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

[catti]

If Zeka had his way, he'd like to physically remove the Ascian from his borrowed vessel, send him back to the space between the worlds, and give Ardbert's body a proper burial. Alas, he's already gotten monumentally lucky in that he managed to get himself and his friends home in one piece, so he'll take that victory instead.

"Neither do I," he says, glad they're in agreement on not antagonizing each other for as long as they have to put up with one another. He opens his mouth to say that he doesn't doubt Elidibus but still doesn't trust him, but thinks better of it and switches to address what else the man mentioned.

"Have you any idea what brought us here? I'm surprised there's aught that can steal away an Ascian." Where was Urianger when you needed him to be a nerd and figure out this kind of stuff?

[wewillwewill]

Take a number and get in line.

Elidibus nods, willing to leave their mutual agreement at that. He probably would have done much the same had Zeka decided to speak on trust. It was after all perfectly reasonable.

Of course what the miqo'te chooses to ask is the touchier subject. Fortunately the Ascian has had a month or so to keep himself composed. "I can offer theories, though I've only begun to explore the concept of this 'voidspace'." A glance is cast at Zeka. "Something different from the Void you and I are familiar with."

The words of the man in question turn a little dry.

"As to my capture..." Instead of a glance, Elidibus favors the Warrior of Light with a once-over study. "We seem to be drawn from different versions of our Star. But surely they're similar enough that you can think of a few circumstances one of our kind can be contained."

That is to say, catch an Ascian off-guard or in a moment of weakness and even they are subject to confinement. However long that lasts depends on the strength of the cage and the power of one within it.

In Elidibus's case, there is one recent incident that could come to mind, provided events played out much the same.

[catti]

"I can. But last I checked, no one remained on the First who could control the Tower and thus undo the seal."

At least, he thinks Elidibus was sealed there. They seemed to be rid of the Ascian, and Zeka was much more concerned with the apparent (but ultimately temporary) death of his crystallized friend.

He gives a small shrug, as if to tell himself that how Elidibus got out isn't really that important right now, especially since they've declared a truce of sorts.

"So it isn't the same void voidsent come from? That's what I know of it."

[wewillwewill]

Elidibus doesn't know if he was taken just before he was drawn into the seal or after. The event remains somewhat clouded, only knowing it was about that moment. But the results are the same; he is now here and that's what's relevant now.

As well, that this Warrior of Light shared those events as well. So from that point or further on and likely the latter, inferred by the phrasing. He'll touch on that in a moment.

"The Void you are familiar with is a world lost to an imbalance toward Darkness. This voidspace is something other." Elidibus muses momentarily, seeking the best word.

"Another space that may connect all things. But instead of a just the rift between worlds you have learned of, it is one that seems to touch the realm of time and possibility. Other worlds beyond our own shattered one. Other variations of our Star, where you faced another Elidibus, for all my similarity to him."

There is a short pause.

"I am still learning of it. But it is dangerous, so have a care if you seek to explore its mysteries during your journey."

But now it seems the Ascian wishes to touch on a matter hinted at before.

"You mentioned before that no one remains on the First capable of accessing the power of the Crystal Tower. I take it this means the Crystal Exarch succumbed to his condition?" A condition Elidibus is well aware he worsened. Still, there is another query. "Did his intriguing vessel work? Were you able to save him? And your Scion allies stranded on the First?"

[catti]

Zeka doesn't have much to contribute to the discussion regarding voidspace vs Void space. He finds it interesting enough, but basically all the 'research' he's done on it has been assisting the Saint Coinach and Crystarium researchers where he could.

He'll let Elidibus do his research and bug him about it later.

At the mention of the Exarch, Zeka looks momentarily angry, though the look goes away when he nods, as if the action cleared the emotion from his head.

"He did...and it did. Everything went just as we had hoped it would; everyone was able to return to their bodies just fine." He's not saying how he worried he was that things would somehow worsen, like someone (or everyone) just wouldn't wake up after all the effort. Elidibus doesn't need to know that.

[wewillwewill]

Hey, stop taking advantage of--- oh wait.

"I see," Elidibus answers. "I would like to offer my congratulations on succeeding in restoring your comrades. An impressive feat." Certainly it would be given the limitations mortals have in travelling between the worlds. But the Ascian's comment is extremely professional in tone. There is politeness and one might even be able to acknowledge some sincerity.

But only just enough to indicate Elidibus understands the importance. This sequence of events did, after all, come at the cost of the Ascian's failure to save his own.

Elidibus doesn't need to know the worry. Because of obvious reasons and also he can probably discern it anyway. Particularly now he understands how important his own dear friends were to him.

The conversation is probably nearing its end. Though there seems one last thing Elidibus would say. It's offered after a soft sigh of resignation.

"Forgive me for continuing to speak on sensitive topics. I imagine the vessel I inhabit may be on your mind. Know that this is the form I was called to the train in. And its continued use is for more practical reasons." Being unable to interact half the train's passengers without effort is one. The fact that there really aren't other options available is another.

"But even if you can't bring yourself to accept my use of this body, understand not one person here is under the impression I am Ardbert. Nor do I ever intend to give that impression."

That he's speaking so openly of it even in a public space is definitely an indication that not only is he telling the truth, but he's not exactly hiding the idea that this body is a host.