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

[averyusefultray]

Platform

Hera's not the most experienced guide to the new experience, but she knows more than the people on the platform. So she'll venture out to try to be useful.

Maybe having some answers but not an overwhelming amount is exactly the orientation some people will need.

Luggage car

Since she managed to get her hands on scissors the first day to cut holes for her lekku, she's been wearing the hood up to provide some measure of support.

She can wait to change most of the clothes. But as soon as she has the suitcase, she pushes the hood down and slides the cap into place. "Much better..."

Wildcard

She doesn't tend to spend time hiding away from the world. Want something else? SOmething else is possible.

Luggage

[chocobosnap]

"You got some clothes?" Prompto asked, before thinking about it and he curled back a little bit instinctively, he was naturally shy.

"S-Sorry, I mean, um, me too!" He smiled sheepishly and held up a bag. He also had a huge case in his other hand.

Re: Luggage

[averyusefultray]

"Yes. It will be nice to wear something actually made for me." She can more or less wear the same clothes as humans, but there are notable differences.

She glances down at the case. "Nothing to that extent."

[chocobosnap]

"Oh!" Prompto said cheerfully. "No my clothes are in the bag." He chuckled lightly. "In here is my new gun." He grinned. "Wanna see it?"

[averyusefultray]

It's less a personal interest in weaponry and more a desire to know every resource at the passengers' disposal. "Am I about to wish that we had it about a week ago?"

Probably.

[chocobosnap]

"Well, I don't know, maybe. I was armed last week though." Prompto said with a bit of a chuckle. "I had a handgun and a sniper rifle with me."

He set the case down on something and snapped it open. "This is my submachine gun."

[averyusefultray]

Sniper rifles have their uses in certain applications out there. Picking off the worst of the creatures before they could close in. But the new weapons still earns an approving nod. "Useful. For all that people say not every mission is like that one..."

She likes to be prepared.

[chocobosnap]

"Yeah, it was my first mission so I don't know, but I'm used to having a lot more firepower at my disposal." Prompto admitted easily.

"At least that's how it's been lately. Besides, gotta watch Noct's back, you know?"

[averyusefultray]

"Mine too. I'm used to providing air support." That... is not something available from the onboard shop. "I was able to borrow something that was similar to the heaviest weapon I'm used to on the ground."

"Is Noct one of your people from home or someone you met here?"

[chocobosnap]

"Yeah, I usually provide cover, with a few tricks here and there." Prompto said before clipping the case shut again, safety first after all.

"He's someone from home. My best friend!"

[averyusefultray]

She gives an approving nod at proper weapon handling protocol. The healers won't appreciate an accidental discharge. "You're lucky to have a friend here."

[chocobosnap]

"Yeah, I think so. Noct is great, I mean, of course want to go home but..."

[averyusefultray]

"Sometimes all we can do is focus on what we do have, not what we don't." She wants to be home. She's needed at home. She has family.

But she's here and she has to make that work.

Luggage Car

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks is also in luggage, as he has quite a few things coming in this time. The trunk with the armor for Devero was rather obvious, as well as the meal for four. Overhearing Hera's words, he gives a soft chuckle. "Clothes from home?"

Re: Luggage Car

[averyusefultray]

"Yes." She finishes adjusting the cap over her lekku. "It's a relief to actually have something made for my head again."

The hood was... a stopgap at best.

Re: Luggage Car

[light_of_willpower]

"You can try your luck with the random clothing too. Mine don't seem too bad." He has a purple leather jacket, along with a black tank top and some rather flashy jeans. "The uniform does get tiring though, for it's plain-ness. Although if you want to hear someone really complain, ask my mother or sister about the uniforms."

Re: Luggage Car

[averyusefultray]

"Plain doesn't really bother me, I'm used to uniforms." THe outfit is... memorable. Sabine would probably have things to say about it. It would go with her hair, at any rate. "I was mostly concerned about getting something made for a Twi'lek instead of a human."

Re: Luggage Car

[light_of_willpower]

"You should talk to the spider seamstress." Trunks said, guessing she meant her race by what she'd said. "She hangs out in the dressing car, I think."

Re: Luggage Car

[averyusefultray]

"THe spider seamstress?" That does sound somewhat promising in terms of getting clothes not intended for a human. Most of her body is close enough, it's mostly just the head wear.

Re: Luggage Car

[light_of_willpower]

"Kumoko. She can easily be bribed with snacks, but she sometimes makes stuff. We had a winter faire stop recently, and around the same time she made all of us cute little animal themed hats."

Re: Luggage Car

[averyusefultray]

"I'll have to talk to her, then. Hats are the main issue." Lekku are really not meant to go with most human... anything. "The rest is generally fine."

Re: Luggage Car

[light_of_willpower]

"Well, at least on the missions I've been on so far, we haven't really needed to worry too much about head-gear." Trunks was trying to be reassuring. "We had one mission where we needed to blend in, as some kind of low-tech agricultural society but with a lot of magic in it wasn't void-aware. Fortunately, they had put out a call for 'adventurers' so most of us were able to blend in with the right clothing."

Re: Luggage Car

[averyusefultray]

"It's more comfortable to be wearing something." They're heavy. CLothing helps.

"Have there been issues for those of us who don't fall in the human colour scheme?"

Re: Luggage Car

[light_of_willpower]

"Not that I've seen yet? On Irisvar--that was the world that wasn't void aware but put out the call for adventurers? I think they just assumed you were adventurers. I'm not the best person to ask. I'd talk to Piccolo, although he doesn't seem to care what people think of him in the places we're going."

Re: Luggage Car

[averyusefultray]

"Adventurers can be green. Good to know." If it worked, she would take it. "At least no one will be able to make any specific assumptions."

THat's a relief, really. Or at least a strange silver lining.