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

Outside cabin

[everylittlesecret]

[Just because someone looks familiar doesn't mean they are. Nari learned that fast. So she sort of sidles up beside Ardyn to glance at the name plate.

Then let's out a huff.]

No fair. How come you got to keep your new last names and I went back to my regular one?

[burninglight]

Nari-? [Luscinia perked up on his shoulder, Ardyn himself letting out a short sigh.]

Hell if I know. It's a huge relief to see you, though--how many of us are here, do you know?

[everylittlesecret]

Yep. Hi there Lusci. Kipsie's in my room. [The sisters can reunite some time.]

Only you as far as I know. There's others who have the faces of some we know... but they're def not our crew.

[burninglight]

Oh, believe me, I noticed at least one. Then I think I almost had my nose broken by Gladiolus, so that's a fun little slice of my own personal multiversal hell.

[life is hard.]

[everylittlesecret]

Yikes. I do not envy you for that one. But don't worry, I got your back if anyone messes with you.

[Deep breath.]

Which reminds me. I went back home.

[burninglight]

It's fine. That's something I need to handle myself.

Did you? ...Are you okay?

[everylittlesecret]

[Well... Nari chews on her lip for a while before she shrugs.]

I know more about my world now. I died. Twice. While back there. I remember things I didn't before. I've died three times. Once before meeting you guys, when I was younger. I just can't stay dead.

[burninglight]

...Fucking hell, Nari. [even by his standards, that's kind of a lot.]

Are...you sure you're alright? Is there anything I can do?

[everylittlesecret]

I'm as well as I can be. I mean, I feel into some weird lake the last time I died when I took out a plane mid-flight. With me in it. [She scrunches up the front of her uniform.]

I got healed. All of it. No more scars. Nothing missing anymore. But my world is way worse than even Kip knew.

[burninglight]

...You want to sit down and talk somewhere? Truth is, I've had a fair bit to sort out myself. I wouldn't mind catching up, if you feel like you want to talk.

[everylittlesecret]

Yeah. We could do that. I don't even know how much time passed since I went home... it's like I forgot everything, including you, the moment I got there.

[burninglight]

...I've never been much for measuring time, but I want to say it's been two years or so since the spaceport.

[COOL THAT'S NOT HORRIFYING AT ALL]

K...kitchen, maybe? I don't know about you, but I could use some coffee.

[everylittlesecret]

Two years... huh. I might not have a girlfriend anymore. Can't do much about that now, can I.

[Pyrrah clearly isn't here.]

Coffee sounds good. Want me to lead? I've been here a month now.

[burninglight]

Sorry to keep you waiting, then. Please, if you would--I haven't quite gotten the layout just yet.

[everylittlesecret]

No need to apologize. I wasn't holding out hope anyone would show up here. We kinda of got interstellar kidnapped again, after all.

[She shrugs and motions for him to follow.]

The trains a little weird. I sleep in compartment seven, which is the front.

[burninglight]

I think I'm in...six? Something around there.

[He shrugged himself, falling into step with her.]

...So how bad is it here?

[everylittlesecret]

So not too far from mine. Cool.

[That would make it easier to find him just in case.]

It's a pain. The color you're wearing is the team you're assigned to, but ya don't gotta stay with the team if you got something boring. Like, I only did laundry duties because there was cute girls. Else I would have bounced.

[burninglight]

[You know what you're about, Nari. Good for you.]

That's in line with what I've heard--I trust it more coming from one of us. [A sigh.] Nothing cataclysmic, no blackmail or the like?

[everylittlesecret]

[Someone has to keep up the R2 spirit.]

Not really. I know there was a murder, but I wasn't in the mood to play with that. They had it handled. There's some weird group of people here that like to think they're in charge. Oh, and I joined a fight club.

[burninglight]

...Define 'handled'. If you're not immediately worried this is going to snap into a sudden murder fiasco, I'll trust your judgment.

[Someone who understood why he was on edge, and had been here long enough to have a better handle of the atmosphere.]

But you realize why something like that would alarm me.

[everylittlesecret]

There's no overseer, for one. No call for people to come do an investigation. No trial, any of that. Someone got killed, they came back, and they probably fingered their killer. It's really weird. I don't pretend to know the physics of this place.

[Three deaths was enough for her, thanks.]

I still get nervous on what I figure is Friday mornings. Nothing. Just peaceful sleep.

[burninglight]

[Ardyn brought a hand to his face in contemplation--it sounded a little too good to be true, even with the occasional catch to the whole thing. Coming back from being killed wasn't that shocking, especially considering the pair of them had both done it a handful of times.]

...Okay. I believe you, it's just...it's a lot.

[everylittlesecret]

It is. It'll be something to get used to for sure. But don't worry, you got me, and I've been around the train a few times. Except... I haven't really made friends yet. A lot of these people are weird.

[Most of them...]

[burninglight]

Nari, we were 'weird'. Still are. I think we'll get by well enough.

And if all else fails, I'm here now. No one's going to do any weirder as long as I'm around.

[everylittlesecret]

..... [She laughs at that.] There's a girl who literally thinks she's a dragon here, and when I explained to her that wasn't possible without magical means since she admitted to having human parents, she told me I am hung up on genetics.