voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post September]

On the Train

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day one of the month of Nebula. 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 doors open. As usual, those who leave first notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. A-Qing, Atem, Beauregard Lionett, Casper LeBlanc Jr, Donatello Versus, Frankie Bacon, Ichiban Kasuga, Kumoko, Lena Sabrewing, Mami Tomoe, Mono, Peter Parker, Reno, Shi Qingxuan, Tobari, Wen Ning; all pass across the platform, not looking back. And then they're gone, disappeared 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. The platform is open to a bright blue sky, speckled with a couple of clouds. It's very warm, enough that they will not want to stay in those hoodies for long. Behind them through the fogs is a set of barriers, set in a brick wall and in front of them is a single set of tracks extending both ways into that same 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 on the foggy, blistering hot platform; then the fog begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform isn't large, but it is enough to hold the 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, perhaps ten minutes or so, 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'). They will also find a bunch of posters around the train and might notice the new clock in the standard coach.

The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, the ingredient this month is a strange meat, yaddon tail.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. There is a box labelled for purple team containing a stick of rock for each member of purple team, including those who are new. Join in your teams success!

New passengers will find their ticket allows them into their cabins. In most rooms, the occupied beds are obvious, leaving the spotless, empty spaces for the newcomers. 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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Walking over, she studies the clock for a moment, then looks at the full shelf.

"Hmm...if this shelf is secured, I could phase the clock's legs into the shelf to keep it stuck there."

Tidus stares, quiet.

Until-

"That's--amazing! Yeah! Let's do that!" Kitty that is cool and good!! Tidus is giving a look around the library.

"You think this is a good spot for it? I want everyone to be able to see it! But this is a good view - 'least you'll notice it's here, right?"

Even if they have to get up closer to check the time.

That gets a small smile from her, but she thinks for a moment as she glances around the library.

"Hmm...maybe closer to the chairs and bean bags? Since that's where people will be reading, having the clock closer there will help us see it better."

Oh, good idea! Tidus walks more in direction of the chairs and bean bags, looking at the shelving. It's taller though, with the tables the lowest height without just sticking it on the ground.

"Hmm... You think we need to get it its own table? It's gonna be dark if we just stick it somewhere like here, right?"

Here being on one of the shelves themselves, than just sticking it on top of the case. Tidus does that, then starts backing away over to where the beanbags are. A bigger clock would be better... but he had no idea what size clocks he'd get!

She studies the area a bit more, then looks at the clock again.

"Yeah, it'd be a little harder to see on the shelf. And if I stick it into the wall the alarm won't go off properly." Looking around again, she then says, "What about at the desk with the check-out scanners?"

Hmm. "I guess that'll do. I'll just have to get bigger clocks next time!"

Sigh. Not that he knew the train would give him clocks this small, but regardless. He picks it back up, looking at it, before holding it out for Kitty to properly see.

"You think these are gonna be any good? 'Let's meet in the games room at mop bucket o'clock'!"

She laughs a little. "Yeah, I think these would be really useful. I know I lose track of time when I'm reading, so this would be a big help."

"And now you can start up a reading club! See, this is why I wanted clocks. Don't know why the train had to be difficult and stick them up for a vote."

Clocks! They're clocks! But it's a huff Tidus gets over quickly.

"You should get involved with the art month, too. Gonna be a lot going on if you wanna try something new! Knitting, drawing, paiiiinting..."

A real salesman, here.

"Actually, I have been practicing knitting. Aaaaand I could probably keep using more practice."

It's definitely more difficult than she thought.

"Raven's got you covered!" he says cheerily. "And Rapunzel, and... geez, probably someone else? People like knitting."

He'd never even thought about it most of his life.

"A guy- uh, from Blue? He's got a pokémon too with wool for knitting too. He's gonna show how you turn into- you know." He makes a circular, spinny motion with a forefinger. "--The wool for knitting with."

"Oh yeah. They've already been helping me out with knitting. I still need a lot of work, though. But it's kind of fun when I get into a good rhythm."

"What're you looking to make? I thought about learning once, but I couldn't think of anything I'd want to make, you know?"

Even if he was learning something new, it kinda seemed a waste when there was nothing he wanted to turn it into.

"Mostly just clothes, to be honest. I'd seen people knit some pretty cute outfits back home, and I've always wanted to be able to make my own clothes. But some patterns can get pretty complicated, so right now I'm just practicing on simple things like scarves and hats. And even hats can get a bit complex."

Or at least she thought so. Then again, she might just need more practice.

"Yeah, I bet. Just a pair of sticks to go around in a circle, then make the parts that poke out? But show me when you finish something! I wanna see."

Oh. He waves a hand. "If you wanna make something small, I know a little lady who Inigo would love to see be dressed up. If you've met Jumblie."

She turns the name in her mind for a moment before shaking her head. "No, I don't think I've met her yet."

"No? Ohh, I'll introduce you! I can get her alone - make it a surprise for Inigo later. I'll trade you some points if you think you can do somethin' - even later," he adds.

Since she says she's still learning now and all. But if she finds the idea fun...!

She giggles a little. "Sure, yeah. That sounds like a good challenge."

She'll try to make something for both of them.

A New Platform [Intro Post September]

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