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

4

[happyends]

"Hm?"

Apparently Madoka hadn't checked the ingredient switch yet, since she sounds a little curious when Tidus speaks up. Not just regularly curious though - also definitely interested, since onigiri is something she recognizes, even though she hasn't exactly been able to hear it being said very often here on the train.

The girl moves a little closer towards him, trying to look over at the screen on the terminal, and then she gasps.

"Oh..! There's Japanese food this month!"

[blitzcheer]

"Yeah! I dunno, people must've been clamouring for it and my request pushed the train into giving in!" Or, was it just lucky timing? ...let's just take this as the positive that it is.

"You're from a Japan too, aren't you? You know your spices? There's some stuff there." Tidus nods his head to the counter behind them, the packets and bottles all sitting together, a messy sight. There's fifty items there!

"Good timing, huh?"

[happyends]

There's so much to take in at once here. The Japanese recipes, Tidus saying that he asked for it, and then him gesturing with his head at all the things on display...

Madoka isn't entirely sure where to start, but her feet wander over to the bottles and packets on their own, and it makes the girl end up staring at the pile in awe.

"Yes, I recognize most of these..!" It's not like Madoka is an expert cook back home, so it's impossible for her to recognize everything on sight. But most of it? It's definitely more than a little familiar to her. "We can make so many kinds of Japanese food with this!"

Her wide-eyed gaze finally turns back to the guy.

"Did you really ask for this, Tidus?"

[blitzcheer]

"Those ones I ordered!" That's what she means, right? Her look of awe is making him feel a little bashful, but Tidus just smiles wide for her, continuing to explain: "Thank Senku and Gen, from Orange. It's their wedding gift - they wanted to share with the train. It's the reason I asked about the food in the first place; they were missing what food tasted like from home."

But seeing the positive reaction from Madoka is really turning this into better experience, and he waves out a hand.

"You can enjoy it too! You gonna try any cooking?"

[happyends]

"Um.." She says, suddenly hesitating a little. It's not that Tidus isn't being very clear. He ordered them, and they're gifts for Senku and Gen, but those two want everyone to be able to use it.

And yet. And yet at the same time the all too familiar hesitation kicks in with Madoka. Is it really okay for her to use it when it's meant to be enjoyed by everyone?

"I.. I'd like to.." Hence why even her answer sounds a little more unsure now, said uncertainty replacing her excitement from a moment ago. "I haven't tasted Japanese food in so long. But I wouldn't want to deprive everyone else of the chance to try it.."

Please, Madoka. As if you, a tiny teenager, are even going to make a dent in that supply Tidus bought.

[blitzcheer]

There's a very obvious answer here. A very obvious few even, like the first thought that comes to Tidus, of how are you gonna deprive people of everything we've got?, confusion creasing Tidus's features.

But. But! He doesn't go for that obvious, the tilt of his brow even relaxing, then turning sorrowful. Tidus raises one hand to his chest, lax over his heart, while the other rests on his waist.

"Madoka, if you don't get to make any Japanese food, I'll cry," Tidus declares miserably, ... if not for the tiny smile playing on his lips. Ignore that, just listen to the sweet piano music in the background, as Tidus asks earnestly, "You don't want to see me cry, do you?"

Do you??

[happyends]

Madoka immediately turns to look at him.

She's wide-eyed. Clearly startled. Sure, she does see the tiny smile on his lips, and she wonders whether or not this is a joke.. But she doesn't want to assume it's a joke when maybe it's not. When maybe Tidus might be actually hurt! She can't let that happen!

"What?" She says, her tone a pitch higher. "Tidus, you're not really going to cry, are you?!"

Are you?! Please don't cry, Tidus!! She wouldn't know what to do!

[blitzcheer]

Madoka, he's coming! Coming to take a hand - maybe two if it's not too awkward - to clasp between his, that smile on Tidus's face only earning a few more inches while the earnest quality of his voice continues to ring true.

"Only if you don't cook yourself some food like you'd have back home! So make yourself a yummy meal, okay? My tears are on the line!"

...okay, now Tidus is grinning wide at this point, a chuckle leaving him as he beams at Madoka. Is this cruel to do to someone as sincere as Madoka? Maybe - but it's all in good fun. All in the name of getting Madoka to treat herself.

[happyends]

"O-Okay, I will!"

At least it seems like a very easy way to convince her. Even if Tidus may be smiling so much as he's saying it, slowly convincing her more and more that it actually is just a joke.

But Madoka wouldn't ever want to take the chance that maybe it isn't. Staring at Tidus's smile now.. It's so nice. It's not something that should have to disappear just because Madoka didn't make some Japanese food.

"I mean, the blue team is cooking this month, so I can make it for other people too.."

[blitzcheer]

"Oh man, I haven't checked out chores." Screens everywhere stating what it it each team is doing? Please, Tidus has 'don't care' vision. "Guess I should check that out later. But see? You can make a homecooked meal for the whole train! I'll be looking forward to it."

Because why make his own dinner when he can rely on chores to feed him. It'll be cute too, seeing what Madoka comes up with.

[happyends]

Madoka smiles. Despite the AWFUL BULLYING gentle teasing from a moment ago. "Oh, don't worry. You're on laundry duty this month!"

Did she memorize the chores of each team when she checked them out? Madoka sure did. Mostly since it's easier to offer help with them to new people who may be confused about how something as simple as washing machines work. Or blenders.

But that's not the important point here. Which is why she shakes her head, instead casting a curious glance at him.

"Are you really excited about eating my food, Tidus?"

[blitzcheer]

Wow, smart girl. He wouldn't have figured she'd known, but then, it couldn't have been that long that she checked, so Tidus hums when she shares his chore, filing that. Laundry duty??? Eh, probably won't bother with that. Too much of a fuss (unless it's his own laundry).

But as for her question, he waves out a hand once. "Sure! I love trying new things. Used to cook back home for fun as a hobby. So trying the food we get here's always interesting to me. And something personal to you?" He nods once, smiling. "I don't wanna miss that!"

He looks then, a glance to the recipes and then about the kitchen, before returning to her.

"You know what you're gonna pick?"

[happyends]

Wow. Cooking as a hobby, being able to fight, playing sports well.. Is there anything Tidus can't do? Madoka isn't so sure that there is anything like that at this point. Tidus is just multitalented. But if he's a cook too, then that just means Madoka will have to try even harder to work on a dish that can really impress him!

.. which kind of puts her on the spot a little about that last question. What is something that she can make, but would also be impressive..?

...

"Um, I'm not.. sure.." W-WAIT, LET HER GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT ONE, OKAY? BUT-- "Although I'd like to make taiyaki for you sometime! But I'm not sure if we have everything for that here.."

After all, they're shaped like fish! And Tidus.. likes water, she thinks?

[blitzcheer]

glub glub glub spray him with water

"Oh yeah? What's in it?" Takiyaki, huh? Tidus takes a step in the direction of the carriage door leading to the store, pointing a finer that way. "I can help you look for the ingredients. How about we check together?"

Two pairs of eyes are better than one, and all! And there's no reason why he can't help now, see if that'll be possible for the dinner menu that night. At least if it has rice or noodles, there's plenty of those around. Or potatoes? Potatoes are always around.

[happyends]

"Well, I don't know if we'll be able to find it here!"

But even as Madoka pipes up with that, she's already walking in the direction of the door leading to the stores too - so it's not a no. It's just her not wanting to get Tidus's expectations up when she isn't too sure if she can live up to it!

"Because we need dough.. that part shouldn't be too hard. But you also need red bean paste." And that seems a lot harder to come by on the train. Unless it happened to supply it to them this month along with the nori.

[blitzcheer]

"What is it? Like a bread?" He can ask that as they're walking inside the storeroom, brain trying to remember if he saw anything about a red bean paste on any of the recipes he glimpsed through, but he didn't pay that close attention. The storeroom looks as much as it always does when they enter, and so Tidus starts to browse the nearest - but opposite of Madoka - shelf to search for this paste.

Vegetables, seeds, salt... This could take a while.

[happyends]

Madoka is planning on helping him look, especially with all the things they have to look through here in the first place.

But that progression is momentarily halted by the fact that the girl just stands there to think for a few moments. How do you explain taiyaki to someone who isn't used to it? Especially since it's such a normal snack to her..

"Um, kind of.. It's like a bread-like snack?" There's an audible question mark there, because of course a girl like Madoka is going to second guess her explanation even as she's already in the middle of saying it. "It's shaped like a fish, and then the red bean paste goes inside it! So it's very sweet and yummy."

[blitzcheer]

"Fish-shaped?" Okay, that gets Tidus to stop in his searching, looking back over at her from his shoulder. He brings his hands close together, like a device pressing in.

"Do you stick it in something for the shape? Or do you do it by hand?"

It's not impossible to do it by hand, though he's wondering just how 'fish-shaped' this food goes. Does it have the tail and all? An eye? Scale marks?

[happyends]

"You usually use a taiyaki pan and batter.."

But it's not like they have one of those here on the train. And even though the train suddenly makes ingredients appear, it's not like it's made random kitchen equipment appear. Everything in there is stuff various people bought for the train.

"But.. I don't think it should be impossible to make it by hand.." Since Madoka is at the very least very creative! If she gives it an attempt, she figures it should at least be recognizable as a fish. Fish shapes aren't that hard.

.. probably. Hopefully. Look, she's trying to put some confidence into it here.

"That's why I was thinking about dough instead."

[blitzcheer]

"Sounds like an idea to me! Alright- we just need to find this paste now!"

They won't get anywhere if they don't get that part seen to, will they? And whether they had a pan or not didn't really matter - if there's a will, there's a way, as Tidus likes to live. Just, they might need some time to look for this paste.

At least Tidus has some idea of what colour he's looking for; and that it's not actually meant to look like a bean. At least, unless, they have to mush it up first before use.

But Tidus asks as he looks, shifting aside bottles for this mystery ingredient: "So do you have any other flavours? I mean, for a taiyaki."

[happyends]

Madoka is helping too! She's got a bit of a better idea of what to look out for, thankfully, but she can't spot anything like it so far..

But since Tidus is in such a good, energetic mood about it, she doesn't want to give up! So she keeps looking around, even as she's speaking up.

"Red bean paste is the most common." Hence why she wanted to find that specifically! To give Tidus the full, original experience. "But some shops also sell them with other things inside, like custard, or chocolate, or sweet potatoes.. Or some pick even stranger flavours, like sausages on the inside!"

Sausage fish.

[blitzcheer]

"Sausage is the weird one there to you?" Please, we just moved by the most obvious sounding one there right before it?! "I mean, a potato -- inside a sweet cake? Isn't that too.. starchy? I know you can roll them in batter and make them crispy, but!"

But into a sweet cake!? --wait, is this a sweet cake? All that custard and chocolate made him think so!

[happyends]

".. well, potatoes and sweet potatoes aren't really the same thing, are they?"

She seems so calm in the face of his Tidus-style surprise about this sweet potato inclusion. Maybe it's just that Madoka is more used to them being included in things like this, since it tends to happen more often back home..

"Sweet potatoes are sweet! And they make paste out of those too before putting them in there.. So it's really not that different from eating one filled with read bean paste." Although Tidus was right on the money that it is supposed to be a sweet sort of thing. That's exactly why the sausages stand out to Madoka, it's so different in comparison! That's no longer a dessert kind of thing!

[blitzcheer]

Sweet potatoes are sweet... Tidus still looks puzzled even as Madoka tries to explain, and a name like sweet potato does imply that it would be sweet, but he's stuck. A tight brow and a mouth that's been tugged aside, gaze somewhere else before it returns to Madoka, and Tidus perhaps asks a better question here:

"...do we have sweet potatoes on the train?"

Because Tidus can't imagine a potato paste... because maybe he's never had a sweet potato before.

[happyends]

"I don't think so.. The train probably wouldn't consider them a staple."

It's not like they're like rice, after all. Sweet potatoes are more of a treat, Madoka thinks.. And she isn't too sure whether or not sweet potato is used in any of the recipes they've got this month. She'd have to look into it.

But before saying anything else, she curiously peers over at Tidus, rather than at the ingredients.

".. Do you want to try one, Tidus?"