he’d make it so he could pick up his shopping. He had a lot of shopping to pick up.


III. Senku Loves to Work

He happened to, today, be working on some bone in the training gym. As he works with this big piece, it was going to be an axe when he was done.

He was open to interruption though, glancing up whenever people came by, as though he were a bit jumpy.


IV. Resting…?

Senku wasn’t one for typically resting but by then he was really running out of steam. He’d gotten his clothes from home and he was curled up in the standard car on one of the seats, with his nose in a book.

His eyes may or may not have been fluttering.

His outfit from home was a very well worn, soft deerskin tunic of sorts which definitely made him look like he lived in the wilderness somewhere. Stained into the left chest was the equation E=MC2. His clothes looked like they’d been through a good deal, but they didn’t smell terrible or anything like that. If one were to pinpoint what the subtle scent was, it was a lot closer to a mixture of campfire, chemicals and nightshade of all things.

On Senku's lap was a tiny, pink kitten with two tails, carefully guarding his owner, maybe doing his part to keep Senku in one place and seated, finally. Orion might have had a feeling that Senku needed it.

[Feel free to Wildcard at will.]

resting!!!

[mtsilver_conquor]

Eva grins at the sight, careful to keep her impish delight as tucked away as possible. At least for now. She's not exactly the most up to date on this mission, but she knows a person who needs rest when she sees it.

"Comfy?"

She also totally backtracked to get her green jacket. Just in case. Makeshift blankets are a thing and she's not above helping Orion look after his trainer.

Ann Takamaki | Purple Team | ota

[menaretrash]

Platform:

'Here we go, time for the big finish.' 'Hell yeah!'

These are the last words Panther remembers hearing between the quiet whir of the elevator she'd been on. She can remember taking one last look at her friends faces, all looking more determined than ever to finish their mission. The grand finale to their journey that was about to end with a bang. Unfortunately, though, that's not what's happening right now. No, there's a white haze... is this the mist from earlier? No... not mist. This is steam.

Ann groans as she comes to, squinting a bit as her eyes adjust to the light, and for a split second she wonders if the last few hours have been nothing more than a terrible nightmare. That can't be true, because she feels exhausted, her pulse is still elevated -- and she's no longer in a red catsuit and mask. As she looks down at herself, she's in an admittedly comfortable purple hoodie and cargo pants, and almost immediately she stiffens.

This has got to be some sort of ridiculous mind game. Some sort of trick to throw them off again. Her head snaps up and away from her new ensemble, instead looking out among the small sea of unfamiliar faces -- faces who are not glued to their phones and mumbling to themselves. An improvement, yes, but something is not right.

She's not too focused on that right now, though, because her attention is grabbed by what appears to be a train of all things. As it pulls up and opens, all Ann can do is just. Stare.

"What the hell is going on?"

Train and Departure:

Once safely inside, Ann's still just as confused as ever, still just as tense as a bow because there is no way that she is going to trust any of this. She's almost positive that none of this is real, that this is just some shitty trick to throw her -- to throw the Phantom Thieves off guard, and yet, the ICPs, the chattering, and the sudden jolt of the train as it begins its departure feels just as real as it would if she were getting on one of the trains in Shibuya.

Quickly taking a seat, she looks... lost, to say the least, as the train begins to move. Every now and then, she looks up from the pamphlet she's swiped, looking around for familiar faces or just anyone that may seem friendly enough in general.

General Exploration:

Once she's gotten her bearings a little bit, Ann's making her way down town, walking fast, faces pass and she's homebound through the various cars. The kitchen being one the first stops she makes, although she doesn't stay long. As much as she loves food, she can't really cook that well and really, she just doesn't trust it. Yet. She's going to wait until she doesn't have a choice in the matter, but it doesn't stop her from having a looksie.

Naturally, her next stop is the dining carriage -- again, not here for a snack, no. She's rifling through things quietly, mostly keeping an eye on the cutlery; she's not really looking for makeshift weapons, though. She's squinting down into a drawer in fact, mumbling something about needing scissors. Something about making 'this stupid outfit cute'. Maybe help a girl? With that? Or try to discourage it, because really, she's going to go to town if someone doesn't at least try to stop her.

At some point, she's at least found her item, a makeup bag that she's got clutched closely to her chest as if it's the most precious thing in the world. It's not the bag that's important, it's what's inside, and it's why she's trying to figure out where the damned sleeping quarters are. She's quiet, offering tired smiles at those she passes, because even though this is a strange, unsettling situation, she's not about to go out of her way to be rude, at least.

Finally, she finds her way to Sleeper 8, and once she's figured out how to get in, she pays little to no attention to who may be in there. Instead, she heads to the first bunk she sees and sits down, digging into her makeup bag and pulling out a hot pink smartphone. It's still charged, but there's no signal, but it's not deterring her in the slightest from trying to at least make a phone call, send a text, anything.

It doesn't work, and she growls, leering down at it. One thing catches her eye, however, a certain... app. One that she just couldn't seem to get rid of, but there's one way to see if it works or not.

"....EMMA. Are you... active?" It might sound awkward, almost sheepish, the way she whispers to the phone, almost as if she's expecting an answer. When she doesn't receive one, though... she breathes a sigh of relief.

When she does up and leave her designated sleeping area, she can be found wandering around, generally getting a feel of her surroundings and trying to gather information. Feel free to bump into her.

[ ooc; I'm sorry if anyone's tired of this but I'ma continue spamming it to make sure no one gets accidentally spoiled, but this is a Persona 5 Strikers opt out post. If spoilers are no bueno, please go ahead and hit that up so I know not to accidentally say something I shouldn't! Also, I'm good with brackets or whatever you tag me with, I'll match. ]

Wandering

[miseris_socios]

Ken's wandering through the train as well, just trying to find some less occupied areas. He's not good at the whole 'greeting people' thing. There's something about the new girl he's nearing in the hallway of the standard car that makes him faintly hear a gear grinding in his head. Someone to pay attention to?

... He should introduce himself. "Um... hello there..."

Bucky/Soldat | Purple team | OTA

[worthallthis]

I. In the Kitchen, As Usual

As always, after a quick patrol through the train right after the train's wake-up call, Soldat retreats to the kitchen car to start helping with breakfast and getting lunch ready and putting out fires, apparently, goddamn. Find them in a perfectly fine mood before the mess, and then in a slightly more grouchy one while cleaning up and finishing the food. What food they can finish.


II. Platform time!

Thankfully, there's sun on the platform this time, so Soldat can just... go out. And sit in it for a little while, until the train whistles it's time to go. And calm down from the disaster of earlier.

Any new person on the platform who looks like they could use it, or who approaches the big guy in multiple layers of purple clothes with the metal hand catching the thin light, gets a small smile, no eye contact. "Morning," they offer, along with a cookie from a bag of them at their knee. "You okay?"


III. Completing Their Gear - Luggage Car

Once the train is back in motion, it's off to the luggage car for their purchases. Soldat got the last things they're really looking for, in terms of mission-gear: a pair of military-grade handguns, which fit nicely into the weapons harness on the tac vest, and the loop on their tac pants.

And also a knitted, stuffed toy in the shape of a person with an owl's head. Somebody might well find them with the plushie hugged to their chest, looking inexplicably sad.


IV. Long Day - Standard Car

At the end of the day, they're curled up in one of the seats in the standard car. It's a tight fit, but they actually managed to get their feet up on the seat with them. They've got one earbud in-- plugged into their tablet, so no one else can hear the music without enhanced dangling-- and the other dangling so they can hear people moving about the car, themselves. A little plastic ghost sits on the seat next to them, idly bobbling on whatever springs are built into its base, while they gaze idly out the window at the night-time void.

They look up when anyone passes by, expression one of polite interest. They're willing to have company but not willing to seek it out themselves. Come sit nearby and have a chat? Showing interest in the tablet results in a wordless offer of the other earbud, if anyone wants. The music is, for once, not swing or jazz, but some 70s rock.

III. Completing Their Gear - Luggage Car

[mtsilver_conquor]

As much as she wants to check that her item is, in fact, what she ordered from home, it can wait.

"Something from home?"

She nods towards the plushie - the rest she can guess is also from home, but it's easier to focus on the plushie than the weapons.

Ryo | Orange Team | Mostly Closed Prompts

[fivemilesdeep]

1. For Thanatos, Persephone, Della

The mission had, for all intents and purposes, ended yesterday. By the end of it, Ryo had wanted nothing more than to sleep - to collapse for a while and not think. About the fact that a friend died, even if they'd come back the next day. About the battering the entire team had taken and the exhaustion they still carried. About the people he missed - the people who would make this all so much easier to weather, if only they were here. About his friends, back home.

The morning had come too soon, but...it was platform day. Maybe- he shouldn't even think about it, but maybe...

But the train gives him half the day to think about it - to hope - so by the time it spits them all on the platform, it's all he can think about. Ryo moves further out into the crowd, giving the people leaving space to do so and listening to his Sense.

There's...nothing. There's people - new people - but nobody familiar. Nobody he knows.

He can feel that hope start to fade. That should be enough of an answer, but-

It's not. It's not-

He moves among the new people, looking for two people that his Sense is telling him are simply not there. The faces don't match- he doesn't recognize any of them- but there are still more people and he hasn't found his friends and he can't stop-

Until everyone else has entered the train, trickling in in ones and twos, and he's alone on the platform, staring into the mist.

They're not here.

They're not here.

He knows that- he knows that- but-

He needed them here, and they didn't come.

The thought hits him like a lead weight, shattering the last of the hope he'd been carrying, catching his heart and dragging it down to the floor. They didn't...they didn't come. He really is on his own.

Not again-

He turns and sprints into the train, barely making it before the doors close behind him, and keeps running. Liftoff jolts him, sending him stumbling straight into a wall, but he picks himself up and keeps going, through cars, weaving between people, until he makes it to the quiet car, throws open the door to the flower-covered booth - empty, thank the gods - barely thinks to close it behind him-

And collapses onto a bench, sobbing, as the events of the platform and the cavernous space in his heart where that hope used to be truly sink in. They're not here- they're not here, and they're not going to be here- he has to keep going this alone, carrying the weight of his past and all of the fear and anxiety that come with it himself-

Surely the train knew. It chose him - surely it had to know that he needed Orion and Endon with him. There are so many people here with friends and loved ones from their own world - hell, Thanatos himself had barely been here two weeks before the train had brought him Zagreus - that surely it had to know.

But...no. The platform had been empty of anyone he knew. Either the train didn't know, or it didn't care. Regardless, the result is the same - he's here, and his friends are not, and he can't count on the train to bring them. The train is full of people, and he's still alone.

He'd learned to cry quietly a long time ago, a habit that had never really left him, so even though sobs wrack his frame as he gasps for breath and curls in on himself, he barely makes a noise. It's an awful, painful quiet for an otherwise calm space.

He hadn't been hard to miss, running through the train, and anyone who knows him would know that he doesn't normally do that. The door is closed but not locked. Maybe someone will understand - maybe someone will come find him, because gods know what he can't put into words: even though it hurts, he does not want to be alone.

2. For Devero

It's a known traveler maxim that Ryo had learned when he'd started out: if you can't carry it yourself, you don't bring it with you. While it doesn't necessarily apply to the train, since it's more akin to a city than a caravan, it's still a rule Ryo tries to follow. So when Mami had described a stand mixer to him and he'd ordered one for the kitchen as a surprise...well. He'd figured it would be a good size, but he hadn't realized it would be so heavy. He'd normally try to carry it himself, taking it in stages, but he'd been exhausted even before this afternoon's events; right now, this late in the evening, he has nothing left to give.

So he's standing in the luggage car, hands over his face, staring haplessly between his fingers at the stand mixer he's purchased and must somehow now lug the entire length of the train.

Great. Just...great.

3. For anyone who went on the previous mission and visibly needs to get some sleep

It's late. It's late, and he is still awake, because too many other people are also still awake. The mission ended yesterday - they've got to be as exhausted as he is. Hopefully they aren't as stubborn.

He's got the makings of a very powerful sleep aid in his herb patch, and he's made a dose of it, which he is carrying and refusing to let out of his sight...right up until he approaches you. "You need to get some rest," he says with as much authority as he can muster, as though he himself isn't also exhausted.

1, Hear, o gods, my desperate plea

[controlsthedie]

Speak of the gods, and they might answer.

Ryo's dash into the train doesn't escape Thanatos's notice, even as tired as he is. However, as tired as he is, he can't shift after his friend either. It's only by luck (or maybe just habit of them both) that he finds him at the quiet booth.

Thanatos pauses at the door, uncertainty filling him. He is not at all the person to best comfort someone having an emotional crisis. And yet... he steps inside and closes the door. The darkness covers all, though Thanatos doesn't need light to see Ryo's shaking form, the silent sobs he tries to suppress.

He knows what it's like to want to hide away, hide all the damned broken parts where no one can see, because there's a job that needs to be done. He knows the feeling of not wanting to burden anyone more than what's already happened, what he inflicted. The fear of giving them a reason to be more disappointed in him than they must already be. Thanatos doesn't know why Ryo is like this, but he doesn't need to right now.

Without a word, he sits next to Ryo and wraps his arms lightly around him. Should Ryo not react negatively, he'll tighten the embrace. He can't offer placating words without knowing what bothers him, but he knows Ryo finds comfort in a hug. Thanatos is no Orpheus either. Still, he softly hum one of his songs. Perhaps this is a good enough place to start.

the Doctor | Red Team | OTA

[famtastic]

Breakfast: The Doctor is sitting at the table surrounded by bits and bobs of gears and other things that she may or may not have disassembled, also something in her fingers that's fizzing slightly that she seems focused on. A plate of tired eggs sits by her elbow.

After a second there is a soft ding, the sound of a miniature explosion and a yelp of "get down!" as something metallic pings all around the room before landing in someone's food.

"Sorry." She wrinkles her nose. "Can I have that back?" Also her sleeve is on fire but it's probably alright.


Platform: The Doctor is wandering around the platform, taking in the new people and the old people. She has a bandaid across her nose which is probably best not to ask. As she spots a new person she grins.

"Hallo! Don't panic but you're about to go on an adventure. Not a bad kidnapping if you can get it. Might get a bit dangerous though. By the way, what's your name?"


Elsewhere Once the train is underway, The Doctor is going around sticking up flyers everywhere with surprisingly neat handwriting saying: 'Missing home? Curious about other places? Need to express yourself? There's a room for that'. The directions will send them to one of the larger quiet rooms where the Doctor is more or less waiting with (mostly non exploding) art supplies and a smile. The wall opposite is mostly bare but with a few memories there in the form of art or collage or written on sheets of paper in indecipherable language.

"Hallo, thanks for coming. Want to get started?"

Sleeper 8A

Late at night before they are forced to go unconscious, the Doctor is splayed on her bed surrounded by mechanical bits and poking something with her sonic that's letting out a distressed whining noise.

"Come on. Don't be stubborn."

Sleeper 8-A

[pragmaticcollaborator]

[Ray actually seems to be somewhat interested in what the Doctor is working on, having been watching her for the past minute or so. It's not long before he decides to ask about it, especially since he's never seen a sonic screwdriver before and has no clue what that's even for.]

What are you working on?

Kerry Eurodyne | Cyberpunk 2077 | Orange Team

[secondconflict]

Arrival

Finding oneself in a strange place in clothes that don't belong to you is usually pretty concerning, but Kerry finds himself stepping from the platform into the train without a lot of fuss. Everything here feels out of sorts - like he's watching a BD he made. There's the sensation that he should be able to control his body, but instead, he's stuck watching as his legs move towards the pull and direct him to board the train.

He doesn't like the style of these clothes at all. They don't suit him. He grumbles and grips onto the rucksack he also doesn't really recognize. At least when he tracks down his item, it's a guitar. He breathes a sigh of relief, as at least something here feels right. He tucks the instrument close to his body and finally feels right enough to joke aloud.

"What's with the tacky-ass clothes? Seriously, feel like I've been forced into a cult. And not the sexy kind o' cult with orgies and shit."

Cabin - 3:A

By the time he makes it to his cabin, he feels really discontent. He doesn't like being kidnapped by some unknowable entity, doesn't like seeing the face that broke his heart, doesn't like the ugly clothes they got everyone in.

He really doesn't give a shit what bed he gets assigned to, but he does plop his bag on the nearest empty bed and sit down right next to it. Bowing over to rub his temple as if he has a massive headache, he doesn't even consider that maybe someone else has claimed his bed already.

Arrival

[mtsilver_conquor]

Here's another Orange clad person... who looks semi-amused at the very least and like she's done this far, far too many times. "It's the cult of kidnapped to save the universe one planet at a time."

Still, she's trying to keep it light. "As outlandish as it is, trust me on this at least: you're going to want to get on the train."

Kitty Pryde | Purple | OTA

[goingthroughaphase]

A. Kitchen, After Breakfast

[ So there apparently had been a bit of an incident during breakfast. Kitty isn't sure of the details, but the aftermath is the kitchen is more of a mess than usual. And, since cleaning the kitchen is one of the Purple's chores this month, she braces herself to help straighten up everything.

Even as she gets to work, though, she can't help wondering what in the world had happened. ]

B. Platform

[ Kitty can't help looking through the crowd of newcomers, part of her hoping to see someone she knows even though she doesn't like the thought of more people being stuck here. So it's with mixed emotions when she doesn't see anyone from home.

Pushing those feelings aside, though, she manages to smile as she approaches someone who looks a little lost or confused. ]

Hi...I'm sure you've got a lot of questions, huh?

C. Wildcard

((OOC: After departure, Kitty will be wandering throughout the train. She mostly frequents the Kitchen, the Standard Coach, the Training Gym, the Music Carriage, the Library, the Spa, and Sleeper Four, so feel free to run into her at any of these places! She'll also talk to anyone who might need some help settling in or has some questions. If you want to plot anything, feel free to hit me up at usamichan13))

Kitchen

[azrthmtrnznthos]

[Raven had been sure to rest, even before the others had gotten back, after the mission. There was only so much she could do to help, what with that whole 'no-demons in the city' thing. Besides, she wanted the quiet time.

She's wandering in for a cup of herbal tea, but blinks at the mess. What had happened?]

Do I dare ask?

Ken Amada (AU) | Red Team (despite appearances)

[miseris_socios]

[Luggage]

Ken does his best to avoid the rush to luggage, so it's slightly later in the day when he makes his way down there. It doesn't take too long to find the things he's looking for - they're similar size and shape. He pulls the training spear out of the wrapping, inspecting it... yeah, this'll do. They're close enough in size. He puts it back in the wrapping to protect it before turning his attention to the other wrapped item.

He's careful not to be next to anyone as he pulls the long spear out from the wrapping, sitting with it for a moment and taking a few deep breaths. Yes. He feels the slight magic on it connect to him and Nemesis, feeling his available magic pool grow a bit bigger.

Approach the small child sitting on the floor with something very pointy?


[Platform]

He doesn't like being booted out of the train, but he might as well wander around. Despite the orange hoodie he's looking over anyone new with a red hoodie with a critical eye. The warm sunshine is a little too bright for his liking but the fact that it's nice out is a little southing.

... He's just a little sad that Koromaru hasn't shown up. He'd love to walk his friend outside. Even if a train platform is too short to take a run with him, just being outside with his dog friend would be nice.

The thought makes him droop slightly, but if he notices anyone new and confused-looking he'll go up to them if no one else is.


[Wildcard]

[???]

Luggage.

[mtsilver_conquor]

Eva's not even remotely worried over a child having a spear. Though, granted, her list of things a child shouldn't have is heavily skewed, both by the nature of her world and time aboard the train.

"I'd say I hope you don't have to use it, but knowing Red team..."

At least, she's pretty sure this child's on that team. She could be wrong.

Ea-nasir / Caster

[shitcopper]

[ Manufacturing: Locked to roommates in 1:C (prior to platform) ]

In the time leading up to platform arrival, Ea-nasir seems to have had a plan of... some sort. Or at the very least, she's been moving like she has one. Unfortunately, she's enacting this plan while holed up in their shared room.

To anybody spending time in their room for anything other than sleeping, they'll find Ea-nasir pulling items out of thin air at a fairly relaxed pace. Bolts of cloth - cotton and silk and wool - or ingots of metals like iron and copper. There are also times she seems to concentrate on those items for a while, before they shine and transform into more advanced items, like clothing or simple weapons.

And what happens to those items? ...Well. Let's just say the cramped quarters are becoming ever more cramped. You're practically walking on copper ingots and sleeping on bolts of silk. Good luck. And sorry.

[ Caster's Knick-Knack Shack ]

As people begin to explore the train proper, they might notice one of the Quiet Car rooms has been.... remodeled. The outside of the room is covered is wooden boards, and bright letters spell out CASTER'S KNICK-KNACK SHACK right smack in the middle. It's impossible to miss.

Peeking a head through the open door will see the single table of the room covered with various natural fabrics, like cotton and silk, ingots of copper and silver and gold, and various spices in glass jars. There are also four very expensive-looking wine bottles set up prominently, with little tags that simply read $$$ attached. Along the back wall, a bar is run along it near the top where various articles of clothing are hanging - T-shirts, wrap shirts, button-ups, pants, shorts, skirts, and dresses. Not a LOT, only a few each, but covering most sizes.

A sign is set up on the table - TRADE BY BARTER OR OWED FAVORS. And lastly, those with a sense for magic can tell that... this space is magical in nature, somehow.

Caster is inside, rubbing her hands together like one might expect from a used car salesman, dressed in a white wrap shirt with a flannel jacket thrown over top instead of a colored team polo or hoodie. "Welcome, welcome! What interests you today?"

knick knack shack

[ourtomorrow]

There's a shop. There is a shop on the train. In the Quiet Car. This hadn't been here before, had it? Ken and Wormmon have been in the quiet car previously. Is this one of those new additions the train supposedly receives, from time to time...? But it's in an extant car, so then....but where did it all come from....?

Ken's trying to make sense of this so he is not exactly the most eloquent customer. (Neither is Wormmon, waddling up behind him.) "Um....."

Della Duck | Purple Team

[sos_pilot]

For New Passengers Only

[ After the last mission, Della's head and heart are kinda... not in great places. But the newcomers on the train need kindness, hope, and compassion. So for now, she swallows down any negativity she feels to help them out. And how is she doing it this month? ]

Welcome to the train! Here is your official "Welcome Aboard" Badge!

[ She's made more Junior Woodchuck Badges, this time to hopefully make the newcomers feel a little better about the situation they're in. So, sewing kit in one hand, she begins walking around to find new faces and give them their first gift! ]

[sevenyearsasleep]

Link accepts the offered badge with a smile. "Thank you, ma'am."

This is far from the strangest place he's found himself, but, still, kind gestures are most welcome. "I'm Link. What's your name?"

Clef - Partial locked partial OTA (He looks ten and is NOT wearing Train clothes.)

[guru_clef]

[Luggage car, pre-platform] OTA

Clef would not have left the library at all if not for the books he ordered having arrived. He needed to find a way to find his son and Nita. He hoped that Zelda would come with him when he figured out how to escape the Train's voyage and travel under their own power. Or his own power since she seemed to have lost that ability along with her memories of Naut. Or perhaps did not yet have them. Perhaps their time here had something to do with how easily she trusted Clef when they first met in Naut. A theory he'd found interesting before, but had little patience for now.

Those who had been on Red or Purple last mission might have seen the mini-mage, who usually went with orange and even then went off on his own, having been in the thick of the fighting, blasting demons with insane amounts of raw power. Even when he was arguing with one of the Train's resident demons.

He had not rested with the others between waves, disappearing, seemingly instead. (He had been on the top of the train once it returned, not wanting to deal with people) but he had helped again in the end before returning wordlessly to his usual spot on the huge stone in the library, and talking to people less than ever as he worked on creating some very odd looking project or making notes in his notebooks.

But now he was floating in his magical bubble, standing on the grass and dirt that filled the bottom of it, as he floated to collect his books. He eyed the package that said it was to be used later, then ignored it. A hole opened in his shield, his books - still wrapped, he'll check the titles later - vanished into the horn like gem on his forehead. He closed the gap in his shield and floated back off.

[Platform] OTA

He didn't expect Nita to be back, but there was always a chance. Since he had to leave the library anyway, he figured he'd do a quick pass of the platform. Just in case. Otherwise e'd have checked the roster.

To those who have never me him before, he might have been quite the odd sight; he looked like a child dressed up in clothes from his folks' cosplay closet, after all. His pastel robes looked far too large for him and wrapped all the way around, mostly hiding the odd curved shoes and purple pants that also looked too large for him. The headdress that looked like a row of small gems leading to a huge unicorn horn gem over his third eye was probably odd. And the misshapen staff that was taller than he was probably odder still. Top that all off wit the fact that he was standing on a floating bit of ground - grass over dirt specifically, which clearly did no come from the platform - encased in a iridescent see through pastel shield of magic just above eye level for most people and yeah... he was odd.

He usually floated so tat his eye level was about that of an average adult human, but not today. Today he just wanted to do a quick flyover and check, though if someone tried to get his attention, he'd probably go see what they wanted. Probably.

[Platform] Locked to Link then Zelda

During the flyover he spotted... Not Nita but...

His heart flew to his throat and lodged there. He knew that hair. Sure, usually he saw it under a hat. But that hair, those ears... he floated closer, he had to be sure.

Then he saw his son's face.

LINK.

Link was here.

For the first time since Zelda told him that Nita left, some of the heaviness in his heart eased. For the first time in a half a month, he wasn't angry or hurting, or thinking about Nita just walking away from the train.

Because now he was filled with a mix of joy and concern. Joy because his boy was here and of everyone from Naut, he missed his son he most. Zelda, Shadow, and Nita were all close after, as was Connie. But Link... Link was his son. And he had been so worried about how he had just vanished after the last battle to arrive here, how Link hadn't arrived with him and Zelda had apparently been here a while before that. And didn't remember him.

That was where the fear came in. Would Link remember him and their bond, their time together? Or would this be like Zelda? The wrong incarnation or point in time? He wasn't sure.

He floated closer. He had to know. He had to be sure. So he said something that he was sure would provoke an answer that would make it clear, if his son knew him.

"If I pointed out you still owed a homework assignment, what would you say?" he asked as he dropped down to match his son at eye level, trying to keep his voice casual and polite. Just in case Link had no clue who he was.

And over all of that, or perhaps behind it, was the ever so slightest mental twitch as he wondered if his son had actually gotten TALLER since he'd seen him last...

[sevenyearsasleep]

Oh, Clef. The Gorons, Gerudo, and Zora are tall. He's just slightly below average for a Hylian. But, yes. Your son is now as tall as Shadow was when they all left Nautilus.

Link knew that voice very well, and he knew that anxious undertone as well. Clef had never handled the alternate realities that Nautilus had thrown their way very well. While he was still trying to get his own bearings, he couldn't imagine this place was any different for his adoptive father.

He turned with an eyebrow raise. "I did it in my mind. That has to count for something." He broke into a smile. "How's it going, dad?"

Lan "Catji" Wangji | blue | ota

[azurebichen]

I. Platform
On the platform, there's a calico cat. He's bigger than an average size cat, with his patches of orange, black, and white for fur, and pale-colored eyes. He watches the newcomers come, but all the same, he watches the people go.

He meows at the people to greet them before hopping on the train.

II. On board
There's a calico cat which you can find wandering around. Sometimes, he follows people at their heels. You'll find him wandering in the library, staring at books and it seems he can actually read them.

In the laundry room, he curls up in corner watching blue team members work. In the garden, he meditates with his eyes closed and his paws together. In the cinema, he sat upright, deliberately watching a movie.

III. Wildcard
[He's a cat-youkai and he's in his cat-form. You'll find he follows other voidtrekkers at their heels. Once you discover the cat is friendly, pick up the cat, cuddle with cat, play with him, or speak to him in his human form. He meditates in the garden, reads in the library, or watch a movie]

Re: Lan "Catji" Wangji | blue | ota

[death_from_above]

platform

Another cat? Another cat! Was he new or had he been here and Spark never noticed? Spark raced over to find out. Was this other cat going to work with him or try and steal his fish?

"At this rate, we'll outnumber the humans fur real."

Xiao Xingchen | team blue | ota

[stardustofdawn]

I. Platform
Watching Wei Wuxian, his dear nephew leave makes an immediate toll on his heart. He leaves with the others without so much saying a good-bye or a warning. Being a concerned uncle, he worries about the husband he left behind.

"Wei Wuxian, wait...what about..." He just can't leave without telling the others or his family members anything? Xingchen rushes to the boundary, but he is not the one leaving, his nephew is. "Wei Wuxian, wait please come back!"

II. On board / Pet Rabbit
Xingchen can be found in the library or in the medical car, being on duty part-time. He studies and reads medical textbooks to make up the shortage of the healers after Wen Qing left the last time.

In his spare time, he cooks in the kitchen or watches movies in the cinema. However, he has a new friend, a pet rabbit with patches of black and white fur. Like Lan Wangji, he carries the rabbit everywhere with him. When he works, the rabbit is on his desk, when he reads and studies, the rabbit is on his lap.

III. Wildcard
[Feel free to discuss with him in person!]

On Board

[azrthmtrnznthos]

It's in Medical, not that Raven hadn't noticed the rabbit in their cabin, that she finally asks. "New pet?" She's taking stock so they have an updated list for newcomers.

Hua Cheng | Blue team | ota

[crimson_rain]

I. On board / The red fox
Mischievous afoot, there's a red fox playfully following people at their heels in the cars. He's a dashing red fox with of four black foot and bushy tail with a white tip. He wags at people and you'll discover he's friendly enough for pets.

The fox can be found yipping, as if he’s laughing and follow void-trekkers through the car. He can be found sitting next to you or watching you work in the library or cinema, but he doesn't stay for long.

He hangs out in the gym, watching people training and learning how to fight in combat with a keen interest.

II. Wildcard
[He's a shapeshifter, so he can shapeshift into a fox. Feel free to pet the fox, hold him, and or play with him. Or feel free to discuss with him in person in his human form, he likes painting or training people in the gym]

[10billionpercent]

Should he be concerned about a fox? Normally no.

At the moment though, he had Orion, his pink two-tailed kitten climbing all over some seating.

He eyed the fox and carefully scooped up Orion to tuck him into his hood, which the kitten seemed to always enjoy, or maybe the fact he could feel claws on his neck as it stretched out meant he didn't.

"...Hi..." He said, tilting his head.

Overlord Zetta | Platform, open

[badassfreakingoverlord]

[A few minutes after the general hubbub begins and most everyone who's wanted to pile off the train does so, a patchwork, peg-legged penguin toodles onto the platform -- followed by another, and then a third. They form a line, put one flipper over their alleged hearts and lift the other into the air -- then begin to sing.]

Is this the real life?
Is this just agony?
Stuck on a void train,
No escape from this misery.
Doing good deeds
Is mandatory, you see...

[The Prinny in the center takes a step forward, spreading both its flippers wide.]

I'm just a Prinny,
I get no empathy! [And the other two join in again.]
Because it's cheap laughs here
Cheap laughs there
Watch us scream
Watch us scare
Zetta's the Overlord, that's all that really matters
To us... to us

[With a crash, three demonic minions burst out of the train to drop down the piano and bench they'd stolen out of the music carriage, as a fourth minion takes a seat the moment the ensemble lands to begin playing. Unaffected by all this chaos behind it, the soloist Prinny lifts its voice in heartfelt song again.]

Prinny, just shanked a dood
Pulled a knife out of my pouch,
Stabbed him until he said 'ouch'
Prinny, life is lots of fun!
But when you throw me I explode and die!

[Running slightly behind, the minions hauling the drum set frantically pitch it next to the piano. They slightly misjudge their toss, causing the entire setup to land on its side, which just raises further questions when yet another minion pops up in the center of it to strike the cymbals and join the beat.]

Prinny, do~od!
Sorry you're stuck on this train
You won't be home again by this time tomorrow
Carry on, carry on,
Our free will doesn't matter.

[The porter minions race back into the train. They have more work to do. The Prinnies fall silent, letting the calm piano work draw in the attention this performance, of course, demands. After a moment to build the tension, the song picks up again.]

Too bad, your number's called.
Get ready for some strife,
Your team color is your life.
Hello, all you new folks,
We're going to go.
Gonna leave the platform far behind and face boredom!
Prinny, do~od! (Zetta's the Overlord!)
I don't wanna die!
I sure hope everybody likes my performance...

[Bam! A minion who had gotten remarkably confused about the exact genre this song parody falls into emerges in Daft Punk helmet painted with full KISS makeup, swinging out his guitar to start it screaming out some sweet licks. If nothing else, the Overlord's army could play, at least? But where was it all leading? Conveniently, the Prinny at last steps up to deliver some more exposition!]

We have an awesome silhouetto of a plan!
[Its compatriots immediately pipe up.]
Valvoga, Valvoga, let's conquer a Netherworld!
Huge mana power gain, get us off the Void Train, glee!
Nippon Ichi! (Nippon Ichi!) Nippon Ichi! (Nippon Ichi!)
Nippon Ichi don't ignore us, instead port us-us-us-us!

I'm just a Prinny, nobody throw me!
We're just some Prinnies from a demon army!
Here to help you with this forced slavery!

[A quick couple of taps on the keys to let the listeners wonder just HOW they can be spared from this hell of boredom and good-deed-doery --]

Stuck here good, stuck here bad, does that make you sad?
Benihana - YO! That makes us really sad! (Super sad!)
Benihana! That makes us really sad! (Super sad!)
Benihana! That makes us really sad! (Super sad!)
Makes us really sad! (Super sad!)
Makes us really sad! (Super sad!)
Super sa~ad!

[All of the Prinnies and minions present half-turn, each pointing a finger or flipper at the train condemningly with each repetition of--]

Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad!
You stupid void train, stupid void train, stupid void train, let us go!
The Overlord has a plan to get everyone free!
So free!
So free~ee~ee~ee~ee!

[With the force and fury of a descending meteor, the platform erupts into rock. Horns and flippers that are meant to be horns get flung upwards as the Prinnies and a whole bunch of minions begin violently headbanging. The soloist Prinny grabs a microphone stand that absolutely had not been there a second ago, yanking the mic free to bend over and wail into it full-force.

So you kidnapped me and forced to be a hero!
So Pokemon fill the train but I can't get a Spearow!
Dood, Void Train! Can't do this to me, Void Train!
We're gonna get out! We're gonna get right out of here!

[Look, if nothing else, these minions put their heart and soul into these song parodies. (See the aforementioned comment about boredom?) The music races around the platform in ways that anyone with any popculture history or a familiarity with Mountain Dew commercials of years past would recognize, building up to a sweet and powerful outro. As the final hum of a guitar chord fades slowly in the air, the soloist Prinnt puts its flippers over its chest.]

Zetta's the Overlord... anyone can see...
Zetta's the Overlord...

[In a flash of flame and light, a large red book appears in midair. The face on its front is curled into a wicked smile, as it says:]

That's me!

[shegypt]

Hahahahahahahhaaaa!!!

[ don't look now, zetta ]

Hahahhahhhahahahahaha

[ but this woman flaunting her impeccable six-pack ]

Hehhehuehuhuhahahahhahahhihihhuhuhaaaa

[ might have had ]

HAHHAHAHHHAHAHHAHAHAHAH

[ a nice time at the show ]

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

[ maybe ]

Trunks Brief (Future) |OTA

[light_of_willpower]

Luggage
Trunks was expecting quite a few packages this time. Supplies for the double date he and Cassie had planned with Kitty and Peter, a gift for Devero, more senzu beans that he had plans for, and some utility stuff. He'd also taken a chance on the random clothing option. Assembling all his stuff off to the side, he eyed the jacket. Black tank-top, and jeans to go with, and well... It wasn't actually too bad.

Still, he has some deliveries to make, and some things to put away. No time to play fashion plate yet.

Platform Day
It was hard. Trunks was no stranger to loss, but it never got easier. Watching Glorfindel, Cassie Lang, S'Ree and Wei Wuxian walk away. No looking back, no goodbyes, just...leaving. Almost like they were mindless robots, following their programming.

Still, he couldn't dwell. There were newcomers after all. Trunks'll look for anyone who looks confused or lost. Coming over with a friendly smile and a "hey, I bet you have questions. I know I would."

Platform Day Pt 2
After helping with the usual meet and greet, Trunks is going to take advantage of the sunny platform. And the space--as he moves to float up near the top of the train. Just watching everything, and letting his brain turn things over.

Departure
By now he's more than used to this routine. Even ready for the jolt, as the train departs once more. Once again, he's looking for anyone who seems lost or confused. Or off-balance, in which case he moves to steady them.

Wildcard
Got an idea? Hit me up.

platform pt2

[crimson_rain]

It's a nice sunny day, so it must be spring time. Someone took noticed of his ability to float and fly above the train, so he summons his spirit energy and did the same to meet up and chat.

"Hey. Did you regain and recover your spirit energy quickly? The last mission with the demons, were you there?"

Dennis Severs | Purple Team

[agoodsoul]

Newbie Arrival:

As the train pulls up Dennis is still in a bit of a daze. This has to be a dream right? He can't even remember waking up or how he got here. He's quiet and pulls away from the others like himself, off to the side to check the rucksack he's got. Hm... more clothes and stuff, but these aren't his clothes. Looks like they'll fit him just fine though. Is this some weird camping trip? Everyone is in the same four colors.

Is it weird that he realizes he's dreaming and yet he's not waking up? After a little bit he'll start wandering through the crowd of people. Humans and all other things, aliens, monsters... yeah, definitely dreaming. He's low key staring at one of these odd folks when he bumps into someone.

"Fuck- m'sorry about that." Dennis might be dreaming, ehhh keep thinking that, but he's still got a few manners in him.

Train:

Eventually he does get on the train, has a wander through a couple of the carriages before he finds what he'd imagine the inside of a train would look like. Just a standard carriage with the seats and overhead storage. Dennis plops into a window seat peering out, there's still a lot of people milling about out there on the platform. People watching bores him quickly and he instead tries to mess with the strange watch thing he's got on his wrist, the band matches the purple hoody he's wearing and it probably means something, but right now he's still unnerved and trying not to tell himself that this is fine.

Sitting up straight in his seat he has a quick look around that no one is close by and tugs up a sleeve of his hoodie and pinches himself real hard on the arm. Cursing, he frowns sharply. Shouldn't hurt if it's a dream. Shouldn't be able to feel that. Isn't that how it works? Are there dream rules? Even if he's already spoken to others on the platform, who probably already confirmed to him this wasn't a dream, can you really believe a dream telling you that it's not that? Dennis is starting to feel pretty uneasy... this might just be real then.

Sleeper Cabin: Closed to Cabin 8-A

This is real.

By this point it's become obvious that denying it won't change anything. He'd found the cabin his ticket was for after a little while and poked around. It's pretty small, but it sort of reminded him of the fire station, sleeping there for some of his shifts. The beds weren't the most comfortable and it weren't about luxury. Seemed similar here. Dennis is pretty quiet, but if anyone else shows up, he'll look over with a soft 'hey'. No doubt with some amount of awkward silence he'll then motion to the beds.

"You want first dibs? Don't mind top or bottom bunk myself." Easier to just let whoever pick first and he'll take leftovers.

arrival

[wenyuan]

When he bumps into him, Sizhui gives him a kind smile and hefts his rucksack up on his shoulder again. Everyone looks so different, he doesn't blame the other for wanting to look and stare at everything. He'd been staring himself though tried to look away whenever he was caught.

"It's all right. The platform is rather full, isn't it? Are you all right?" he asks kindly.

Casper LeBlanc Jr. (CRAU) | Purple Team

[helborn]

[Luggage]

Casper is up basically as soon as the train lets him be, tucking Bob into his hoodie pocket so the raven can continue to rest. He heads down to luggage, rifling around for a few different packages. A few of them are small and one clinks like a bottle, but one in particular is large.

... Hm. Casper can stick it in hammerspace, but first he has to wrestle it into hammerspace. So enjoy the sight of a young man trying to shove a giant bag into thin air. Gods damn it he really needs to see if he can make the opening of this wider.


[Platform]

Before he starts his 'project', Casper heads onto the platform with everyone else. He's wearing his purple hoodie and looking out for anyone he might know. Seeing none of them - well other than a Noctis, but that's probably someone Prompto should handle - he starts milling around for a bit, seeing if anyone has any questions.

Eventually though he gets bored, grabbing onto the side of the train and scrambling up the metal surface to sit on top of it. Bob is glad for the warmth and clear sky, flapping his wings within the small 'bubble' of platform where he's allowed.


[Kitchen (and Beyond)]

Once the kitchen is taken care of and other things have been dealt with, Casper takes over one of the stoves. He's got some kind of gravy being kept warm on one burner, an absolutely massive pile of potatoes in the middle of being cut. There's also a large container of some kind of cheese and a very large pot of oil he's yet to heat up.

Either hang around and ask what he's doing or help him out. Alternatively if you're a friend or at least someone he's mentioned it to, he's going to be hunting you down and shoving a strange dish at you.

Eat the poutine.

[Wildcard]

[???]

Luggage

[schrodingersghost]

Danny also makes his way to the luggage car early. He retrieves a small package, takes a moment to check it over, and then pays attention to the other person in the car.

"Uh.... do you need some help with that?"