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

[blitzcheer]

Head forward? He considers more discomfort, a head forward, and he tests lowering his head and bringing his arms to cross behind his back. Hmm.

"Bad?" Isn't that honest? No, wait, let him try again. "I can count and multiple - what kinda math are you thinking? --And this'll get uncomfortable," he adds, figures, even after a few seconds. Yeah, if Clef wants him to stay like this for too long...

[guru_clef]

"I use math to work on focus, but we chan start with another subject. How about science? History? Linguistics?"

[blitzcheer]

"...I know what the first two are, the third's- what? 'Linguistics'?"

???

[guru_clef]

"Alright then. We have a ways to go. For now we'll start with a basic pattern. Repeat after me. A 1 B B 2 2 C C C 3 3 3 D D D D 4 4 4 4 E E E E 5 5 5 5..." he said guiding him through the pattern.

[blitzcheer]

Repeat after him, sur-- wait, why is he still going?!

"H-hey!" Tidus's eyes are open, and he tips his head up in an attempt to look, but quits halfway. "--What about a smaller number?! You lost me at-- C C? C C C 3 3 3 D D D E E E?"

Was his body meant to get uncomfortable or his brain...?!

[guru_clef]

"I'll start from the beginning. This is an exercise in focus. A 1 B B 2 2 C C C 3 3 3 D D D D 4 4 4 4 E E E E E 5 5 5 5 5 F F F F F F 6 6 6 6 6 6...."

[blitzcheer]

Uhhhhhhh?!

"A 1 B B B 2 C C C D- no, wait, 3..."

[guru_clef]

"Once again," he said patiently, and began the sequence again.

[blitzcheer]

There's a pang of guilt he'll swallow, try not to think about. Again, if Clef says go again...

"A 1 B B... two Bs?" Is it okay to ask? "B B, C C C - 3 3 3?"

[guru_clef]

"It is a sequence. A and 1 are first. So there is one of each. B and 2 are second. So two of each. And the pattern progresses. Once more," he said and began the pattern again.

[blitzcheer]

"Oh- Oh!" Ohhh! "Okay - okay!"

He really wasn't seeing it, but it clicks with that - maybe dumb of him, but whatever.

"Okay, so - A 1, B B, 2 2, C C C, 3 3 3, D D D D, 4 4 4 4, E E E E E, 5 5 5 5 5 5... uh - what's next? Are you using an alphabet? F you said?"

His head is feeling heavier like this, his legs not agreeing with the position. But, whatever! He can handle some stiffness.

[guru_clef]

"Exactly. At least, for the first twenty six characters. So F, then G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z. Once you master those, we'll add the next set." Odd how Earth alphabets worked so much better for patterns than the language of Ceiphro. "You can do this," he said, encouragingly.

[blitzcheer]

Speaking of Earth alphabets working...

"Uh, okay, I get what you're going with, but - you think we can go through that alphabet first? I figured you were doing an alphabet with the numbers increasing, but I don't know that alphabet. I mean, the order?"

This is not the position to be thinking in, but he doubts that Clef is about to let him sit up and look at an alphabet.

"So you said- A, B, C, D, E, F... G, H-- I L M?"

[guru_clef]

"Ah yes, apologies. The last world that I spent any significant time on kept creating for us false memories in variants of this one world where this was a standard linguistic norm. I had forgotten that it is not as common for others, and was indeed unknown in my own world. The sequence is thus: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z. I must say that most of the languages that shared this alphabet and its close variants tended to be poorly constructed and difficult to learn, but the alphabet itself is useful as a focus and training tool, even if it fails most tests used to measure a standard syllabary."

[blitzcheer]

That sure are a lot of words that go in one ear and out the other, but Tidus can catch 'here's a string of letters that you're going to have to get used it'.

"Okaaay, sure - good thing the point of this is to be miserable and repeat a bunch of stuff, right?" That is the point, isn't it. "A, B, C, D, E, F... G, H, I... ugh, is it cheating if you write them and I read them a few times? I can stay like this-"

His head's already down, so-?!

[guru_clef]

"The point is to be able to focus, even when your body wants to distract you. But we can pause the focus part of the lesson to work on the alphabet if you want," he said kindly. "No one expects you to get this all in a single day, after all. We can take this at an easier pace to start."

[blitzcheer]

Pause the focus part? ... okay, that sounds like permission to be lifting his head and crooked back, and ow, is his leg getting tired of that position, but one pain at a time, thank you.

"You just ready to start teaching anyone at random?" It's a joke, but also, not so untrue for what just happened, right? Tidus rolls his shoulders, then starts to slowly move back in the chair. "What's the real point? Focusing through the discomfort - then what? I mean, it sounds good for ignoring pain when you're in the middle of a fight, but that has something to do with magic too?"

Presumably?

[guru_clef]

"Any who wish to learn." And at least one who didn't.

"Maintaining more complex spells takes focus. If you are keeping a shield around a group in a battle, you cannot afford to lose your focus, even if the foe is shaking the ground under your feet. A fast spell requires focus just for a moment, but many of the most useful spells require continuous focus. Mastering focus is one of the keys needed to master your magic. And it doesn't hurt in other areas of your life, being able to focus, either."

[blitzcheer]

Tidus stretches out his leg, sore in his knee, but nothing he can't handle.

"Makes sense. Never been good at long-focusing." He'll admit to that. "All the spells I know just need a few seconds - bring them in--" he makes a fist with his right hand, drawing it back-

"And pow!" And out he throws the hand, releasing the fist.

"It's all about drawing energy in and turning it into what you want! Sound like your magic too?"

[guru_clef]

"All the more reason to practice then," Clef said with a smile. He used Bending to create paper and summoned his hand carved pen out of his staff. He started carefully writing out the alphabet for Tidus.

"This magic is far more drawing from yourself. Both have their uses, of course. But what I teach will be more drawing from yourself."

[blitzcheer]

"Yeah, okay. We're kinda stuck doing that here anyway, right? ...not that I know how magic works here, or how we're doing it."

He's not thought about it either. Is he drawing it out from around him here, or from inside? Eh, whatever - if it works, it works. It's exhausting, whichever place he's getting most of it.

But that's nothing new for anything that isn't time magic.

[guru_clef]

"That is what you will learn," he said, meaning that to be reassuring.

[blitzcheer]

Fair enough. Tidus nods to the alphabet. "So I learn that... and what comes next in the exercise? I just repeat it over and over, or that and the numbers increasing, and then what? Do it 'til it becomes too painful?"

[guru_clef]

"Once you have proven you can focus all the way through the sequence, we apply that focus to the next step in your journey. If the position you chose ever progresses from uncomfortable to painful stop, rest for a few minutes, then pick another position. while you will have to learn eventually to focus through pain that is an advanced lesson, and only to be undertaken with a healer nearby. This is for you to learn, not to permanently injure yourself. Understood?" Do not hurt yourself, young man!

[blitzcheer]

"Sure!" There's a sheepish note to the confirmation, but sincere. "I wasn't planning on hurting myself, you know - just getting a picture of the lessons! How long we go, if I'm supposed to ignore the numbing."

Nothing really severe - just an annoying kind of discomfort, he figured.

"But okay." Okay. And looking at those amount of letters on that paper. "So... ...you want me to do that whole alphabet with the numbers totally?"

...It made be only dawning on him now how many numbers that is going to be.