A New Platform [Intro Post April!]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Two days after they return from their mission they are awoken as usual "Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Egret. The shop has been updated and points have been applied to passengers tickets."

Those that go to check the shop terminals will find they have indeed updated, with the option to buy larger items and also animals. The morning goes on until just after noon there is a second announcement.

"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. Though the fog is thick, thicker than usual perhaps, there are patches on sunlight shining through and it is pleasantly warm.

The doors open and the first few to disembark do so with rucksacks on, hoods pulled up, silent and almost blank faced. Cu Chulain, Dio Brando, Disreputable Dog, Heiji Hattori, Loki Maedhros, Maglor, Naruto, Thor, Tobias Fangor.

They walk to the barriers, show their tickets and disappear.

But on the platform itself there are once again new faces. 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 as people begin to shift or call out it will become apparent they are not alone.

The platform is not large and it holds eighteen figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. It's warm but foggy making it hard to see much, but there are clearer patches bathed in sunlight found across the platform. 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, in case the passengers weren't bored of them yet.

Passengers who are not brand new will notice that the train has gotten yet longer again with a sixth sleeper cabin for new arrivals.

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

[marriedanidiot]

"Thank you."

She sighs sadly. "I only wish the Train had let them stay... "

[pleple]

Her thumb gently rubs Nerdanel's hand. "I wish we knew... any of how this happens."

[marriedanidiot]

"I don't know if there is any rhyme or reason." She says sadly.

"At the least... at the least I was able to see them again. That has been good."

[pleple]

"Even if it's random... then at least it would be fine to know that." Even if it's pretty nerve-wracking. "Just... let me... try to make you less sad."

[marriedanidiot]

She smiles at her fondly.

"Thank you - may I hug you, Ple Two?"

[pleple]

"If it will make you feel better... then I'd be glad to." That's a good enough reason, now.

[marriedanidiot]

Thank you.

[ Nerdanel smiles, and tugs Ple Two into her arms, reminding herself that there are people here who still need her, that it would do no good to Fade - it never does, after all ]

[pleple]

[ Ple Two leans into it... feeling quite a bit more comfortable, now, as she wraps her arms around Nerdanel. ]

[marriedanidiot]

[ Nerdanel holds Ple Two in her arms and reminds herself that this is here, and this is now, and after a little while, she lets her go, knowing that Ple Two is still not entirely comfortable with such shows of affection ]

Thank you. [ She repeats, and cups Ple Two's cheek briefly, a fond caress ]

That helped.

[pleple]

[ Especially somewhere... out in the open. Heck, with the hair color someone could actually maybe mistake them for mother and daughter-and that's a line of thought that's too happy and too depressing all at once to follow.

She's glad it's brief, although she unconsciously leans into her affectionate touch. ]

You're welcome. I'm... I'm happy to help you. Any time.

[marriedanidiot]

Thank you Ple Two.

[ Nerdanel smiles at her ]

Shall we find someplace a little more cheery than this?

[pleple]

Wherever you'd like to?

[ She's not particularly picky. ]

[marriedanidiot]

[ She offers her her hand ]

Why don't we head to the kitchen, then?

[pleple]

[ Ple Two takes her hand - thoughts of how new arrivals might perceive them striking again. ]

...let's do that, then.

[marriedanidiot]

[ Nerdanel smiles and tugs her along to find themselves some hot tea ]

I must confess, tea like this is a reltively new thing for me - but young Elrond brought Hobbits to Aman, and Master Bilbo espoused the benefits of sitting and enjoying a hot cup, which I find I agree is most relaxing.

[ She explains as she makes them both a cup ]

[pleple]

[ Tea is good. Ple Two likes coffee herself, but she knows she needs to keep her caffeine intake low to not affect her growth. ]

It's... one of the things I've found calming here, yes. I should look for more.

[marriedanidiot]

[ Someone mention that to Conan ]

You are welcome to join me for tea, if you ever want to. [ She smiles ]

It has become something of a grounding ritual for me.

[pleple]

[ YOU'RE GONNA STAY SHORT, KID.

Ple Two nods. ]

And it's a good reason for us to... spend more time together.

[marriedanidiot]

[ Well I mean. Technically he'll stay short until they find a cure anyway... XD ]

Yes. [ She smiles at her ]

I would enjoy that, I think. Would you?

[pleple]

[ Still relevant. Maybe. ]

I would. It sounds... calming. Nice.

[marriedanidiot]

Then I would enjoy spending some time like this with you. [ She smiles ]

[pleple]

The same to you. I'm... able to relax around you more fully.

[marriedanidiot]

Thank you, Ple Two. I will admit, it is a comfort to know that.

[pleple]

Then I'm also glad to help you. However... I can.

[marriedanidiot]

[ She beams at her ]

Just by being here, my dear, you do me a world of good.