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

[adregem]

I see. I'm sorry, nevertheless. I'll hope for only good things for them. [ And just like that, the line of people disappear completely out of the fog...]

[ A part of Roland turns braver than usual. He uncrosses his arms and looks onward, wondering what would happen if he dared to go where they weren't supposed to...He takes a hesitant step, one, two, three, but he doesn't make any sudden movements. He can be stopped, though his eyes strain to see what lies beyond the platforms. ]

...

[ Would he die? Would the train kill him? Would that even be the worse thing to happen to Roland? He's faced death before, maybe, just maybe for answers, he can do it again... ]

[longforgottenpromise]

[Taiki steps after him, reaching out to put a hand on his shoulder, worried about him. They have no idea what would happen if they followed, no idea what awaited them in the fog.

If the man really wanted to try, Taiki wouldn't stop him. Couldn't stop him if the man was anywhere near determined. But still he worried.]

I think if it were possible... people would have already left.

[adregem]

[ He feels the pressure on his shoulder, and pauses mid-step. Roland stares unblinkingly into the void that's taken them all hostage, and for the first time since he arrived on the platform, he wonders if he should take a page from Batu's book and just rush into it with wild abandon.

But he is decidedly not Batu. He is the Chief Consul, he is the President, he does not make hasty decisions especially when he knows they won't make sense or get him anywhere nearer to the truth. So, Roland pivots back slowly, eventually meeting the other man's gaze. ]

Yeah. You're right. I don't know what came over me. I guess I'm just used to wanting to see things with my own two eyes.

[longforgottenpromise]

[For a moment he worries the other man will rush out anyways, dive into danger and that Taiki will have little way of stopping him.

But luckily he backs away, turns to face him. Taiki nods.] I understand. The unknown can be tempting.

[adregem]

The answers that lie beyond, even more so. But no, no it's never that easy. I wouldn't be of much use to anyone if I got myself hurt. [ Or at least, he assumes that he'd get hurt if he had kept going. Isn't that why the watch keeps beeping when Roland tries to do things it doesn't approve of...? That feeling of dread...? ]

[ For the first time since he spoke, Roland finally takes a good look at the man before him. He looks young, but there is something about his demeanor that he recognizes. He isn't sure what, but it does intrigue him. For now, he sets the thought aside. ]

Thanks for the reality check. I'm Roland. It's nice to meet you.

[longforgottenpromise]

Yes. [It is always the way, as tempting as it is to confront danger, sometimes remaining safe to figure things out for everyone is better.]

It's nice to meet you too Roland. [He nods politely.] I'm Taiki. [He smiles, a little nervously.]

[adregem]

Taiki. [ He nods in acknowledgment and moves further away from the platform. ] Did you just come out for some fresh air? It's pretty cold out.

[ Not that Roland was any better. He braved the hail to just get a good look at the newcomers, and what else they might find on the platform. ]

[longforgottenpromise]

I don't mind the cold. [It's nowhere as cold as it was in Tai, even if the hail was pretty relenting.]

It's good to be off the train, even if just for a little while.

[adregem]

You and me both. Beats staying in. If the Voidtrecker could only crack open a window or two when we're in transit...Heh. That'd be the day. [ Really, the guy just wants fresh air from time to time. He ignores the little pebbles of hail that bounce off of his shoulders, taking his place back by Taiki's side again. ]

The world I just came from spoiled me. [ He glances upwards, expecting to see a bright sapphire sky and sunshine warming his skin. Instead, there is only nothingness, cold, and fog. ] Fields of golden grass, ancient trees, and the sea just a few ways away. [ That's not a sigh. It isn't! ]

[longforgottenpromise]

[If only. But considering what had happened when a window had gotten cracked... It's probably a good job they can't open windows whilst in the void.]

It sounds beautiful. Were... Were you there long? [His phrasing world I just came from sounded like it wasn't the only world he had lived on and there were others on the train who had lived on multiple worlds.]

[adregem]

[ He smiles as the memories run fresh in his mind's eye. ]

Long enough for me to call it home.

If things were just a little bit different, maybe I could have recruited most of you to be citizens, even. [ A chuckle. ]

[ And Roland surmises that even if things had turned out some other way in the world he ruled and was born in, Evermore would never change in his heart. It would be the kingdom of a king he would give his life for too. ]

[longforgottenpromise]

Did you rule there? [He blinked, for if he could recruit citizens that would seem to be the case. Even if he were from a different world. Like a Taika king almost.

Or some different but similar scenario in the mans own world.]

[adregem]

[ Now that was a little tricky. Thankfully, he's a natural at keeping details away from people, in case it complicated things. He just smiles at Taiki again, with a soft shrug from his shoulders accompanying his reply. ]

Something like that.

[ He begins to rub his hands together, the cold draft finally settling into his bones. ]

Evermore is ruled by its benevolent King Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum. [ Roland exhales quietly against the fog. He too, was a king of his own accord, in another world, in another time, even if he wasn't sure what was left of his kingdom at all... ] I assist him as his Chief Consul. He's done a great job given the circumstances of the kingdom's birth. I guess I took all those small luxuries for granted.

[longforgottenpromise]

[He understood, he advised a king. And a good king at that from his words and the way he spoke about him. Taiki smiled softly.] He must be a great king, to have created such a kingdom.

[Even in worlds that didn't work like his own the fate of the kingdom was often still joined to how good the leader was.]

[adregem]

He is. [ His pensiveness morphs naturally into fondness. He speaks with deep respect. ] He's taught me more than he'll ever know. [ Roland shares a look with Taiki, a smile on his face like he's sharing an inside joke. ] And he's no older than twelve years old, can you believe?

[longforgottenpromise]

[He can understand that deep respect, for a king who he admired. Who had taught him. Twelve was young but not unheard of in his own world so he just nods seriously.]

Sometimes those who are young have a great sense of responsibility.

[adregem]

You got that right. [ Which honestly...saddens Roland, to an extent. From his own son to Evan, these kids he had to oversee weren't cast the luckiest lot in life. But they made due with it using unparalleled strength. He could only wish they didn't have to. ]

Which only makes us adults work extra hard. Make sure the world we leave behind for them is something that'll bring them well-deserved comfort. [ And he believes this even moreso now than when he first began his journey, because he's seen what unity can accomplish. ]

[longforgottenpromise]

Yes... [He nodded, a serious and pensive look on his face. It's a lofty goal, to make things better for those who come after you. One that is so much harder than anyone would like it to be.] I think he has a very good adviser in you.

[adregem]

[ He doesn't comment on that for a while, opting to keep rubbing his hands for some warmth. No...I'm the lucky one. ]

[ When he finally answers Taiki, the pensive smile on his face returns. ]

An advisor is only as good as their king. I had experience to share with him, but the drive, the passion you see in his people to build a kingdom from nothing...No, that was all Evan.

[ Which is to say he isn't proud of his contributions to Evermore, too. He is. It's just...Since he hadn't been able to part ways with Evan properly before the Voidtrecker took him, Roland's been feeling a bit sentimental about it, against his natural inclinations. ]

[ There was something about Taiki that Roland couldn't quite place, but he was not the kind of man to ignore his instinct. He crosses his arms again, eyes meeting his. ]

Do you hail from a kingdom, yourself?

[longforgottenpromise]

[He nods, agreeing wholeheartedly with that. A king could and should surround themselves with people who were reliable and trustworthy. But only the king could rule and only a king could bring their kingdom to prosperity.

He blinked but nodded at the question.] I am... I am lucky, my king is here with me.

[Their kingdom not so lucky. But... That's a complicated issue.]

[adregem]

[ His eyebrows shoot up to his hairline. ]

Wow, he is? Really? That's...huh. I'm not sure how to feel about that. [ He crosses his arms again, watching more people enter the train, away from the cold. ] As much as I'd love the familiar face joining me on this journey, I know I wouldn't be able to stand it if Evan was taken away from Evermore. The king is more important than the consulate, you know?

[ Roland tilts his head to the side. ] What's your king's name? And your kingdom? If I can ask.

[longforgottenpromise]

Yes. [He's not sure how he feels about it either. Even after their conversation. It hadn't really brought any answers. But at least they were asking the questions together.

Tai was doomed until they returned or died and another kirin could be born to chose another king, but neither option was open to them right now.]

He is The Imperial Tai, Saku Gyousou, we are from the kingdom of Tai.

[adregem]

[ Roland looks up again, in thought. How familiar... ]

Interesting. Your king and your kingdom sound like a few others I've encountered already. [ Some in his time as president, and of course, Goldpaw in the Second World, where Lord Pugnacius ruled. ] Are you the advisor to the Imperial Tai, by any chance? Or part of his court of officials?

[ His questions come naturally, meant not to pry but to confirm a suspicion that there was more to Taiki than meets the eye. ]

[longforgottenpromise]

Yes. [He nodded.] I am his kirin. I serve as an adviser and minister in his court.

[Had done. Very briefly seven years ago. But would again. Maybe. If they managed to escape here. If they managed to get back to Tai. If they managed to remove Asen from power. If they managed to save their people.

So many 'ifs'. Far too many. Lord Gyousou doesn't have a court right now, he has a band of desperate loyal soldiers who had probably been cut down when the two of them had been pulled from their world to here.]

[adregem]

[ Ah. He had a slight feeling. Taiki's demeanor, that aura, the way he spoke... ]

I see. [ Roland actually smiles a little at that. ] If you ever get a rough day at the job, I'm all ears if you want to let loose some steam. [ Jokes aside - ] Though this is the first time I've ever heard of a kirin. Is that something you're free to share with everyone?