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

The ticket-glance is more dramatic than Nita will ever give it credit - but then, if Roland was worried about info that looked weird, he might have been surprised at Nita's lack of surprise.

"Wait, two murders?"

Kaiba had only mentioned one happening on the train...

She's met a lot of people who were older than they looked, after all - even just in Nautilus, Endos had looked twelve and been alive for over nine million years!

"I can help you with that, at least, especially if you're lacking in points."

The train never did stop running... So they couldn't stop either.

Edited 2020-07-01 16:51 (UTC)

He glances away for a moment, recalls the post on the ICP and the video that was shown of the gruesome first act...Since he wasn't familiar with the culprit's second victim, he might have been mistaken. He admits this quietly. "So they survived. The person recording that video didn't kill them? It sure looked like they did. It sounded like that was their intention."

It leaves him with a feeling of darkness as someone who has worked his whole life to ensure peace was the priority of his lawmaking. Evermore was no different - that would have never come to pass under King Evan's rule. Nor under his. But neither circumstance are true today, so he can only attempt to offer his skills and hope it's enough to help at least one person onboard.

For now, that would be Nita.

"I am actually, but not for the new journals. I'm saving up to get a Pet at 30 points, and I'm short of 7. Looks like I need to work harder." Which is something that excites him, really. Work has always been his comfort zone. "I'd appreciate it if you had spare papers or notebooks right now, but if you have to buy it on the shop, then there's no need. Please don't use up your hard-earned currency for me."

"I'd have to ask more about what penalty games are," Nita replies, recalling what Kaiba said.

"But I don't think death was the purpose. There'd have been another heart on the Passenger Roster for Xue Yang if there was, right?"

Pure mental trauma didn't merit a heart, apparently. Yay?

Nita's glad for the subject change, though, and she finds herself smiling. "What kind of pet? And I buy mostly books anyway; splitting the goods isn't a problem, I assure you."

"To be honest, I don't necessarily think they even count as Pets...But I was hoping the train would give me a higgledy." Roland's voice drops to a more tender tone, remembering all the times their higgledy friends have helped them get through any kind of trouble. He could use that on a mission, truth be told. "They're creatures from my world, really small, but they pack a punch if you need them to. I thought they might be able to give me an assist if missions get too dicey. Plus, they're not bad companions."

He finds a place to sit near her bedside, so he settles himself down. "Heh. That's mighty kind of you. If you say it's not a problem, then I'll take your word for it. Thank you." And speaking of -

"If you like books, I could go get you something to read while you rest?"

"I'm not sure where the line falls on those kinds of cases - but if they're like Eva's Pokemon, it should work," Nita replies, thinking it over.

"And sure! I'll take a surprise at this point; it'd fit well with my life so far."

Repaying Roland humor for humor.

He blinks. "You know, that's not the first time I've heard of that. Say, what is a Pokemon?"

He doesn't miss it at all; Roland chuckles lightheartedly and makes a move to stand.

"Well then, I should hurry back with something good. Wouldn't want to keep you in...suspense."

Nita ponders how to explain that for a minute.

"Powered-animals, sometimes coming in really strange shapes."

Think 'sentient set of house keys' level strange.

"A lot of them have elemental abilities, some are harder to define or just more obscure."

Nita snorts a laugh at that last remark.

"True enough!"

"Huh. I'll have to see one myself one of these days, but it sounds similar to higgledies. Though they're not as difficult to describe, they all more or less look the same. Just in different...styles?" They fall under the realm of spellcasting, so Leander may have had a better explanation. Still, when he stands, he decides that it would be nice to show someone what he really means.

"Give me a few weeks to get my points up, and I might just be able to introduce you to a higgledy face-to-face. Nothing better than the real thing, right?"

He stands fully now, and turns to her with a warm expression. The image of Nita on the medbay bed waiting for him to get a book reminds him of something that tugs on his heartstrings, something bittersweet, but he is well-practiced in shoving such thoughts to the very back of his mind.

"Well, I'm off. Try not to move around so much, and keep your head elevated. I'll be back with some books before you know it."

Edited 2020-07-02 17:05 (UTC)

Nita grins.

"That sounds like a plan!"

Maybe a date, but that didn't sound quite right...

She gives him a thumbs up, grin turning a bit wry at the reminders.

"See you in a while, then, Roland."

A New Platform [Intro Post July]

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Thread wrap, or timeskip?

Ooh we can wrap up for bonus points in the AC, if you would like! ^^

Yes! :> Points for both of us. Also, ow. ;;