voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post October]

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A New Platform [Intro Post October]

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Jin Ling!" Didn't they already have someone called that? He is pretty used to the fact that more than one person was the same person. So he just nods, fussing over Fairy some more. He was a very good dog.

"It's okay! I like helping people and the train is very big!"

It could be very confusing at times. "Um. The point is that we gotta go and help people in the other worlds. Some people think the train might be bad because it kidnapped us and other people think the train is good because it's trying to help people and the train is sad because it had some crew before and then their world got eaten."

He gave a serious nod. "I can show you to your room if you want!"

The teen was once more taken back by Romeo's enthusiasm. He didn't really know how to deal with someone so energetic and up--lifting??

He just made a face as he watched the boy fuss over his spiritual dog, who at this point was spoiled rotten. It was even rolling on its back for belly rubs from Romeo, barking happily. Fairy-- was just too much sometimes and he couldn't help but feel a little more bashful at how well his spiritual companion was being treated.

"How big.... are we talking here?"

He knew that Hakagemachi was huge but if the train was just as big. He wondered how far it stretched and what sort of places it had inside of it. He remembered glancing at the layout before and everything looked-- confusing.

"Yeah-- I get that! It's always about helping people--"

He frowned. His way of doing things didn't allow him to not help those in need, thus why he was relatively calm about all of this, despite his confusion among other things. Even if it was somewhat understood before, it really was hitting him now more than ever.

"...."

He didn't like how this sounded but did he really have much of a choice. He took a moment before replying.

"Fine... if you want to."

How did one appreciate help... without sound really awkward?

"Very big! Lots and lots of carriages!" He told him whilst he continued to fuss over Fairy. "But you don't got to worry because it's all in one straight line so it's really hard to get lost in! You just got to go backwards or forwards. Some of the carriages have two floors but it's really not tricky!"

He grinned at him and stood up from where he crouched. Sorry Fairy! More pets later!

"Okay! Do you got your ticket? That has your room number on it and I can take you to where you are staying!"

He fumbled around for a bit until he procured the train ticket and handed it slowly to Romeo. It's better to get a feel of the train if someone was helping him. Though, asking for help didn't come naturally to him. It was still a little difficult to rely on others but he was trying.

"I know that! It's just-- vast."

He muttered under his breath. Fairy just let Romeo fuss over it for as long as he wanted before they explore the train.

It was vast that was true! It would take a lot to get used to it! But Romeo knew he would get there in the end, he seems very brave and he has a good friend in Fairy, so everything would be alright.

He looked at the ticket and then grinned a very bright grin. "Oh! You're in my cabin! That's easy to show you then!"

And it meant he could help him more if they were roommates, because they would see each other more often!

He felt like everything would be fine with due time. It was just a little hard to adjust at the moment. With Fairy here, he was 100% aware he would be okay. He gave Romeo a once over for the bright response.

Something, he really wasn't accustomed to. Normally, he waw arguing with so many people these.

"Are you saying, we'll be sharing ... the cabin?"

The words rolled off his tongue a bit awkwardly since he's not very familiar with it to begin with.

"Yes sir!" He nodded with a big grin as he began leading the way. "All the rooms have got four people in them unless you ask to be in a room with two people but you got to be big to do that and also have been on the train for a long time."

Jin Ling was probably big enough. He looked like an adult. "There's me and you and then Kiyoiri, she's a kid but she's bigger than me and then mister Xehanort."

Plus Kiyoiri's crow friend and Fairy. A very packed room indeed!

Jin Ling made a face when he called him sir. Seriously, the boy may be a little younger than him, but this is just plain weird. Jin Ling opened his mouth and spoke in an even tone to Romeo.

"Just call me Jin Ling. I'm not that much older than you."

He's used to formalities at home, but being Hakagemachi for so long, he's used to the simpler ways of communication. After all, he showed his respects to his elder as he saw fit, but treated everyone else around him pretty much the same. If this person was going to be his roommate or whatever, he might as well get used to casual greetings.

"That's a lot of people. Are there even enough room for four people?"

He mused giving Romeo a look for that.

"Okay Jin Ling." He nodded, it was always better to be polite at first but a lot of grown ups here liked just being called by their names. Especially the younger ones. Romeo didn't know how old this boy was but he was probably just too big to be a kid.

"There's not much room, it's a bit squishy. Did you ever see bunk beds before? It's when there's one bed on top of another bed! We got beds like that."

He was satisfied with that response for the time being. At least, he wasn't treated like someone who was way older than this boy, even though, he's pretty sure the other isn't that much younger than him. All of this is beside the point, of course.

"...No. what are 'bunk beds?'"

Jin Ling had never heard of that term before and most of the time slept on a futon on the floor or his own bed. Sometimes, the ground, since he did a lot of night hunts. Oh, he answered the question.

"So someone sleeps on a bed at the top and someone sleeps on one at the bottom?"

He seemed a little questionable about it but regardless, he's trying.

"Yes!" He nodded. "You'll see them soon! They are fun to sleep on! And it means four beds can fit inside the room. Because otherwise they wouldn't!"

He led them down the corridor until he found the right room. "You got to use your ticket to get in. You hold it to that screen there." He pointed.

"That makes sense-- I guess."

He raised a brow, but he didn't argue with the boy about it. Whatever the case is, he'd appreciate a place to sleep on and warmth of some kind. It was hard scraping by in a dilapidated apartment complex. (That was probably haunted by his thoughts.) So, the bunk beds didn't sound too bad.

He walked down the corridor, Fairy tailing the two of them as they made it to the room. He touches the screen with the ticket that he showed to Romeo earlier and waited.

The door slid open and Romeo skipped into the cabin ahead and flung his arms out to show Ling Jin.

"Here you go!" The cabin was neat at least, everyone's belongings stowed on their bed at least if not in the cubby holes provided.

He scrambled up into his bed, one of the top bunks, to give Jin Ling and Fairy more room to stand.

"There's a sleeping bag in your rucksack and we got blankets if you get cold!"

Jin Ling looked around when the cabin was opened. He looked around. It was definitely small, cramped even. However, he at least noticed the bunk beds. They were definitely new to him. He's never seen beds like this before.

He looked around a bit more. There were storage places for his belongings. Fairy was happily sniffing the cabin, since it was in a new place. It was having more fun than Jin Ling.

"This... rucksack sure has a lot of stuff."

Romeo just watched them, letting them explore and get settled. It was a bit strange at first but he was sure Jin Ling would get used to things soon.

"It does! It's got lots of clothes and washing things and a towel and a sleeping bag! It usually has one thing that is yours as well but um... I think sometimes people get animals instead so maybe Fairy came with you instead!"

It's strange as hell to Jin Ling but it wasn't like he's going to complain right now. He had a place to sleep and rest. Even if it's cramped, it seemed a lot cozier than the dilapidated apartment with all the leaks.

"There's some strange clothes in there. I found a towel and I didn't find anything-- Fairy?"

Well, he looked and furrowed his brows at the spiritual dog, tilting its head before nuzzling his leg. Jin Ling's heart softened. Maybe that explained why Suihua wasn't with him. That meant he was weaponless, except for the demon powers and Fairy.

"I guess."

Not that he is complaining. He lowered himself to Fairy's height and rubs its head.

"Yes we all got strange clothes. When you get points you can buy new clothes if you want!"

Romeo didn't mind the train clothes, they were comfortable and the hoodie was warm. So he had never bought new ones from the train shop.

He smiled as he looked down at Jin Ling and Fairy, it was good that Jin Ling had such a good friend.

"You can put your things in the cubby hole." He pointed it out. "So it doesn't get all messy."

"Right. Points. I don't really like these-- modern clothes. They're uncomfortable."

He remembered briefly about them. It would be good if he could get his sect robes back or something remotely familiar to what he is used to. That and the undergarments that he was more comfortable in. Everything at the moment felt tight and uncomfortable. He couldn't move too much in it.

Fairy was definitely one of Jin Ling's best friends. He loves the spiritual dog to death and would probably take a mortal hit for it. He looked at the cubby hole, before nodding his head. With the sack in hand, he sort of pushes it into the cubby. He also reminded himself where it was. Jin Ling ended up taking the mast from the sack and tying it around the loop of his pants.

"You don't?" He blinked at him. "What clothes do you normally wear in your world?"

He didn't find them too uncomfortable. Especially not the hoodie. That was soft and comfy and had a hood!

How could he explain what he wore?

He thought for a moment before speaking to Romeo.

"They're a lot looser, and the fabrics are a lot less-- cheap? They're moveable and not as tight. I guess, the term you would use is ... 'robes?'"

He mused knitting his brows. The wolf was helping him kind of figure out what words to use. This was the best he could say about his robes.

"The point is, it's not not restricted like this and not tight."

So looser and more expensive. Money isn't something Romeo knows a lot about, there's points on the train and he never had money in the heavens before so everything he knows about it is from when he was alive, before he could remember. But he knows you have to be rich to wear expensive clothes.

"Do you find it really uncomfortable? Maybe we could see if anyone has any robes you could borrow. Some people wear robes here too!"

He's seen them.

Jin Ling isn't even sure if that makes sense either. It's just that he's used to high quality stuff growing up, so things like this stood out to him. Not that he was trying to be snobby about it all. It seemed that modern day clothing just didn't have that sort of finesse and tat was normal. He didn't say anymore than that.

"I've never worn anything so tight... before."

He mumbled. He was quite uncomfortable but not horribly uncomfortable. Just enough that he felt a bit restricted. At least, he had clothes on.

"Th-That's fine. I'm sure I can figure something else out. No need to do that!"

"Oh okay! Well tell me if you want any help! We used to have a spider living with us who could make clothes but she's gone now! So we can just buy them. I got points though so if you are too uncomfotable I can buy you some!"

He has lots of points after all!

"I-- thanks. You don't have to do that. I can earn it myself. It probably isn't that hard to do-- right?"

He also didn't want to rely on someone he just met. It made him feel guilty. Jin Ling was used to getting things that way with people before-- mostly his family. He was trying to be better and not let himself be too spoiled. After all, he learned a lot during his stay in the other place. He couldn't always be a 'young master.'

This discipline will do him some good after all.

"It's fine. I can manage for now."

"It's not hard at all! You just got to do chores and do good teamwork on missions!"

So nothing too tricky! He smiled at the other boy and then lay back on his bed.

"Well just let me know if you need any help!"

A New Platform [Intro Post October]

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thanks for the thread <3

no thank you for the thread ! it was so much fun! :D