A New Platform [Intro Post July]

[voidtreckermods]

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!

Comments

[serrata]

[ With Yuuri being as on-edge as she is, it's only the fact that she knows Ardyn's voice and presence so well that keeps her from uppercutting him in the jaw the instant he warps over and she just barely manages to restrain herself. Throwing punches right now probably wouldn't help things anyway, even if it would make her feel a lot better. ]

So it's not just me! [ The relief in her voice as she hugs him back is pretty evident. ] Have you seen anybody else – Junpei, Church, Arianna, Heart, any of them?

[burninglight]

[In hindsight, he knew startling her wasn't the smartest thing. Ardyn had just been so relieved to see anyone he actually knew that as usual, he didn't really think.]

Not yet, just you. [And he was, of course, holding on for dear life.] Are you hurt? Is everything okay? [you know, as much as it could be.]

[serrata]

[ Yuuri gives him an admittedly strained smile. ]

I'm fine, I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me.

[ ... she says, despite so obviously being Not Fine, but that's consistent with Yuuri as we've come to know her. Working out what the hell is going on now, working out how she feels about it... realistically? Probably never.

Don't worry about it. ]

How about you? Nothing's happened since you got here, has it?

[burninglight]

As though you could ever stop me.

[THE HUGS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MORALE IMPROVES]

...Define ‘happened’.

this is the whole tag

[serrata]

What did you do.

understandable

[burninglight]

Nothing! I didn’t do anything this time!

[yet]

...Gladiolus and some younger Noctis are both here. Another Prompto as well, by the sound of it. I’ve had to talk my way out of a sword to the chest twice already.

[serrata]

... Well, at least Scientia-san isn't here as well.

[ Because then he'd probably be dead already. RIP, Ardyn. ]

By the sounds of things, I take it they'd found you already before I did?

[burninglight]

Thank Shiva for that.

[ardyn survived ignis existing once and would not do so again]

Yeah. Managed to defuse the worst of it for now, but it’s probably best for me to keep out of sight for a while.

[serrata]

So, what you're saying is... we're putting you in time out again?

[ It's probably wise, but it's also distinctly hilarious in a black as pitch comedy sort of way. ]

[burninglight]

It's never worked before, why would it work now?

[serrata]

Then we'll have to fall back on Plan B and try and deal with them like adults. That's terrible.

[ She has a bit of a smirk as she says it. ]

Do they know there's anybody here with you?

[ Which is to say: does she need to keep an eye out for a yellboy or not ]

[burninglight]

[He shook his head.]

I asked Gladiolus not to involve anyone he heard to be looking for me, but that was all.

[serrata]

That's one less thing to worry about, at least. We can work on all the other things we need to be worrying about as we go.

[ H a h. ]

... speaking of which. I've been able to get into the Armiger, but... well, it's almost like everything's missing.

[burninglight]

Mm, I've noticed that myself. It's working, just godsdamned mostly empty again. I've still got Rakshasa, but we'll have to find something a little more your size if the rest of the royal arms are going to go missing again.

[serrata]

So, nothing's cut off necessarily, it's just emptied...

[ Hm, that's worrying!!! Time to put that in the box of Things To Worry About Later. ]

The thing that has me worried right now though is that it means we don't have any food in there.

[burninglight]

That had also not escaped my notice, unfortunately.

[ha ha he's fine with this....]

But if everything on this blasted train was poisoned, there'd be a fair few less people here. We'll just have to stock up a little at a time where we can spare it, in case something should happen.

[serrata]

Mm. I thought so too.

[ There's also the fact that they have no idea where any of the food is even coming from, but she's not dumb enough to tell Ardyn of all people that.

She does give him a weary smile, though. ]

You know I'll have that covered, though. [ lol stress cooking! ]