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

Faux (CLU) | OTA

[ranoutofbuts]

Platform
Faux is mid-sentence to Ram when he blinks, and is more than surprised when he is in a completely different place than he had been a moment before. A place he can only describe as weird. And he’s been to quite a few systems in his runtime.

It takes another moment for him to realize the weirdness isn’t just from the locale or the individuals around him, it's the lack of connection. He can’t feel the code around him. It’s like he’s… disconnected.

As this fog dissipates, it brings even more unknown programs.

Ignoring the something strapped around his shoulder and his covered circuits, he activates his invisibility, uncaring if anyone had seen him prior.

On Train
His face scrunches in disbelief. After reading some of the free data within the entry carriage, and barring a large chunk of terms he doesn’t understand, it became quite apparent to him.

“I’ve been conscripted? By a train?”

He didn't even know that trains could do this till now.

A carriage
Faux’s made it to an area of relative seclusion. That’s great, it gives him time now to kindly freak out over all the red stuff smothering him.

He had just been repaired! He’s not- he’s not that kind of program.

The red thing clings to him, and he not too gently grabs whatever is constraining his circuits, and roughly pulls it away from his body, then throws it onto the ground.

His upper circuits now exposed, he’s immediately relieved to see that underneath he’s still the same off-white glow that he had been before he’d been unceremoniously transported to wherever here is. The returned airflow is just a bonus.

Platform

[schrodingersghost]

By accident, Danny happened to be in the perfect location to catch the moment of invisibility.

"Nice!" he calls over. "Ghost or tech?"

[ranoutofbuts]

A shorter program had spotted him. More-so the program sounded impressed by his indivisibility. His immediate thought is perhaps this a fellow infiltrator. The Ghost or Tech though, he has no idea.

He could still make it out... but he decides to offer the program an answer.

"Part of my code." Then he adds, "Do you share a function?"

[schrodingersghost]

"Right.... Probably tech then." Unless this guy was a tech ghost.

"I assume you're asking whether I can do the same thing?" And Danny very quickly flickers in and out of visibility.

[ranoutofbuts]

The other did in fact vanish from view. He blinks. Not that anyone could see that. Faux has never seen another do what he does. Well, not to the same capacity.

He disengages his invisibility, now intrigued. "Question. Can you see me when you do that?"

Train

[theverymodel]

Mordin nods. He's at least got the general concept and what exactly the train is isn't the most important thing to contemplate on the first day. "Simple answer. Often problematic."

It doesn't bother him much since he was about fifteen seconds from dying but most people were busy.

[ranoutofbuts]

Faux has to catch himself from staring too long at the strange looking program that answered, that would be rude.

"Last time I was conscripted, it was by some big ugly red face with an overly large sense of himself." Ah, yes. Couldn't forget the MCP. Saying that out loud though, a train doesn't sound so bad.

"So, it just pulled you here to?" Attempting to confirm this data.

[theverymodel]

"All passengers arrive on platform. Duration of stay varies wildly. Timekeeping system differs from known systems." Possibly from any known system, even to the origin point.

"Missions occur with moderately regular cadence. Recruitment method problematic, but good work to be done. Needed."

[ranoutofbuts]

He nods at the confirmation. As for differing time systems? He'll have to be extra diligent on keeping strict logs from now on.

Now, missions. 'Conscription' and 'good work' don't seem to mesh well with each other in his eyes. 'Recruitment method problems'? He can see clearly why. Seems a train running the place is going as smoothly as he expects a train to run a place.

Crossing his arms, "As long as these missions aren't an excuse to pit each other in arena death-match games, I'll be willing to keep an open process. For the time being."

Carriage

[hotheadwarmheart]

Lea had really only been passing through the triage car on his way to the luggage carriage to pick up what he'd ordered. Not many people hung out there, so he wasn't expecting to see anyone there who wasn't similarly passing through. And he really wasn't expecting to see someone taking his clothes off. Someone who apparently had on a second outfit with glowing neon lines on it underneath his train uniform? OK...

He didn't recognize the guy, so he assumed he was someone who'd just boarded that platform. But his newness didn't explain why he was apparently stripping in public. "OK, so... quick question," he began slightly awkwardly. "Why are you undressing in the middle of the triage car?"

[ranoutofbuts]

Embarrassment shoots straight into his circuits with the voice, giving off a little flutter.

Getting a hold of himself, he turns to connect the voice to yet more red. And that's really not this program's fault, he knows. The red haired program in question sounds confused though. Perhaps as confused as he is?

Addressing this individual, and making sure to avert his eyes from the red without looking too rude, "Undressing?" He looks at his covered self, confused. "I was simply trying to detach that thing from me," giving the red mound on the floor a kick with his foot.

[hotheadwarmheart]

"Yeah, you know, taking clothes off," Lea said, indicating the shirt and hoodie on the floor. "This usually isn't the kind of place people do that unless it's necessary to treat injuries, and I didn't know if you were gonna keep going or what, so..." He trailed off a bit sheepishly.

"Anyway, I'm guessing you're not used to the kind of clothes the train provides?" Lea tugged lightly on the front of his own blue shirt to indicate what he meant. The glowing, skin-tight bodysuit the other man had on underneath the train uniform seemed to indicate that was the case. But why did he even have on a second layer? And one that apparently acted as a sort of mood ring if that flicker was any indication.

[ranoutofbuts]

Injuries?! So perhaps it has to do more so with where he is; this triage. Faux, gives a quick glance around his surrounds, only finding the vaguest of similarities to a medical area. Though he sees no equipment nor any personnel to fit the description either. If he's breaking some rule, it would be prudent not to do so so early on. And he wouldn't want to hang out in any kind of medical areas if possible anyway.

After the red haired program's insinuation though... that he was just gonna strip? Faux blinks at that.

Faux eyes the blue version of the clothes piece, frowning. No would be an understatement. "Anything trying to melt my circuits off, does not fit the definition of clothing." He adds with a slightly airier tone, "But at least I would be in the right place for that mess, if it had."

Platform

[controlsthedie]

Thanatos was about to welcome the new member to the Red Team, wearing the standard red hoodie himself, but then the man just disappears. It's... not strange to Thanatos. He's seen gods do the same.

However, it does leave him wondering what he should do. He crosses his arms, considers his options for a moment, and then calls out, "I can give you a basic understanding of what has happened and the team you have found yourself on if you wish it. My name is Thanatos, and I've been here for six months."

[ranoutofbuts]

Ok, perhaps his invisibility wouldn't trick these programs so readily as some other low priority scripts.

And then the offer of answers from this particular program does draw his attention, and stops him, luring him out with data. Looking around, it seems that the hoard of programs are talking rather than fighting. Though this one could be speaking as the captor, or the captured.

182 cycles. The only programs he'd ever heard using those time measurements were Users. Also very unusual.

Ok, he'll give this a go. He lifts his cloak. And becomes visible again.

He gives a nod, "Faux" Then gets right into it. "So, what's this all about? Being transported mid-sentence isn't a good look."

[controlsthedie]

"The VoidCraft--" Thanatos motions to the train just visible within the cold fog of the platform. "--is the one responsible for transporting you here mid-sentence. It gathers people from many worlds, times, and variations to help worlds in need and search for its lost crew."

He redirects his attention to Faux. "Everyone on this platform was taken just like you and put on one of four teams. You're on the Red Team. As am I."

The colored hoodies make it rather obvious why it's call the Red Team.

I'm going with the sleeper carriage bc congrats Faux, this thing is your roomie

[philosopherspotato]

Potato, to anything passing by or in, could easily pass for a large pillow. She's a three foot pile of squishy something covered in fuzz, half buried in a blanket, with a tail that's if anything somehow larger than the rest of her. All in all, she looks like a literal mascot animal.

She's also of course alive, which means that when the sound of some kind of cloth flurry starts going through the air, she jolts up.

"WOAH!"

...

She is facing the wall. One moment while she turns around.

"...WOAH!!!" AGAIN with the woah, this time for perhaps a better reason. "Glowing stuff! Hey hey, are you a 'Master' too? Is that a special command spell? It's a different colour but they're not all red right?"

Sure <3 ;sleeper carriage

[ranoutofbuts]

Faux almost jumps with a little whelp at the fuzzy textured object spinning around and speaking in the cramped quarters. Then the embarrassment hits as he's been caught trying to take these damn train cursed 'clothes' off. Abandoning that for the moment, he addresses the fluffy program who blended completely into the bed surface.

Faux's never seem anything like it before. Its... its.. cute?

He smiles awkwardly, "I'm so sorry, ah, I'm not a master program." Then he looks down at his circuits, "But I do have special command functions. Definitely not red though."

[philosopherspotato]

"I don't Masters are programs..." So Potato mutters a bit, squinting as she tilts her head. With a slight jump, her eyes widen. "Wait...does that make you a program? Like in for video games..!?"

on train

[irrationally]

"Yes," is the perhaps very unhelpful answer from a young lady who happens to be passing by as she's overhearing his question.

Then again, what else is she supposed to say about that? It's just true. Perhaps it sounds a little ridiculous to some people, it's true all the same. (And hey, Alice is very, very much used to ridiculous things in the first place.)

"Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that you have been kidnapped by one." Alice certainly isn't feeling in a very generous mood towards the train for the past while, after all. She can't help but put it that way, frowning as she speaks.

[ranoutofbuts]

Faux's code sinks. Kidnapped by a train indeed makes it sounds worse than mere conscription. Just to add that more humiliation. And going by the tone towards said train, this program is equally unimpressed by this situation.

He crosses his arms, annoyance on his face. "I have some choice words set aside about where it can shove it's function."

[irrationally]

Thank god, Alice thinks, someone with the proper attitude towards this situation. Not that she hasn't seen most people freak out to a certain degree about their situation after having been dragged onto this train, but she has also seen a lot of people just give in and start to act like this entire situation is normal after a while.

That annoyance may not be the most pleasant emotion to experience, sure - but Alice thinks it will serve the other well.

"You happen to be in luck. If you use one of the many screens across the train," she means the ICPs, but really, Alice is not nearly good enough with technology to describe them in more than just this way, "then you can leave some comments to the train itself. Though it might not exactly give you much of a response, other than what it tells everyone."

Platform

[truesmiles]

"Interesting. You can make yourself go invisible." Fai said hands clasped together for a brief moment. This place was certainly interesting. Not where he should be by any means he still had shit to do back in Nihon, but hey it doesn't hurt to learn anew thing or two, right?

"Though I'm not even sure if you are even here and I'm not just talking to myself."

Re: Platform

[ranoutofbuts]

"Comes in handy." For like right now.

Oh he's here all right. Where ever here is. This program in question seems to be doubting his existence though. He's not going to say no to that.

"Maybe you are." He suggests. "But that large crowd around you might tip you off to your reality." Momentarily forgetting that he's invisible and can't see his finger pointing to said crowd.

Re: Platform

[truesmiles]

Even if Fai looked like he might be talking to himself that was fine. But given the last line he could at least guess he was talking about the crowd at least.

"And you are right they would. But the crowd here seems very welcoming. Have you met any of them or are you the shy type?"