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

[loveandduty]

"Do you know what an idol is in Japan?" She figured if she had to figure a genre she had an idea of which would be the closest.

But it was always best to figure out what one knows first.

[goingthroughaphase]

"An idol?" She knew what the word itself meant, but not what it meant in that kind of context. "No, I don't think so. I kind of know J-Pop? Is that related in any way?"

[loveandduty]

"Yes, technically it is related. An idol can be a singer and usually is, but they can do other things as well and are usually adored by many fans." And it had been a dream Minako had until she made her choice that when the time comes she would always pick Usagi, so really she just pretends like she still has that dream.

"I guess they are just like singers in other places, but idols tend to also do things like modeling and acting."

[goingthroughaphase]

"Oh wow...so they just kind of do a little bit of everything, huh?" Being an idol kind of sounded like what she'd wanted to be when she was a child growing up. Becoming famous for singing, acting, and all the kind of fantasies a young kid would have.

"That kind of thing must keep them pretty busy though, huh?"

[loveandduty]

"Of course, they are just amazing that way~ But yes they would be busy, but I don't think too busy where they don't have an life outside of work." At least she would like to hope that was the case.

"But hey I have to ask. An idol is my dream job, but what would yours be?"

[goingthroughaphase]

"I guess it would be just like any other famous person, then." That did make sense. Even the most popular actors or models that she could think of must have their own personal lives.

"My dream job?" The question had her pausing a moment, and it bothered her that she couldn't reply. "I don't really know, to be honest. I was thinking of studying computer programming when I went to college."

That wasn't really an answer, though. But with all the mutant stuff back home, she hadn't really thought of what she might do if none of that was a problem.

[loveandduty]

"Computer Programming, huh? What does that entail exactly." As she said that she found herself laughing slightly hand behind her head "I don't really know anything about the subject, so that's why I ask."

While Minako always had an idea of what her dream job would be, she always knew deep down it was never going to be a reality simply because her other job will always come first.

[goingthroughaphase]

"Oh. Well, it's basically like writing up the instructions for what computers and stuff are supposed to do, and how to perform certain tasks. It can use a lot of weird coding and language though, and it can get really complicated when you don't know what everything means."

Computer programming, she feels, would definitely be something useful to help out at the institute.

[loveandduty]

That didn't sound like anything Minako herself would be interested in/ But she wondered in Ami would have been if she happened to be here.

But it could also be because it sounded a lot more complicated than what she could manage.

"Sounds like it would require a whole lot of work."

[goingthroughaphase]

"Yeah, it can be," she agreed. "Especially since the tiniest error can keep the whole program from working. But it can be kind of fun, too, knowing that you're responsible for all that work and coding to make something function. Some things that people use everyday."

[loveandduty]

"Somethings that people use every day?" It made her now actually think about what thinks might that fall under.

But at least she still seemed interested in the subject.

[goingthroughaphase]

She nodded. "Yeah. Things like websites, security software..." She indicated the screen with the list of music. "Even something that seems as simple as pulling up music and clicking on the song in order to play it has to be programmed."

[loveandduty]

"Music like that didn't exist where I was from if I am perfectly honest." So that was a whole new thing. Exciting because music, but not something she would have ever considered for programming.

"I mean it was all play in different way. I never would have imagine that being programmed ever. It's amazing."

[goingthroughaphase]

Kitty nodded. "Yeah, this tech is way different than the stuff I'm used to back home to." It was really fascinating to learn, though. "But even stuff like CDs, and even how CDs are used on computers use a kind of coding."

[loveandduty]

"Wait CD's can be used on computers and not those floppy disk things?" Because that's just showing the time period she was in right about now.

[goingthroughaphase]

She couldn't help tilting her head a bit, but she nodded anyway. "They totally can, yeah." She at least knew what floppy disks were, even if they were starting to fade out back where she was from. "Even floppy disks require programming."

[loveandduty]

"Oh, really? I didn't know that, but then again... programming and computers aren't really a strong point of mine." She said giving off a slight laugh. "Idiots and music, yes. Not computers that was more something a friend of mine would know"

After a moment of silence she looked over "So what are we going to listen to next. or are we going to go wild and try and play an intrument?"

[goingthroughaphase]

"That's okay. I like music, but I don't know everything about it, and I don't know much about idols. Maybe you could teach me about it."

Turning back to the library of music, she started shuffling through it. "I dunno. Anything in particular you wanna hear?"

[loveandduty]

"I will be happy to teach you. I might use some of my points to try and get some music from my world to get you to listen to. Though... do we have something to play cd's with?" because she didn't know, but soon that focus was on the music that was currently here.

"Not really. Surprise me."

Should we wrap it up here?

[goingthroughaphase]

"I'm sure we can find something that'll play CDs."

As she spoke, she was going through the library of music before finding a song she actually recognized. "Oh, okay, let's try this one!" she said, pressing the song to play it.