A NEW PLATFORM [INTRO POST FEBRUARY]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

The train continues its journey through the Void, silent on the blessings and wishes now carried within it.

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day sixteen 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 misty, with light rain, and we will be arriving in darkness." 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. Jun Kohinata, Freeza, Caleb Widogast, Essek Thelyss, Tannusen Harrowgate, Xehanort, Lan Xichen, Yurine, Orisa; 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 ten 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 a section of building, the roof sloping glass and steel and the walls brickwork painted a cheery blue. It is as dark as nighttime, with only fog visible through the glass ceiling, but cool silvery lights provide illumination along the platform. The light patter of rain can be heard overhead.

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 platform; then the fog begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

Ten 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. The train is also longer again!

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags.

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.

At Long Last; the Art Carriage

This carriage is a single carriage, with the standard corridor with doors on each end. To one side there are a set of tables and chairs, with two large sets of cupboards. In one is a variety of paper types, plain and coloured, along with painting pots (oil, acrylic, watercolour, and gouache), brushes, charcoals, pencils, and tools for erasing and sharpening. There are also ink pens and brushes, as well as manga screentones.

In the next cupboard is a space for putting away easels inside, as well as palettes, and also a selection of different sized canvases. Some clay can be found on the higher shelf. There's a sink set in the corner for washing up at, and some aprons with a train symbol on the breast.

On the right side is a larger table, another cupboard, and two clips that hold in place removable mannequins. Here people can work on sewing, with the cupboard holding a simple selection of sewing needles, tape measures, sharp-tipped scissors, a basic selection of threads, seam rippers, and whatever else you may find in a beginner's sewing kit. Basic white fabric is also supplied, as well as one with a simple train-pattern.

Around the centre is a free space, usually occupied by pottery wheels. A whiteboard sits in plain view on the wall with marker pens, as well as a small bookcase next to it. Very basic drawing books can be found here, with room for passengers to add their own. The walls are in pastel colouring, even the doors, of soft oranges, pinks and blues.

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

Eli Vanto | Orange| OTA

[backwaterimperial]

Platform
It feels weird to be the one doing the greeting, when just a month ago he'd been on the other side, scared and confused. There's a chance that the newcomers are also scared and confused, and he hopes he can help with that. Even if he can't tell them much, he can do what he can to ease them into their new surroundings. He's wearing his orange hoodie, so they know which team he's on.

Art Carriage
Eli's been meaning to take up a hobby, and art seems like it's a good hobby. He spent about a decade looking at art with Thrawn, including making holograms of various pieces for him. But he hasn't tried making art since he was small, and perhaps it's time to change that. Even if he's not very good at it, it's worth a shot.

When he gets to the art carriage, he's not sure where to start, since there's so many options. It takes him a few seconds to decide on painting. Donning an apron, and grabbing painting supplies, he claims one of the easels. Eli stares at the canvas for a moment, unsure of what he wants to paint.

Shrugging, Eli takes some green paint and gets started. "Just keep telling yourself, Eli, art is subjective."

Wildcard
[OOC: Feel free to contact me if you want a special prompt]

Art Carriage

[art_of_war]

Despite his affinity for it, Thrawn was actually really terrible at making art himself. So he wasn't wearing an apron and was only passing through on his way to the library car. He was actually surprised to see that Eli was there and appeared to be working.

"I didn't know that you enjoyed painting, Vanto."

Considering all that he knew about Eli that was saying something.

[backwaterimperial]

There was a time when Thrawn sneaking up on Eli would startle him, followed by a demand that he not do that. But, Eli was used to it, and he swore that he actually recognized Thrawn's footsteps before he spoke.

Looking over at the Chiss, Eli replied, "This is actually my first foray into painting since I was a kid. And by painting I mean that I'd take out the watercolors when it was free play time in between learning numbers and letters."

The bottom half of Eli's canvas was a bright green color now. He dunked his brush in the water cup and grabbed another, getting to work painting the top half light blue.

[art_of_war]

Thrawn wasn't trying to be stealthy so it didn't occur to him that he might be sneaking up on Vanto at all.

"But I didn't realize that you would find the act of painting relaxing."

At this point, meaning later in life, it was less likely to become a great artist than if one had kept up the skill all along.

"Do you have a plan, or are you simply using it as a meditation?"

[backwaterimperial]

"I don't think I realized it myself. I'm really doing this more out of boredom than anything else, and because I figure it's good to have a hobby." His paintbrush touched the green, unintentionally smearing some of the paint together, so now there was a faint teal border dividing the colors.

"You know me, my thing's always been numbers and spreadsheets. I did used to play the piano back on Lysatra, but I haven't really seen a piano around here."

[art_of_war]

"Piano music is a combination of math and art. So it is not difficult to see why you could have an affinity for it."

Considering the fact that Thrawn didn't study music as much as artwork, it might be a bit of a surprise that he made that presient an observation about it.

"If you had a piano to play, would you prefer to do that instead?"

[backwaterimperial]

"I think so too," And to think he always thought music was one area of art that Thrawn couldn't do anything with. He gently fanned the paint with his hand, trying to make it dry.

"You know, I think I'd like it if we had a piano, yes. But what're you gonna do?"

[art_of_war]

Oh, Thrawn wouldn't use music the way he used artwork, but he was at least aware of its existence.

"I see. Would you please follow me?"

Without further comment, he turned around and made to leave the carriage. From there he walked purposely back through each connecting carriage from Sleeper Cabin, past the Armoury and Medical all the way to the Music car. There he opened the door and proceeded to go downstairs, where there was a raised stage and a piano sitting ready.

[backwaterimperial]

Putting his tools down and taking off his apron, Eli did as Thrawn asked and followed him. His painting probably needed to dry before he did anything more to it anyway. Just like old times, he couldn't help but think.

He wondered where Thrawn was taking him, and upon getting his answer, his eyes widened. "Is that a piano?"

Approaching the instrument, Eli tapped a few keys, then played a few scales.

[art_of_war]

Thrawn clasped his hands behind his back.

"I am not certain if there would be sheet music available, or if that is something that would only be found off the train."

While he might be terrible at showing it usually, Thrawn did genuinely want to see Eli being pleased with something. This seemed like a relatively simple way to achieve that.

[backwaterimperial]

Eli beamed at Thrawn, filled with a sudden urge to hug him. Even if showing Eli to the music room was a small gesture, it meant a lot to him that Thrawn thought about him enough to show him where it was. He knew that Thrawn wasn't one for overt displays of affection, so the act of kindness wasn't lost on him.

"I still remember how to play a song or two. I can look for sheet music in a bit," Sitting down at the bench, Eli began to play a simple tune to warm himself up and shake off the rust.

[art_of_war]

Eli seemed to be very pleased indeed. It had seemed a simple thing to Thrawn for it to elicit such a reaction, though. Perhaps Thrawn should try other things that pleased Eli too?

"Or perhaps write your own music?"

[backwaterimperial]

"Or I could do that, yeah."

Eli stopped playing and turned in his seat to look up at Thrawn. "I really appreciate you bringing me here." He reached out and gently wrapped his fingers around Thrawn's forearm.

[art_of_war]

That stunned Thrawn. Not that it was bad, quite the opposite. He just had no idea what he was supposed to do.

"I...you are welcome."

[backwaterimperial]

Eli withdrew his hand, and then stood up, looking up at Thrawn with a small twinkle in his eye. Fortunately for the two of them, the music car was empty.

"I would hug you, but I'm not sure you'd like it. I know you're not exactly touchy-feely."

[art_of_war]

Thrawn wasn't sure he'd like an impromptu hug either. More for the reason that he would freeze up entirely than anything else.

"...I would say such a display of affection would be inappropriate between officers but that does not apply here. I do not have any experience with displays of affection outside the military."

[backwaterimperial]

"Yeah. Like you said, our ranks don't mean much here." Even then, Eli wasn't an Imperial officer anymore, and thus Thrawn wasn't his leader.

"Then, if I may be so bold." Eli leaned in and wrapped his arms around Thrawn's waist.

[art_of_war]

As Thrawn just said, he had no experience with displays of affection. So while he'd at least had a bit of warning, he still froze up altogether because he still had no idea what he was supposed to do. He had his arms spread at his sides and probably had a 'deer in headlights' expression to go with them.

[backwaterimperial]

Eli kept it brief, quickly letting Thrawn go, his face turning red. He'd never seen such a look on Thrawn's face, and part of him found it rather endearing. Perhaps it was because Thrawn's normally icy demeanor had cracked, making him seem more relatable. It was so easy to think of him as being this untouchable being, but he was just as mortal as anyone.

"Sorry. I've always wanted to do that." It wasn't the only thing he'd wanted to do with Thrawn, though.

[art_of_war]

Thrawn was a tactically minded genius. He would notice details from brush strokes in a painting to the texture of someone's skin with just a glance. The trade-off for all that brilliance was being ridiculously socially awkward. That was why his unbroken line of Imperial wins eventually gained him the rank of Grand Admiral but also landed him in so many court-martials. Why he was so inept at both Ascendancy and Imperial politics, and why he looked so silly now

"...you have?"

Thrawn still looked like he'd been hit over the head but there was a bit of curiosity mixed in now.

[backwaterimperial]

"Yeah," Eli looked at his feet, then back up at Thrawn. Human brown eyes met glowing Chiss eyes.

"You're my friend, aren't you?"

[art_of_war]

Was that a human way of showing affection? It would explain some things. Thrawn wasn't sure if he would ever be able to show that kind of affection, but he still wanted to find out.

"Yes, I consider you my friend. Is that a human culture way of showing affection to each other?"

[backwaterimperial]

"In most human cultures, yes, hugging is a way to show affection. So is shaking hands, or a pat on the shoulder. But, really, a lot of humans have their own unique way of showing affection that don't involve touching someone or being overtly emotional." He rubbed the back of his head, ruffling his hair.

[art_of_war]

"In my experience, humans of the Empire are far more overtly emotional than Chiss of the Ascendancy. I hadn't experienced anything like it in the Ascendancy so it was something of a surprise seeing it on the Strikefast."

Thinking of his initial culture shock, Thrawn considered Eli.

"Do you wish to receive a display of affection in return?"

Thrawn didn't know if he would be able to be as overtly emotional but if it would please Eli, he could try.

[backwaterimperial]

"Well, I know that you taking me back here and letting me know there's a piano was your way of showing affection." Eli wrung his hands. That was how he read it, anyway. Hopefully he hadn't read Thrawn incorrectly this time. "I mean, you don't have to make yourself uncomfortable for my sake."