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

Asagiri Gen | Orange | OTA

[fun_thementalist]

A. Disgustingly Good Mood

Deep down, if anyone looked at Gen's soul, they could see that he was actually feeling rather conflicted and worn down. The last mission was a lot - and he knew that things could've gone far worse. He and Senku had basically scraped by with their lives. And if nothing else drove home how useless he really was on these missions ...

But, outwardly?

Gen was humming, nearly singing. There was a spring in his step. For all the terrible things that had happened - that were likely happening back at home, with him gone - well. Here? Here, he was getting married to his dearest friend and co-conspirator. It's not merely an act - Gen was very much, honestly and genuinely, happy about it. He was giddy with it.

Two things could be equally true, after all. And the best lies - that nothing could possibly be wrong - were assisted by the truth.

As Gen passed people on the way to the Luggage carriage, peeking his head into cars as he went, he'd grin and wave. "Good morning!"


B. A Little Quiet for a While

But Gen couldn't keep that up indefinitely. Sooner or later, he'd be able to be found somewhere quietly reading, only half-paying attention to the book in front of him. It was a bit pulpy, a mystery that was pretty easy to follow but interesting enough that he didn't feel bored.

Sooner or later, there'd be announcements to make, more work to do. Missions to prepare for, an attempt made to make certain he contributed something of value. At the moment, though?

Just a moment, of quiet.

B

[helborn]

Casper's been looking for Gen, and he's glad he's spotted the other man in the library. Casper clears his throat a little, hands folded behind his back.

"Hey. ... How are you doing?"

[fun_thementalist]

Gen looked up and smiled at Casper, not suspecting a thing. He answered in a chipper tone - though a little strained, showing the edges of his exhaustion - "Ah, I'm doing quite well, my friend. And you? You were quite busy this last mission."

[helborn]

"I'm tired, but I'm doing all right. Are you feeling better?" He'd been stabilized as much as Casper could get, but he hadn't seen Gen after the fight. "I was worried..."

[fun_thementalist]

"Worried?" Gen asked, tired enough that a little of his honest surprise slipped through.

People becoming concerned for Senku, he could understand. But him? More or less people saw him as entertainment, a novelty.

But then his cheerful little smile came back. "Ah, you're very kind to ask, Casper. And I don't believe I had the chance to thank you properly for your help and healing on the mission, either. Thank you. Without your help, well. Who knows if I would've woken up in the luggage car."

[helborn]

"You're welcome. I... like helping people. And I'm glad I was able to... I didn't want anything to happen to either of you. ... On top of all of us needing to work together, you... well. You seem nice."

Not like sickly sweet, but a nice enough guy to hang around. "Besides, dying is absolutely terrifying. Even if you come back..." He's felt that fear before. He'll yank people back from it if he can.

[fun_thementalist]

Gen winced, and told Casper with ten billion percent honesty, "I have no desire to die, trust me. Despite the curveballs the train seems to throw at us. It sounds like a very unpleasant experience I'd like to avoid for as long as possible."

Casper's compliment deserved a more genuine smile, though, which he gave to him. "Thank you, my friend. It's certainly very nice of you to look out for us. As you've likely seen ... that's not everyone's instinct, here. Which I certainly can't blame them for!"

[helborn]

"It usually is. Firsthand and secondhand experience can tell me that for sure. ... I've been able to see ghosts since I was a kid, so sometimes they talk about that stuff." Just gonna breeze right over the 'firsthand experience' part, though.

"I... well. We've got to protect each other first, otherwise we can't help anyone else. ... And I don't want people to have to go through pain that I can help prevent. ... Even if I can only help a little bit."

[fun_thementalist]

"That would explain the second-hand accounts ..." Gen caught that, and while he pointed out the omission, he did add, "... and yet you don't owe me an explanation if it's an uncomfortable subject, my dear."

Gen nodded, and agreed, "If I were capable of doing more, I'd be in your position, I'd like to think. I'd hope more of our fellow passengers would have the same mindset - but it's understandable if they don't. It's difficult enough being pulled away from one's home."

a

[blitzcheer]

What a surprise, there was already somebody at luggage -- except no, that's the least surprising thing on platform day. But when Tidus spots Gen himself, he throws him a smile, raising a hand in greeting. He's just gotten down on one knee; not in marriage, but to search through the lower floor bags.

"Hey! 'Sup! How you doing?"

[fun_thementalist]

"Well," Gen laughed softly, "pretty good, all things considered! We did have a tough time this last week on the mission, my friend. But ..."

A crafty smile played on his lips. "There's things to look forward to. How about you, how are you?"

[blitzcheer]

Oh, is there a twitch to Tidus's mouth at things to look forward to; there and then gone, but who knows for how long. He's certainly got something on his mind to mention, and he wasn't sure how to do so, to frame it, but in that polite questioning back:

"Alright! But I'm not the guy going and getting engaged, so who's the one having a better time out of the two of us?"

Yeah, like he was going to keep quiet about that. Senku didn't tell him to be quiet, and the way he dropped it was so mundane, that Tidus is glad for this opportunity now, to mention it at all, and ask with an eager curiosity: "For real, I didn't miss this happening months ago, did I? This is a recent thing."

Right? Right?? Please tell him this was a recent thing that didn't just happen to go over his head for ages.

[fun_thementalist]

Tidus was rewarded with a genuine smile. Gen wasn't certain if he'd known - they hadn't made a formal announcement yet - but it certainly wasn't secret. Really, it's through self-restraint and wanting to do a proper job announcing things that he wasn't just singing the news all around the train.

His real smile was warm, lit up his eyes - and he giggled at the question. "You didn't miss it happening months ago, my dear. It's a pretty funny story, actually, so you remember that little dance we had at the beginning of the month?"

[blitzcheer]

Ohhh, story time. Thanks the blitz stars he didn't miss out, but also, if Gen's offering up a story, Tidus is here to listen, watching him with interest.

"The one Cassie put together, right?"

Pretty sure he doesn't remember any other.

[fun_thementalist]

"Mmmhmm!" Gen was a very good storyteller when he was inclined. "I'd managed to convince Senku-chan to join me for a dance or two."

"It's not exactly his favorite pastime - you know him well enough by now," Gen giggled. "And yet he agreed all the same. But being the two of us, we were teasing each other, poking fun at one another. If you were listening in, you probably wouldn't have guessed he was going to propose."

He had to build the right atmosphere, first, so Tidus could appreciate how surprised and touched Gen was.

[blitzcheer]

Lucky for Gen, Tidus isn't the kind of impatient personality to want to hurry along a story. --Alright, that's not quite true; but he's just as invested to hear Gen retell the events, a small nod at what Senku's like, nothing more needed to be said there. Though that fact does rear its head again, with both of Tidus's brows raising at Gen's pause.

"You didn't tease him into it? I'm surprised the idea came up for the guy!"

Was there some particular reason for it? Something to do with Senku, or just all this time on the train, the opportunity. Tidus doubts it's a thought he'll know the answer for, but then, what did it matter? As long as the two were happy with it.

[fun_thementalist]

"Ah, well," Gen laughed a little sheepishly, "I wouldn't say that. I hope you won't judge me too badly for teasing him into it, my friend. But it wasn't my intention to, I assure you!"

"Senku-chan was griping about the dance while enjoying dancing with me, saying at least at home we don't need to do formal balls. And I mentioned, in the future when we're larger and more established, we might - as formal countries and nations would be set up."

"He shot back that our friend Ryusui would be in charge by then - Senku-chan would prefer to stick with the science side of things. I'd still be the advisor, of course, and I would need to put in appearances to these balls. I joked that I'd be a hot commodity, with plenty of people wanting to dance with me, maybe even want to get a political marriage under their belt ..."

Gen finished with another sheepish laugh, "I was joking! I had no idea he'd see that as a challenge."

A

[chocobosnap]

"Morning!" Prompto said with a bright smile. He was in a good mood too, after all hopefully his brand new friend has arrived, and he's looking through the carriage.

He found the weapon case first though, it was a bit big and bulky like that.

[fun_thementalist]

Gen was looking through the packages with a little him, and then glanced over.

And did a double-take. "Ah, my friend, forgive my nosiness ... what is that?"

[chocobosnap]

"Oh this?" Prompto was giddy with excitement as he snapped the case open so this stranger could look.

"This is my new submachine gun."

[fun_thementalist]

"A submachine gun," Gen repeated, looking at the cheerful looking young man and the giant case. Or, well, it seemed giant to him. It's not as if Gen had any great familiarity with firearms.

This always went to show that looks could be very deceiving.

Gen kept a bright smile plastered on his face. "Ah, I suppose that would've made quick work of those giant monster things we were fighting before, wouldn't it? After all, if we're against something big ... we need something big to take it down."

A submachine gun. That guy could mow down half the train with that, right?

[chocobosnap]

"That's the idea, yeah." Prompto said with a bright smile. He certainly could, but he wasn't the least bit inclined to do so.

"Better damage output for daemons like that." He agreed with a hum.

"I usually have more guns at my disposal but for some reason I can't get some of them so I ordered this one." He snapped the case back shut, careful because he didn't want to cause a safety issue.

[fun_thementalist]

"I wasn't aware there were some weapons that the train simply wouldn't allow people," Gen said, and then thought about that for a moment. "Well, I suppose if the weapon's ridiculously big. Like a tank."

He's still a bit dubious about the whole thing, but wouldn't let on.

Gen joked, "Or a bomb, I think that kind of thing might make the train nervous? It's one thing if you have something that'd blow up monsters and demons, but if it felt threatened ..."

[chocobosnap]

"Well I don't know, I mean, I just don't have access to everything I did at home." Prompto hummed. "See, my friend has magic and he lets me use his storage space? So it's like an unseen bag. And usually I have a wide variety of weapons in there, but right now I just have my handgun, sniper rifle and Drillbreaker." He considered it. "Well, and now my submachine gun." He grinned.

"It was a bit restricting fighting the daemons without the bigger stuff, but Noct and I still managed. I usually have a bazooka too, a few other things." Prompto was looking for another case though.

He found it, popped it open and there in all of her glory, was a huge chocobo plush.

[fun_thementalist]

Gen hummed, "There's an item that we discovered that works a little like that. You'll see a few people on the train using one, if you haven't already - it's called an Arms Band. It's a bit of jewelry that lets you access a magic storage space. I'm not exactly sure how much stuff we can put in, but it seems pretty big."

So, his friend then was basically a walking Arms Band himself? Curious. And interesting. "Your friend was kidnapped as well, then?"

But the plush kind of distracted him. "That's the largest chicken toy that I've seen in years."