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

[deage]

It might be a wasted trip, but it was to keep her secret. There was a lot Haibara was willing to do in order to keep a secret - pretending to look for her room for several minutes was a far cry from the worst she'd do.

"Lead the way..." She pauses for a moment. "...Tsubomi-san." She prefers to address people by their last name, but she makes use of what she was given.

[bloomingblossom]

Tsubomi nodded, and did as she was asked, leading Ai down the hallway. She took a moment, before replying, "If you prefer, you can call me Hanasaki-san. That's my last name."

Apparently she interpreted that pause as discomfort or uncertainty.

[deage]

"Hanasaki-san then." It would seem rather familiar for a child to be on a first-name basis with somebody older than them, wouldn't it? ...Well, truthfully, Haibara simply prefers it this way.

Haibara lets her lead the way further into the sleeper cars, pretending to examine the nameplates as they pass each door. Naturally, there was no 'Ai Haibara' listed on any of them.

[bloomingblossom]

Tsubomi nodded. "That's fine," she said.

And she walked along, making an earnest effort to read the nameplates. After a few minutes, her brow furrowed, and she frowned.

"I don't see your name anywhere, Haibara-san," she said. "Are you sure this was the last area you hadn't checked?"

[deage]

"I must have missed my name, then." She tries her best to look concerned. "Sorry about that. I'll just go back and check again." Hopefully this would throw her off.

[bloomingblossom]

"Do you still need my help?" Tsubomi asked. "It'd probably go easier with two pairs of eyes instead of one," she offered, while smiling hopefully.

[deage]

"No thank you, I don't want to waste any more of your time." It came out a little more biting than Haibara intended - well, it was how she usually talked, so there was no helping it. She offered a smile and a wave and tried running back the way she had come from.

No offense, Hanasaki, but Haibara was on a mission, and it involved having no witnesses. She hoped this would be enough to dissuade her from following.

[bloomingblossom]

Tsubomi frowned. The bite to the other girl's voice didn't go unnoticed, and Tsubomi suddenly felt like she was trying to be gotten rid of. That made her feel bad, but she figured this girl likely had a reason for wanting to be left alone.

"Well, alright," she said. "Just... don't get into trouble, alright? I'll be at the platform if you need help with anything more."

[deage]

"Thank you for the help, Hanasaki-san." She tries to smile, but it's forced. "I'll be sure to stop by and see you if I need anything."

Hopefully, she won't. She needs to change that nameplate. But it was good to keep her options open. Maybe something else would come up in the future.

[bloomingblossom]

Tsubomi nodded. "Alright then, take care."

And with a short bow of her head, she headed off... a bit unsure of their interaction, but otherwise unaware.