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

[only_one_wei]

"Someone has a different opinion," Wei Wuxian pointed out. "Or we wouldn't be here." He looked around. Everyone standing in their little group seemed to have the same confused or disgruntled look on their faces. This is not where I was moments ago."

After having died, then being brought back from the dead apparently made it easier for him to roll with the punches. But that didn't mean he wasn't upset. Lan Zhan...where was he?

[wyvernmaster]

"... I would like to find this 'someone'." And strangle them. How dare they remove him from his home without his permission. Gerome was furious, though it was hard to keep that level of fury up when he was being rained on. He was soaked to the bone. Cold. Angry. Confused... Generally it was a bad combination to be.

"... Where you also stolen from a sound sleep?" He asked, wondering if it had just been him who had been so unceremoniously dumped here from a peaceful slumber.

[only_one_wei]

"If I find this someone, I will let you know," Wei Wuxian promised. It might not be until after he had already extracted his own answers, but he would not keep that information to himself.

"I was very comfortable, and dry," he confirmed with a pout to the sky. "Not to mention definitely not wearing this. What are these clothes anyway?" he asked, glaring down at them.

[wyvernmaster]

Gerome looked up as well, and shivered. The rain was cold, the hail stung his face, he did not like it here in the slighted.

"Yes, please let me know. I have words." Strong words. And a few actions on top of that.

"These clothes..." Gerome looked down at himself and frowned. "... I am not even sure of the fabric."

[only_one_wei]

"Is there some place to shelter around here?" The platform itself did not have a roof, but the metal construct that was hissing had openings in it, where the people who had left had come from, and now there were others, more animated coming out as well. "Dare we go inside that?" Wei Wuxian asked.

"It definitely isn't silk," Wei Wuxian said firmly. "What do you normally wear?"

[wyvernmaster]

"Armour. And... it appears not... Unless..." He didn't like the look of the strange metal dragon that had come screaming out of the air like Grima herself.

He looked suspicious, did he trust going inside of that thing?

[only_one_wei]

Wei Wuxian is also staring at it suspiciously. "People are coming out of it, and aren't screaming at us to run away. That's a good sign, right?"

[wyvernmaster]

"That depends entirely on your perspective..." If these people were the honey to entice them inside of the trap, of course they would not appear screaming from the strange contraption.

[only_one_wei]

"You are a glass half empty person, aren't you?" Wei Wuxian asked. Despite everything that had happened to him, he himself remained fairly optimistic. The fact that people were not screaming was a good sign in his book.

"I'm going to check it out. You coming?" he asked. "If I get eaten, you'll know it isn't safe."

[wyvernmaster]

"I am a 'expect the worst' kind of person, as the worst is usually the reality..." Hope just caused more hurt. Hope that was lost was painful, and Gerome refused to entertain it.

But he nodded to the other and moved a hand, a gesture for him to go forward. He himself felt an odd pull, a strange need to move toward the strange contraption that he was angry with. Why would he feel a need to go toward something that could be dangerous?

"... I shall wait to see if this dragon eats you. If you don't mind. As you are a 'glass half full' type, I am sure you will be safe."

[only_one_wei]

Wei Wuxian had a few tricks up his sleeve if he turned out to be wrong, never fear!

He cautiously approached the construct, however, as he wasn't stupid, just optimistic.

Carefully he climbed the stairs, and paused at the top. He reached forward and started as the door into the compartment slid open automatically. Then...

"AAAH!!"

[wyvernmaster]

Gerome near slipped and fell on the rain soaked platform as he rushed forward at the scream. Fearing the worst he darted across to the other and... then skidded to a stop once he realised that he was perfectly find and hadn't lost a limb.

".... What...?" What had happened? Why had he screamed like that? "... Did it harm you?"

[only_one_wei]

"Hm? No," Wei Wuxian said. "There are tables and chairs and food!"

He grinned over his shoulder at Gerome. "Come on, I want to try some, I'm hungry!"

[wyvernmaster]

Gerome had never wanted to push someone over as much as he wanted to push this man. He looked angry with the deception, though there was an odd feeling of relief as well. The thing wasn't dangerous but offered food? Something worried him about that. The food could be a trap. Honey to lure in the flies.

"... You're certain that food is safe to eat?"

[only_one_wei]

Wei Wuxian grinned cheekily at him. "Trust me enough to let me taste it and tell you?"

[wyvernmaster]

"Not at all." He didn't trust him an inch, especially after that stunt... Gerome could imagine him pretending to be poisoned. Or, the food actually being poisoned, and Gerome would not make a move to help him believing he was playacting again. "Try it and see."