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!

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"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.

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!!"

"You do be showing me stupid. I do be looking at stupid right now."

She sneered at him. He was a grown cat? Maybe? She can't really judge cat ages.

"You do be being the stupidest cat I did ever be seeing."

"THAT'S IT, you little pest, your parents clearly failed to raise you, but I'm NOT goin' easy on you!"

Yota's extended his claws and leapt at her, yowling, but when he got closer tucked away his claws to give her an open-handed smack instead, because he regained just enough awareness at the end he probably shouldn't scar up a little girl, even if he was ticked-off.

Her face darkened with anger at his words, enough to distract her enough for his first blow to hit. The smack stung and it sent her staggering. But she recovered quickly and she dove forwards, angry and snarling.

Her fist came towards his face, a leg towards his stomach. Stupid cat. She bared her teeth.

If he were still wearing his sunglasses, this would be when they would inevitably get smashed—fortunately, he wasn’t but the fist still connected with his face and sent him reeling, but he hadn’t gone far before her leg hit his stomach too.
The wind was knocked out of him and he went flying a good distance into the fog, crashing in a heap on the ground.
He groaned, but didn’t get back up.

Not only was he a stupid baby cat who couldn't read. He was a stupid baby cat who couldn't fight. She followed up after he fell, planning to pin him to the ground.

"That did be being pathetic."

Oh, boy... he didn't have any fight left in him!

Yota shamelessly rolled over onto all floors, trying to get away in some scrabbling motion between crawling and running (cat-like.)

"GAAAAH!"

...

Alice sure expects to see a lot on the platform at this point. But seeing this girl fighting the cat person? Well, that's.. a new one, certainly. And despite not knowing the full context of what's going on here, she can't help but get involved - if not just by literally picking up the girl to haul her off the cat. Alice does let the girl stand on her own feet, putting her down, but keeping Alice's hands on her shoulders so she can't run off so easily.

"Tell me what is going on here."

It.. mostly seems to be aimed at the girl. But Alice is very biased, and foremost cares about her side of the story here. Sorry, Yota.

She squirms around, ready to fight this new threat before she sees it is Alice. Right. Alice isn't someone she should fight. She scowls and goes limp until she gets put down, squirming again at the feel of hands on her shoulders, keeping her here.

She scowled at the cat and at Alice. "He did be starting it."

That's alright, Alice, he appreciated being saved all the same, breathing a huge sigh of relief.
"... she kept calling me stupid and won't respect her elders. All I did was slap her once, didn't even have my claws out! Rotten brat."

Who's the real cat here? The way the girl kind of struggles and pouts in her grip truly feels like a cat to Alice, despite the fact that the other person is the one who's an actual cat here..

But when she hears the explanation from both sides, there's the tiniest moment where Alice goes quiet to try and process it.. but then she narrows her eyes when she looks in Yota's direction.

"Why would you slap a child?"

Granted, it's hard to tell how old he is, but from how he's speaking, Alice figures he's an adult in cat terms.

"If you think she is annoying just for her expressing her opinion, then just ignore her! Are you not supposed to be the mature one in that situation? Resorting to hurting children is the lowest of lows."

“… isn’t that what you do when they do something wrong to teach them not to?” Yota asked, looking very confused at the idea that a slap could be considered that bad.

He sat up and looked genuinely confused. “… isn’t that the way everyone’s raised? And won’t ignoring her encourage her to keep doing that?”

"You." She pointed at the cat, baring her teeth. "Do no be being my boss."

She's not arguing with his words. It is indeed the way things worked in her world, even if no one has slapped her like that since she arrived on this train.

But even so, he has no authority over her. "You do be being just a stupid baby cat. Why would I even be listening to you."

Clearly the fight has not left her yet. Indeed, it has been bolstered by Alice at her side.

.. well. All of this sure is something. There sure are some thoughts going through Alice's mind right now, but at least she doesn't imagine that escalating this situation is going to do it any good.

It's why her hold on the girl's shoulders grows a little tighter, just in case the other decides to jump that cat again after all.

"Hold on. Just for a moment." Please, this is the one moment she needs the girl to just listen to her.

Especially since Alice shakes her head a moment later. Implications about the cat's life aside that she sure does not have the time to address while trying to do all of this--

"Children are people too. They aren't dumb. You can communicate with them without violence." Which feels like a no-brainer to Alice, but then again, she's seen so much violence against children that she is truly tired of it. "If she is saying something that is hurtful to you, then explain so to her. Of course she is going to defend herself if you attack her!"

And Alice knows that this girl is a good fighter. It's the whole reason she pulled her off Yota - because Alice knows she's more than capable of just straight up committing murder here on the platform, given the chance.

Yota looked very confused and perplexed by Alice's statement, "... what if some of 'em are dumb, though? Maybe she's an exception, but..."
Yota isn't the brightest, his brother isn't either, and he's definitely rough with him too, but the rest of Alice's words do get a thoughtful hum and then resigned nod from Yota.

"It makes sense. I guess... if y'see it that way... I was in the wrong. I should'a used my words."

It's something!

She scowls but obeys, stays still under Alice's hand. Alice isn't someone she will disobey. The girl has proved herself again and again to be a decent person, not stupid. Practical and sensible. She likes her and doesn't want to do anything to cause her anger.

She smirks when Yota agrees he was in the wrong. He was. Even if her face didn't even hurt that much, he's only a small cat and there were no claws involved.

Alice isn't too sure how to feel about Yota's first question - it's a little too complex to get into here, especially when she is trying to pass along a very simple message.

But what he says after gains a nod from Alice, at least. There we go. Seems like the cat got the message, so hopefully this won't be a problem she will have to solve again in the future. That's one half of the problem out of the way, and the other half..

Alice looks at the girl, releasing her grip.

"You weren't going to take out your knife, were you?" Because then words will have to be had about stabbing people on the platform..

And yes, that's clearly a very normal thing to say right in front of Yota. Don't freak out at the idea that the girl you just fought could have seriously hurt you, Yota. It's cool. It's chill.

Ugh, the brat was smirking at him and Yota grit his teeth behind his lips, his pride taking quite the beating.

Wait, what was that about a knife—
The cat's fur bristled, standing on end from the toes of his feet to the top of his head!

"That girl was carrying a KNIFE?! This place is as bad as my neighborhood, geez!"
At least that kidnapping pocket-watch pick-pocket rat's cute little girl only cut people's bags, not cut people.

"... thanks for breakin' it up."

"I did no even be drawing it."

She might have, if Alice hadn't pulled her off him. But she hadn't. If she had wanted him stabbed he would be stabbed. He had been a pathetic fighter after all.

She pulled another face at him and then shrugged at Alice, she can't lie to her.

Well she could. But it would feel wrong.

At least Alice doesn't seem to doubt the answer. She, too, apparently believes that the girl wouldn't lie to her, so she just takes the answer in with a nod. That's good to hear, at least. The girl seems to realise when it is or isn't appropriate to pull out a knife on the platform.

After all, there sure are some people she wouldn't mind seeing stabbed upon arrival. But just some cat who doesn't seem to know how to deal with children? Pulling out a knife there might be going a bit too far.

There's a small squeeze of the girl's shoulder, in a 'you did well' sort of way without Alice having to speak the actual words out loud.

"Well, I am glad to know that this did not go too far. But please do try to keep the fighting to a minimum in the future." That's something that's being said to the both of them here, since she isn't sure how to feel quite yet about this new cat person.. "Before someone who is more strict than me finds out about it. Then we will have an entirely different headache on our hands."

Ugh, please. Alice doesn't even want to think about someone lecturing the entire train about some not fighting rule. Don't do that to her.

"You got my word, ma'am!" Yota said in an overacted manner, hand on heart, in a way that looked... well, not really convincing or reassuring at all.

Then, another wary glance at the girl. "... and yeah, she never drew it. Well."

He reached his paw up as if to tip an imaginary hat, but, well, there was only his hoodie, so he doffed a pretend hat ("Ladies!") and turned on his heel before bolting away without an ounce of shame.

She continued scowling even as the cat put his hand on his heart and doffed an imaginary hat.

She rolled her eyes. Stupid cat. She sighed, glancing up to Alice to guage just how mad she might be. She didn't seem mad, but she might have just been showing restraint in front of stupid baby cat.

...

Well, that sure.. was an encounter. An odd one, but an encounter.

Alice is already more than glad to not have to do any more weird diffusing of the situation here though, so she will take the cat's sudden, yet odd departure. Instead she glances down at the girl, realising that the latter had already been looking up at her. There seems to be something in the girl's eyes too.. Something worried? Or maybe something more like she's observing her, Alice thinks.

So she squats down to a slightly more even level with the girl, before moving her hand to pat the other on the head.

"You did well. You stood up for yourself, but without going too far." Granted, that might have been because of Alice's intervention, but it doesn't change the truth of the matter. "He should not have hit you, just because you insulted him. He could have fought back using his words."

She blinked as Alice patted her on the head. Not mad then. Not at all. She smiled slightly at the praise, glad that Alice could see just how restrained she had been in not stabbing the stupid cat.

He should not have hit her. That much was true. She sighed. "I did be needing to standing up for myself." She told her and then looked back on the train.

"I do no even be wanting to be seeing the other new people now. That did be being stupid."

She wants food.

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irrationally - 2022-01-17 22:35 (UTC) - Expand

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knifewithnoname - 2022-01-18 04:49 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A NEW PLATFORM [INTRO POST JANUARY]

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[-stares at ceiling- ... sorry about this guy.]

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[aaaand defeated!]

sobs

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[sorry for the delay!]

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[good riddance, Yota xD; ]

<3

we love that cat!!

best cat

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