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

[knifewithnoname]

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.

[wewillwewill]

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?"

cw: messed up child assassin thoughts in here

[knifewithnoname]

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."

[wewillwewill]

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?"

[knifewithnoname]

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."

[wewillwewill]

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."

[knifewithnoname]

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."

[wewillwewill]

"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."

[knifewithnoname]

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.

[wewillwewill]

"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.

thanks for the thread <3

[knifewithnoname]

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.