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

[maxwellsdaemon]

"Money? Currency." Duo nodded, liking the second word better. It was more universal, at least it sounded like it should be.

"Yeah, I think someone said something about that." He had, of course, read the leaflet, but things seemed far more real when he heard others talk about these things from their perspective. "So you can order anything from this store?"

[marriedanidiot]

"Oh! Yes, I think so, although it is not physical, only recorded on our devices. As to the extent of ordering... it does seem quite variable. Some folk have only requested things to read or to eat, but I do believe one can get pets too."

[maxwellsdaemon]

"Pets? On a train? ... Where the hell do they... do their business?" Duo asked, shocked. It seemed a little cruel to have a pet in such an enclosed space but he supposed it took all sorts. Since he'd never owned a pet in his life (the stray cat he fed a few times at one of the safe houses didn't count) he knew he couldn't really judge. "Uh so books and food at the go to stuff? Works for me!"

[marriedanidiot]

"You know, I don't know!" She smiles wryly. "Perhaps there is something in the garden? You'd have to ask the owners, maybe."

A nod. "The best one, yes! Although you can ask for almost anything, I think - you may or may not get what you were expecting, though!"

[maxwellsdaemon]

Duo just grinned and gave a shrug. It wasn't really any of his business after all. It has just surprised him it was a thing people were willing to do. Though it then begged the question, where did all the waste of the train go while they were travelling through the Void? Was the Void now full of their mess? A curious thought.

"Not sure what I could ask for." Duo mused, head tilting in thought. He was a simple guy. He did't have many needs. "It'll be interesting to see."

[marriedanidiot]

"Well, they don't ever go away, so if you let them sit, they simply accumulate!" She smiles. "I have not spent any of my own, as my husband seeks to win my favour by presenting me with anything I could wish, at the moment."

[maxwellsdaemon]

"Your husband seeks your favour?" Duo laughed. "Is he in trouble for something?" He almost instantly regretted asking, just in case he was actually in trouble for doing something bad and was trying to win his wife back. In that case it was none of his business! "Uhh, I mean, that's kinda romantic, right?"

[marriedanidiot]

She laughs brightly, despite the shadows in her eyes.

What did he do indeed, but destroy himself, and their family, and very nearly the world

"Indeed he did! But it is, and I am most pleased with his efforts, not that you are to tell him I said so."

[maxwellsdaemon]

Oops... The laugh wasn't echoed in her eyes and Duo realised that he was treading in a minefield he wasn't quite prepared for.

"Promise, won't say a word!" Duo replied cheerfully and lifted a hand to mimic locking his lips up tight. "I can keep a secret."

[marriedanidiot]

In fairness, Feanor is trying VERY hard, and Nerdanel approves.

She smiles at him. "I don't wish him to think it TOO easy, after all. One must keep one's husband on their toes!" She leans in a little to whisper. "And you're right, he's being terribly romantic, and I am quite enjoying myself."

[maxwellsdaemon]

Duo laughed, his smile a lot more relaxed and genuine after Nerdanel says that, since now he doesn't feel as bad bringing it up.

"Your secret is definitely safe with me." A much wider grin now and he leans forward to, dropping his own voice. "And you totally deserve it! You gotta enjoy yourself!"

[marriedanidiot]

"Thank you for saying so! Now that sentiment you may feel free to repeat in his hearing! It might spur him to new heights!"

[maxwellsdaemon]

"If I ever bump into him I'll be sure to let him know!" Duo promised with a wide smile. He wasn't sure why, but there was just something about Nerdanel that made him feel... very relaxed. Laughter and smiles came more easily, not the usual Cheerful Idiot Mask he wore most of the time, but honest laughter. It felt nice.

[marriedanidiot]

She would be absolutely chuffed to know that!

"You might recognise him by the fact he is unable to sit still." She says wryly. "Too much energy, that one."

[maxwellsdaemon]

"So a guy with worms, got it." He grinned wider to show he was teasing. Duo didn't know the guy to know if he had them or not. But Sister Helen had said it once to him because he wouldn't sit still while she was brushing his hair. It had stuck with him.

[marriedanidiot]

She laughs. "Worms? I've not heard that turn of phrase before!"

[maxwellsdaemon]

"A woman I knew used to say I had em because I'd never sit down." Duo explained, then wrinkled his nose. "They're parasites that live in your gut or something. Kinda gross... She never did explain why they'd make you move around!"

[marriedanidiot]

"That does sound rather disgusting." Nerdanel makes a face of her own. "I suppose it might make you move around because they felt uncomfortable? But I could surely think of better analogies!"

[maxwellsdaemon]

"I dunno, I'd only ever heard Sister Helen say it and it always seemed funny to me!" Duo laughed but could understand why she'd say that. It wasn't the nicest of things to think about.

[marriedanidiot]

Nerdanel laughs. "Perhaps she hoped so alarm you into compliance!"

[maxwellsdaemon]

"That sneaky...!" He laughed brightly, not having even considered that as an option. A nun being conniving like that?

[marriedanidiot]

"Just a little trick I may have employed myself a time or two." She winks.

[maxwellsdaemon]

Yeah, he definitely liked this woman. She was sweet and she was funny. And he was cheered to note that while there was still a hint of sadness about her, she was still able to smile and play along with him. "Sneaky as well? I shouldn't complain, I made a livin being sneaky, if it works, why knock it?"

[marriedanidiot]

"Mothers must find ways of making their children settle, after all, or we'd never get any work done!" She laughs.

[maxwellsdaemon]

Duo rubbed the back of his head and laughed. "I'll have ta take your word for that!"