voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post August]

PLATFORM STOP: MONTH 19
(SYMPHONY)

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.

NAVIGATION ~ GAMEPLAY ~ SETTING ~ CHARACTER INITIATIVES ~ QUESTIONS

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Aelienor Estienie. A fine name." A beat. "I am glad that whatever this place is, it allowed your expectations to not come to reality."

He is majorly confused about much about being here at all, but not this part.

"Still confusin' as all hells, but..." She gives his shoulders a squeeze. "Sure not all bad. I wanted so much to have more time to get to know ye. Outside o' just talkin' to the shade Hades made."

Even the shade, after all, should eventually fade without his creator around. No arcane entity can persist indefinitely without a supply of aether, and the false Amaurot didn't seem to be drawing from the land.

"I would like that, too. To get to know you. There is much one can learn about another in a few days, and so much more yet one cannot, in such brief a time.

"I imagine, also, that there will be plenty about this place to discover. It might be quite the adventure."

A rather bright outlook on 'this place is extremely confusing," really.

"Prob'ly-" Wait, the platform is still crowded. "Probably the most confusing adventure I've had. And considering all the confusing shite I've been through, that's saying hells of a lot."

She steps very slightly back, just enough that she can look at him again.

"Just hoping this one's a bit lower pressure than what I've had to clean up afore."

Hythlodaeus blinks slightly at the way she interrupts the easy way she started replying with the way she usually has been speaking, but he is unsure of the meaning of it still, let alone the slight quiver in her aether that accompanied the self-correction.

But his lips curved up as he met her gaze.

"I certainly hope we will have people who are willing to clarify the situation a little."

Or a lot, preferably.

"Well, looks like there's more coming off the train what aren't headed right for the exit."

She nods over Hythlodaeus' shoulder, toward the train.

"Time to hope they're a bit more chatty."

"So it seems." He doesn't exactly have to look to know she is correct. "Ah... the one who did leave." It is fair to warn her, after all. "The one with the feline ears. He... also has Azem's soul."

So if there are two of them, there might possibly be more.

"Same amount as me? You're sure he's not another shard?"

She glances back behind her, not blessed with aetherial eyes in the back of her head.

"Really gonna have to find out if'n anyone knows how that works, but it's not like it's the first time I've seen a guy what was another reincarnation of Azem."

Hythlodaeus considers, but then nods. "Close enough." Even for him, it is not precise, and he has been looking at Aelienor for longer than the one who left without turning, but the difference is not significant enough to indicate he would have come from a reflection, rather than the Etheirys that the Convocation was trying to rebuild.

After a moment of watching her, with gentle concern, he nods with a renewed smile. "I have every faith that you will find a way to do well with it. But I rather thought it might be easier if it does not come as a surprise."

She shrugs, thinking to Ardbert, and to her experiences wandering through time.

"All the weird shite I've been through in the past year, meeting someone what shouldn't be able to exist at the same time as me doesn't sound too hard to deal with. The hard part is I'm not gonna be able to stop wracking my brain until I figure out how it works."

"Mmm. Perhaps not, yet if it proves out confusing, I will listen to your thoughts." Clearly it'll be only her who encounters someone who shouldn't exist.

Clearly.

"Hopefully, there will be people who can give some answers." He's looking forward to some of those, himself.

"Let us go and find out, hmm?"

She nods, though she seems reluctant to let go of him. It might have only been a couple moons ago since she last saw him, but the pain of loss has compounded badly enough that she can't help but fear this impossible meeting is some sort of fluke, and he'll vanish the moment she breaks contact.

"It'll be quickest if'n we split up and meet again later, once we've got some questions asked..."

He is not letting go until she does, either, feeling somewhat guilty for giving in for his need for tactile contact after so long without it yet... he did not initialize or ask for this. Surely he is not the only one who relishes it?

"Swiftest, perhaps, but it will indeed be better if we match up the information we have, after.

"However, I do think people are ushering some of those who stood with us here on the platform into the vehicle - perhaps we will not be able to meet here, exactly. In that case, I shall find you."

He has advantages, after alle.

Then again, Aelienor is still a shard of Azem.

"Unless we chance upon each other, of course." Such ahppenstance is far from unlikely.

He's not at all the only one enjoying it, it's really been too long since she's had a chance to cuddle up to someone like this. She steps back, but pauses with her hands still on his arms.

"Mayhap there'll be somewhere less crowded on board, anyhow. More comfortable without a bunch of extra ears around for personal conversations."

Hythlodaeus's eyes crinkle softly.

"Oh, that will certainly be nice. Much as I do enjoy company," especially after the complicated state he was in for a while, "some things are easier and more relaxing in private."

A lot of those, really.

A New Platform [Intro Post August]

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