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

Bucky/Soldat | MCU | Purple team | OTA

[worthallthis]

I. Snowfall? - Rock Garden, night before the platform

Before bedtime every night, Soldat makes a patrol up and down the length of the train. Some nights it's more lazy than others, sure, but it's still done. It makes them feel safer, and also more like they're doing something to help protect the rest of the train's passengers. Even if it's not really necessary.

Tonight they're standing in the rock garden looking in bafflement at the snow falling from the train car ceiling. "Well. That's pretty weird."


II. Familiar Ingredients - Storage and Kitchen Cars

"Oh my god." Soldat has a can of the bully beef open in their hand with a stunned expression on their face.

Because at the sight of the can they knew, they knew this was something they knew. Because pulling the top open the smell sent them spiralling back to Brooklyn in the 1920s-- in a good way, for once. "This is amazing."

Then they can be found happily making soup in the kitchen car for a solid chunk of the afternoon, munching on gingerbread from the train's gift to the team and on trail mix, chopping onions and garlic to add to the simmering pot and humming 40s jazz to themselves.


III. Snow time - Rock Garden

Soldat remembers winter in Beacon more than winter in Brooklyn or the Western Front. They remember watching Misty and Sora have their snowball fight, but being too afraid to join in, lest they fall back on more violent habits. They remember trudging through the cold with warming rubies in their pocket. They remember hot chocolate and huddling under blankets by the bonfire. They remember the dumb things the spirits used to do for the new year.

They don't make anything out of the snow or pelt anyone with it unless, but they do glide around on the pond in a warm coat and scarf, swapping their combat boots for the train's provided winter shoes just this once, since combat boots don't slide very well.


IV. New Year's Traditions - Kitchen Car

The spirits in Beacon did, indeed, have a lot of strange new year's traditions. But with the snow and the last train's stop bringing in their own new year and the bully beef reminding them of home, Soldat's thinking about them.

So at the end of the day, when dinner's done and being cleaned up, they take one plate, old and already battered and not likely to be missed, and break it noisily in the kitchen sink. "Happy New Year," they say into the startled silence afterwards. Then, slightly sheepish: "I'll clean that up."

II

[paopuofyourlife]

Kairi had made her way into the kitchen with a plan to perhaps stock the fridge with some fruits later, so was mostly there to check what space there may or may not be.

As the sounds of humming hit her ears she stops and looking over, giving off a small smile. They seemed happy and that was nice.

"You seem happy."

[worthallthis]

Soldat considers the comment. "Content," they agree. "Pleased. I like this month's ingredient." If this had been the war, "like" would be too strong a word, but nostalgia makes the long months of tinned bully beef seem brighter than it really was. (Not to me, it don't. Too bad for you, Sarge.)

[paopuofyourlife]

"What is this months ingredient anyway?" she asked as she made her way over to have a look and when she did se paused.

"Seems like an interesting one. Definitely better than the octopus."

[worthallthis]

"Much better than octopus." Wiggle arms. Heee. That nickname is going to make them smile every time they think of it. "This is corned beef. Or bully beef, depending on where you're from." They hold up a cracked open can of the stuff. "From my world, actually. And my time period, even."

Kitchen

[knifewithnoname]

"Do this be coming from your world?"

What was with things in tins? She never had gotten used to strange ingredients in tins but this... This was just a lump of weird meat in a tin. She sniffed it.

"It do no even be looking like meat."

Amazing? Maybe. She's not convinced.

[worthallthis]

Soldat laughs, not unkindly, at the face she's making. "Sorry. I know it probably looks weird. It's meat mixed with a little gelatin. Preserves it and gives it a better texture for some recipes. I basically lived off this stuff back in the war. It's a monthly ingredient I actually recognize." And thus: amazing.

[knifewithnoname]

"It do be being war food?"

That made a lot more sense. Rations were hard in war. She knows that from stories and histories.

So they recognised it, unlike the other weird food they had had here.

"Do you be knowing how to be cooking it then?"

[worthallthis]

"I've got a few ideas," Soldat agrees. "I don't remember exactly how all of them go, but that's what experimenting's for." They collect another tin and start going for vegetables. "I promise I'll be able to make something you'll like out of it."

I. Yes, snowfall.

[wewillwewill]

There's another figure here already. You could say he's the forerunning cause of the changes going on in the rock garden. But at the very least, he's definitely not surprised. His stance seems one of observation. Monitoring.

When the doors open and Soldat walks in, Elidibus looks over his shoulder. "Ah, good evening. I'm afraid it won't be ready until the 'morrow."

The Ascian doesn't ask about why the soldier thinks it's weird. But as he turns back to watch, the man's voice rises up with an explanation. "With the right combination of aspected elements, even a small area like this can be given an environment. Though I admit it's difficult to maintain stability in such small confines and on such short notice."

He had help. But it would take a bit of watching to make sure it didn't disperse. Or for that matter become unpleasant rather than the intended goal of enjoyment.

"If I've interrupted your walk, pray take no heed of me. It won't be long before the curfew." Where they all fall unconscious and teleport to their beds to wake in the morning.

[worthallthis]

"I know, I keep pretty close tabs on when it happens." The curfew, they mean. Soldat looks around. "Are you doing this? The-- is it snow?" It looks like snow. But snow generally comes from clouds, not the ceiling.

[wewillwewill]

It certainly feels like snow, even feels like a hint of outside with a small breeze stirring the chill air. Scent of dirt and rock and recently frozen water which were staples of the rock garden before this blanket began to enshroud it add to the effect.

"Hm." Elidibus makes a sound that's noncommittal but could be an affirmative. "For now I'm making sure it will sustain itself as it was intended. And it is snow, yes."

The Ascian looks up, points upward. There is, if you can squint past the kaleidoscope of the voidspace, a light grey haze. There are clouds but... thin? Concentrated but disperse? One can't really look too long because of the passage of something one shouldn't look at for too long outside the windows. There's probably something a little spooky going on up there; enough cloud and chill to make snow for the carriage but not visually overwhelming? These cars are only so high after all.

But this sort of thing may explain why Elidibus is around making sure it'll sustain itself when he's... not.

"It's snow as I'm familiar with the phenomenon." And one other though that's another matter he won't speak of. "Very unlike Osiga. And perhaps recognizable as such from the star you hail from?"

...Well admittedly there's no pollution of a city in this version of snow.

[worthallthis]

"Well. Normally it doesn't snow inside," Soldat allows. "But other than that I guess it's pretty similar. So you expected this." If Elidibus didn't do it himself, but he's still monitoring it, then he had some kind of hand in making it happen. That seems logical. "Did you ask the train to make it snow?"

It's an interesting idea. Snow days inside the train. Not quite as good as true sunlight, but not too bad.

ii

[blitzcheer]

"...is that safe?"

Sometimes, you let the first thing you think come out of your mouth, and that's what's coming out of Tidus. Checking the stores curiously for the new food, and Soldat's gotten there first. A quick glance at the other tins? cans? shows that's something to do with food...

But also, all he sees is a brown lump sticking out from the pulled steel, and he might be a little....confused.

[worthallthis]

Soldat chuckles. "It's safe," they promise. "I lived off this for months at a time, in the war. And. Maybe once a week? Before that. If we were lucky. It's just meat with a little gelatin added to preserve it and make it easier to tin." They collect another couple cans to start experimenting with. "Be glad it's beef and not mutton. God, we got so sick of mutton."

[blitzcheer]

Tidus comes in closer as Soldat answers, catching a whiff of the corn beef smell, and it's...weird? Weird. He holds out a hand, "Can I have a look?", to the already opened tin, just so he can better eye it than open up one of the pull keys himself.

"I have no clue what any of these meats are. Meat? Is it ground up like burgers and sausages?"

The texture is so bizarre for where Tidus is standing, but if he imagines it like that, it's better than where his brain was trying to go. And failing.

ii

[flatteries]

Even when things are terrible, some things stay the same.

Case in point: Inigo pops into the kitchen to at least check out what kind of food they've got this month, and Soldat is already there. It's like they're just part of the kitchen now. Even though Inigo's heart still feels heavy, it at least brings a vague sense of comfort.

Enough to at least put a smile on his face for them, despite the fact that he's not really feeling up to it. But if Inigo is anything, it's a convincing smiler.

"So, what's the food for the month?" He asks, trying to make it sound casual. Like he didn't just get his mind blown by all the information they got dumped onto them the other day.

[worthallthis]

"Bully beef," Soldat answers, voice lighter than usual, though still fairly quiet. They're chopping vegetables next to a simmering pot. "Staple of the 1940s regiment's supply dump. Also pretty good in a soup."

[flatteries]

Thankfully some of these words are slightly less weird to Inigo than they otherwise would have been. He learned from Bucky that the guy had been part of the army back home - a fact that must be the same for Soldat then, Inigo figures. It explains the regiment thing. It must have been what people in the army ate where Bucky and Soldat came from.

Though the name of the food still doesn't help him a whole lot. The beef part makes it clear that it's meat, sure, but..

"What kind of meat is that?" Inigo sounds curious. "I don't think I have ever heard of it back in Ylisse."

Then again, it's not like Inigo didn't live ages before the very concept of canned anything.

[salutosinedelectat]

Aziraphale finds the snow-covered rock garden quite charming. It's not a new car, but it's at least some way akin to changing seasons, which isn't so bad.

He's going through the garden once more when Soldat catches his eye, and he watches them on the ice for a short while.

"Ah, a fan of ice skating, I see."

[worthallthis]

Soldat turns on the ice to glide backwards a moment, now facing Aziraphale. They smile, looking a little boyish despite the long hair and bulky shoulders. "I'd forgotten how, at first. We mostly used snowshoes, not skates, back in Beacon." The frozen lake wasn't really safe to skate on, and nobody went near the rivers, frozen or not.

[salutosinedelectat]

Aziraphale has fond memories of trying out ice skating sometime during the Victorian era. It was the pastime of the elites at first, but it gained popularity quickly, and you can't miss the artificial rings set up around London during the winter holidays.

"I must say I never did expect to have an opportunity to do so in the train. But it is full of surprises."

IV

[nell_of_soulwood]

Nell, kitten in pocket, had stopped into the kitchen for a little snack to bring back to the room with her. The sound of a breaking plate had her spinning around to see what had happened.

"Um... Happy New Year?" she said in reply. "Well, all right then. Be careful not to cut yourself."

[worthallthis]

Soldat looks a little embarrassed. "Sorry. It's a tradition the spirits back in Beacon used to do. Except they'd break every plate they could get their grimy little hands on." They sound kind of fond as they say it, looking back. "Got real good at hiding 'em, by the second winter. Plus keeping a lot of wood and plastic plates."

[nell_of_soulwood]

"I can only imagine," Nell said with a smile. "That's where you're from? Beacon?"

She really wanted to ask about the spirits, but part of her was a little afraid to know the answer.

"I could break a plate if you want," she offered. "I'm sure there's an old one somewhere."