A New Platform [Intro Post August]

[voidtreckermods]

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PLATFORM STOP: MONTH 19
(SYMPHONY)

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BEFORE ARRIVAL

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day sixteen of the month of Symphony. Points have been updated on the system."
The voice of the Voidtrecker Express welcomes passengers at the same time as always, sometime after breakfast. With points updated, everyone can spend the morning shopping. Most people will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later, as the colours of the void outside the windows blur more and more.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. The weather is sunny with a cool breeze. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."
A lurch and a jolt, and the windows fill with the fog that means they are at a platform.

ON THE PLATFORM

1. THE ARRIVAL

At first, all your character can see is steam billowing around them as they come to their senses. But as their eyes adjust, they find themselves on a platform. The stones are cobbled beneath them and there are small stone shapes lining the edge, decorative in nature. The sun is shining but there is a cold wind, blowing through the platform at intervals, almost biting in its chill.

They stand in clothes not their own, in a style they might not even recognise. They're carrying a rucksack on their person, and for a moment it seems to just be them, alone on this platform. Before the fog starts to subside, and they'll see they're one of Twelve figures: all facing the tracks, and all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies, the latter in one of four colours. Purple, red, blue or orange.

But then there's a roaring sound to get their attention, and out from the fog arrives a train. A sleek black, it reads The Voidtrecker Express in gold lettering on the side. Every one of the doors hiss as they open automatically, and out pours a strange assortment of people, over a hundred at least. Some are human, some less so, with a majority wearing the same hoodie of four colours as they do, though some sport outfits in a variety of styles.

The train doors close behind them, and the vehicle is cloaked in the same fog that hides the world beyond the platform. A group of people head towards the gates of the platform, their expressions blank and unaffected by their surroundings. Danielle Phantom, Fai. D Flourite, K'zeka Tia, Ruggie Buchi and John Connor They disappear through the barriers, but no one else can - all people can do is wait until the train re-emerges, finishing whatever changes it's making.

2. BOARDING THE TRAIN

After a short time, about ten minutes or so, the fog clears and the doors hiss open again. Everyone will feel a pull when they do, a need to board, and those from the train may encourage new arrivals to board. This feeling grows into one of apprehension and turns worse the longer they stay off-board.

For those that do board, they may find themselves in a few different carriages, but most likely the standard coach. A row of seats sit available, with a few tables between each. More likely than not, some cookies have been set out with jugs of drink, and cups available for pouring.

For those that don't, however, they're likely to attract attention if they're spotted. And if that fails... an unfortunate end will await them.

a. New arrivals will notice a screen and console in every carriage sharing the same message, and a stack of leaflets in holders by them offering further information to the curious (see 'Publications'). There are lavatories available on each carriage on one end, with another console with a deposit box under it at the other. This is the train shop.

b. It'll take some time for newbies to figure out the layout, even if there's only two directions to go in. Go one end, and you'll find the food stores and washing utilities. This month's key ingredient is broccoli, and you're sure to bump into others curious about what's in the stock.

c. Go to the other end, and you'll find the sleeper cabins. Plaques sit on the wall by each door with the names of their occupants, and one of these will be yours - hopefully, they'll figure out that swiping their ticket against the doorpad will open it up to them. 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.

d. At the farthest end in this direction is the luggage carriage, where passengers who have bought items from the train shop will find their purchases. These are scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags, but there's also a small fridge and kettle here with bottled water, for those who want a quiet drink.

e. Of course there are the new additions to explore. A fireplace has been added to the library, complete with a rug and plenty of soft reading pillows. For those less inclined to sit still there is a swimming pool carriage, complete with foam fish. Plenty of fun for all.

DEPARTURE

Spend your time exploring, if you will. But people will have half an hour before a second horn sounds, encouraging any stragglers taking advantage of the fresh air to board. After five minutes from this, the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train begins to rumble with activity, and the platform starts to disappear into a fog as the voidcraft moves. A female-coded artificial voice echoes throughout the train.

"Welcome aboard, passengers of the Voidtrecker Express. 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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NAVIGATION ~ GAMEPLAY ~ SETTING ~ CHARACTER INITIATIVES ~ QUESTIONS

Comments

[modelcatizen]

"Doctor, you don't have to apologize. Its not your fault," he said.

And paused. "But you do give some of the best hugs," he admits. And he's forever touch starved, so he does move forward to hug him.

[borntolove]

Of course, it's his fault. He's The Lord of Time! The Doctor proceeds to double-hearts glomp the blonde child. Even if The Doctor doesn't know the stranger, still cares for the random stranger platonically. Given how things have been lately, Ten is glad that he still can.

[modelcatizen]

It absolutely isn't and Adrien would shake Ten if he knew.

Hugs, however, are always nice, though after a minute he pulls away. "I'm Adrien Agreste, by the way. We're...eventually friends, I guess. Timey wimey, you know."

[borntolove]

There's a Father Christmas twinkle in Ten's brown eyes, that seem to say, 'ahhh you do know me'.

"Wibbly wobbly - stuff. Brilliant to meet you, Adrien." There is a short pause, "And you're right. I do know The Void. Been here before." The Doctor cleans his front teeth with his tongue and keeps himself from saying, in another face. And of course - Torchwood 1 and The Doctor losing Rose to The Void, and slipping into another dimension. Ten is very quiet and seems to try to hide the pain from his eyes.

[modelcatizen]

Knowing him is also why he said friend. The Doctor will accept friend. Family was Too Much to throw at him and not expect him to freak out.

"It's a lot of stuff. Especially where we meet. Both time and planar," he said with a shrug. "I'm originally from early 2000s Paris that isn't yours, unless you know superheroes this time. Paris has pretty famous ones."

He does catch that look. He knows that look and reaches over to squeeze his shoulder. "Sounds like the Void is one of the less fun stories."

[borntolove]

"Yeah, that wouldn't be mine. Sorry."

The Doctor is quiet, The first trip into The Void isn't quite unsettling as the story itself. It's all who's in the story. Romana II, and how Four watched her and K-9 walk into The Void, somewhere. Later, on she became Time Lord President, and well - Gallifrey ended up burning, despite Romana's efforts to make peace with a Dalek that defecated.

And Adric - who ended up dying later. Sacrificing himself for The Doctor.

The second story with The Void is more recent and still hurting The Doctor, where he lost Rose at Torchwood. The Doctor peers over at Adrien with a clear hurt and broken look and just maybe, Adrien will be able to read into what is exactly wrong.

How The Doctor fought with brian against his hearts because in the end, even if his hearts were telling him to smash the glass of the universe and go after her. He could not. And here he is inside a Train traveling through The Void.

"You don't think it's possible do you? Finding Rose?"

[modelcatizen]

"I mean, I figured that was the case, but always good to check," Adrien said with a shrug.

Adrien's face goes.

Quite blank. Because he knows stories. He knows so many stories and he can't be sure what happened when. He doesn't know why Rose isn't there by the time of Clara and Me. But he does know the first time Rose is gone and that is the question.

But how to ask without breaking things?

Well, he could do it like Rose did.

"Bad Wolf?"

[borntolove]

What came out of Adrien's mouth The Doctor wasn't expecting it and appears quite alarmed. Maybe he told him the story about what all happened in his last incarnation with seeing 'Bad Wolf' everywhere. However, he's not sure what that means now but something about it - echoes.

A deep exhale, "Wut sort of superheroes do you have?"

[modelcatizen]

"I see....that tells me where you are in the timeline," Adrien said.

"But what happens in my world is separate from mine, far as I know. We have several superheroes across the world. Paris specifically has two full time heroes and a number of temporary ones recruited by them when they need help," he explained. "They're Ladybug and Chat Noir. Ladybug is able to create helpful items, purify dark magic, and repair damage. Chat Noir has the power of destruction, and cat like enhancements. Ladybug fixes the problems, Chat Noir keeps her up."

[borntolove]

The Doctor stares at Adrien, wondering how far ahead Adrien is in his timeline. The Doctor gives a small smile, "They sound like quite the balanced team."

[modelcatizen]

"...just trying to follow your rules, Doctor," he said. "Isn't time malleable until you know it?"

"They are," Adrien said. "I've met them a few times. Saved me from a few Akumas. People corrupted by dark magic, thus the purifying. My fencing rival and bodyguard were having a pretty bad day."

[borntolove]

There's a loud exhale, "I shouldn't try to change my own personal history." Someone doesn't get that luxury and gives Adrien a look, along the lines of 'there are things he would if he could.

Ten beams, "Good glad." Then his face switches to concern, "Blimey, why do you need a bodyguard?"

[modelcatizen]

"It is a lot. I was asked to be a temporary hero once. With the power to reset the same five minutes. It...." He smiles sadly. "Well, they had to get someone else for that situation. It's a lot to just have total control for that short segment."

He shrugged. "Father owns the international company, mother also a model and actress, and supermodel myself. My face is on billboards all over the city."

[borntolove]

"Good, good for you." The Doctor remarks rather proud because he doesn't think humans should, "But why did you have to go back 5 minutes?"

There's a distressed look on his face and gives Adrien a hardy pat on the shoulders, "You're here now. Adventuring in the nothingness on Transdimensional Train." The Doctor remarks enthusiastically.

[modelcatizen]

"I failed, Doctor. Though I do appreciate their trust," Adrien said. "The Akuma had a sniper capture ability. They could fire very far and then the person would be trapped in a small stasis area. If Ladybug goes down, the day can't be saved, and there was too little room for error. Information was key and I wasn't suited to sit back and watch what happened. I couldn't make peace just waiting for them to fail."

He snorts. "I don't mind the modeling so much. The bodyguard is because my father is overprotective, I've gotten pretty good at avoiding danger and mega fans."

[borntolove]

"Yes, but you knew that it was best to stop and allow someone else to. Some would keep trying until they imploded something in space-time." The Doctor remarks simply.

"Is he here?"

[modelcatizen]

"....I think that was more due to the Miraculous then me. I. Uh. Tried for three months?" He smiled sheepishly.

Frankly, he's pretty sure it'd be more traumatic if he wasn't Awake. His dream self didn't take it well at all.

"My bodyguard? No, he's not, but I've been away from him for three years now."

[borntolove]

The Doctor's face has his lips pressed together tight. He doesn't know the time rules in that universe. He can only be grateful nothing self collapsed in upon itself.


"Your parents."

[modelcatizen]

"The Miraculous have safeties built in. I don't know all the rules, but at least on a metaphysical and user's own health level, they're pretty secure," Adrien said.

Adrien's face turns

Very polite. Perfectly kind and gentlemanly and just a little sad.

Perfectly perfected and fake.

"My mom has been gone over four years. My father isn't here.,"

[borntolove]

Ten feels his hearts sink and pulls Adrien into another hug, "I'm sorry. I'm so, so, sorry."

[modelcatizen]

He honestly should have expected the hug.

But he's come to several realizations and it's.


It's a lot.

His arms come up and he holds onto the Doctor tight. "She's gone. The past is the past and I....I can accept that."

The words sound hollow to his own ears.

[borntolove]

The Doctor holds Adrien a bit tighter as if trying to take that pain away and the same time, recognizes that same pain in himself.

"I'll take care of you here. Promise."

[modelcatizen]

"I know. Though I'm pretty capable, you know. Lived this long with crazy," he said, face still pressed to his shoulder.

[borntolove]

"Don't hurt to have some friends, does it?" Better with two, as Rose would say.

[modelcatizen]

Adrien snorted. "True. Doesn't hurt. Just better to let you know ahead of time. I'm pretty sure no matter what reality, you are monsieur 'gotta play the one in charge of weird disasters' everytime. I bet I could surprise even you once for weird."