voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post July]

On the Train

Luckily for everyone the final couple of days of Fiddlesticks are quiet and mostly uneventful. Eventually though they awake to the announcement. "Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Grasshopper. 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. Also a loud pattering sound, which they will discover once the doors open are hailstones. They might want to grab their raincoats.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Ann Takamaki, Drizzt, Geralt, Huehuecóyotl, Ignis Scientia, Ivy Wakefield, Jiang Yanli, Lan Sizhui, Maebhrin Tillinath, May Parker, Nie Huaisang, Osomatsu Matsuno, Raven, Roxas, Shaw, The Iron Bull, Ultimo, Wei Wuxian, Yuki Sohma, Yuffie, Yukito Tsukishiro

But on the platform itself there are many new faces. Wearing hoodies and waterproofs, 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. The second thing they will notice is it is cold, hailstones rain down around them, though they don’t last long on the platform ground, melting into slush.

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 nineteen figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. 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.

Indeed whereas usually there is plenty time for people to be met and brought slowly onto the train, the whistles blow a lot quicker this time, as if hurrying the passengers along.

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, it seems carrots have taken over the bacon, though there are plenty of other staples.

Those from blue team who go to investigate will find a box of biscuits. There is enough for the whole team, including new passengers. Join in your team's success!

Those who are not new will quickly discover some changes made to make the train accessible to those who can’t see, including Braille translations of all the signs around the train.

There is of course the new music room to explore. A double carriage, the downstairs has instruments to learn and practice with, as well as a series of music screen points. Those who play around with the screens will soon discover their SCA’s can now store music and can choose their favourites to listen to around the train.

Upstairs is a performance area and holds a piano.

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 over the noise of the hail stones 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

[ Peter's surfaced from wherever he'd been lounging and had gone in search of something to snack on when he comes across someone staring into the void. Part of him wants to just continue on because really he can only pretend to be a cheerful sixteen year old for so long before he loses it. ]

[ He other part remembers Uncle Ben and that thing his dad used to say about responsibility. He gives his head a small shake and approaches. ]

Y-you know you really shouldn't stare at it-it can cause a headache.

[Masumi startled, scrambling back from the window and automatically swinging out a hand in an attempted strike. Under normal circumstances she might not have done that, might have reacted a bit more calmly, but these weren't normal circumstances at all.

At least she realized mid strike attempt that this guy probably wasn't a threat, but it was too late to actually stop.

Whoops.]

[ No worries Sera, the moment his senses detect danger he gets out of the striking zone at what is probably some kind of super human speed. ]

Whoa. Dude.

you uh.. you okay?

[The fact that Peter had gotten out of the way so quickly threw Masumi off, causing her to blink a bit as she stepped out of range.]

"Sorry about that, you startled me. I don't normally do that when startled, but..." [She was new and was trying to adapt to train life.

...Privately Masumi had to wonder if that use of the word dude was because she was getting mistaken for a boy again or if it was just a word he used for everyone. She didn't comment on it for the moment, but the thought was there.]

Hey, no worries-you didn't hit me so no harm no foul, right? [ He offers a small smile and shrug. ]

But uh, really you shouldn't stare-the void can give you a pretty kicked headache.

[ He definitely uses the term as more gender-neutral but if she asked him not to, he'd stop Or try to. He'd definitely slip up here and there but he'll at least apologize for it! ]

"Thanks for the warning, I'll try and keep that in mind." [The last thing she needed right now was to give herself a headache from staring at the void.

In the meantime, she was still curious about how he had dodged so fast, given most people couldn't do so that quickly. Yes, she was thankful for not hitting him, but it was bugging her.]

"By the way, how did you get out of the way of my attack as fast as you did? I'd assume you had some sort of training, but..."

Huh? [ Peter blinks. Him? Training? In a vague sense, maybe? ]

Oh uh-it's just a thing I can do-I can sense danger. Or most of the time. It doesn't always work and it's not always super specific.

“You can sense danger?” [Cue a very confused look from Masumi before she remembered that she was on a train that was apparently travelling through the void. At this point, she might as well go with it.]

“...I guess it’s a good thing you had that, then. I don’t think I could have avoided hitting you otherwise.”

[She’s trying.]

He just shrugs because really he's not that concerned.

"Unless you have like, super strength it probably wouldn't have done lasting damage. Oh!-I don't mean that like I think you're weak or anything-I'm-I'm just enhanced so uh it takes a lot to knock me down."

A New Platform [Intro Post July]

Departure.

Re: Departure.

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