A New Platform [Intro Post June]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

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

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day sixteen 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. They will be glad, when the doors open to find it is plesantly warm. A breeze flutters through the platform and the sun shines in patches through the fog.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Alleyana Tabris, Asriel Dreemurr, Dr. Otto Octavius, Evangeline A.K. McDowell, Homura Akemi, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Phineas Mason, Riku Replica, Saash, Sam, Shadow, Sherlock Holmes, Steve Rogers, The Doctor; 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. 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 warm and there are some flowers growing in pots near the barriers, bright blooms of colour within the 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 fog begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform isn't large, and seems smaller with eleven 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.

New passengers will find their ticket allows them into their cabins. They may need to negotiate for beds with their new roommates.

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 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

L1:B - Hello Roomie!

[wewillwewill]

[There is a gentleman already present. Looks to be in his early or mid-twenties at best (you know how it is with those jRPG protagonists, getting on past their prime). Red hoodie, cargo pants and sitting patiently while waiting for others to arrive. The ICP is in use with its default roster page. He's been using it to look up his prospective cabin-mates.

Once Donatello settles in he will be offered a polite query.]

I am Elidibus. I would ask your identity if you are willing to give it.

[It actually is polite, though this would come across in tone rather than phrasing perhaps. He speaks in a slightly archaic way to modern Earth standards, this much is certain.]

Oh nooooo

[digatrauma]

[Who on Earth is this? He's pausing as he turns as he's addressed, having not really been intending to deal with any of the people in here unless he absolutely needed to, but he's noting the red with a thin lipped expression before relaxing only somewhat. That at least can possibly tell him something, or what he can assume, about this man.

Elidibus. A strange name, certainly. And even stranger way of talking.]

Donatello. Or Don, if you really want. [He'd rather him not, but he's almost certain that no one really listens to him on that front. Luckily his Stand is not currently present, even if it could, in theory, phase through walls and the like.]

Anyone else shown up?

Oh yes.

[wewillwewill]

[Elidibus is aware he's being judged. By what criteria he isn't certain but it is unlikely because they share a world of origin. He would expect a fair amount more reaction to his title had that been the case.]

Donatello, then.

[It doesn't make a difference other than accepting what seems the more preferable label. People tend not to add 'really want' if it is favored. There's a bit of vagueness to his following answer.]

Unless it is habit of those in this cabin to carry their belongings with them, I believe we are the first to arrive. [Mild interest is expressed.] You appear to have adapted well. Pray tell me, are such events usual where you come from? Or is it indeed your habit to keep your possessions close at hand?

[Though there is little irony in his words- he's truly asking- Elidibus does offer a faint smile as if indicating he would understand if he were told that he was overthinking matters.

After all, there is one possession Elidibus himself will not be leaving behind, for all the other sundries provided in the rucksack. It merits consideration that others may feel the same. Who knows how this mortal might value his spare socks?]

A mess, all of it.

[digatrauma]

[He knows, vaguely, what a lot of the Red group is like from his last go around. It's totally nothing personal outside of "do I care if I maybe piss this person off somehow", which is the usual judgment anyway. But he seems mostly satisfied by whatever answer he got and slowly shrugs his shoulders.]

Can't say I'd ever seen anyone carrying around all of their things on a regular basis. [There's always those Extra people, but they don't really matter as far as he's concerned.] I've only adapted as I was here for a brief time previously, this is about par for the course. At least there's not a damn bathtub in here. [That was... not the best of times, nor is he about to elaborate on all of it.]

Means to an end, if that's what you're getting at. [He's just going to take a seat across from him, just kindly ignore Under World's head peering out from the wall behind him to stare, if something with something covering its eyes can stare, seeming particularly keen on assessing this person.]

I'd suggest getting situated before asking a bunch of questions. Few don't take too kindly to questions that can be figured out easily.

Re: A mess, all of it.

[wewillwewill]

[Elidibus looks down at the fractional excuse for a floor. Then to the small compartments which are a toilet and the shower respectively. Also very tiny.]

A bathtub. [Forgive him for asking a question but seriously. That is pushing even his wide acceptance that mortals are just going to be That Foolish.] Would it be too much to expect it was to meet the needs of some aquatic species?

[No seriously, a bathtub? At least Elidibus moves on and doesn't appear to take offense at Donatello's ah... emphasis on the nature of questions.]

I see. Forgive my curiosity then. I had not believed it would be easy to assess your world's common sense. [There is a slight pause.] Though if it is a matter of seeming to pry too quickly into your past, then my apologies. It was not my intent.

[He sees you there, Underworld. There's a shift of his gaze to regard the being which appears to be half in the wall. Briefly and certainly with interest. But given he had begged off being too curious about Donatello's origins it's not like he's going to be so crude as to point it out. But if the man the Stand is attached to wants to bring it up, he won't argue against it.]

So it is possible to be returned to this voyage after seeming to depart. Interesting.

[And it does seem interesting.]

Ah yes. According to this roster. [A point of one finger indicates the ICP panel.] There appear to be two others who will join us. I myself have no preference as to which bed is taken. You three may decide amongst yourselves and I will claim what remains.

[digatrauma]

You would be correct. One of the beds was completely removed in favor of it. [Which, really, he's glad that there's complete beds here this time as he's not interested in dealing with a mess like that again. Though the apology gives a sharp and short bark of a laugh. As if human knowledge was that easy.]

It's not that it's easy to obtain common knowledge of my world. It's that questions about this place, most you'd probably have, are probably already answered in the material you can get your hands on. Common sense isn't common, or so that saying tends to go. [He's seen some crazy and asinine things in his moderately short life, after all. He's not going to question how people think anymore.

Though he's taking note of where he's looking and glancing to the side. Ah, right. Under World.]

You can see it? [He doesn't even sound surprised about it, but he may as well know to what extent he'd be able to see the Stand.]

Not many people can, so I take it there's something less than normal common human about you.

[wewillwewill]

[It is fortunate that their situation is more optimal then. Sharing a bottom bunk space with a bathtub bed would probably have made him less inclined to give up rights to first choice of bunk.]

I see. I will be certain to read all that is available. Though I have oft found having both first hand impressions and an account from many perspectives on the same subject to be vital to any conclusion. I will keep your advice in mind however, and be careful in my approach.

[It is literally his job to look into different perspectives on a subject and make judgment calls. But that's neither here nor there. And now since Donatello has proved willing to broach the subject, Elidibus won't hesitate to indulge in it.]

Yes. A very intriguing phenomenon.

[There is a pause as if he considers whether to say more on the matter. In the end he chooses to speak a little of himself.]

...Human. Is that the word you use for a man of my appearance? [It is close. Hyur, hume, human. Elidibus seems to remark on it only for the sake of an interesting comparison.] While there are those who would likely see this extension of you among the 'common human' of my Star, it is also true that I am much more than they.

[It might suggest arrogance. But it is given as a statement of simple fact.

Elidibus turns his full regard onto Under World, switching between the Stand and Donatello himself. He begins to muse aloud.]

Yes. It is as though a piece of your soul stands beside you. Or is it something more? I wonder. [He brings the near-rhetoric to an end and focuses on Donatello.] Is this a matter you would keep hidden from those who cannot discern it?

[digatrauma]

[He'll leave the rest for now as he tilts his head slowly at him. Of his Star. You know what, fine, he's not even going to question that.] That's what most would call you, yes. Whether it's accurate or not. Human, humanoid, anything vaguely person shaped.

[As for the Stand, he watches Under World himself as the Stand finally comes completely through the wall to sit next to its user, though keeping a close eye on Elidibus, whether or not that's entirely possible.]

From what little I know of the whole thing, it's... something of an extension of yourself. Not everyone has them, but it also seems to be somewhat genetic for some. My half-brothers and birth father also had them, Stands. [The second question, he slowly shrugs.]

Given what it can do, it hardly ever comes up that I have reason to tell anyone of it if they cannot see it.

[wewillwewill]

Yes, the word is similar to those I have heard used in my world.

[Star is also probably an archaic phrase. Like has been mentioned before, he has a very old-fashioned manner of speech compared to someone from modern Earth. Like he hasn't shaken off the habits of a Renaissance Fair weekend come Monday morning.

Elidibus openly studies Under World as it makes a full reveal of its form. The apparent lack of eyes aside, it is quite obvious that its attention is focused on him so he doesn't hold back his study in kind.]

Is it independent or do you have to give it direction? Do its abilities speak more of those who have this birthright or do they all perform the same functions? [There is a little pause for thought.] Are the circumstances for others outside your family also a given birthright or can it be induced through artificial means?

[There seems to be a 'bit' of curiosity here, even if the questions remain politely addressed.

There is a long bit of thought before Elidibus's next action. Perhaps why he doesn't immediately ask permission for it is due to his interest in Under World's independence. If he doesn't first ask, after all, he can observe whether Donatello's reaction dictates matters or if Under World has its own form of sapience. Besides, there has been something he's wanted to experiment with and he had some time to think while waiting for people to show up in the room.

Closing his hand, he extends his arm slowly toward the Stand, the flat area between his knuckles prominent. Yes, yes. If Under World does make contact with Elidibus there will be actual touch. But there are more important matters to address right now.

...The calm human(?) RenFaire guy just offered a brofist to your Stand, Donatello. What will you do? What will Under World do?]