A NEW PLATFORM [INTRO POST JANUARY]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Despite whatever Voidtreckers may have learned or how they feel about those revelations - or reminders - of the precariousness of their situation, the train flies ever onward.

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day one of the month of Poi. 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 weather is dry but there is a chill to the air and a strong breeze." 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. Dairine, Okada Izō, Rapunzel, Satoru and Siebren; 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 thirteen new faces. Wearing hoodies in all four colours and 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 with a grassy mound behind them. It is blustery and the air is cold, they will be glad of those hoodies.

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

Thirteen figures, 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, with cans of corned beef lining the shelves.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. Those from purple who go to find their prize will find a large box containing a gingerbread train for them to share. Plenty enough to go around, even for the largest team.

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.

Snow Time: Rock Garden

Winter seems to have followed from Osiga and nested in the rock garden. There's a chill that nips in the air and a light snow (real snow) fills the air. A thin cloudy haze at the top of the carriage seems the source. Yet the kaleidoscope of the void will assure that this is no timely world stop.

People might have seen it occurring the night before. Snow falling heavy before tapering off with an odd precision, leaving a heavy blanket over the carriage 'ground'. By morning of Platform Day, a miniature winter has descended, ripe for snowforts, snowballs, angels and snowmen.

It's not just the climate that's changed. Many statues and rock features are missing or moved. Digging below the snow reveals soil now frozen but providing a barrier between the bare floor of the carriage. Keen eyes will see changes are made with safety and available space in mind. The fountain has been emptied but the pond and streams are frozen solid, allowing intrepid spirits to try slide-skating over the surfaces without the risk of breaking through. The mosaics are still around, and enchantments are in place to protect paintings and paper decorations from damp. Any plants have been sent to sleep or taken to safety.

The benches are still around. Paths and bridges are covered with fresh snow, but, as the day goes on, it's trampled down and or scattered. Najaran's woodfolk may be glimpsed near Jingyi's shrine or hiding in the shadows of rocks and statues still present, perhaps even buried in the snow and peeking out. Shy around humans, though those with pointed ears or Hylian lineage may find an easier time interacting.

There are signs on both doors of the carriage warning of the change and mentioning the dressing carriage will have winter gear, and it does: with hats, scarves, gloves and ice skates in a variety of sizes. Dispensers with warm drinks such as coffee, hot chocolate and hot water for tea are available in the Games Carriage.

Early the next day, the snow will be gone and the gardens returned to how they once were.

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

Yota | OTA for all except the last one which is for cabin mates

[bitternessoflife]

Platform - have you seen my brother?

Yota didn't need much encouraging, the near-zero visibility on the platform made sure he wouldn't stay for long (a thick fog wasn't as frightening as total darkness, but it still made him wary) and he didn't recall going out on a journey, but he wasn't going to sit on some empty platform with a sense of dread. If he wanted to find answers, he was going to follow those who seemed to know better. The green train symbol's enough, following the crowd too, until he knows what's going on.

He wondered why Guta wasn't with him or why he was wearing this bright orange hoodie, however... did he hit his head and lose his memories?

The cat looked up at the creatures around him as he boarded. Why was everyone so tall? Why didn't most of these creatures have fur or tails? What kind of creatures were they? Was he really planning some heist on this train? Would he remember once on-board? He wouldn't want to waste his chance if he had gotten this far posing as one of them...

He didn't resist or try to stay, but he did try to ask every other person boarding with him about his brother, some variation of "Is my brother on board? He looks like me, he's just a little smaller, kind of a shorthair..." the cat asked, trying to avoid saying his name in case they were trying to hide their identities.

The train - unlettered
Once he was on-board, he frowned at the pamphlets and flyers, holding them upside down and sideways.
"... is any of this stuff actually important?" he grumbled. "If it's important, they can just say it."

The ICP itself was also mocking him, as far as Yota was concerned.

The cat's tail flicked in annoyance, then curled between his legs, betraying his insecurity, even as his gruff manner otherwise only gave off annoyance at the inconvenience. He was too proud and obstinate to ask for help, but he was clearly struggling to make any sense of the jumble of letters, devoid of meaning.

Cabin - a poorly concealed gun

Even as anxious as he was to be indefinitely without his brother for the first time in four years (there was that one fight, but it hardly lasted two days...), Yota wasn't going to set his gun he'd been lucky enough to keep in the cubby!

Unfortunately for his cabin-mates at Sleeper Lower Three, Cabin E, he wasn't exactly very creative about where to stash it... the next person to pull out the bench under their bed (Yota stashed it under a bunk he didn't even pick as his own) will find a pistol (emptied of ammunition, which Yota kept elsewhere.) Hope you didn't shake out the blanket before noticing the unusual weight or shape!

platform, boarding

[blitzcheer]

"Your brother?" One of the strange tall creatures Yota catches is someone not in a hoodie, but there is a purple one tied around his waist. Still a weird tall being, who looks at Yota with a puzzling expression. ..but also one attempting to think.

"Uh...does he stand up on two feet like--" wait, "--two paws like you? ...goes by the name Spark?"

Maybe?? This cat(?) did say smaller... what does Tidus know?

[well, this just got complicated xDD]

[bitternessoflife]

Yota started to smile for the first time since he found himself here. "Yeah! He stands on two—"

Then, he looked confused. "Spark? ... yeah, unless there's another cat on-board!"
What are the odds, right? And why did they point that out, didn't cats all mostly walk on their hind legs...?
Yota was grateful he made the decision not to name his brother... it might have dragged out his search, but it also kept them from blowing their cover! This must be some heist, then... disguises, fake names...

"Know where I can find him?"
He nearly called Tidus "kid," just because he sounded like a teenager, but it was hard to tell ages with these very large creatures.

maybe one day spark will walk around on 2 paws, tidus doesn't know!!

[blitzcheer]

Wait, wait, this guy just said two ... two legs, paws?

...But then again, maybe Spark does walk on his two back paws in his spare time! Tidus doesn't know the cat that well, but the guy wants to know where he is, so-

"Uhh, let's see..."

A sweeping looking around the carriage they're in - standard - isn't helping him to spot the cat. But he looks back to Yota, nods in direction towards a nearby wall.

"We can make a call for him. He's smaller than you though - don't know if he's family."

But nevermind, right? If the guy's interested, then Tidus will take them to the ICP console so he can turn it on with a slip of his ticket.

[bitternessoflife]

"I'm looking for my younger brother. He's pretty small!" Yota said, hopeful, so he tailed Tidus.

He watched the ICP curiously.

"That thing can call him? Is it like a telephone? Where's the wire and dial?" Yota asked, baffled.

[knifewithnoname]

"It do be being very important." A small girl, though still bigger than he was, in a red hoodie with the hood pulled up was stood not so far away smirking.

There were a lot of new people today and she liked that, it hadn't felt very busy the last few platforms and this felt almost normal. In the way that can only be since she's been on this train more than a year now.

"It do be having a lot of information. Can you no even be reading?"

That pamphlet... Is upside down.

[bitternessoflife]

Oh, good, one of these creatures that isn't towering too high over him... oh, but she's some kid judging by her voice and chubby face.

At being found out, he froze, tail sticking out behind him.

"... I don't wanna hear that from a kid who can't even talk properly!" he belted out, trying to cover up his embarrassment with anger.

[knifewithnoname]

"I do be talking properly." She sneered at him, reacting to his anger. She's never been yelled at by a talking cat before, first time for everything.

"You do be being the one who do be talking stupid and who can no even be reading. Do you be being just a baby cat?"

It might be unfair, who knew if cats got lessons in reading.

[bitternessoflife]

Unfortunately, Yota had a hair-trigger temper and lacked the maturity and self-restraint not to fight a child.
"TALKING STUPID?! I'll show you stupid! So what if I can't read?! I AIN'T a baby, I'm a grown cat and you need to learn some RESPECT!!"

Cabin

[truesmiles]

Fai sighed slightly as he had found it. At least no one could have gotten hurt and if he had he would have been healed up within a set amount of time.

"You know if you are going to hide something, you need a better hiding spot that is your area."

[off to a great start!]

[bitternessoflife]

"... s-sorry about that, pal," said the cat, of all creatures here. "I was hopin' to keep it out of view and thought it'd be safer somewhere else. It isn't loaded."

At least Fai didn't look too mad and nobody got hurt!
Yota made his way over. "You want that bunk?"

Re: [off to a great start!]

[truesmiles]

"I think there might be an area underneath your bunk... Unless your having the top bunk." Fai himself was planning for the bottom for obvious he is rather tall reasons. So it was better to have the bottom.

"If you are having the top, I guess I can keep it underneath mine."

[bitternessoflife]

"I like the top!" Yota said, nodding. "That's great, then, very convenient. Thanks a bunch, buddy... uh, what'd you say your name was?"

Yota was short and a cat, climbing a rather tall structure and sprawling out on it was comfortable!

platform

[irrationally]

Some people might find talking animals on the platform to be an odd thing.

Alice, though? She's much too used to talking animals. Heck, she's closer to a bunch of talking animals than she was to most humans back home, so she doesn't even do as much as bat an eyelash when one comes up to her, asking about his brother.

.. she does have a case of resting grump face though, perhaps making the young lady look slightly intimidating. Her tone as she speaks certainly doesn't help matters - there's something icy to it, though it's more her general mood lately moreso than anything about poor Yota.

"No," she at first simply replies. If there were cats like Yota on the train, Alice certainly would know. The one talking cat she's seen didn't really look anything like him. "Though it is certainly better that he is not here."

[bitternessoflife]

Eurgh, what a frosty attitude! Yota felt a little dismayed internally, but tried not to show it, forcing a polite smile.
"Oh? ... why, is there something wrong with this station?"

[irrationally]

"I mean.. Are you entirely unsurprised to suddenly find yourself at a train station?" Alice raises an eyebrow as she's asking it. Sure, she might be used to sudden changes of scenery, but she's well aware that most people don't quite have the same Wonderland experience as she has had.

Most people seem rather confused after arriving here, at the very least.

"Don't you wonder how you got here in the first place?"

[bitternessoflife]

"... look, lady, to be perfectly honest," Yota began, in a hushed tone. "I thought I hit my head or something and lost my memories. I was hoping I could hide it and find out how we all got here by acting like I knew."

TRAIN...

[philosopherspotato]

A potato looms.

...Well. Not really. She's potentially taller than Yota, certainly, but over all Potato is only really able to loom because she's managed to climb something she Probably Shouldn't, and is now leaning off of it to peer...in a way that, again, she really probably shouldn't.

It's reasons like this that her dear Granny constructed her to be indestructible.

Her ears twitch.

"Mnnhh....that's a lot of people to try and tell everyone the same thing again all the time though..."

[bitternessoflife]

"K-kid!!"

What was she doing up there?! Yota's distracted from his mission to try and call her down, fur bristling. "What kinda crazy stunt are you pulling?! Save the attitude for when you get down!"

He wasn't even sure what kind of creature she was! But, having fur and large, mobile ears certainly made her look a lot more familiar than these giants (humans?).

[philosopherspotato]

"I'm not pulling anything..." She has not come down.

"...I just think, it sounds like a lot of work! So paper's definitely easier!"

[bitternessoflife]

"... you should get down from there before you get hurt, seriously. This place is weird, okay? Like, you don't know what you could fall into, so... get... down..." Yota spoke slowly, taking steps closer.

He saw—or, well, heard—the way the pebble he threw as hard as he could never made a sound when it passed through the fog! This place wasn't normal! But he couldn't scare her with the details, right? He assumed she was new too.

"And paper's no good!" Neither of them could read, if she meant finding him that way! If it was for other people, that sounded like a wanted poster... no thanks!

CABIN...

[luckydragonsfoot]

Katsuya opens the bunk.

Katsuya cl- well okay he doesn't close the bunk, it's kind of hard to do that, but he does pause, and close his eyes, and sight and turn up to the ceiling.

Beside him, an extremely round 'sheep', and an especially pastel-hued unicorn, stare.

(Red Eyes, ever napping, has learned he isn't allowed to come out in cramped places.)

"...Seriously, we got weapon lockers f'r this crap..!"

[I give you: startled cat]

[bitternessoflife]

Maybe he shouldn't have just switched to some other guy's bunk?! None of his cabin-mates seem to like the gun, sheesh! And he thought it was such a clever place to put it, too...!

Yota, startled by the frustrated outburst, began running on all fours at top speed, managed to get tangled up in the bedding, and fell—in fear, of course, he gripped the the blanket with his claws, becoming hopelessly caught.

Which poor soul did this bundle fall on?

[luckydragonsfoot]

Welp.

Fortunately, Wooloo are mostly wool, and the round sheep seems not to have noticed being clawed by a blanket lump.

They noticed something at least, but the wooloo doesn't do much more than shift a bit.

Katsuya himself just stares. "Nyhhhh....what?"

[bitternessoflife]

Yota finally stops struggling, but he still pitifully jerks an arm or a leg now and then.
"... stuck."