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!

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Elidibus watches the events unfold from another place in the gym. He comes here regularly to keep his vessel in fit condition and so has seen any number of others and probably quite a few unusual techniques.

No one has yet attempted to train an attack hedgehog.

After observing and listening to Little One speak, he finds out her intentions. And yet when the Ascian approaches, his question suggests he may still be uncertain.

"May I ask what you are trying to do, child?" Perhaps not 'gentle and kindly' but at least curious and patient. The question also seems to entertain the possibility that the child in question is doing something as yet to be fathomed but infinitely wise.

She is aware there is others here but she doesn't mind. She is not bothering them. The gym is for everyone and her and hedgehog will stick to their corner. Hopefully. This hedgehog is more unruly than she had anticipated.

"No. That do be being the wrong way." She said for what felt like the hundredth time. She looks up at the man, recognising him as someone else from red team.

"Training my hedgehog." She told him. "I only did be getting him today so he do be just learning."

To be clear, she's not a terrible trainer, it's the first day.

So it is as it seemed from what he'd overheard. Elidibus nods.

"For combat? I've never seen this particular beast trained for it. They are at most kept as pets by mortals."

~~Goodness there actually is something on Elidibus's world that doesn't have a large monstrous variation of it. Yet.~~

He crouches nearby without crowding the two, better to get a look at the hedgehog and its aether.

...Yup. By all accounts it really does seem to be an ordinary hedgehog.

"Are such beasts usually meant for combat where you are from?" Elidibus asks, looking over toward the girl. While he doesn't particularly think this variation is meant for it, it's possible this is a case of mistaken purpose.

Edited 2021-10-03 06:01 (UTC)

She wrinkled her nose. Pets? She knows of pets but they are useless things. She did not buy this hedgehog as a pet. She bought it to fight.

It is not doing a good job of fighting though it has moved over to the soft bear and is sniffing it.

"We do no be having hedgehogs where I do be coming from, but I did be hearing they do be being fierce despite their size and they do be having these spikes." She pointed them out, in case he hadn't see them. "So they can be stabbing their enemies. It will be making a good battle animal. It do just be needing to be learning."

The child's speech is unusual but it is easy enough to follow. She's never seen a hedgehog before. And when someone described them, it left the impression the creature was a fierce beast. And maybe it was where that person came from....

Well honestly at this point Elidibus has some doubts.

"Fierce, yes. But I think in its own defense against predators. You may find it daunting to train a creature against its very nature."

Case in point, the hedgehog sniffing the stuffed bear appears to Elidibus to be one tick away from snuggling down for a nap curled around the soft toy than actually combating it.

"Still, if you'll allow me," the Ascian offers, indicating with a brief gesture the desire to interact with the hedgehog. Should the child permit it, the man leans forward in careful balance. It allows him to reach out a hand and bring it near the floor beside the hedgehog and the toy. No sudden movements but he has a mind to test the creature.

"Let's see if it truly does have an aggressive tendency."

Edited 2021-10-03 07:38 (UTC)

If it could be fierce against predators then it could be trained, clearly. Everything needed trained, even if it was just by bigger adult versions of them. She doesn't know any big hedgehogs so she will have to do her best.

She wrinkled her nose but nodded when the man moved towards the hedgehog. She stepped back, watching carefully. This stupid hedgehog better not let her down.

Though she's not sure what he expecting from a creature that hasn't been trained at all yet.

The hedgehog at least seems to notice the hand and turns to snuffle at it, looking for food.

Elidibus has no fear. Well, injuries can be healed but that's beside the point; he feels no bloodlust or danger from the hedgehog. It is what it seems to be, a prey animal whose spikes are developed largely for defense. Just watching it move around has proven it will not be aggressive as long as it isn't provoked or startled.

Sadly, this means the hedgehog is probably about to disappoint Little One greatly.

The Ascian's hand is bare. Unfortunately lacking any food but after the small creature is accustomed to its presence and before it gets bored, he'll seek to gently ease it into the palm of his hand. As long as those spikes stay flat it would be an easy enough task.

Of course it'll all depend on the hedgehog's mood.

The hedgehog crawled onto his hand, snuggling down next to his fingers, glad for warmth after the cold of the gym floor.

The girl sighed. "It do just be being a baby. No baby can be killing before you do be training it to."

Even Taiwin had once told them he had thrown up the first time he stabbed someone and he was one of the deadliest people she knew.

Well the hedgehog has settled and without sudden movements, Elidibus draws back with the creature in hand and allows himself to settle in a cross-legged position on the floor. While he's not fawning over the beast, by keeping it cupped in the palm of one hand it does prevent LO from getting the notion of continuing her efforts to train it.

"I can't deny this is a child of its kind. Yet I've never seen any grow much larger than twice this size." Perhaps three for a particularly sturdy lad of the hedgehog variety. But given the small creature looks tiny in the man's hand, there isn't a lot of potential waiting to unleash itself.

"I would advise you to find another companion to train for combat. Something akin to a wolf pup or a coeurl's cub to tame and train from a young age." With a faint smile he glances down at the hedgehog settling in for a nap. "Unless this beast proves itself capable of hurtling itself toward enemies as a spiked ball at fast speeds, I'm afraid it will not be effective even as an adult."

Raising his gaze, Elidibus studies Little One again. "Perhaps I can give you some advice on a creature that will suit your desired goal. Have you a preference for its abilities?"

For the record yes, Elidibus is aware he's addressing an eleven year old child regarding improvements on her combat effectiveness.

She sighs and sits down opposite him, watching the sleepy hedgehog in his hands. Like that the hedgehog did look pretty pathetic and she was starting to get annoyed that Wei Wuxian had tricked her into such a stupid animal.

Then again even small creatures could be very deadly, he had said that they were underestimated so perhaps this man had just never seen a hedgehog fight before.

"It do no even be mattering. I can be fighting alone. I did just be thinking they did be sounding cool."

Clearly they were not. Stupid hedgehog.

Even a child trained in seeing things as whether it is practical for combat still has moments of being a child. At least that is the impression he has of her in the moment and with the comment of spending points for a hedgehog because it 'sounded cool it seems an aptly child-like decision.

"I see."

It is true Elidibus hasn't seen a hedgehog in combat before. At least in the types of battles waged between beast or man for territory or fame or such 'higher' reasons than the day to day of survival in nature. And surely there is some universe out there that can prove him wrong about the nature of hedgehog combat effectiveness.

But right now on the floor of the training room, he presents a query to a child about a hedgehog he is imminently correct about.

"What do you plan to do with this creature now?"

She sighs again, looking at the tiny creature in his hands. Looking at it like this it almost seems stupid, to think it could fight. But human babies looked stupid and pathetic and yet they could grow up to be fighters. She thinks he still might be underestimating this creature.

She tilted her head. Because that is a very good question. If the hedgehog did turn out to be untrainable then it was useless and she knows what happens to useless things. She knows what should happen to useless creatures that can't even use the spikes the gods gifted them with.

But she has been on this train a long time. She knows how people think differently here. Useless people live on the train. People give them just as much food even if they can't fight. Even if they don't do missions. Useless people aren't discarded. Not even by the train. When people disappear... Many of them are strong and useful.

She doesn't know. Her whole world has been tipped on its head and she doesn't know anything any more. What do you do with a useless hedgehog? The answer should be easy.

But it's not and it terrifies her. Her voice is small as she glares at him. "I do no be knowing."

The thing about Elidibus is that he does give the impression that answers to his question won't be judged for their lack of the 'normal' sense of morality that appears on the Voidtrecker Express. He might not know the story but he does at least understand he is dealing with a child who has not had the typical mortal upbringing.

He is also patient, allowing the girl time to mull over her answer and sort through her emotions to speak. When she glares at him and admits her uncertainty, the Ascian nods.

"It may be too early to tell the worth of this creature. Whether for the combat you intended or something else." Thus, he calmly presents the possibility that 'useful' doesn't need to be weighed by 'combat potential'. And finding it doesn't have to happen immediately. With his free hand, he points toward the Little One's own smaller pair, one after another and makes a gesture to indicate she should cup them together. Provided she does so, he will begin the delicate process of attempting to transfer the sleepy hedgehog to her hands.

"Pray consider my observations as advice, child. I won't tell you what you should do or what worth you should assign this beast. Yet it is an undeniable fact that you are responsible for this beast's presence on our voyage."

Elidibus lets his attention briefly settle on the carrier and any other signs of the creature's upkeep that may be present with it. Presumably not many?

"Before your purchase, did you study what is needed to care for this creature?"

Her scowl does not lessen but she curves her hands and allows him to put the hedgehog into her hands. It's small and softer than she had thought it would be, the spikes are not on the bottom of it, just the top and side.

He was right though. This hedgehog was now on a voidtrain because she had brought it here and she had to deal with it. One way or another. She wrinkled her nose, looking over at the crate, which was empty except for some sawdust at the bottom.

"It will be needing food and a place to be sleeping. I can be figuring it out."

There is an approving nod. "The crate is but a temporary solution. Food and shelter are only a beginning, but a place to start nevertheless."

Elidibus tilts his head slightly, indulging in a moment's thoughtful regard of both girl and hedgehog.

"Whatever purpose you give the beast, remember there's value in nurturing its well-being beyond the most basic needs. Seeing to its health and establishing a bond of trust are also beneficial."

The Ascian seems to speak from experience. Please do not mind that he's most often applied it to the subtle manipulations of mortals over millennia and is now using it as an analogy for hedgehog care.

"And don't forget the advantage of your fellow passengers' knowledge. If there is no book on the care of such creatures in our library, it's likely someone on this voyage will have knowledge on the needs of this creature. Perhaps the one who told you of them may be the best place to begin."

She sighed again. Surely hedgehogs could care for themselves, without needing nurturing. But he was right. She had brought it here so it was her responsibility. A mistake but not one she could get rid of easily.

Or rather she could, if really was as docile as it seemed, but people would get scrunch faced mad she was sure. And it was just a baby. It should be at least allowed to prove itself.

"I will be asking him. He better be knowing what they do be eating. But I will be figuring it out."

"Yes, while it's your responsibility for making the choice, there is no reason not to take advantage of his knowledge. Be certain that you ask what he knows about the beast's potential."

Technically it's probably also on said individual not explaining it properly to an impressionable child but Elidibus is aware that saying that to an impressionable child is probably counterproductive.

Elidibus studies the child. His work here is largely done it seems and thus is begins to rise to his feet again. Though he does speak. "I'd like to offer one last piece of advice, child." He will wait to see whether she outright objects to the notion. But if she doesn't, then the words are such.

"Find yourself a journal to record your new companion's progress. Its measurements as it grows, what diet and routine you establish for it. Perhaps your thoughts on its activity for the day. I believe you will find this useful information to have at hand."

She would ask him. He better know. This was all stupid and now she had this tiny pathetic thing to look after.

She looked up at the man as he stood up, tilting her head as he spoke again. She listened as he told her to record things, like how big it grew and what it ate and what routine it had.

A lot of work but, looking after small things was hard work it seemed. She sighed. "I do be thanking you. I will be doing that."

She had her notebook, she could make notes.

"You are welcome, child. I wish you well with the endeavor."

Elidibus turns to leave Little One to her designs, though he remains in the training area for his own practice. A training target will become the victim of a rather large- somewhat oversized in fact- axe soon enough; one that looks brand new. But his skill certainly isn't.

Well, anyway the point is, unless the child needs something more, he's content to leave her be.

She nodded at him again and watched as he moved back over to his own practice. She sighed and looked down at the hedgehog in her hands. Hers now. For better or worse.

Very likely worse. She glances over a few times at the man, but says nothing and just concentrates on watching the hedgehog, studying it.

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A New Platform [Intro Post October]

Training Gym

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cw: messed up child assassin thoughts in here

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thanks for the thread <3