A New Platform [Intro Post March]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Luckily there are no more crises after the strange dreaming, except the ones passengers created for themselves and soon the month is turning. "Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Egret."

Those that have been on board a while know that new months usually come with new people and so the message a few hours later will not be a surprise. "Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A lurch and a jolt and they are soon surrounded by the fog that means they are at a platform. It will come as a relief that it is not raining this time. However it does seem to be quite blustery.

The doors open and the first few to disembark do so with rucksacks on, hoods pulled up against the wind. Amery Vallet, Steve Rogers, Darth Vader, Peggy Carter, Bran Corbie and Ash. They walk blank faced to the barriers, show their tickets and disappear.

But on the platform itself there are nineteen new faces, or rather seventeen new faces and two that some people have definitely seen before. All are stood, waiting for the train.

For New Passengers

At first all they can see is steam. Billowing around them as they come to their senses. They are standing, in clothes that are not their own, styles they might not even recognise. They are carrying a rucksack on their back. For a moment it seems to just be them, alone in the white haze but then the steam begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform is not large and it holds ninteen figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. The air is cold and the wind is strong, blowing their hair, if they have hair, across their face. Both left and right the tracks disappear into the mist. 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 into the cold step a selection of people. Some are human, some are less so. They are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple.

The Train

The doors hiss open. Those from the train may encourage those on the platform to board. It’s not like there is 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 not be a good thing. 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. The store rooms have been restocked with an abundance of onions! Any of blue team who who go to check the luggage cart will find a parcel containing rainbow macroons. One for each of the blue team, including new members, come share in the reward!

Passengers who are not brand new will notice that the train has gotten yet longer again. A transparent domed carriage, with a grass aisle and soil beds, ready for the passengers to do with as they wish. Crates contain bulbs and seeds ready to be planted and there are all the tools a budding gardener would need for this task.

New passengers will find their tickets allow them into their cabins. They may need to negotiate for beds, especially if they want a top bunk!

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 and you will hopefully find a pillow for your bed if it has not been nabbed by a roommate, there are also spare blankets for if it gets cold.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view 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. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!

Comments

[stealsyourheart]

Awwww! Kaito gentles the scritches, now stroking more than scritching.

"Akako is... Weird." He wrinkles his nose. "She's ... I think she's an actual, real, witch. Except, y'know, my world... doesn't have magic, or psychics, or... fancy martial arts that let you fly. EXCEPT for her. She says that Beelzebub tells her things. And she can do stuff that makes no sense. Aaaaaaaaand she has a butler who looks like he came straight out of a horror movie set and she flies on a broom."

[mtsilver_conquor]

Eva nods. "If she has a Butler, she'd rich. And that means she likely feels secure in showing off, meaning it's likely she is a witch or a psychic, more so if she's seemingly defying the laws of reality as is currently understood."

Gods only knew the full extent of a psychic's abilities and that was with humans pokeing at them for as long as they'd been around. "It's also likely that your world has some psychics, but it's also probably a lot rarer and what headache-inducing laws they operate under has yet to be discovered."

[stealsyourheart]

He wrinkles his nose thoughtfully.

"S'pose that's the more likely option." He nods. "And she ... I guess she's probably rich? I dunno, I've never actually seen her family."

[mtsilver_conquor]

"It probably is."

If only because a world without psychics? that's not even fringe stuff, but impossible.

"There's lots of reasons for that, honestly. Her parents could work, be out of the region. That kinda thing. If she's over 13, she'd be - she should be able to look after herself well enough she'd only need a Butler."

[stealsyourheart]

'Course, she could just be a REALLY good magician, like me."

He shrugs. "Some of my best tricks are 'impossible' too - although Edogawa worked 'em out."

NOT THAT HE'S CROSS OR ANNYTHING.

"Ehhh. Hard to say. Could be! We're technically underage, but Hakuba's by himself with only his Nanny too."

[mtsilver_conquor]

"I can't say I've ever seen you do a magic show.."

Eva shrugs. "If they're both rich... The rich live a different lifestyle. That much I know."

[stealsyourheart]

"Haven't really got the gear for it here." He says apologetically. "Been saving my points to get some of the specialised stuff. I could do a basic show, sure. But I'd disapoint the Detective with something so simple."

Kaito lives by himself too, of course, but his circumstances are... er.... different. He's... not actually sure if there's a warrant outstanding on his mom or not...

"That's true."

[mtsilver_conquor]

"I can understand that, but surely he'd understand you don't have the fancy things here. Besides, train morale is worth more than a single person's disappointment."

She shakes her head though, knowing it's likely more complicated than it sounds. "Just.. think on it, ok?"

[stealsyourheart]

"Oh probably. I'd never forgive myself for putting on a lackluster performace either."

[mtsilver_conquor]

"I think that's common with all magicians."

Not that she'd actually know, but it seems logical. "Or, well, any professional who take to a stage."

[stealsyourheart]

"Probably." He grins. "But I've got a reputation to live up to."

[mtsilver_conquor]

There's a long, amused look before she grins back. Don't think for a second she hasn't taken note of what's been said as they've talked, but it's not her place to push.

Because, teenage boys have, in her experience, fragile egos. And well, he's Orange and for Eva has Issues With Fate right now?

He's one of her team. "And can't uphold it without your stuff?"

[stealsyourheart]

Magic is the only thing he cares enough about to have his ego bruised, in truth. But he cares a lot about magic.

"Not to my satisfaction." He wriggles his hand in an 'eh' motion. "Or to the Detective's. And it wouldn't seem right, to put on a show that wasn't my best."

[mtsilver_conquor]

"I know that feeling, and when you do feel ready, I'll be in the front row."

Eva's grin turns sharp. "Because, I've never seen a magic show without the use of pokemon in it somewhere."

Eva, you've seen a magic show all of twice in your life.

[stealsyourheart]

He laughs. "Well! That's a challenge and a half! I'll have to do my very best for you too then! Nothing boring and ordinary, if this is your first time!"

[mtsilver_conquor]

Eva shakes her head with a laugh and a grin. "Don't start planning anything you won't be able to top."

[stealsyourheart]

He grins at her.

"Cross my heart, I will make sure that I always surpass myself~"

[mtsilver_conquor]

Eva snickers. "Ambitious, much?"

[stealsyourheart]

He salutes her with a grin.

"What's the point, if I don't try, right? Aim high, and even if I flop, I'll have done better'n if I didn't try."

[mtsilver_conquor]

"Point, though hopefully no flops that result in them being rubbed in your face by a stupid, arrogant rival who got private battle tutoring."

Why Eva, you sound rather bitter there. And kinda childish, given the huff and crossed arms.

[stealsyourheart]

"Thaaaaaat has the sound of experience talking."

[mtsilver_conquor]

"Of course it does, but in the end, I showed him."

She's 23, not 5. Really. "Anyway, I'm better than him."

[stealsyourheart]

This is why he likes her.

He laughs.

"Well, I cannot compare, obviously, but considering what I've seen? I bet you kicked his ass."

[mtsilver_conquor]

"Of course I did!" Her eyes practically light up at the memory. "I still do to this day."

Much 5 year old. Much Smug.

[stealsyourheart]

He cackles.

"Now that I would enjoy watching!"