voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post July]

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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!

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[ Roland cocks an eyebrow, intrigued and engaged. It's a tone he recognizes and respects, and one he was very much used to hearing and using himself. So it takes him very little time to adjust, pausing mid-step and turning to the young woman with one arm on his hip, voice steady and calm. ]

Of course. How may I assist?

[ If it was any other person, it may have come across as sarcastic. But not to him, no. Roland was nothing but serious and genuine, and well-versed in the fine art of Public Service of Potentially Panicking Citizens. ]

[ That gives her pause. She'd approached assuming that maybe he had some idea of what was going on but the way he responds makes her wonder, for a second, if he's some sort of... handler or overseer or – well, whatever. He sounds a little too calm and agreeable to be a fellow confused kidnap-ee at least. ]

You don't know who's in charge of this whole song and dance, do you? I'd like to speak with them.

[ Roland shakes his head. ]

Afraid it's not that simple. Our benevolent kidnappers aren't inclined to show their faces. They just give instructions. And on that note -

[ The man manages to smile wryly as he turns to the train before them, stretching into the far foggy ends of the narrow platform. ] Welcome to the Voidtrecker Express. I was in the same position you're in now, right before the train made a stop on this platform a couple of weeks ago. [ Or was it a whole month, now? He's still not sure about the strange passage of time on the train. ]

[ He draws out from his coat pocket a copy of the Welcome Booklet, which he offers to her immediately. ] Here. This is a passenger-initiated FAQ on the why's and how's of our journey. But if you need to know anything immediate, I'll do my best to answer.

[ Yuuri's expression takes a turn for the suspicious as she reaches out to take the pamphlet from him. A few weeks is awfully quick to have gotten to the point of sounding so settled... but, well. She should know better than anyone that sounding calm and settled doesn't necessarily mean you are calm and settled.

She lets out another hard, annoyed breath that billows out of her in a little cloud of fog and she glances over the pamphlet, clearly too distracted to take any of it in right away. ]

What sort of instructions are they giving us, exactly?

[ Her tone's still that nice Business Polite from earlier, but a little more urgent now. ]

[ He can understand that feeling of frustration, of not knowing or not having even the semblance of a choice. But focusing on the goal has always been his anchor. So when his expression turns even more serious than it already is, anyone could tell he's naturally and immediately shifted to Work Mode. ]

Oh, you know. Do some chores. Earn some points. Save worlds from the brink of destruction. The usual, I'd say. [ The last bit he says with a lighter tone, albeit rather dryly. ] That's mainly why we've all been called to this platform, to ride this train. Though, from what I've gathered speaking to passengers that have been onboard longer, when the train stops to do missions on these worlds, not everyone needs to fight or participate with their assigned teams.

[ And world missions have long been on his mind. The moment this was revealed to him in both the pamphlet and through conversation, Roland has been keen to spring into action. The sooner they can help, the sooner they may be able to all return home. ]

Edited 2020-07-02 08:25 (UTC)

Save worlds from the brink of destruction?

[ She repeats that in what I can only call an incredulous voice, and her expression just grows even more suspicious. The more she hears about this entire situation, the more dubious it sounds. She's Not Happy. ]

And did– did nobody think to ask before dragging people here to do this?

[ He'll have to forgive her, but sometimes Roland's humor can run incredibly dry. His smile is made in irony, and he chuckles because when he hears himself explain their situation, even he has to wonder how it's all real. Thankfully, he's had his fair share of practice of the absurd. ]

I'm sure somebody wasn't too happy with the decision, but maybe they were just short on volunteers.

[ The humor passes rather quickly as he scans the fog, feeling the cold roll in like waves. A small pebble of hail hits the side of his face, but he pays it no mind. ]

We should come aboard, soon. Continue our briefing inside. Nobody should be getting sick from this terrible weather, not when we're all in a confined space. Ah, I'm sorry, I've forgotten my manners too. The name's Roland. [ He nods and offers her a handshake. ]

[ Her brow furrows, her expression even more pointed than before. While this whole situation has her on edge (and reasonably so, she thinks), there's been nothing so far that's quite thrown up a red flag. But the idea of getting on the train and into an enclosed space – and more importantly, a potential step further away from home – has her feeling oddly mutinous. ]

So, kidnapping was their second option. I see. [ She pointedly does not shake his hand. ] And there's really no way to opt out of this?

[ Roland shrugs and retracts his hand smoothly back, resting it against his hip again. For whatever odd reason he can't seem to understand fully, he shoves back what was supposed to be his initial response to that and says something completely different instead. ]

[ He turns away from her for a moment, opting to stare at the big black train silently whirring, waiting for its passengers to take shelter. His face is a picture of seriousness, gaze sharp and pensive. He doesn't look at her when he replies. ]

No. But we're all trying to figure it out. You'd think it would be easy, at first. Resist hard enough and maybe you can escape. I tried that, too. I stood on this platform as long as I could, but eventually you'll feel something. [ He touches his chest, where his heart beats steadily. ] It'll start to feel like something bad's going to happen to you, and the more you fight that feeling to ride the train, the more you realize something bad will happen to you. And that's that.

[ He shakes his head, finally meeting her eyes once more. ] I wasn't about to call the Voidtrecker's bluff. I don't think you should either.

[ Yuuri's first thought is that this man is so completely, unironically sincere that there's no possible way he can be trusted. Her second one, coached more in common sense than paranoia, is guilt for reaching for mistrust right away. But she can't help it – she's certain the average person would be more than a little upset in a situation like this as it was, but for her...

Well. It's a bit of a sore spot, to put it lightly.

But as much as she hates to admit it, he's definitely right. She could stand here on this platform forever, but what would she do then? Even if whatever he's saying about this bluff is nonsense, the fact of the matter is that eventually, the train will leave and Yuuri will be left here. What would she even do then?

Another puff of cold mist comes rushing out of her mouth as she sighs, admitting defeat – for now. ]

Fine, then. I don't imagine we're going to accomplish anything by just standing around in the cold.

[ Roland doesn't take it against her, no not at all. His calm masterfully masks his own thoughts and worries, and he's never been good at expressing them outwardly. But it's always been his job to be the calmest in the room, so he carries this instinct with him like a second skin. Still, it's progress if he can get the newcomer to see some reason and hop aboard the train. They didn't need an innocent casualty. ]

[ Despite her grievance with the situation, Roland still offers her a kind smile. ]

Hit the nail right on the head. [ As a show of trust, he takes the first few steps on board, only lingering to see if she'll follow. This way, it doesn't look like he's trying to cage her from running if she still needed more time on the platform. ] I'll try and find you something to dry off with, though your rucksack should have every essential item you'll need. [ He gestures to the backpack slung against her shoulders. ] Best you check what's inside that, sooner than later. [ Definitely not vague at all! ]

[ Yuuri takes a moment to steady herself and then, with the distinctly unhappy expression of a woman who would rather be literally anywhere else in the universe than right here, right now, she makes her way onto the train. As much as she loathes to admit it, it's certainly a relief to get out of the cold, even if she shrugs off his other concerns. ]

I'll be fine – really, right now I'm more concerned about finding out more about... whatever's going on here.

[ He nods in her general direction, though as he moves further up the train, he does wonder if he can pass by anywhere with something to dry off... ]

You'll have time to process everything soon. Start with the pamphlet, then work from there if something's still bothering you. Which reminds me, I'll need to check my points before starting on chores. [ Roland says this as nonchalantly as possible, because he's gotten too used to the routine he set for himself for the sake of normalcy. ]

You'll find my name on the roster in the terminals around the train if you'd like help on anything, or have questions answered. I'm not the only resource person here, but my offer always stands to those who need aid. [ Because no matter how she's acting, he knows it's an absolutely valid feeling that shouldn't be taken against her. Or anyone, for that matter. ]

[ ... That's really it?

Yuuri doesn't voice her disbelief, but she's certain it must show on her face for a moment before she manages to get her expression back under control. She was certain the instant she stepped onto the train, everything would go completely off the rails (hah) even more than it already had, but something about the relative normalcy of what's in here is almost worse than something actually going wrong.

It takes her a moment to find her voice again. ]

I... um, thank you? [ She sounds a little flummoxed. ] Is there really nothing else to it?

[ Roland just shrugs. He doesn't cross the threshold into the adjoining cab, but meets her halfway. ]

Don't mention it. [ He looks up at the ceiling of the Voidtrecker and part of him wants to warn her that even on days when they're not on world saving missions outside of the train, the train itself was subjected to some weirdness of its own kind. Then there's the whole nasty business about everybody allegedly being Voidsick...He decides that too much might overwhelm her completely, so instead, his eyes glance down at where she tucked the Welcome Pamphlet away with a strange expression. ] That's the gist of it, but if you're looking for something a little more exciting, well. Settle down and get to reading that. We have a library with lots of resource material too. [ He smiles with amusement. ] We even have a cinema for movies.

[ You take the good with the bad, he wants to say. They don't have much of a choice, he thinks. But he doesn't voice any of those out, and just looks to her with understanding. ]

[ She makes a noise that doesn't quite make it all the way to being a sigh or a laugh, but either way, her exhaustion comes through clear as day. ]

No way home and no way of even contacting home... but at least we've got movies to watch.

[ It's more than a little ridiculous.

She forces herself to give him a smile – as much as she hates literally everything about this situation, it doesn't seem to be this man's fault. ]

I'll leave you to it and find somewhere to settle in, then.

Heh. The train knows its priorities. [ He sees the humor in it, but again, he can't question it. All he can do, even now as he prepares to part ways from the newcomer, is to get to work. Whatever that may be. His expression turns serious and determined for a moment, arms crossed back against his chest. ]

I apologize if I couldn't really give you the answers you were looking for. Please rest assured that despite our diverse backgrounds and worlds, we're all on the same team. We're going to find the truth, together. And hopefully, the truth will be enough to send us all back where we belong - home. [ And something about Roland's whole demeanor can convince anyone this isn't a promise he makes lightly. ]

[ He offers a small smile before making a turn towards the next cab. ] See you around, ma'am.

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A New Platform [Intro Post July]

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