A New Platform [Intro Post May]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Like clockwork, the Voidtreckers are awoken by a familiar message this morning.

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day one of the month of Llama. Points have been updated on the system."

With points updated, everyone can spend the morning shopping. Most people will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A lurch and a jolt and the windows fill with the fog that means they are at a platform. The air is sticky and warm, the windows almost immediately dewing over with the humidity outside.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Azula, Prisoner, Amery Vallet, Dyme Graydon, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Yoite, Piccolo, Bulla Brief, Xie Lian, Kurosaki Ichigo, Hua Cheng, Renee Corbin, and Ran Mouri; all pass through the platform, not looking back before they disappear through the barriers and into the fog beyond.

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 find themselves on a platform, rich wood and pale stone forming a natural, tree-like structure overhead. Behind them is a set of barriers, and in front of them is a single set of tracks extending both ways into thick fog. The air is rainforest-hot, and the sound of frogsong can be faintly heard over the drip of the artificial canopy.

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 fog begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform isn't large, and seems smaller with twenty-eight figures scattered around, all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. Then there is 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 pours a strange assortment of people, over a hundred at least. 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.

Behind them, the doors close, and the train is cloaked in the same fog that hides the world beyond the platform.

The Train

After a short time, the fog clears and 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 several crates of nori, the ingredient of the month of Llama, as well as all sundries.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. For each member of Purple Team, a small silver box with their name on it contains a glittery cupcake.

New passengers will find their ticket allows them into their cabins. They may need to negotiate for beds, but at least they won't be alone in their confusion - since the sleeper carriages are now double-decker, and experience isn't going to avail the passengers in finding their rooms.

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.

The new double carriage's transfer ICP is active, allowing people to move to a double room should they meet the requirements with another person, though they'll have to move their belongings themselves.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers taking advantage of the fresh air, and 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

[blue_ice]

platform

Kaiba dons his orange as he usually does for the platform, but for someone who's not often talkative on a good day? He's even less so than usual today. He's tightly wound, stance rigid, knuckles white as he balls his fists.

They're sent onto the platform. He immediately takes stock of the departing crew, the former passengers off on their way into nothingness. No familiar shock of hair appears, and he lets out the breath he's been holding---but the tension's still there.

Normally this would be the point where he'd help orient new teammates, but he's so not in the mood right now. He immediately turns back toward the edge of the platform, ready to board the moment they're allowed in...but should he swivel too fast and bump into someone, they'll get a brief 'my bad'.

on the train

Once aboard, Kaiba immediately turns his attention to the train changes. When he walks all the way back, he learns there's been a big adjustment to the sleeper cars. So the winner of the poll is...?

The couples' car. Of course it is. He takes in the pair transfer option as though it personally offended him, snarls, and whirls around to head back to his room.

"All the build projects in our pipleine and no space..."

Train

[deage]

"No kidding." Did you notice the little girl walking on board with you? It's fine, she's small. "I was really looking forward to having my own lab space."

[blue_ice]

Kaiba gives her a glance...but recovers quickly and nods. "We need room if we're going to build things that benefit us all. Shields, armor...comfort for a select few does nothing to get us results."

He's a little hypocritical here, but honest. "How many rounds of voting do you think it'll take? I've given up on the gaming arcade, we need this more."

[deage]

Hmph. Let's see. "The 'couples car' idea has had high traction for a long time. With it out of the way, I'd say that the biggest competition is out of the picture." A pause. Dramatic. "Of course, next time there might not even be a lab under consideration."

[blue_ice]

"I think we have to keep asking the train to keep it on the options list," Kaiba grunts. "I'll keep trying. But I'm being asked to build a number of new things with the equivalent of a phone booth in space, and they're going to hear about it."

i cast Thread Necromancy

[deage]

"I'd offer space in Medical, since it's rarely in use until mission time rolls around, but that's hardly a good or permanent solution."

Haibara does her own work in Medical, true, but her work involves a lot of computer modelling, and the experimental portions involve drugs, so... Medical.

"If everybody tried to do their work there, we'd have no room for actual Medical use, after all."

Platform

[emerald_mirror]

There's one person who's hard to avoid, because half the time he's out being a social butterfly on the platform, doing things like cookie distribution. This time, Xander's sailing towards Seto with a small box held out like a trophy. Probably because it's...something like that.

"Want to share my cupcake?" He opens the box slightly to show rainbow, sparkly frosting goodness within. He can tell Seto's upset, but he's going to try and take the edge off with good cheer--and Seto knows he can talk to Xander, after all.

[blue_ice]

Kaiba lifts a brow when he sees what's inside. He would ordinarily never eat anything even close to this level of sugar bomb, but with Xander's hopeful smile, he relents. Box open, small piece cut. It is, indeed, a total sugar bomb.

"Guess the train knew if there was anything you needed, it's more sugar? That looks like a unicorn spit it up?" It's a gentle, teasing joke...or at least that's what he intends. He's trying to be calm here.

[emerald_mirror]

"I don't know." Now Xander looks perplexed. On one level, sure, Seto's joking. On the other, where Xander is from, unicorns exist. "I hope not, I never really wanted to eat any part of an actual unicorn." He makes a face, then. "Especially spit."

Enjoy that little running monologue of Xander's thoughts, though!

"You sure you don't want any more of this?" Xander is just being generous, here, but really, one can also imagine what might happen with him imbibing more sugar. It's a pity this isn't the kind of thing Cottonball would help with--or that his elementals aren't here to share. It'd be safer going to them. No one needs a wound-up nephilim having zoomies around the train.

[blue_ice]

"I'm kidding," Seto grumbles. He smiles, even as strained as it is, and takes another bite.

And then, to answer Xander's unspoken question...he hesitates, then shuffles in closer.

"He didn't leave. There's still a chance, however small."

[emerald_mirror]

"He's not gonna leave, people come back from...wherever they go when the conductor calls them. They do it all the time!"

Nevermind all the people who had walked off the train and never came back. Xander knew as well as Kaiba did that there'd be more than a few people that they'd both give--well, they probably had different valuable things they'd give to see them come back.

"He won't leave you. Train's just got...train business with Yugi, I guess." At that, he pops the rest of the cupcake in his mouth and chews enthusiastically--almost angrily. As if challenging Seto to say differently!

on the train

[sos_pilot]

Oof. Della, being Kaiba's "brain buddy", definitely feels that surge of anger and aggravation. Time to find her friend, and fast. When she does spot him, she's quick to jog to his side.

"Seto? You okay?"

[blue_ice]

Seto glances at her, his anger softening into weary resignation. He knows he can't lie to her, and that she knows the answer, if not necessarily why.

"Yugi's gone," he says after a moment, reaching up to touch the ring he wears above his locket. "Not totally, he didn't disembark this time, but I don't know if he'll ever be back. And all this happiness and love in the air isn't my scene right now."

[sos_pilot]

"Oh, Seto!" He is immediately getting a good, tight hug. "I'm so sorry..."

[blue_ice]

Normally, Seto would squawk about embarrassment. There's still far too large of a crowd around...but he could really use a mom right now, so he shifts into position and holds on.

"I'm going to go after him as soon as I can. I'll keep searching for answers. He's not the only one I don't want to lose..."

Squeeze. Hint, hint.

[sos_pilot]

She returns the squeeze as best she can, understanding. "... I'll be there for you every step of the way. And you know that if there's anything I can do for you, no matter how big or small, all you have to do is ask."

Train

[namethattune]

"It seems that the population at large does not understand the benefits of a good lab space - namely, that it will keep us out of their space."

Siebren had taken to checking the roster on platform days, if only to make sure he hadn't missed the arrival of a familiar face. (That he had missed Orisa's presence for so long is proof that it can happen and reason enough to ensure it will not happen again.) He had not missed Yugi's name in gold, though it remains in gold - Yugi has not departed as of yet, it seems.

He would imagine that to be very cold comfort indeed.

So he goes to find Seto, surmising - likely correctly - that he will need some stability with the potential loss of a loved one looming so close.

"Though I do have a project for you, if you are interested."

Throwing oneself into one's work is not the best coping mechanism for this sort of thing, but it is a good stopgap; hopefully, for now, that is all that will be needed.

[blue_ice]

Seto lifts his head when he hears a familiar voice, attempting his usual smirk. Doesn't reach his eyes, but he tries.

"How much space do I need to take over to do it? And will I have the opportunity to make myself loud and obnoxious? To demonstrate this point."

[namethattune]

The smirk may have fooled a newcomer; Siebren, however, knows Seto far too well for that.

Still, he plays along. "That is entirely up to you, I think, though I have discovered working in the larger booth of the quiet car with the door open tends to draw attention." Namely because people seem to be drawn to an open door in a usually closed space, but nonetheless.

"Did you see Lightning's announcement about transgates this morning?"

[blue_ice]

"I did," Seto confirms with a short nod. "I went to look at them, but if you had something more in-depth....we should build more, right? We definitely need it."

He then thinks on the universal truth of train life. "Mm. And I'll definitely make a point to show people that the lab would be useful---trying to be left alone is the best way to summon attention, I learned that a long time ago."

[namethattune]

"I do not have anything more in depth, but I did order one for the sole purpose of reverse-engineering it." He did not have himself in mind with that purchase; that said, it is not the first time he has ordered something specifically for the purpose of being taken apart, and it likely will not be the last. "I had thought you might want to take point on that particular project."

He smiles a bit at the observation. "It seems to be a universal constant of life with other people, especially in such close quarters."

[subcircuits]

"Tell me about it." Devero straightens up from where he'd been peering into one of these new double cabins that he's not qualified to apply for yet. He sounds just as annoyed, and turns to fall into step beside Kaiba. "Train shouldn't be asking what makes us happy, it should be asking what we need."

Sour grapes because he and Koumyou can't claim one? Maybe. But the selection criteria the train offered legitimately offends his sensibilities, so there's that.

[blue_ice]

Kaiba wholeheartedly agrees. "Luxury for a select few over the ability to protect us all."

But he gives Devero another look-over. "...it locked you out, didn't it?"

[subcircuits]

"It feels like a bribe," he mutters, raking a hand through his hair. "A sop to quiet passenger discontent, instead of an active attempt to provide something to better our whole community."

It sure did; called out, Devero folds his arms and scowls. "Haven't been here long enough. Apparently you have to have been onboard for three months to qualify." His turn to look over Kaiba. "What about you and your partner...?" They've both been here longer than him, surely they could have a private room if they wanted one.

[blue_ice]

"Right. Even if I could take advantage, I'd still be disappointed."

Somewhat less so, he has his desires too, but they need that lab space. To answer the question, he jabs the nearest ICP and scrolls to the bottom of the roster---where Yugi's name is in gold.

"He's gone. Didn't step off at platform, but he likely will at the next one. There was so much I wanted to say to him, after everything...."

Deep breath. He reaches up to touch the ring he wears. When he next speaks, he sounds grimly determined.

"But if there's a way to find him, I will."