voidtreckerexpress | A NEW PLATFORM [INTRO POST JANUARY]

A NEW PLATFORM [INTRO POST JANUARY]

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

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.

"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.

Oh, boy, how to explain an ICP. Well, at least the guy (guy? ...cat guy) knows about phones.

"Uhh, you know about speakers they use in buildings? All the wires are in here." He taps the wall of the train with a knuckle, for the moment. "You can't call one person, but you can make a call through the train. See here?"

He's given room so Yota can view the screen with him. The roster is on display, which makes Tidus think, give a small "Oh!", and he turns to Yota.

"What's your brother's name? Here, press your fing...um, your paw to the screen like this."

He touches the side of the screen, moves his forefinger to make the roster list scroll.

"See if you can find him on this! If he's on the train, he's on here."

"So, the whole train is... kind of like one big phone?" Yota asked slowly, unsure.
"His name...?" Yota repeated uncertainly, staring up at the screen and starting to go pink even through his fur, mortified for a second that he was going to have to try to find him by written name alone. "G-..."
The ICP's been frustrating him every time because it didn't seem to make any sense, but at least there's pictures now too! Otherwise, he'd just have to go through every G name.
He can scroll once it's explained, although he does fumble a bit, forgetting sometimes that he has to slide his claw up to scroll down.

He had no other problems scrolling otherwise, as his paws look an awful lot like human hands, claws aside (all the better to shoot a gun with! But that's besides the point).

He stopped briefly to admire his picture. "That's a good picture of me! I look pre-tty handsome, if I do say so myself..."

But once he was done, he looked disappointed, hanging his head.

"He... isn't here."

Unless his brother had someone else's ticket and picture, nobody on the roster was a match.

"... thank you. You tried and it means a lot..."

Edited 2022-01-01 14:33 (UTC)

"Sure- let's call it an indoor telephone, but you can only call rooms."

That works for now, doesn't it? But the guy seems more interested in the ICP now, which fair, and Tidus lets him scroll and mess up, not interrupting. Adding a small huff, a mirthful, "Very cool" when Yota finds himself (and Tidus sees too his name there).

But then comes the disappointment, and he puts a hand on Yota's shoulder, just for a moment.

"Hey, sorry. Has he got anyone else back home? It can get dangerous around here - it's probably better he isn't around."

"Not a soul," Yota said grimly; no one, unless they're counting stuffed animals.

The gesture is comforting and hearing it can get dangerous was a small reassurance that maybe he was better off in Palm Town.

"Dangerous how?" he finally looked back up at Tidus, holding his ticket. He hoped he could compare it with the name on the roster, but first, he wanted to hear what Tidus had to say.

He lets out a sigh. "You heard about the missions? There's more than that, but the way we're here - it's going to be confusing to explain."

Not that it means he shouldn't, but with his own ticket still in the ICP console, he nods to the screen. "You finished? Your ticket does the same. You'll want it for your room, too."

He looked at his own ticket and the ICP.
"Yeah, just a second," Yota said, trying to get back to his own name.

He took a while looking back and forth between the ticket and the text next to his picture in the roster, before nodding.

"I'm done. Thanks a lot! I didn't actually get to hear much about the missions, actually."

More like... he heard nothing at all!

"You were looking for your brother." He says it, figuring it's why - who cares about anything else than when you're looking for family? Tidus looks at the screen just to get his ticket out. It goes to the standard info for platform days.

"Yeah, so, this is gonna sound strange, but we get taken to places that need our help - missions. This train used to be used for missions, so now it goes around picking us up, and keeps doing its job. And we get to be along for the ride."

He pauses, looking at Yota with a thin-lipped mouth, a helpless expression.

"How out there does that sound?"

“The train is…?” What, alive? “Our… help? This ain’t some kinda joke? You got the wrong guy, I…”
Yota’s tone was one of disbelief, then shock, reaching up as if to pull at a non-existent hat, realized he only felt air and then his own fur, then…

—he promptly fainted.

This is going to be complicated, it always is. Just wait until he has to explain magic, no way this guy believes in it if--

--wait, did the cat guy just fall over?

"Eh? ... ... ...h-hey, are you okay?!"

Tidus shouldn't be so dumbfounded for that long (read: five seconds), but he is, at least scrambling afterwards to come down next to Yota. Unsure briefly where to go from there, until he puts his hands on the other's shoulders, nudging him more than shaking, touching after a furry cheek.

"Yo, hey! Cat-man, wake up!"

Now isn't the time for fainting!

Cat-man? Is that supposed to be him? He felt the shaking, realized it had to be him Tidus was waking, and roused, looking dazed.
“Huh…?”
Oh!
“It’s that beach blonde, surfer-looking guy…”

Oh, phew! He's talking, great.

"Yup, you got it, that's me." Tidus isn't going to care about what he's called when he's just done the same - doesn't care about the description, either, and he's stopped his light shaking of Yota.

"Here, let's get you up - take my hand."

He offers it out, not wanting to fuss them too much, act like they can't help themselves. It was just a fainting spell, right? Nothing more.

"You wanna sit and I can get you a drink? First day's a lot for everyone."

There's seats in this coach, thankfully. Rows and rows of seats.

He wasn't even offended and hey, he offered him a hand! Yota was touched, stopping for a moment with wide eyes, sparkling with tears. He reached out for Tidus' hand, then curled his own hand shut.

"... nah, I can get up on my own. A drink'd be great, though!" Yota added with a grin as he slowly rose to his feet. "I don't even know how to buy things here."

He stepped closer towards the seats, made sure his legs were steady, then leapt onto one on all fours, before sitting human-like.

If Yota was getting up without him, then no big deal! Tidus stands as he does, following, and watching with interest Yota's...seating habits. Resting a hand on the back of the seating.

"Buying its own thing - I'll tell you all about it, with everything else. But what do you drink? We've got water, juices, tea, coffee... ...milk?"

...milk is where he should have started, right?

"It was cold outside, I'd like some coffee or tea," Yota said, waving a hand, then looking at Tidus. "Why milk? Is that your favourite?"

He wasn't teasing, he wanted to know what Tidus liked to pay him back sometime...

"Nono-" Tidus feels called out, whether intentionally or not. "Just don't know what you have where you're from! But okay, coffee or tea. Can't promise it'll be the best you've ever had, but it'll brew quick. Any sugar?"

He takes a few steps forward - he'll have to go down the aisle to get to the dining car with the tea and coffee machine - but he'll wait to get an answer on the sugars, face turned to Yota, nod and go on his way to get the drink, if the guy has nothing else to add or ask.

And be back before long. Likely, Yota will see Tidus returning from the same door he leaves through, with a cup in hand. ...and a few cookies!

"Heh."

Tidus was fun to tease! Good kid.

"Of course, I'll have mine black," Yota said, arms crossed.
But the truth was, a little sugar would be nice... still, he wanted to make a stronger impression, or something like that.

His eyes were wide and sparkling when he saw the cookies, ears pricked with interest, and tail swishing in anticipation. He hadn't gotten to eat something sweet like that in... in... he didn't even know how long!

"We're eating good tonight! Gu—"

... oh. Right.
His ears drooped and his tail flopped back onto the seat, curling loosely around him.

Black? ...well, black coffee it is, then! Better that than tea with no milk, right? Regardless, Tidus will come as suggested - coffee in one hand, cookies in the other. Sitting down the drink first and the cookies after with a small, "Ah-", a knuckle caught against the heat of the cup but now relieved of the small inch.

But the smile on his face on seeing the guy's face light up and then deflate - it deflates with him, if tugging with sympathy. "Sorry."

He takes a seat on the opposite bench. There's three cookies there, chocolate chipped, stacked on top of one another.

"You two sound close. There isn't a way to contact people back home from here... wish you didn't get dragged into this."

For Yota's sake, but also for his brother.

"... not your fault," Yota mumbled, but seeing Tidus sit down, he lifted his head.

The coffee and especially the cookies smelled good. He sniffed at the air and reached for the drink, just to enjoy the warm steam, at first. It really was cold outside and he just wasn't built for weather like that; Palm Town was usually warm and sunny.

"... yeah."

He watched the steam rise, then smiled again at Tidus, a very warm and sincere smile.
"'Least I got to meet good folks like you. It makes it a little easier. Nearly everyone I've met on here is really, really nice. You've been especially good to me, so I'll tell you who I am: I'm Yota. I come from a place called Palm Town. I've never seen snow before and frankly, I'm not sure I want to go out in that thing!"

[well, this just got complicated xDD]

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

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