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

Greenhouse car

[laurefindil]

Glorfindel looked up as the other walked into the Greenhouse car. "Hello, new person!" He smiles and gives an elven bow, shallow, with one hand held to the chest. "My name is Glorfindel. This is the Greenhouse car mentioned in the Welcome guide. If you like to grow things, please feel free to lay claim to an open plot. If you have questions, I would be happy to answer them."

The sunflowers in the room are all turned to face the glowing elf.

[lookslikeacinnamonroll]

...This person is glowing. That is the only salient thought in Wen Ning's mind as he stops in his tracks at the entrance to the carriage. Why... How is this person glowing?

Never mind that, he's giving Wen Ning a bow and it would be rude not to respond in kind. He returns the bow with one of his own, arms circled before him.

"My name is Wen Ning. I haven't read the Welcome guide yet. I just... started walking."

When he rises from the bow, he looks around the car. "I haven't grown anything in a long time... I probably wouldn't be any good at it."

[laurefindil]

Glorfindel laughed. "That is also a reasonable thing to do on your first day. Walk about and check things out. Some of us had never seen a Train before, or a shower, or the stoves they have here." He shook his head. "So many amazing things and others take them all for granted."

He gestured to the crates of supplies and the empty plots still available. "There is only one way to find out, you know." His smile was warm and inviting. "Some of us are fairly decent and are up for helping. Myself, probably Xander, he has wings, and then there is Persephone. She is utterly amazing. Others as well," he said pointing out who all had plots.

"Do you have any questions? Have you made any friends yet?" Glorfindel asked.

[lookslikeacinnamonroll]

"I had never seen a train either. What's a shower?" He knows what a stove is, at least, but he makes a note to check out the ones here to see how they might be different than the ones he knows.

He looks around at the empty plots and thinks maybe, if he isn't too busy doing other things, he would like to help by trying to grow something. Just... not radishes. Anything but radishes.

"I have so many questions, I'm not even sure where to begin with them all," he admits sheepishly. "But thankfully, there are several people here from my world, or worlds like it, who can help answer them."

[laurefindil]

"A shower is like a very light waterfall that falls from a nozzle attached to a wall. You can control how much water falls, and, more importantly, the temperature. You turn a little knob, the water falls, you wash and rinse your body and hair, then...you turn it off again. It's the most amazing thing I have ever seen, and yet...so many on this Train take it for granted." Glorfindel shook his head at their blasé attitude.

"Oh? Who are your people?" he asked, curious.

[lookslikeacinnamonroll]

"A waterfall, inside?" That sounds like something incredibly powerful. He can't imagine how people could take it for granted. "I'll have to see it for myself."

When it comes time to talk about 'his people,' Wen Ning's face lights up with pride. "Wen Qing is my older sister. Then there's Wei Wuxian, my friend, and Lan Sizhui, my relative. There is also Lan Wangji, who raised Lan Sizhui." The reason that Sizhui had to be raised by a Lan and not someone in his own family is sad, but Wen Ning can't help but be grateful to Hanguang-jun for saving A-Yuan and giving him a good life.

[laurefindil]

"There are no baths, so I highly recommend it so at the very least, your cabinmates do not object," Glorfindel said, his eyes crinkling with laughter.

"Ah! I am familiar with them! Especially Otorno, Lan Wangji. Your people are...well, the similarities between them and my people are quite profound," he said with a laugh. "Yours have many elf-like qualities." He gave Wen Ning another elven bow of respect. "Again, very pleased to meet you."

[lookslikeacinnamonroll]

"Oh, yes! I will definitely do that, then." He may have covered himself in mud and leaves that one time, but he does generally prefer to keep clean when possible.

"Is that so?" He's never heard of an 'elf' before, but if there is another group of people out here more similar to the people he's used to, that's a comforting thought. "I would be interested in learning more about your people, then."

[laurefindil]

"Each Sleeper car has five cabins, each with up to four people in each. Which means you only have to share that car's showers with those other 19 people. Cosy, but it reminds me of living in the barracks, back when Imladris was being built," Glorfindel said with a nostalgic grin.

"And I about yours," he responded. "Though I am learning to play the guqin from Lan Wangji. Do you play any instruments?"

[lookslikeacinnamonroll]

He's shared living spaces with more people than that before. Living in the burial mounds, you never did have much privacy or personal space. He can definitely deal with sharing an indoor waterfall with 19 other people.

"Oh-- No, I don't. My clan wasn't really known for playing music." Not like the Gusu Lan sect.

[laurefindil]

"What things do you enjoy?" Glorfindel asked. "Between missions there is a lot of downtime. Aside from chores, we have no expectations, so it is best to develop a hobby or three."

"For example, Purple Team is responsible for cleaning the common areas and cabins this month, so I help with that. I am leaning the guqin, and how to channel my qi from Piccolo, so I practice those. I spend time tending to my flowers in the Greenhouse. I practice in the gym. And when space permits, I like to spend some time in the kitchen, baking pastries. Otherwise, I would be quite bored, considering what I was used to doing back home."

[lookslikeacinnamonroll]

"Oh..." Wen Ning hadn't really thought about what he would do to pass the time. "I haven't had any hobbies for a long time. And the ones I did have, I don't think I would be able to do here." Not unless there's an archery car, which he doubts there is.

[laurefindil]

Archery they can do!

"What sorts of things do you enjoy doing?" Glorfindel asked. "We can find you a hobby or two. Though there is no rush, of course. Take your time, see what is available, talk to others and see what sparks your interest."

[lookslikeacinnamonroll]

"I used to enjoy practicing archery, though like I said, I haven't had the chance to do it in many years. I've probably gotten very rusty." Once he became stronger, it was just easier to fight by hand, or using his chains.

[laurefindil]

"That is one of my skills as well! In fact, I am teaching someone currently, here on the train. Close range, naturally. We have a Training car now. You should stop by!" Glorfindel said, excitedly.

"Any other hobbies or interests?"

[lookslikeacinnamonroll]

Wen Ning's face lights up. He hadn't considered the possibility of ever being able to practice archery again. "I'll have to see about finding this Training car." He's excited now. The only other thing about the train that has excited him this much was reuniting with his sister.

"Oh, I don't know, really. I like traveling, helping people. But those aren't really hobbies."