voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post August]

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

[Nia can be found at the pool in her recently revealed Blade form, just floating along on her back. If one looks carefully, they might notice the water subtly shifting to avoid her running into the edge of the pool.]

Oh, hey there. Someone looks excited for the pool.

[After the huge splash he caused when dive bombing in the water her words are almost a surprise. Esteban shakes his head free, and passes a hand across his face to see better when he notices--]

Woah-- what happ'ned to y'r hair? [He doesn't remember it being nearly as long. Oh wait--] It looks great though! Did you get horns on y'r head?

[Clearly, he is a master of observance today.]

I like any change at all~ [It serves as both an answer to her question, and a small nudge at her new form, curiosity brimming in him.]

Horns? Those are my ears, you twit!

[The pool water moves on it's own to splash Esteban's head.]

As for the change, I just realized that there's no real point to pretending to be something I'm not here. It's not like anyone actually cares if I'm a Blade or not.

[The way the water moves has him blink wide blue eyes after brushing the splash off from his face, peering at her. Was that some of her odd magic? She'd mentioned it wasn't aether, but to control water that way?]

They're so long though! [He's tempted to touch them. But that probably wouldn't fly, and her hair really is long and pooling around her. It makes it a little harder to swim around her without touching it. Better start actually asking things--]

What's a Blade? I don't think y'r talkin' 'bout a weapon here. [Of course, Esteban is genuinely curious as he asks-- he's always curious.]

[From her magic, to her potions, to the leaves familiar to her world, questions peppering every discussions that he has with anyone. He's greedy like that. And Nia, for being blunt and to the point, has indulged him the answers he sought so far.]

[Then it's probably good that Nia doesn't really mind explaining things.]

That's not entirely off the mark, but it is a lot more complicated.

[Nia holds up a hand and a crystalline scimitar wreathed in flowers appears for a moment before she dismisses it.]

We were originally meant to guide evolution, bring back humanity after our creator's mistake led to their extinction. That actually worked like a charm, so go us I guess.

Once that was done with, things kinda shifted gears. Blades change just as much as any other species, so we had to adjust to having mainly humans as our Drivers. Oh, a Driver is someone who can resonate with a Blade's base state, a Core Crystal, and bring them out of it. Under most circumstances, a Blade can't exist without a Driver.

Anyway, we shifted from bringing with us useful tools and items to mainly weapons. Pretty understandable, as Alrest is a bitch to survive in. That's about when humans started calling us "Blades," I think. Can't be sure, Blades lose their memories when they return to their Core Cr- I mean, OUR Core Crystals. Sorry, pretended to be human for so long that I slip up sometimes.

[There's a soft "oooh~" when she pulls out her blade, finding it very pretty and surprisingly dainty. Nia had told him she could kick ass, but it's nice to know she can kick ass in style. With pretty flowers and all.

He kind of wants one of those flowers.]

So wait-- [Something occurs to him, a strange note in how she speaks of the blade.] I get that y'r a person-- [he adds quickly because he's not mistaking her for an item per say, but, but] but is y'r form the-- weapon? The Core Crystal?

[Alright, that still sounded callous. But he does mean it. Is she the being, Nia, or is she the sentient weapon Nia? Wait-- that also sounds wrong. And a bit--]

Uhm. Y' don't have t' answer 'f you don't want to. [Yeah, he feels like he misstepped there. Nia is Nia. Though she does make it incredibly easy for him to find the hoard item he'll craft for her, seeing as he understands it to be a part of her regardless.]

So y'r a shape-changer, [he says instead, weaving her narrative under terms that he can understand himself. And being a shape-changer makes sense, seeing as how she's shifted into her new form.] that is Nia, the Blade, an' the Crystal.

[Is he getting closer at least?]

Eh, you're close at least. I can only really change between Blade and human-looking, and that's not something most Blades can do. Anyway, the weapon's more a bonus that comes with me existing than anything. It only appears when I want it to, and I can easily make a new one if it breaks.

The Core Crystal's the important part. It's more or less my brain, so you can probably guess how bad it getting damaged would be. Body's more durable than a human's, but it's pretty damn important too. Head wounds aren't nearly as bad for me, though.

Wait-- humans have cat-ears in y'r world? [That's a bit of a surprise. But it could be that the humans mixed with shape-changers so much that one and the other were the same. He could see that happening. Esteban surges into the water to prop himself up on the edge of the pool, getting a better glimpse of his companion as they chat amiably.]

"'S y'r magic d'rived from the fact that y'r that much more advanced?" [She had spoken of machines at some point? But he hadn't been able to follow much about it.] Is y'r Core made of these machines, or 's it somethin' entirely diff'rent? [There's a short, short break where Esteban's eyes widen, round as coins as he asks--]

Wait-- you need a Driver t' get outta y'r Core Crystal? Are you okay here? [Concern narrows his eyes, but he's gotten the hint that most things are provided for on the train? So maybe Nia is also alright here? But then that means that in her world she can't exist without a Driver? That seems kind of wrong to him.]

Edited (wrong icon) 2022-08-07 03:59 (UTC)

Not all of 'em, just folks from Gormott. Cores and ether are different, the stuff's more like blood for a Blade.

[She flinches a bit at his last question.]

I'm... an exception. A Blade can become independent by, ah, integrating human cells into our bodies. Specifically ones from cardiac muscle.

[Well, she decided she wouldn't lie to these people anymore. She's already kind of regretting that.]

[Better keep up, better keep up. He's thankful he remembers that Ether was what she called her mana, or rather her machines back when they'd talked, because he'd be horribly lost otherwise. He still is lost-- but at least not horribly.]

Oh. [There's a short pause at her words, somewhat aware of what she's saying. But she's more advanced, isn't she?]

Is that somethin' you can heal too? [He is nosey after all. And with hope, and a bit of luck-- everything would have gone smoothly? He hopes so. He hopes she doesn't live with that burden on her shoulders.]

I could now, but not back then. Not that it matters much, seeing as she was already dead when I ate her heart. Not much cellular regeneration could do to cure disease, no matter how much my Driver wished it could.

[Nia drifts backwards, letting out a sigh.]

Blades like me, we're called Flesh Eaters. Back in Alrest, becoming one was a crime punishable by death, no exceptions. Only way we could live normally was by hiding what we were. You can probably see why it's a tough habit to break.

[He can't imagine eating someone's heart. There's grimness in her words that are a whole level too far, but he knows he doesn't have the full picture. Nia knows it, knows all that happened, but not himself, and so he can't fault her or judge her for something he only has a tiny glimpse at. It's not his place.

It's easier to relate to her words as she mentions the crime that hangs over her head like a blade, the secrets. The silence, and toeing around a truth that doesn't want to be said. Esteban nods, and a smile raises the corners of his mouth.]

Y'r pretty brave Nia, [he encourages her. More brave than he is by far. It makes him grin at the small healer.]

I... get it, [he manages, words stumbling on his tongue.] That it's hard. [He... admires her. And feels all awkward at the same time. Esteban takes a deep breath, and tries his best to follow her example.]

I've got my own secrets-- runnin' 'round the truth an' just... not knowin' where to start. It's been so long an-- it's kinda easier th'n to lie, but they're just always there an-- [He's blabbering, words stumbling in but not saying anything and there's frustration in the silence that garbles at his throat. It cuts him off, abruptly. Sharply. And he doesn't know what were the words he was trying to say anymore.]

Edited (Just giving her a chance to react before he goes on.) 2022-08-07 18:55 (UTC)

I get it, some things are secret for a reason. If I'd let the wrong person know, I wouldn't be here right now. Hell, I'm only owning up to it now because I had to change during the last mission. Well, that and the fact that before you there was only one other person on the Train who even knew what a Flesh Eater is.

[There's a weak snort as Esteban nods from his perch at the edge of the pool, voice quiet but clear when he speaks.]

I had t' change durin' lots of missions, but I still don't like tellin' anybody. [He lets that linger for a beat, feet kicking through the water before he adds something with a grin, sort of teasing, sort of just trying to work himself around to telling Nia. It's not a problem of not trusting her but...

Well. Yeah. It's a tiny bit of a lack of trust. He doesn't know her well enough. But he still trusts her to say. Just don't ask him to show.]

Hey, c'ld you maybe heal a wing, 'f I ever harmed one? Fins, or leather-skin? 'F you get a puncture wound in a leather wing, it's a nightmare! [he adds, trying to keep the tone light and easy between them.]

A wing? I've brought people back from the brink of death and you're asking if I can heal a wing? I could do that in my sleep.

[Nia actually looks a bit offended. Only a bit, though.]

The only thing I can't heal is brain damage, and even then only because I wouldn't know where to put the cells.

Hey, it's important! [He gets it, that she can do so much more. But to Esteban, the wings are far more precious.]

Wings're delicate. The smallest mistake w'ld mean I'd never be able to glide again. 'F the bone's set just a little off-centered, I'd spiral outta control every time I try. 'F the leather's thin in one spot, it c'ld rip mid-flight an' I'd crash down. [His tone is weaker, more serious than his usual loudness. But he perks up quickly, grinning at Nia again.]

But now y' know! So I'm countin' on you 'f it ever goes wrong, mmkay?

Trust me, the only time I make mistakes in healing is when I want to. Your wings are in good hands, Este.

[Is it weird that her half-threat is actually a relief to him? Maybe it's the nickname. Maybe it's the confidence. He doesn't know, exactly what makes him grin at her, feeling lighter and glad to have her in his corner.

Or maybe it's just the implication behind her words. That she's got his back.]

You know, that's kinda unfair, [he complains lightly, grinning all the while.] There's no way I c'n get a nickname for you! [Or at least, definitely not one that would fit her. Un-oh, now that means he doesn't know her well enough, doesn't it? And that sets off Esteban on a new quest!

He's going to have to learn more about Nia.]

Unless Nia's already a nickname? [He prods lightly. It wouldn't surprise him if it was, actually.]

Nope, it's just my name. Don't worry about it too much, never much liked any of the nicknames I've got.

[Between "Little Lady" from Mik and "furry-ears" from Shellhead...]

Aww, that's a pity. I can't find nicknames for half the train, so it's been a bit 'f a bummer. [He grins at her again, relaxing, somehow, for how easy the conversation is going.]

I like givin' people nicknames. [He's greedy like that.] But alright; I won't give y' one. Nia's a pretty name anyways! D'es it mean anythin'?

Not as far as I know. Closest thing I can think of is that it sounds a bit like the sound cats make. I guess Gormotti do have a lot in common with 'em, but Architect knows why I'd be named after that.

[Oh? For someone absolutely unobservant as Esteban is, he sure is quick to pick up things from what people tell him. Sometimes.]

Is the Architect y'r creator? [He asks eagerly, perking up and pushing himself back in the water to swim closer to her. He keeps a short distance between them, but a light curiosity has him reach closer to the Blade-- to see if her strange ability to keep away from the wall would also react to him reaching out for her hand.]

Or 're they the creator 'f your world?

[Looking closer, it seems that the water just refuses to move in any way that would inconvenience her. Any ripples in the pool that would threaten to shift her just stop dead before they reach her.]

Yeah, he's the one that made us Blades. Well, the first ones anyway. After they grew into Titans, new Blades started being made in their bodies.

Anyway, he's the one who accidentally wiped out the old humanity. He said he made Blades and Titans as a form of penance for it. Same thing that caused the extinction of humanity made him near immortal, so he had a lot of time to get it right.

[That's a whole slew of information that Esteban isn't quite sure how to untangle yet. He has every desire to-- but it's going to take him a bit longer than a few keywords tossed together for him to make sense of this.]

[But he loves this. Learning where people came from, learning their culture and beliefs, and legends and origins. He's always excited to hear about this from anyone, because there are shards of their world within people; shards that Esteban can collect and wrap up in how he perceives his friends, little instances that explain how they've come to be who they are today. People make up stories because stories make them who they are. Or at least, that's how Melchor had always framed it.]

What was the event, d' you know? Did it get passed down? [They might as well start from the beginning, right?] What was it the Architect did? [he asks again, quickly followed with] D'es he still live t'day? Didja meet him before?

We knew there was a civilization before us thanks to salvagers, but that was about it until me and the others actually met the Architect. Turns out, the whole thing happened because the guy was messing with some sort of Conduit to a dimension of unlimited energy or something. Not entirely clear on the details, but it apparently it caused some sort of dimension-quake that wiped out life on our planet and made half of his body into a god on another one.

Remember how I said it made him near immortal? He was alive as long as his other half was, but turns out somebody killed the tyrant that one became not long after we actually got there.

II

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