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

Piccolo opened his eyes and looked down at Wei Wuxian. A moment later he floated downward, unfolded his legs, and landed smoothly on the ground. He was over seven feet tall so not much about his head angle changed as he stared down at Wei Wuxian.

"The train's doing," he responded. "Or rather whoever runs it. Their methods aren't entirely known but they have a way of traveling between universes and it must mean our worlds as well."

He was just as tall standing up. Wei Wuxian again really regreted those centimeters of height he'd lost when he'd been reborn. He craned his neck to look ther other in the face. Wei Wuxian had seen some strange things in his time, but none as green as this.

"So who's in charge?" he asked. "Do they hide or just not answer questions?" Because the strange person wouldn't have phrased it that way if there wasn't a few missing pieces.

"They've not made themselves known or available for communication beyond sending messages to the train. No replies are given." Not directly anyway. "The passengers--us--we do what we can on our own. If you want to know more about all the organization we've done I'd advise talking to someone like Tony Stark or Curufin or Sarai. They'd know more.

"I can help with the basics though. Or if you had questions about me," he said with a wry tone at the end. He knew it was always inevitable. He didn't actually seem to mind so much. Resigned, perhaps, maybe even a tad bit amused by it. "Or if you're interested in martial arts, I teach people techniques from my world."

Actually, "You have one of the strongest Golden Cores I've ever seen," Wei Wuxian said bluntly. "Mine is...relatively new and needs some work. Do you teach any of that?" he asked. He'd never asked anyone around him before because they knew him and how strong he'd been before, he couldn't ask and save face around them. But this stranger didn't know what he'd lost.

"If you might point out one of the others you named, I'll be sure to go ask them my other questions," he said.

"I do," Piccolo responded. "Using one's ki is a vital part of the martial arts style that I teach," he informed, assuming that 'ki' would translate well enough back into the term that the man had used. "I can help you learn and strengthen your energy."

As for the other part, Piccolo took the time to point out the people he had listed earlier. Stark was easy as he tended to stick out. Piccolo mentioned Curufin was quite friendly when he pointed towards him. And Sarai was harder to spot because of her small size but Piccolo pointed out that if she wasn't in view Wei Wuxian could always look for the tallest person around--which wasn't himself--and that would be her husband, Dread. Who wasn't at all dreadful. Neither of them were human so they stood out at least.

Wei Wuxian nodded seriously. "It is part of the martial arts style that I practice as well. Just tell me when and where to show up. I suppose it isn't possible to do this in private, on this train?"

He nodded and made note of their names and appearances. He would approach them for more information once he was done here.

"Not particularly. There isn't enough space to allow for that. But there is a training area where it's less likely to get some random passerby hurt for it." Piccolo went on to tell Wei Wuxian when he was typically available in the training gym on the train, which was most of the day to be honest, and that if he wanted he had other students he could pair with for training and sparring.

"You will have to be the judge of who is at the same level as I am," Wei Wuxian said. He was fiercely competitive, so that would likely push him to improve all the faster, so he was in favor of it.

"I shall come see you at my earliest convenience then. Thank you," he said, bowing deeply.

"Very well," Piccolo agreed. "Be prepared." That was all that he would ask, and it was all the warning he would give, too. After all, he could be a bit of a strict teacher. But he was a fair one and he knew things were different here than back in his own world so he took that into consideration at least.

He nodded politely in response to the bow. It was about as formal as he tended to get. (Leftover pride from his days as a Demon King, perhaps.)

A New Platform [Intro Post July]

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Wrap?

Looks like a good place indeed!