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

Xion was a small figure in a black coat, black pants, black boots, and black gloves. She was shrunk in on herself, looking out from under her hood. She was only out on the platform to see if Roxas had shown up. She really didn't like being out here, being around people. She wished there were shadows she could hide in, but the platform rarely leant itself to that. So she's trying to avoid notice mostly by making herself smaller, while trying to look up at everyone from under her hood.

"Hey Xion." Kairi said ad she stood next to her, leaning over slightly. It had perhaps been too long since they last spoke and Kairi was honestly thinking of trying her best to talk to the other more.

"Look at the new arrivals?"

Xion tried not to jump when she was spoken to, but after a moment she recognized the voice. "Looking for Roxas," she said, softly, shoulders hunched around her ears.

"And I guess he hasn't arrived..." She felt bad that he hasn't even if it was for her sake really. But Kairi knew that she herself really couldn't do a lot about that.

"There is always the next time."

"He won't come then either," she said softly and turned to head back in, miserable.

"Then maybe someday we will find a way to get to those we care about. I know a lot of people want to try and do that." She figured that she might as well try and bring hope in her own way.

She closed her eyes, shoulders falling. "When I go back... it is back into Sora." And she won't get to remember any of this. This her would vanish forever.

"That's if you go back the way you came. If there are ways while still on the train you'd take that, right? Means you'd still be yourself."

At least in her mind that could work perhaps with what was going on with the new information.

She stopped, then shook her head. "Roxas saw me... me after. And I didn't know anything. Of any of this. I won't be this me, after."

"I don't think that's true, or I just have a lot of optimism." And she did certainly have that, but she thought that having it was a good thing as she did believe that perhaps there was a way. Did she knew what the way was? No, not at all, but she figured she might at least try or soemthing.

"Optimism?" she asked, struggling over the unfamiliar word.

"It basically means being positive. Seeing the bright side of things." Basically she likes to try and have hope for situations, but also would try if she could figure out the how.

"I don't understand..." What things? What was on the platform that was brighter on one side than the other? And what did that matter?

"Okay lets try this. Do you know what being positive is?" It was at least a good thing to try and start in her mind at least.

"Being... sure?" Maybe? She wasn't, well, positive.

"Yes, being sure is part of it, but it's being sure in a good way. Like 'I'm sure that tomorrow will be a good day.' The thoughts are more in that way." Did that eve make sense? She didn't know if that made sense to the other.

"But... how do you know it will be?"

"You don't, you just have to believe it will, which is what I try and do." Now that she thought about it, it was really hard to try and explain this in a way that makes a lot of sense.

"How can you believe if you don't know?"

"Simply because I can. I don't really have a good excuse pr reason for it. I just believe it." It never was something one could make sense of anyway in her mind.

"I don't understand..."

"It's hard to understand and it probably takes a lot for one to be able to do it, but it's a good thing either way." Kairi was just that type of person though, but she like to think it was something anyone could feel.

"So... it is a good thing.... but since I don't understand... I can't do it?" she asked slowly, trying to work it out as she did.

It all added up to... another thing someone good should be able to do that she couldn't, right?

Another thing she failed at?

Optimist, meet pessimist.

"It's not that. Like a lot of people can feel emotions but don't understand them, I think. The same would apply here. It's something we can feel without much thought about it. SO anyone is capable."

Kairi sighed mostly to herself because she was pretty sure she was explaining things very badly.

"But... I can't feel emotions..." she reminded Kairi.

And herself.

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