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

[thawed_pride]

At least his own eyes aren't so thoroughly acclimated to dim surroundings that he can't see without sunglasses, but he does have his hood pulled forward enough to shade his eyes from the glare. As pale as his eyes have become under Xehanort's possession, he's sure direct sunlight will wind up giving him a headache if he's not careful.

"None...I can open a doorway into the darkness, but I can only create an exit when it is somewhere within the range of the train or platform. Otherwise, it produces naught but a dead end."

[controlsthedie]

"I haven't noticed any progress breaking through either. It's all as blocked as before." Thanatos never thought he'd have to attempt different ways of shifting, but doing the same thing hasn't gotten him anywhere. He looks back at the train, wincing a bit as the angle catches the sun stronger. He quickly lowers his gaze back to the ground.

"Did you use your doorways during the mission? I was able to shift between the realms, though it drained me considerably." The realm in general was harsh, even for him, but there had been something comforting about being able to move about more freely.

[thawed_pride]

"Only after the demons' retreat. I lent my coat to another, and my portals are dangerous to use without proper protection. They pass through a form of darkness that weighs heavily on the human heart, and mine is already a mere fragment of what it ought to be."

He shakes his head and pulls his hood a bit further forward as it tries to shift back.

"But while I was able to move freely about that world, I could not reach others I have visited. On our next stop, I intend to attempt movement between two known worlds separated purely by the Void."

[controlsthedie]

"I didn't think to try between the mission worlds...." He has been to two different worlds, but the idea hadn't come to him. Thanatos could be more lenient with himself and remember that the Red Team had been thrown into battles from the start. However, he instead berates himself over a missed opportunity.

"..." And then he realizes something. He had seen the coat being worn on someone. It hadn't looked like it fit him, but they're both on the Red Team. They both had been on the same battlefield. "Ken, the one with Nemesis. He had your coat, didn't he?"

Their first introduction hadn't gone well, so Thanatos hadn't tried to reach out to him again, almost afraid to cause Ken more pain. "It puts me at ease that he's found someone to trust."

[thawed_pride]

"This past mission was rather hectic, in all fairness. We had precious little time to pursue our own interests, and needed to conserve our energy as much as possible."

Even if he'd had another world to try traveling to, he doubts he would have been willing to make the attempt until after everything was over...by which point, people were insisting he sleep instead.

"And yes, I have taken the boy into my care. As my tolerance for the demons' dimension is higher than his, I thought he needed it more than I."

[controlsthedie]

Thanatos's floating wobbles slightly as if he's floating on choppy waters. That says enough about exhausted Thanatos is. Did anyone return from that mission feeling fully rested?

"Our worlds have... a slight bit of overlap, and because of that, I fear I distressed him more than help when we met. How much has he told you? About his life before the train?"

Normally, Thanatos would worry about meddling, but this is a kid steeped in death and darkness and summons an entity named after his sister. Ken needs help. He knows he's not the one to do it, but if possible, he'll put as many tools as possible in someone else's hands.