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

[controlsthedie]

"He's strict. Busy. He expects people to do their jobs and do them well. He has very high standards. Especially for his son." And matters involving Lord Hades's son are very complex, and Thanatos doesn't exactly know how much to go into. It's not his thing to say when Zagreus is on the train.

Thanatos begins a new toast sandwich. "Is there something specific you'd like to know?"

[flameinthedarkness]

"Oh, I see." ...and he can see that. Why would you want people around you who couldn't do their job right? Then again, why would you want people around you? Better to do it yourself right the first time, why bother relying on others who would just screw it up.

He's also going to gloss over that whole 'son' bit... that's news to him. That question was a good one though, did he have anything he really wanted to know? What was the chances of even meeting Hades, any version of them? And if he did show up, Idia doubted he would even waste time on him. Why would he? Just for some kid who's part of a dorm named after him? "Well, no, I guess. It's just... it sounds like he has a lot of people around him." That's completely different from the stories Idia knows.

[controlsthedie]

This is familiar territory, businesslike and nearly standard procedure for him. Thanatos knows his job and how things are done despite what others on the train may think.

"It takes a lot to keep the Underworld running with the high influx of shades. Mother Nyx assists in keeping the realm physically upheld while Lord Hades manages the shades and the different levels of the Underworld. There are many people under his rule."

[flameinthedarkness]

"That's very different to his legend back home." Idia's not sure what to make of it. Then again, it's a story from long, long ago, and they were from different worlds, there were bound to be differences even if they somehow shared a similar name between them. Though, "Kind of. They said he was very hard working." Always keeping to his duty, never a break, loyal to his task.

[controlsthedie]

"He's always working. I rarely saw him away from his desk." Which may sound less impressive given that Thanatos isn't around that often, but even Thanatos's earliest memories of the god had him behind that large, imposing desk. The constant scratch of a quill was just as present as all the other sounds of the House and Tartarus.

"Many mortals do not understand how the Underworld operates. I'm often confused for Lord Hades or Lord Ares when I approach."

[flameinthedarkness]

"Oh." Idia has little to add to that comment, then, "The story back home talks of Hades staying in the Underworld, so, well, Death would have to go between that and the mortal realm, right? So you can't be Hades. Or, well, at least go to the boatman." Maybe not all the way into the Underworld. So maybe Thanatos was in the legend, just not mentioned since the story was about Hades, and if he just drops souls off at the boat then it would make sense for him not to actually go to the Underworld.

"Someone has to bring them to the Underworld if Hades can't leave it."

[controlsthedie]

"Would more mortals think as you do, but they learn soon enough." At least both Lord Hades and Lord Ares have a stronger connection to Death. Thanatos finds being mistaken for Eros far more embarrassing and troublesome. There are multiple winged gods.

"News from the Underworld to the surface travels slowly. 'There is no escape,' after all."

[flameinthedarkness]

"Yeah, well..." Lets not go into that too much into details about that. Or the whole 'no escape'. This was all feeling a bit too close for Idia. "Hades' and his tasks are well known in my world." Did that work for an answer? He hoped.

If not, then distraction was the next best option! "Um... you will have to cut that up first before you put it on that." Idia pointing to the block of cheese. He's not calling you an idiot, Thanatos, just... maybe not that informed on all things. It's not a good idea to anger Death.

[controlsthedie]

"..." Thanatos glances over at the block of cheese, not remembering having brought it out. Perhaps a passenger had walked by and attempted to leave an unsaid suggestion for the god. "I had no intention of using that ingredient. Unless, that's what you would like as part of your meal."

Idia did not say how he was supposed to cut it up. The potential for cheese disaster is still there.

[flameinthedarkness]

"O-oh, I though you h-had, ah, I guessed," You know what, "Ok." Idia finally sighed out, shoulders slouching a bit. What he got for assuming. Whatever. At least he got some interesting information out of this all. Not really useful, but interesting. Certainly to add to his notes about all the different universes and any similarities between them.

"Um... thanks?" He adds, holding up what remained of the toast sandwich he had been chewing on. It's... not quite what he wanted, preferring something sweet, but it would do for now.

[controlsthedie]

Looking for a clean knife, Thanatos slices off a corner from the block of cheese. The piece looks more like a stick of cheese than a slice, and since Idia is holding up the remainder of the toast sandwich, he places that cheese stick on top of it. What he got for assuming.

"Is that enough or would you like more?"

Yeah, Death Incarnate was not responsible for any kind of cooking back home.

[flameinthedarkness]

That's- wait- no- that's... not what he meant.

"That's fine." You know what, lets just leave it at that. "Thank you." Idia now taking that piece of cheese along with him. Better to leave with what he has than have anything else added to it.

How very strange.

[controlsthedie]

Death Incarnate is trying his best.

And with Idia seemingly satisfied enjoy, Thanatos will go back to making his toast sandwich meals for his chore. (The train really should learn better than to make him do this chore.)