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

[Oof, she's intense all of a sudden-! Well, no matter, Itsuki can answer as best she knows:]

As far as I can tell, things follow a fixed cycle every month, more or less. At the start and middle of the month, we end up at a platform like we did today. People board and depart, and then it's back into void space. Early in the month, supposedly we end up on a world and... end up having things to do? I haven't been around for that yet. The back half of the month is apparently pretty peaceful normally, though it wasn't this month - we had one day of chaos that wasn't any of our fault, and that was enough. It's not a lot, but if it's predictable, it's useful information, right?

[...that'll probably just frustrate the other girl more, she realizes belatedly, but it's too late now. Oops.]

[ Quite the contrary, in fact – as she listens to what Itsuki has to say, the wound up lines of her shoulders gradually sink and then finally sag with what looks like... relief, maybe? Or perhaps disbelief. ]

... and are you sure that's all? Nothing's happened that's had you scared, or worried?

[ ... ok, she's less intense than before but definitely still a little intense. ]

Oh, that's not entirely true, but... [She frowns more heavily, getting a little more hesitant all of a sudden.] I can't link it to the train itself. Just... people being people. I- really don't want to explain too much, but one passenger attacked another, and then there was... retaliation. [She shivers, before shaking her head and seeming to push the topic away. Itsuki does not want to dwell on that too much.]

So compared to that, the universal translator going down for a day was strange but not really a problem.

[ Her expression wavers but settles firmly into "disappointed but not surprised" after a moment. ]

I suppose that's just what you have to expect when you have people crammed into such a small space like this. Things can always escalate.

[ Great!! She hates it. ]

Has there been anything else like that?

Mm, I get that. It's unfortunate, but you're right, I understand why. Of course, since I don't think we stay dead, it can also get a little strange.

[She shakes her head slowly, before sighing.] That's the only thing I know of, but I've only been aboard two weeks. The whole train seemed to go into... maybe not shelter-in-place, but everyone watched their backs a lot more for a bit.

. . .

[ ... Okay that's definitely something to interrogate someone else who isn't a young girl later. People don't stay dead??? Maybe she's not one to talk, but... ]

Ah, so you're a new arrival just like me, then. Sorry to hit you with so many questions right from the start.

[That's a. Bit of a long pause. Should she be concerned? But by the time she opens her mouth to say something, the other girl just continues and... apologizes?]

Oh, no, it's okay! We're all supposed to be on the same side, so even if I don't know much, I'm happy to share what I do know. I'm Itsuki, by the way. Itsuki Myoudouin.

I'm Yuuri Tenmyouji. [ Said with a slightly ironic smile. ] But if that's a mouthful, "Rii-san" is fine as well.

[ As a shock to literally nobody, the Big Sister Instincts have begun taking over. ]

It must be a little scary being stuck somewhere like this all by yourself, though, Myoudouin-san. I'm impressed you're keeping such a level head about it.

[Itsuki giggles softly.] Ah, no, that won't do, my friend Yuri-san from home is here and that's going to throw me off. Rii-san works for me. And, if I'm doing that, call me Itsuki, please.

And I'm not as worried as I probably should be. I'm used to some strange things from home, so this is not as far out as it could be.

Itsuki-chan, then.

[ There. Nice and friendly. ]

It's good to know you've got friends with you, at least. You can handle a lot of things so long as you've got good friends to support you – that's what I think, at least.

You're exactly right. I've gotten through a lot with them at my side, and we'll get through this too. Whatever it throws at us. I hope you'll be able to get through it, too.

Yes. The same for you and your friends, too.

[ Well... there's no point in dawdling here if she's got more train to explore... ]

I'll leave you to it for now, then. But I'll probably make my way back here before too long – if you don't mind me butting in to help with the flowers, that is?

Thank you! And yes, I'd love extra help. A garden is more fun with friends to enjoy it with, I think. [Her expression drifts into a fond smile; tending the botanical garden at home with the rest of her team was hard to beat for taking a break.] The more the merrier. Let's fill the whole car!

[...this is perhaps an unrealistic goal, but who cares, she'd like to try.]

A New Platform [Intro Post July]

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