A New Platform [Intro Post June]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

The days following the mission are relatively uneventful as people once more get used to the rhythm of life on the train. "Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Fiddlesticks. Points have been updated on the system."

They have indeed and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train a while will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later.

"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 is a cool day, clouds gathering threateningly though it stays dry luckily.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Leviathan, Atsushi Nakajima, Spinel, Peggy Carter, Evie Grimhilde, Cal Kestiss, Gwen Stacey, Renee Corbin, Lan Jingyi, Waver Velvet, Aoko Nakamori, Namine, Jak and Marcus Wright all reach the barriers, show their tickets and disappear through, vanishing into the fog.

But on the platform itself there are many new faces. Wearing hoodies, in various states of confusion.

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 twenty six figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. The air is cool with a slight breeze. 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. Most are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple though some are sporting different clothes in a variety of styles.

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 plenty more bacon as well as other staples.

Passengers who are not brand new will notice a new carriage. A second gym. This one is outfitted for training with mats, fighting pads, balance beams and even climbing apparatus to help get everyone ready for the missions ahead.

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

[sell_tickets]

"Near as I can tell we're only brought in if it is dangerous. Then again... most of us on the train are already dangerous as we are."

[salutosinedelectat]

"Is that so?" He figures the young man might be right. But, then, his view of things is a bit particular, specially now that he has his abilities in full, after months of that not being the case.

[sell_tickets]

"Well, I certainly am." He grinned.

[salutosinedelectat]

Aziraphale raises his brow in that polite manner when someone isn't particularly impressed but will pretend to be. "I see."

Still, he has more questions, but he's beginning to think there aren't that many answers. "So they expect us to help locals."

[sell_tickets]

"For varying definition of locals, yes."

[salutosinedelectat]

Some time ago, he would take that as simply misguided goodness. Nowadays, he's not so sure.

"Is there anything to gain from it? Do we know what the goal for this is? If there is any."

[sell_tickets]

"Not sure myself, but I have to admire the creativity. Someone has quite the imagination."

[salutosinedelectat]

"What do you mean?" He regards the young man curiously.

[sell_tickets]

"Whoever created this Tangled Web, this illusion we are all caught it. It is impossible to tell who and what is and is not real."

[salutosinedelectat]

Aziraphale raises his brow. This young man certainly has an interesting way of putting things. 

"You believe this is all an illusion?" 

[sell_tickets]

"All? No. I believe that most of the people I have encountered are trapped as I am, and are real enough. But the rest? The train itself? These missions and platforms? Very much so. It may be the most complex and convoluted Tangled Web I've ever heard of outside of fiction, but that still makes the most sense of any theory or explanation I have heard so far. And it would be far easier to have taken our minds and not the whole of us, given the situations many of us seem to have been in. That would also explain the, ah..." he pinched his shirt, pulling at it a bit, shifting his Sapphire necklace as the light caught on his Sapphire ring, "clothes. I assure you that at least one thing I was physically wearing before I was taken would have killed anyone who tried to take it off of me without permission, and yet it was in my storage, rather than on my person. Unless someone wears something darker than Ebony..." he shook his head. "Let's just say that every mind here is far simpler than removing my ring of honor. And safer."

[salutosinedelectat]

By the time Khardeen is done with his monologue, Aziraphale's eyebrows are raised but his lips are shut. There's a lot he could say about what the young man just said, such as that there are definitely ways to get some sort of armed or boobytrapped outfit off of him, but maybe it's best that he doesn't voice it.

"I...see." He clears his throat. " I do suppose that's one theory. We might just have to wait and see if it's accurate."

[sell_tickets]

"Unfortunately," he said, still smiling. "I am sure we'll see the ladies soon." He was getting a little tired of waiting, though.

[salutosinedelectat]

"The...ladies?" Aziraphale asks, entirely lost on this one.

[sell_tickets]

"Ah, apologies," he said with a grin. "Provided I am correct about the Tangled Web, we are most likely going to be saved by the Black Widows I know." And while he also knew well the only two male Black Widows in the history of the Blood, Daemon and Uncle Saetan tended to be mire subtle. "So possibly Tersa, she's the Dhelman witch that looks like she's never seen a hairbrush and has a core of sweetness wrapped around steel." And a mind that wandered through inner landscapes only she could see. He'd learned to respect her greatly. Even in her madness she was formidable. "Probably Gabrielle, a Dea Al Mon Queen as well as a Black Widow and a Healer. Almost certainly Karla and Jaenelle. Karla will be the easy one to spot, she'll be the one cursing at all the males and glaring under her white spiked hair. Jaenelle... is the Queen." Karla, Gabrielle, and Jaenelle were all Queens of course. Most of his female friends were. But Jaenelle was the Queen.

"Depending how *****ed she is at whoever trapped us here, or even at me for falling into the trap, she might be scarier than Karla." He chuckled. "Just stand behind me if you need to, I know how to calm them down and if I fail... well better they hurt me than you. They'll forgive themselves more easily if I'm the only one they hurt."

[salutosinedelectat]

Aziraphale, once again, simply listens and stares in silence, completely lost and at loss for words. Wherever this young man comes, it seems to be rather the colorful place. Aziraphale, however, has absolutely no idea what he's talking about. Which isn't without its irony, as the angel is usually the one going on long rambles without giving people proper context.

"Er, right. Of course." He comments, plainly. He's really not worried about being hurt by some witch, they tend to be quite lovely and interesting people, in his experience. "I would hope it doesn't come to that."

[sell_tickets]

"I hope not as well, but being *****ed about us all being kidnapped is not unreasonable. So long as they keep that rage aimed where it belongs I might even join them."

Oh he loves quite a number of the witches he knows, but he respects their tempers.

[salutosinedelectat]

The angel nods vaguely, having accepted that he might not be able to get the full picture in a good while.

"Perhaps one day you might get to, hopefully. Whenever we may find our way back to our homes."

Shall we start wrapping ?

[sell_tickets]

"Perhaps.... I look forward to that day, temper or no."

Yup yup

[salutosinedelectat]

Aziraphale smiles politely, nodding. "As do we all, I'm sure." But he remembers something about the previous world he was in, and adds: "Most of us, at least."

The angel straightens himself up, checking his pocket watch out of habit, surprised that it actually works. "I do suppose I should be on my way, there's someone waiting for me. See you around, I'm assuming?"

Re: Yup yup

[sell_tickets]

Most of us? That was... something to consider. He nodded, though. "I'll be around. May the darkness keep you," he said as a fare well.

Re: Yup yup

[salutosinedelectat]

Well, that sounds a bit grim, but he takes it as just a matter of cultural differences.

With a nod and a smile, he goes on his way.