A New Platform [Intro Post October]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

The train continues its journey

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day sixteen 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. Asch, Ayumi Uoshida, Cleopatra Selene, Della Duck, Ghost, Hanuel Min, Jaisyn Solo, Jonathan Sims, Martin Blackwood, Nie Huaisang, Vermouth; 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 four new faces. Wearing hoodies, three in purple one orange, 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 relatively small, a brick wall behind them and cracked flagstones on the floor. It is cold, icy cold but the wall at least shelters them a little.

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, freezing 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 four 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'). The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, including yadon tail, 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. 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!

Comments

[katzenpfote]

"Yes. ... The clay will take some effort to move. The person requesting the spell is... not made of organic material at the moment, so they're very heavy." He's not going to name names out here, but he leans into Essek a little more for stability.

"We're going to use one of the rented rooms, I think. We'll have to clean up later, but it should be big enough."

[essek]

When no names are mentioned, Essek accepts that without question or mention, knowing that Caleb is likely doing that out of some form of concern or consideration.

"Moving it will be of no issue," he has his gravitational magics, if needed he can half their weight and they can take it up in batches. Clean up will also be easy enough, considering he has unseen servant, he could summon a number to make quick work of the room.

"I've not seen the size of the rented rooms, but should they fit the requisite glyphs and circle, it should be plenty well enough," if not he can offer his room.

[katzenpfote]

"It should be big enough, from what I've peeked at. Given the force that a successful casting expels, I thought it best to not do it around someone else's belongings."

... Right, Essek hadn't been there. "It shattered a bathtub when we used it with Veth."

[essek]

"Oh." No Essek hadn't been around. In a strange way, he had been hurt by that, had hoped to see the spell they created together succeed, to see Caleb's work find worth, to see Nott become Veth... But he never held it against the Nein. No, he understood it.

"I was not aware, then yes, I believe I can summon a number of unseen servants that could help with the clean up once we are done.. should any damage happen, I am also equipped with mending and ah.." he hasn't mentioned his mild healing capabilities. Or how he's been training them.

[katzenpfote]

"That would be appreciated. I can do the same, but... we're both going to be very tired after the ritual. In case you had something you needed to do beforehand." He grips Essek's forearm gently, the contact steady and comforting.

"... Was there something else?"

[essek]

"I have nothing pressing," he smiles, feeling his heart jump when Caleb squeezes his arm.

"I-..." he hasn't told anyone else about his residual abilities, heard other people talking about their own, but part of him feels unsettled by his own. "The illusion we were caught in last month, do you recall how I was capable of healing?"

[katzenpfote]

"... I do. I... have you kept it? I haven't had an opportunity to test mine." He doesn't really have any wood or stone to practice on. Clay isn't really the same.

[essek]

"Yes, I-" he nods, hesitating a second before bringing his thumb to one of his fangs and nicking the skin. Essek has a couple spells that require blood, so the nick to his skin barely make him flinch. "I do not think it's very powerful still, but.. perhaps that of a fledgling cleric?" With a wave of his other hand, Essek conjures a soft gray light - exactly like the motes of possibility within the beacon - and just like that, the skin knits back together and heals.

"Though, I have not tested it's limits, but it heals more than it did when I first discovered it.."

[katzenpfote]

He only flinches internally when Essek bites his finger - he knows full well that some spells need blood, but that doesn't mean he likes seeing his... partner... hurt himself. The healing is watched with open fascination and he examines the skin.

.. It really is healed. "It's something to work on. ... I doubt my ability will be all that useful unless we have some wood or stone." He could try on some of the rocks in the rock garden, but he doesn't really feel like defacing public property will be looked on very well by the train's residents.

[essek]

"There are many practical applications for the ability you had before, both for spell components, but other things... with but a thought you could make an instrument that only needs strings. Furniture.. even just miniature sculptures." Not everything needed to have a battle application. His float and some of his favorite utility spells had pretty much none. And maybe with a little magic, they could take those sculptures and make them more.

"I was considering asking a healer here if.. he would perhaps teach me? I.. I feel as if I have only broken the surface of its potential."

[katzenpfote]

"True. I was only stating that I don't think I can use it on anything else... but it's worth trying out." There's no sense in letting it sit there doing nothing, after all. He's got some utility spells that he's fond of as well, but hopefully they can find some use out of what he's got.

"... I think that's a good idea. I know there are at least a few healers on board... I admit that I haven't exactly been to them. I... haven't had a need to, thankfully."

[essek]

"Ah, I apologize," he does look a little sheepish that he jumped to that. He had thought Caleb was doubting himself and wanted to encourage and support his.. well, Caleb.

"I... met one. He helped me before," twice. "Perhaps I could ask him, though..ah, he seems to have a tendency to get wrapped up in his concerns for others."

[katzenpfote]

"It's all right." He nudges Essek a little gently. He's here. He's not going away.

"... I'm starting to think that might be a requirement for healers, to be honest." Less Caduceus, but definitely Jester...

[essek]

Essek nods at the nudge, smiling softly as he leans to keep their shoulder touching a little more.

"I would not be surprised if it were," he's known and met enough in his own time now too. "Regardless, I will assist how I can in this spell."