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

KIYOIRI - OTA

[jan_ken_hacking]

[THE PLATFORM]

The morning started the same as any other, but something had felt odd. It didn't take long before they were all forced off the train of course- she even made sure to get ready at the door in anticipation, knowing that before long the train could well force them off to do some repairs and renovations anyway. She can see Irene Vermouth Ms. Vineyard leaving...and Ghost, as well, she had been wondering where they w...

"...Ayumi..."

It's not possible to stop anyone. She knows that, but her feet move until she's half-tackling the other girl with her body. Ayumi's form doesn't budge- rigid, walking, even as Kiyoiri pulls.

"Ayumi... Ayumi...! Ayumi..!!" Kiyoiri pulls. She holds on, holds tightly, fingers digging into what fabric she can. She channels magic, as much as she can into her arms and legs, and even still it does nothing. Ayumi silently and steadily drags Kiyoiri forward as she walks, the girls slowly reaching the barriers and fog itself.

"Stop..!! ...Stop..!" she cries, her voice soft but desperate. Fingers grasp at fabric tightly, but while she can keep hold of something, she can't hold onto what matters most.

"AYUMI...!!"

Ayumi passes the barrier, shoulder strap for her gun case snapping as she falls back with a cry.

She has Ayumi's rifle and case.

She doesn't have what matters.

"Nhh...nnhh...."

[TRAINING GYM]

It's rudimentary, but by setting up some training dummies with hand held pads upon them, Kiyoiri numbly sets up to practice with the rifle. It's nonfatal, it's meant to stun and shock, and ultimately as far as self defense goes it's probably the most ideal thing she could ever use.

(She hates guns, she has for a while, but Ayumi would've wanted her safe, and this was Ayumi's, and...)

She's a bit rusty, but considering where most 13 and 14 year old girls are at with skills, it would perhaps be surprising to hear that. Kiyoiri fires with a decent amount of skill, from a number of positions thanks to climbing frames and balance beams, the mana bullets spitting forward while a bottle of water and some food sits nearby if she needs.

Takechirou the crow, for once, is silent- in fact, whenever someone comes in, the bird is the one to acknowledge them; a sad, quiet blink, before he looks back to Kiyoiri's dull 'click-thud' pattern.

[WILDCARD - Kiyoiri is...fairly depressed to say the least, and for the most part will be moping around in the Library, or even just the Laundry area (she has lots of clothes of her own after all), when not doing the above...or you can message me with another idea!]

Platform

[tactlesstantei]

[Masumi was pretty focused on her Vermouth-directed spitefest, but she can’t ignore Kiyoiri’s cries for Ayumi to turn around. Eyes widening in sympathy, she rushes towards Kiyoiri, arriving next to her just as she falls back with the gun case.]

Hey, you need anything? [She’s sympathetic; losing a friend is always rough.]

[jan_ken_hacking]

[Kiyoiri feels numb, tears already streaking down the sides of her face. For a moment she doesn't answer, not even physically- and when she does, it is only that much. Her head shaking, the 'no' unclear in its destination. She clearly needs 'something', but the question of 'what' that something is is...unanswered.

She's in shock, truthfully.]

[tactlesstantei]

[Masumi would prefer to get Kiyoiri somewhere private, but unfortunately the train won’t let anyone back on yet, so instead she just sits with her.]

…Do you want to talk about it?

Platform

[another_moon]

"Kiyori..."

Usagi had seen the incident and watched as the girl stumbled back only carrying the rifle case.

Worried for her, she ran over to her, slowly moving her hands to her shoulders.

"I'm here..."

[jan_ken_hacking]

Kiyoiri doesn't say anything for now, simply on the ground of the platform clutching the case. The barrier stands before her, taunting, hazy, and the girl shakes under Usagi's touch.

She can't say anything right now, may perhaps be the more accurate statement- her shoulders hunched as she sniffs and lets herself cry at least somewhat.

[another_moon]

“It’s okay. Go ahead and cry…” Usagi said softly. Her hands move to embrace Kiyori, her face buried in the girl’s hair.

wildcard!

[hitokiri]

[ izō had had a bad feeling even before he made it out onto the platform. his link with ayumi hadn't broken, but something had changed — enough to know even without seeing it for himself. or overhearing kiyoiri, as it were. there's plenty of things he doesn't know about himself, but one he does is that he's not exactly good at this. izō makes an effort to push people away, not make them feel better, so he leaves the immediate aftermath to others.

later though, when it's quiet, he tracks kiyoiri down when she's in the laundry. it isn't an area he's ever been in before on account of not needing to, so there's no point in pretending he's here for any other reason. ]

Hey, kid. Ya like chocolate?

[ he has one of the train-issued chocolate bars in one hand and a drink in another. an everybody-drink, not an adult beverage for once. ]

Dunno if this lemon stuff is any good. S'posed t'be sweet, I guess? Anyway...

[ he sets both down where she can get them. now is when he feels awkward because he has to say things that don't involve the snacks, and he hadn't exactly handled his feelings about being left behind very well, historically. ]

Er... look, I ain't gonna bother ya if ya wanna be by yer self, but I don't mind sittin' with ya and bein' pissed off about it either.

[jan_ken_hacking]

[Sitting in the laundry room, she finds that the book she brought isn't even open, and the machine is only successfully distracting her through the rumblings. Her eyes are dull, staring distantly at nothing, and it takes a moment to even really register what Izo has said.

Slowly, hesitantly even, she moves to take the chocolate, and then the lemon drink.] ...It's...soda? [It's probably soda. Probably. She's not sure, and she's too spent and tired to even bother hiding that she isn't.]

[hitokiri]

[ ah... izō knows that look. if she were older, izō would have offered kiyoiri a real drink. that's probably why he should not be entrusted with the youth. ]

Lemonade..? Dunno the difference anyway. But I guess that's the surprise, huh?

[ he chuckles a little and trails off awkwardly, not expecting her to participate in the laughter. well... ]

I know how yer feelin'. But around here, people go, but they can come back too, yeah? Ya never know.

[ that was hope and hope was good; he hadn't had that in his situation. ]

gym

[flatteries]

Look, at least Inigo thinks that a 13 or 14 year old training isn't too strange of a thing - kids started learning how to fight even younger than that in his world, so that's nothing that would catch his attention about this.

It's also the reason why he usually wouldn't have paid this much mind and moved on, walking past it.

But now he doesn't. He remembers seeing the way Kiyoiri looked earlier on the platform, and while his own platform hurt and trauma often prevents him from approaching people there, he figured he'd look for her later.

.. even though he isn't sure disturbing her in the middle of this is the best idea necessarily, but still..

".. Kiyoiri?" He asks, at a moment when she isn't firing. Just so he doesn't have to raise his voice to get over the volume.

[jan_ken_hacking]

The firing, briefly, stops. Kiyoiri doesn't turn her head, but she does at least address the other.

"...yes." It's meant to be a question really- what is it, what do they need to talk about- but it doesn't end up coming out like one, simply flat and cold and distant and perhaps (no, certainly) depressed.

[flatteries]

It really is certainly depressed. Inigo knows. He's been in that situation so often himself that he recognizes the emotions within an instant, not needing any further elaboration.

And he knows how hard it is. And that technically nothing really helps to stop that pain, but.. on the other hand, it also feels wrong to leave the girl entirely alone with it.

So the first thing he says, before anything else, is just a simple: "I'm so sorry for your current situation." You know, without naming the situation, but they both know what he means. He's just trying to be a little delicate about it. "I know it's really hard."

Training Gym

[schrodingersghost]

[Danny couldn't say what he'd been expecting when he came into the gym. But this wasn't it. ]

Uh... Kiyoiri? Are you okay? Since when did you use a gun?

[jan_ken_hacking]

[Only one of those questions gets answered. Perhaps that's understandable.]

I learned a long time ago, [She answers quietly, though shortly.]

...Ayumi's rifle shouldn't gather dust.

[schrodingersghost]

Danny was not the greatest at picking up on cues, but even he could tell that Kiyoiri was not okay.

"Well, I guess?" He kind of had a feeling that he shouldn't leave on her own right now, through. "Do you want any help?"

Platform

[deductiongeek]

[Conan had a lot of conflicted feelings about this. He really couldn't say he was sorry to see Vermouth go. That other Ayumi... That was something else. He'd never gotten to know her very well (It had been hard to get past all the differences from the Ayumi he knew). But he knew that Kiyoiri had been close to her.

He steps up to the barrier, and stands there, offering silent support.]

...Kiyoiri. She's gone. Will you be okay?

[jan_ken_hacking]

[People changed. The Conan that they knew had a few years to adjust to Ayumi-age-ten, let alone Ayumi-age-13, and it paid off.

This one lacks that advantage, even if they still don't realize that the advantage isn't the same as the difference between years of familiarity versus a few days. Conan here, not that Kiyoiri knows, has had much more 'time' in the form of increasingly intense adventures.

Kiyoiri doesn't look up, but she doesn't tell Conan to leave either. Instead, she finds herself shaking her head.]

...I wonder...if this is what it felt like with Ran-neechan.

[She's not talking about this Conan. She didn't even know Ran had ever been here- but all she can think of now is Conan- Shinichi's- face, when they finally had to board the plane back to Chaldea, blindfolds on, and final goodbyes said.] ...I know she's not dead. She's gone, somewhere else...but...

[It's that separation, she supposes. It feels too far away.]

[deductiongeek]

[Conan's expression stiffens and he glances away.]

You know that she is most likely safer at home, where she at least knows what the risks and dangers are. You trust in her strength to be able to take care of herself. But all the same, it is difficult to believe in all of that when you can't see each other any more.

Library

[dreamtamer]

As Takato steps into the library, he winces as he suddenly feels the first twinge of a headache. These had been coming to him more and more lately for some reason. But more importantly, he suddenly felt terribly, terribly sad.

Guilmon reaches out to him. "Takato... you're crying."

Takato shakes his head and wipes the tears away. "I'm okay! I think?"

Trying to focus on something else, he recognizes Kiyoiri. The other Matsuda on the train, he remembers. She looked a little sad, but he immediately decides to focus on cheering her up.

"Hey, I guess its been a while! How have you been?"

[jan_ken_hacking]

How's she doing?

The answer is poorly. She's been reading the same line at least five times, and ultimately the book is getting closed, because of how hopeless the matter is. Sighing, she slowly looks to Takato.

Ah. "...I..." ...Well.

"...I'll...be okay," she eventually says. No guarantees on 'when', but...yeah. "...I didn't expect things to happen the way they did, at the platform..."

Gym

[kabano]

[She enters as a cat and the bell on her collar rings with her steps. With a nod to the crow, she then watches the girl in silence for several long moments. She's seen that look before--Otoha gets the same one. She knows better than to get in the way, but she eventually does walk up the the girl looking more human, careful to stay out of the sights of the rifle. That looks like it would hurt.]

They were important.

[It isn't a question.]

[jan_ken_hacking]

[It would sting, perhaps- but nothing more than that. Kiyoiri is resolute in keeping the weapon from firing lethal rounds, and that includes anything that could even accidentally do so.

Kiyoiri answers with a nod, rather than words, and fires another shot with a sniffle.]

library

[blitzcheer]

"Hey."

It's while Kiyoiri's in the library that she'll hear the voice, and a weight too joining it on her shoulder. A friendly hand, or meaning to be, along with the sympathetic voice that comes through. "Saw you outside. How you holding up?"

The answer might be obvious, but while he doesn't know her too well - she's young. She's lost someone important. Tidus can't help but want to come over and give his sympathies.

[jan_ken_hacking]

Considering she's still on the same page she was perhaps 5 minutes ago, or more...

Kiyoiri can only duck her head slightly.

"...I don't think I am," she honestly says. Holding up, she means, but...hm.

"...I didn't expect it." It's not hard to guess what 'it' was.