voidtreckerexpress | 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

[Ears perking up at the approaching footsteps, Q'uila is ready and waiting with a friendly smile.]

Wellmet, my name is Q'uila. Pray what can I do for you today?

[Her hands begin to move as she engages in sign language; the SCAs tend to translate - either on the receiving end in subtitles, or dubbed from Amaya's own, if only the one is present.]

Hello, I was told to talk to you about armour?

[Sharp eyes watch the hand movements before SCA kicks in and translates it. Q'uila's ears perk right up.]

Oh, how fascinating! I did not realise that hand speech was translated by the SCAs.

But aye, that would be me
Pray come in and take a seat and we can talk shop a bit!

[She shrugs, it's all she's known from the start - but probably not the most used feature, given that statement. She does take a seat, still looking around, hands moving.]

I can't identify half of the things on this train.

Ah. [Q'uila gives Amaya a sympathetic smile.] I understand how you feel, a lot of the things on this train were beyond my ken. I basically had to ask a lot of questions of those who have travelled for longer, I doubt that I would be able to provide a decent explanation on half of the shite here.

[She nodded, looking thoughtful for a moment, then began signing again.]

I require armour, and the sooner the better. I can fight here, that's fine, but I'm meant for the thick of the fray - and you don't live there for long without it.

Armour I can certainly do! And I understand exactly how you feel, I often feel naked going into combat without my own. You can purchase whatever armour you had at home but 'tis pricy and can take a while to save up for.

[She pulls her notebook out onto the desk and grabs a pencil, spinning it through her clawed fingers.]

So, what sort of armour are you looking for? Any particular enchantments or more magical properties too?

[She shakes her head in the negative.]

As close to my standard as possible. I can sketch that. Would...what would you recommend? I've never had any enchantments or magical properties.

Sketching it out would certainly help. As for enchantments, the basic ones I would apply would increase the durability and, depending on the material it is made of, I would also give it some measure of fire-resistant.

[She passes over her notebook and pencil.]

I can suggest more specialist enchantments once I have seen the structure of the armour.

[She nods, taking over the notebook and pencil, and starting to sketch. She's quiet for a few minutes before handing over the finished product. She's got the armour precisely right, though she can't do face, so there's just a smiley face.]

[Q'uila glances over the design once it's done and picks up the pencil, muttering to herself.]

For your measurement...mayhaps two ingots for the bracers...[She scribbles and starts annotating the image.]

I could certainly add some enchantments to improve the durability of your armour and maybe some defensive features.

[She just nods, watching Q'uila work. Armorers are...well, they're a special breed. Best to just let them work.]

[Across the armour curling designs are stating to appear with annotations referring to a range of materials.]

Right, so these runes would increase the sturdiness of your armour and these oneswill impard a nasty shock to those who strike your armour if you will it to. [Her smile is sharp and somewhat viscous as she says that.]

[Ok, she really likes that last part. She grins, hands moving.]

I'd have a lot fewer scars if I'd had that sooner.

[She snorts.]

Same here, though my priority once I started enchantment was fire proofing my gear, between the dragons and magitek I had to weather my fair share of explosions. Though dragons tend not to be my foe these days.

[She grins at that, too.]

Lucky you. Though...not foes now, I suppose.

A New Platform [Intro Post October]

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