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

Zuko is aware that he's being watched. But he doesn't pause in his work.Sweat drips down his face as he keeps working with his swords. He needs to work this out, with what he's been told about this place, this train.

Master Piandao would be proud of him keeping in touch with his nonbending skills. Finally, he stops, and wipes off his face. "Am I in your way?"

"No!" Quickly Ran waves her hands, pink flushing to her cheeks as she realizes she's been caught. "No, sorry. I was watching; your form is so . . . elegant."

She's not quite sure if he'll like this word, but really, that's the best one for it.

"I hope you don't mind; I didn't mean to interrupt."

His eyebrows go up. He's been called many things over the years, but 'elegant' is not one of them. That's usually reserved for Ty Lee or Mai. He watches the pink on the girl's cheeks. He wonders why she's embarrassed.

"No, I don't mind." He bows to the young lady. "My name is Zuko."

Well . . . "elegant" isn't usually a word that you call people -- and in Ran's world, not one that typically gets used with anything related to men. For some, it might even be considered offensive, implying beauty, grace, and delicacy normally reserved for women.

It doesn't look as though he's gotten offended by it, though, and so she eases, bowing back. "I'm Ran Mouri. I've been practicing karate since I was little, and the train has given me so many chances to see other styles. I love to watch; it's amazing and we can always learn something new, ne?"

"I'm not familiar with that fighting style." He admits, easily. "I don't think they have it where I'm from." Maybe she would teach him? "But I'd like to learn some things, if you would be willing to teach me." He doubts that he'll be a master of it before he returns home, but any weapon in his arsenal against Azula.

Ran blinks, a little wide-eyed at that. This isn't a request that she had been expecting; it's definitely not one usually made to someone you've first met. "Ah, if you'd like me to, I'm doing a little with a couple of the others on the train. I'll say upfront that I'm not a master; I've just been doing it since I was little."

Even though she's very good. She's a black belt, a regional champion, and a team captain . . . and much stronger than someone with her frame would seem. Ran tends not to mention these things; for her, it feels like bragging, meaning that most only understand what she's capable of doing when happening to see her in action.

"Maybe it would be good to see some if you're not familiar with it? You might not even like the style."

"I'd be honored to learn it." He bows to her, properly. Then, she suggests a demonstration. His own forms could use the work. Back to fundamentals, as his uncle would say. If he doesn't have those, then his bending won't be worth anything at all. He'll have to not become sloppy on this trip, even if he can't actually 'bend on the train itself.

He tucks his broadswords away. Put away, they look like a single sword, sticking up over his shoulder. He moves out of her way, and motions to the floor. "I'd love a demonstration, if you wouldn't mind?" He suggests.

She watches the movement of the swords, fascinated both by the sweep of the movement and the way the blades seem to fold in on one another, becoming what looks like one. "If you'll show me more at some point too?"

Fortunately she's already dressed for this, having planned on a workout herself. Shedding her shoes, she pads to the mat, lifting her hands for a last tug to make sure that her hair is in place. "It's probably a little easier to show on a person, but . . ."

One of the dummies will have to do. She's not going to make him try to come at her. He's obviously a gifted fighter, but swordplay is different than hand-to-hand combat, and though her own control is good, there are too many variables to make it safe. There are things she can do with a dummy that she wouldn't try in a demonstration with a real person, too.

With a bow, she approaches it, easing into a stance. For a long moment she's quiet, unmoving, as though she's become a statue; there's only the rise and fall of her breath. Her eyes remain locked on the dummy's face.

Then suddenly, she's a blur of movement. Impossibly fast, a kick snaps up to the dummy's jaw with a force that likely would have broken the bone, sending the assemblage reeling to the side and crashing to the floor. She picks it up again, sets it right, returns to position. Again, there's quiet, stillness -- and suddenly she's yanked forward again, executing a series of punches to the abdomen that force it back towards the wall, and twists again, her heel cracking into the dummy's neck and sending it reeling several feet and down again. She's on it in a moment, not granting it room or recourse, hand slicing down to a bare inch above its neck.

He leans against a wall, watching her move. She's impressive, but it reminds him a lot of Earth Bending, though there are elements of Fire Bending in there as well. He wonders if she even knows that. Probably not. There aren't other 'benders here. He's noticed that.

He pushes himself off the wall, letting her finish her routine. "That looks like an amalgam of most of the 'bending styles." He says, finally. "It's interesting. Where I'm from, we're trained in one style only"

A New Platform [Intro Post July]

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