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

[fivemilesdeep]

You've befriended a healer, Essek; of course he's going to worry about your health.

Still, hearing that someone else already knew about the problem and took steps to prevent it in the future helps, and Ryo settles a bit. "That's good. Still, let me know if anything happens, alright? I can help."

The more they talk, the more Essek reminds him of Thanatos: sensitivity to light; dislike of physical contact; and always more going on beneath the surface than they let on. It's interesting, to see two people from two different worlds so alike, and it makes sense to Ryo that he'd be friends with them both - if he was drawn to one, why wouldn't he be drawn to the other? The difference is, he hasn't managed to completely mess up any conversations with Essek yet.

...he probably shouldn't think about that right now.

[essek]

Essek isn't used to people worrying about him, healer or otherwise. It's still a very new thing for him, okay?

While Essek doesn't really intend to seek out Ryo if he needs help with his sensitivity to sunlight, he still nods. Though he thinks to talking to Caleb earlier, his mind considering for a moment. He would need someone experienced with healing to help him learn.

"Speaking of help, if someone were to ask you for aid in learning the art of healing, would that be something you'd be willing to help with?"

[fivemilesdeep]

Ryo perks up at the new subject. This is something he knows. This, he can do.

(And gods, is that ever a relief, to have something he knows he's capable of doing well.)

"Yes, absolutely." He pauses for a moment as logic catches up with excitement and makes itself known. "I mean, my healing is different than everyone else's, so I may not be able to teach them everything, but yes. Tell them to come talk to me and we'll get started."

[essek]

Watching the other closely, Essek nods at his reaction. Seems that Ryo could help him at least gain a basic understanding, perhaps unlock the talent further. It would be useful to learn to utilize, help in certain situations to have another healer around.

"Seeing as we are already speaking," good enough segue in his opinion, "after our time in the illusory world, I have found myself with a budding ability to heal, but outside of some relatively minor self taught utilization, I find myself at a loss as it is not a magic familiar to me."

[fivemilesdeep]

It takes him a moment to catch on, but- Essek was a healer on Diagad, and he'd kept his power somehow, making him a healer here as well. And now he needs to learn. It's unexpected, but he still can't help but be excited - a new healer is always a good thing, after all!

(There are further implications here that he should be thinking through, something niggling at the back of his thoughts, but he's too exhausted from the events of the day and excited by Essek's revelation to pay it any mind.)

"Well, I'd be happy to teach you," he says with a smile, then pauses as a thought surfaces. Right. It's Essek, and Essek is like Thanatos, and neither of them like to be touched. "Though my healing does require physical contact - I wanted to make sure you knew that before we got started."

[essek]

Seeing Ryo so excited by the prospect of helping him learn to heal, that Essek can't help but find it a little encouraging. The excitement almost reminds him of Jester, she would have been just as excited to help him learn such magics.

"Many healing magics back home require touch as well, especially the more potent common spells," plus, with how touch oriented Ryo seemed to be.. Essek can't help but not be surprised to learn that. "I appreciate the warning, perhaps.. we can find a middle ground that will still allow for the limitations of the magic without overtaxing my boundaries."

Though, he knows that touch will be involved, perhaps they can keep it just to the healing instead of anything unnecessary beyond that.

[fivemilesdeep]

It's almost odd to hear that healing in someone else's world requires touch, at least in some circumstances - he's become terribly used to being the odd man out in that regard that it's a nice change.

"I'm sure we can figure it out as we go along." There's a beat, then his smile turns just a touch mischievous. "I promise I won't hug you without asking."

(To note: that's not an if; that's a when.)

[essek]

Essek nods because that seems fair and while he isn't fond of hugging, he appreciates that he will at least ask before he does so. There is a very very short list of people he would be okay with hugging him unannounced and Ryo hasn't yet earned his way on it.

"I appreciate the courtesy. And that you are willing to assist me, it is a skill I think would be useful if honed.." he likes the idea of being able to heal Caleb, of keeping him safe.

[fivemilesdeep]

"Of course. We help each other." It's a simple, immediate response. He believes it; it's how his world works back home, and as far as he can see, it's how the train works as well. There's no reason not to help if he can. "And it'll be good to have another healer around."

[essek]

There is a nod to both, he has notice that yes, it seems to be the way on the train: to help and be helped. And having another healer would of course be useful, immeasurably so.

"I regret so brusquely dismissing my friend when she offered to share her magical talents with me, she's gifted in healing, as you are."

[fivemilesdeep]

"Well, maybe the next time you see her, you can show her what you've learned." Because Ryo firmly believes they'll all make it back home at one point or another.

[essek]

"I will be sure to do so," he gives another nod. Caleb believes they go home when they leave here, so Essek is not one to dispute such thoughts. Not without more evidence. "I should retire for the night.. Be sure to get rest, Ryo."

With that, Essek rises and moves to leave.