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

... well, when you say it like that...

[ Dear God, she's actually thinking it over. ]

It is quite ridiculous, would't you say? Humans could certainly stand to be a little more long-lasting... or at least a bit sturdier!

Of course, we demons are all of that and more. [The inherent superiority of demons -- which Zetta tends to blow up above their objective advantages, but still -- makes him grin smugly.]

I imagine so... it doesn't really take much to be sturdier than a human, though, does it?

[ She sounds so Intensely Disapproving. ]

They're so... hm, what's the word... squishy?

And completely out of tune with mana power! [Hey, flower-brain girl gets it. Goes to show just how messed-up normal people NOT getting it is!] Prinnies explode when they're tossed and they still are sturdier somehow!

It really makes you wonder how they've managed to spread out so far. Just how did they even survive making their way across the globe like they have?

[ She sighs, super dramatically. ]

Really, they're too persistent for their own good!

See, this is exactly why you ought to sign up under me instead of this whole Council thing and all that. As an Overlord, I'm more familiar and way more suited to your style of thinking than any of them. And I like your potential!

Hm...

[ Her expression turns a little thoughtful and she folds her arms across her chest, tapping the pamphlet against her chin as she turns the offer over. ]

What exactly would I get out of it if I did?

You'd be serving under the most badass freaking Overlord in the entire cosmos, for one. That alone puts you on a higher tier than most ordinary Overlord! [Zetta's ego remains consistently undamaged, no matter what hell it gets put through.] Unlimited Prinny-pitching privileges, a better tie to your own mana power and the development that brings, and ultimately the opportunity to become a loyal vassal when I regain my Netherworld.

Also vision and dental, assuming your vision and dental problems can be dealt with by healing magic.

Oh, hm. Is that all?

[ She pulls a bit of a face. ]

It's just... you talked such a big talk, I was quite looking forward to seeing what you had to offer. I didn't really expect it to be so... [ dismissive gesture, with the pamphlet. ] Underwhelming.

Is there really nothing else you can offer? Surely, if you're so powerful, it would hardly even be a drop in the bucket for you.

[Zetta not too long ago would be furious, but this Zetta just smirks.]

I think you missed an implication that'll appeal to you. As a servant of the most badass freaking Overlord in the cosmos, you'll get to travel the cosmos, see all sorts of things across all sorts of universes, and get into battles with some of the strongest beings that have ever, ever existed.

But none of that really applies while we're stuck here, does it? I assume if you could do all this traveling, then you wouldn't be here in the first place. And that part about traveling the cosmos and seeing all sorts of new things... aren't I going to get to do that anyway, just through being on the train?

[ If it looks like she's having fun playing hard to get, then you're right. ]

I think I might need to see if the Council can give me a better offer.

They can't. [Zetta smirks quite confidently.] Especially not long-term. I'm not worried. You sound like a girl who's actually a lot of fun, and between them and me, I know which one's the boring do-nothing group and which one's the kickass Overlord.

Oh, well thank you for the compliment! I suppose I'll simply have to see for myself who proves to be the most – what was it you said? "Kickass"?

[ Baby's First In-Game Swear. I'm so proud. ]

Perhaps I'll investigate and find them unsatisfactory. But I'll just have to see for myself!

You go for it. You'll be back.

[He just has a hunch. Maybe he's totally wrong, but... he has a hunch.]

We'll simply have to see!

[ More of that dismissive cheeriness. ]

I'm certain that if I do so happen to change my mind, though, it won't be difficult to track you down again.

The garden car is my domain. [No one else on the train can claim a 'domain'!] I'll be there.

Very well, then. Once I've made my choice I'll be certain to track you down!

[ Provided something else doesn't capture her interest and immediately distract her, of course. ]

A New Platform [Intro Post April!]

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we can probably call this one wrapped, i think!