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

Re: Greenhouse

[sendiintheclown]

[Amira sniffs her fingers and lets out a tiny meow. From by the bamboo there is the sound of a knife cutting through the woody grass. Trowa hears Nerdanel and stands up a little to see where Amira is peeking out from.]

Ah, there you are, Amira. She likes to hide in the plants and stalk through them.

[marriedanidiot]

Amira?

[ She smiles up at Trowa ]

A lovely name - what does it mean?

[ Her fingers she holds still, allowing the kitten to decide if she is worth acknowledging or not, but she smiles at the description ]

An honorable past time for a small cat! I am Nerdanel - I do not think we have met before, although I have seen you around - you are Duo's friend, are you not?

[sendiintheclown]

It means Princess in a language called Arabic. There's another person on board who could tell you more about the language as he grew up learning it. His name is Quatre.

[Trowa smiles and bows a little to Nerdanel while Amira rubs her face against the elf's fingers.]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss. I am Trowa, and yes, I am Duo's friend. He, Quatre, and I are all from the same world.

[marriedanidiot]

Princess!

[ She beams at the nuzzling, curling her fingers to scratch and pet gently ]

In my language then we would say Aranel. Well met, Trowa. Ah, I did not know there were three of you now! Duo will be pleased, I am sure.

[sendiintheclown]

[Amira starts purring at the scratches to her ears, clearly enjoying it.]

As far as I am aware he is. But I do need to find a way to make it up to him. He went missing for five days and I had no idea.

[Trowa looks away, feeling incredibly guilty about it.]

[marriedanidiot]

[ Precious kitten, Nerdanel's heart melts ]

It is hard to keep track on the train. [ She says sympathetically ] Especially if there is a mission on. I am sure he will forgive you.

[sendiintheclown]

[Amira just purrs like a motor.]

I got so caught up in Amira and in Quatre. [He smiles up at her.] I don't know if you've seen the blond man the same age as Duo and myself who arrived the last time we were at a platform, but that's him.

[marriedanidiot]

[ DAWWWW ]

Ah, there's so many new folk now... I don't think I remember seeing him - but I missed seeing you too, I think! I'll keep an eye out. [ She promises ]

I am glad all three of you are here together though, as I imagine it might be difficult, without friendly faces.

[sendiintheclown]

[Keep at it and she'll make biscuits in Nerdanel's hands.]

[Trowa smiles at her for that.] I have to admit, I haven't met as many people here as I'd like to have, so it's understandable that we haven't run into each other before. I've met Glorfindel, but until you now just I haven't met any other elves.

[marriedanidiot]

[ EXcellent ]

He is rather noticable. [ Nerdanel laughs ] And there aren't that many of us, anyway. Myself, my husband Feanaro, Lord Glorfindel, and my son Curufin.

[sendiintheclown]

[Yep, she's totally making biscuits on the back of Nerdanel's hand.]

That must be nice to have your husband and your son so close. [Trowa smiles warmly before smirking a little.] Glorfindel does make an excellent flashlight in dark areas. Particularly when they are full of vary large crabs.

AAAAA I FORGOT FINGON I'M TERRIBLE orz Fingon is her nephew too sob

[marriedanidiot]

[ Precious beebin ]

It is. [ She agrees ] I've missed them for a long time.

[ That makes her laugh ] Oh dear! Yes I imagine that would be true!

Re: AAAAA I FORGOT FINGON I'M TERRIBLE orz Fingon is her nephew too sob

[sendiintheclown]

[After a little bit of biscuit making, Amira will taste test Nerdanel's fingers. As kittens do.]

I'm glad you're back together with them, then. It's never enjoyable to be apart from family for long.

[He grins at her.] Made it easy to see the crabs when we were in the caves, I have to admit.

[marriedanidiot]

[ Nerdanel chuckles, letting her nibble and only tapping her on the nose if she bites too hard ]

Yes, that is true. [ She smiles, still a little sadly ] Especially when it is unexpected! It is one thing I am very grateful for.

[ She giggles ] I am sure that was terribly helpful! Fortunately our area was better lit.

[sendiintheclown]

[Amira is very happy about it all.]

When he really gets going he's a little hard to look at. Almost made me want some sunglasses.

[marriedanidiot]

[ Careful, Amira, or Mama Elf might kidnap you! ]

I've not seen him yet, but I imagine he would, yes! Ai, I've not seen one so blessed with the Valar's gifts in yeni."

[sendiintheclown]

[And Amira is a few seconds from being tired of being snuggled. How are your wiggly kitten handling skills, Nerdanel?]

It's a skill that at times would have been very useful in my world. And at times would be like painting a target on himself. [He does not think elves are bulletproof.]

[marriedanidiot]

[ Surprisingly good - when one has a son who talks to animals and thus brings all sorts of beings home... one gets good at wrangling small wriggling creatures ]

I suspect he doesn't mind that. [ She says wryly ] The tales of his valor are sung still in grand halls and pubs alike.

[sendiintheclown]

[Then she will luckily not get her palms scratched as Amira jumps to the nearest high planter.]

Oh really? [Color Trowa impressed,] And yet his ego really doesn't show it.

[marriedanidiot]

[ bye bye kitty... ]

That is true! He is truly very kind - I can see why the Valar chose him to return as their champion.

[sendiintheclown]

[Fear not, she will return once she has hunted a leaf. Because she is mighty huntress.]

Sounds like you know him quite well.

[Trowa will smile at her, more genuinely than he does with most people aside from Quatre.]

[marriedanidiot]

[ The most mighty, and she will recieve appropriate praise for her skill ]

Oh, but that is all a new knowing. [ She smiles back ] I had heard of him of course! But we became friends here, on the train.

[sendiintheclown]

[Give it another tag or two and she will drag over a big bamboo leaf longer than she is.]

Really? I suppose that makes sense, though. I mean, I imagine your world was rather large, so it would be silly to have expected you to know each other from before the train.

[marriedanidiot]

[ Such a brave hunter!!! ]

Are not all worlds? [ She smiles ] Tirion was not very large, but even so, there were several thousand living in the city, and at least as many in Alqualonde and Valmar, and that's not even getting into Beleriand. I'm sure your world is just as large. So I am glad to meet those I know here at all.

[sendiintheclown]

[Much brave, so hunt.]

[Trowa smiles back.] On my world, there are all the different continents on the planet, as well as the colonies in space. I've been extremely lucky to have met Duo here, and now to have Quatre as well. Two of my closest friends, out of the billions of people, the odds are nearly incalculable.