A New Platform [Intro Post December]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

The train continues its journey, the journey remaining smooth, the storm and it's weirdness far behind them.

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day sixteen of the month of Orchestra. 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. The temperature is cold and there is snow on the ground. Please take care as surfaces may be slippy." 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. Alvin Murphy, Conan Edogawa, Demyx, Kamijou Touma, Lapis Lazuli, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Prompto Argentum, Raptor-283, Rui Ninomiya, Terris; all pass across the platform, not looking back. And then they're gone, disappeared through the barriers and into the fog beyond. Snow falls steadily, obscuring their footprints

But on the platform itself there are three new faces. Wearing hoodies, one in purple, two in red, 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 long, a wide block of concrete and a grassy slope leading to a high wall. Steps lead up to the barriers. Everything is covered in snow.

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; then the fog begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

Three figures, all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers, hoodies and waterproofs. 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 or just the fact it is pouring down- the train might be alien but it is dry at least.

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, more octopus- the food on the month. But also other staples.

Older passengers will notice a new carriage, another set of double sleeper cabins next to the first. For passengers that have bought items, these are scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. There are also two large boxes including spare toiletries and plain notebooks for those older passengers who are running low on basic supplies.

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 enjoying the snow, 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

Naoya | Red

[crouching_sin]

Platform

Naoya is only barely dressed for snow, being in the default red team outfit. That doesn't seem to phase him much as he starts rolling some snow for a snowman. It's a little lumpy and limited by how much snow there is around (not much) but it's better than nothing.

Of course, there is another option, and he can be found pelting snowballs at anyone who looks like they're not going to cry from it. "Think fast!"


Lab

Naoya is a builder at heart, and it's easy to find him tinkering about in the lab. The main project he seems to be focused on is something to do with a set of wires that he's attempting to jam into a small piece of metal. For those familiar with such things, it's roughly the size and shape of a USB plug.

Either way he's cursing at it in a variety of languages in increasing levels of annoyance. When he's not doing that he's working on something on his laptop, but it's such dense code that it might be difficult to figure out what it is.


Wildcard

[Hit me.]

Platform

[myninjainfocard]

Naoya, why.

Kabuto is none-too-pleased with the cold himself, but he at least has his cloak which is helping. Until he hears someone yelling something and is just fast enough to...

Okay, so that snake attached to him just grabbed that snow ball in its mouth.

"Really?"

[crouching_sin]

He at least has the good sense to clap in approval at the quick recovery.

"Is there something wrong with having a little fun? I thought you said you were young."

[myninjainfocard]

"I'm also an adult." Says the man that spends most of his day in the medical carriage. But the snake is just spitting that snow out back onto the ground, thank you very much.

"Generally throwing things at shinobi ends badly for the parties involved." You and what shinobi, Kabuto. It's literally just you posturing.

[crouching_sin]

"What, are you gonna throw daggers at me?" He'd not really been around for the period of time where ninja were prevalent, but media sure is a thing. "Or maybe just hiss at me?"

It's tempting to keep prodding the other, but he grins. "Try to enjoy yourself. It can't be too long now until we're thrown into a mission. Not everything has to be life or death beforehand."

lab

[blue_ice]

Kaiba is here fiddling with a frame that's vaguely hand-shaped. As he prods at it, he looks over and notes that Naoya is working on a different, but equally familiar shape.

"What's got you stuck?"

[crouching_sin]

He looks up and huffs, flexing his hands to try to keep cramps away.

"I'm trying to splice some wires so that I can make a charger for my COMP. The metal casing is being annoying to bend."

[blue_ice]

Seto notices the hand movements and makes a reflexive move, sympathetic. Some hot water or a massaging device might be good for that.

"...I have something for that."

And he rummages in the toolbox, pulling out the wiring supplies. "For heat to assist the bending...I can't help you with that, but I know there are a few who can. It's worth an ask on the ICP if you need that done."

[crouching_sin]

He takes the supplies and sets to bending the metal a little more effectively. It's still difficult, and he gives up after a few moments.

"I might ask about that. I've been using it sparingly, but if we're going to be on missions with no way to charge it I either need to charge it here or shell out the points for a hand-cranked charger - which I can't afford at the moment."

Lab

[theverymodel]

The cable struggle earns him a very pointed sniff. "Proprietary cables. Most inconvenient."

He's never really wanted to work on the devices. He just wants the data so he can move on with doing the science and figuring out what it means.

[crouching_sin]

He looks up at Mordin and sighs. "It's that or spend points on a handheld charger - but I don't have enough points for that."

[theverymodel]

"Problematic. Economic system of train unusual." Especially the part where it was not always clear where some of the points were coming from. "Adaptors may be more economical."

[crouching_sin]

"It is." The speech pattern doesn't bother him - it's short and efficient, just how he likes his interactions. "And they might be. I could probably get a few at once. ... Though I would also like to get my clothes back."

He's a bit tired of the default train uniform, thanks.

Re: Naoya | Red

[longforgottenpromise]

He heard the call and turned, to see a snowball flying towards him, he laughed as it hit him, looking for whoever had thrown it.

He didn't return fire though. "Oh. Hello again."

He saw the boy he had first met in the greenhouse and smiled at him.

[crouching_sin]

Ah. Whoops. "Well, it's no fun just having all the snow and not doing anything with it."

[longforgottenpromise]

"That's true." He smiled at him kindly. "I'm glad you're having fun."

Ice and snow are such a big part of Tai and Taiki is very aware of how dangerous it can be, but there's still part of him that holds a childish glee at it.

[crouching_sin]

"Do you want to build something in the snow? We might as well if we're going to be here for a little bit."

Though not too long, but still... it's better than no snow, even if he'll have to warm up his hands later.

Re: Naoya | Red

[crowneddragon]

"Naoya!" Granted, he really hadn't spent much time with his roommate, but he hadn't thought him to start lobbing snowballs at the nearest passenger. Esteban was delighted to add that detail to what little he knew of his companion, just before the projectile hit his shoulder and slicked icy fingers across his bare neck.

Oh, this was war

Esteban snatched handfuls of snow from the ground, already preparing for a counter attack as he claimed "You can't escape my revenge!-- I KNOW WHERE YOU SLEEP!" Despite the words, his grin was much too wide, and Esteban didn't have much of a vengeful bone in his body, but he was absolutely going to play it along for as long as he could!

[crouching_sin]

"Same to you!" He laughs and rolls, trying to avoid Esteban's fire. "It's not fun if you've got all this snow and don't use it."

It's the little joys in life.

[crowneddragon]

He manages to dodge, but the next projectile is already being gathered, and Esteban is quick to follow after him, sliding lightly into the blanket of snow.

"Then take yer punishment properly!" comes the half-elf's reply as the next projectile is thrown, snickering even through his threats. "Fair's fair!" He claims, crouching down to gather another handful.

[crouching_sin]

Naoya grins and kicks up some of the snow as a diversion before diving into the next pile of snow, just barely avoiding the snowball. He's gathering up his next round as well, but it'll take a minute.

Platform

[firewalled]

"Think wha-ack!"

Rich only turns just in time to get a faceful of snow, and he gives Naoya quite the reaction, sputtering and shivering as he wipes the slush from his face.

"Hey, come on, man! If you're looking for a fight, at least challenge someone head on! Sniping like that is against the Snowball Code!"

[crouching_sin]

He snickers and holds up another snowball.

"All's fair in love and war, and fresh snowball means snowball war."

[firewalled]

"You know, people say that, but I'm pretty sure there are rules about both of those things." At least, pretty widely accepted rules that are unspoken, or just broken by the powerful. He'd still prefer to play fair, though, so he bends down, trying to take cover behind a bench as he scoops up some snow of his own.

[crouching_sin]

"Oh, believe me. There are not." Well.

Maybe in the modern world.

"But that's a different discussion, probably!" Naoya grins and tosses the snowball up in an arc, trying to hit Rich behind the bench.