voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post April!]

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Glorfindel, look at what she named her kids and talk to her again about literal names.

"I would imagine not! You are quite the tale in Valinor, you know. You and Lord Ecthelion both." She shakes her head in amusement. "I'm sure it is, but mostly I've seen them use it here for playing games."

Literal names are an elf-thing, he's not about to point fingers.

"Playing ga...what kind of game would stickiness be helpful in?" None of the games he ever played would have benefited from such a thing, that he could think of at that moment.

"They call it 'The floor is lava'." She informs him dryly. "I believe 'twas started by another bored young man. Essentially, the rule is that you are to navigate a certain area but cannot touch the floor. Of course, that young man claims that Peter 'cheats' by using his powers."

"I can't say I blame him. Is there any rules against it?" Glorfindel was not fond of lava. It reminded him of Balrogs. "Youths are very inventive, aren't they?"

"Not that I know of! In truth, I think he complains to complain - you know how young people are. I think he enjoys the challenge."

"There are those who enjoy that. Though in my experience they tend to be grumpy dwarves," Glorfindel said with a laugh. "So young, yet some seem born grumpy. Although, I must say I do enjoy a challenge myself. I look forward to what this journey will bring. Anything else you feel I should know at this point?"

She smiles. "I fear I know very little of Aule's children. I've only met Master Gimli, and I am told he is quite a unique individual."

She considers and then shakes her head.

"Nought comes to mind at this stage - although if I think of something, I will let you know." She promises.

"Quite!" Glorfindel agreed. "He is rather besotted with Galadriel, but that is not what sets him apart. His true and deep friendship with the young Legolas, is."

"I appreciate it." He looked down at the rather insistent and strange amulet on his wrist. "You wouldn't happen to know what this rather pushy piece of jewellery is, would you?"

"He is rather! Tis very sweet - but I think it was very good of Artanis to encourage him to come with Legolas - I think it is good for us to meet new folk! And good for youg Legolas too."

She nods. "Oh! That - yes, they call it the ICP, I belive. Tis a way to communicate with each other, and also the way the train tracks us, I believe."

"Very good. We now have a representative of all the races with us. A Man, a Dwarf, and two Hobbits. But that's okay," he said with a wink, "they're small."

"So it is magic. I had suspected as much." He looked down at it again. "Most of the jewellery of my acquaintance has not been so opinionated. Is it like a Palantir, then?"

She laughs. "True. I should go and visit them, I think... twas only that one does not wish to impose..."

But they are mortal still, she knows. Their time is limited. She really should go, sooner rather than later.

"Tony calls it technology." She advises. "Not magic - he says it is something he could deconstruct and rebuild, given the right tools and know-how. Feanaro has indicated the same. But it is not unlike a Palantir. Rather more useful."

A New Platform [Intro Post April!]

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