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

Samata truly is hitting the nail on the head there, although Inigo will never admit that out loud. Because he's clearly been doing fine all this time! Obviously. He's fine. It's fine. Everything's cool.

"I'd like to, though I'm not sure how much more dragging around he's going to tolerate.." Inigo means that, but he laughs, as if he's just making a joke. "Make sure to say hi to him if you see him around, okay? He's fairly recognize, considering he's wearing a mask."

"What sort of mask? What's his name?"

"Well, it's.." He starts, then stops. It's just odd, okay, he's never had to describe Gerome's mask before, so he's never really had to think about it! Despite having stared at it so many times by now..

"It's black, and it covers his eyes, so you can't see what he's looking at or what kind of face he's making. I suppose it kind of looks like the wings of a wyvern..?" Inigo hums, apparently satisfied enough with that description. It's not like there's a whole lot of masked people around the train, anyway. "His name is Gerome. He may seem very broody at first, but trust me, he is a great guy underneath it."

She pictured a mask that was probably not too far off from the truth in her head. "I think I understand. I have met people known to brood before."

"Really?" It's not too surprising, since it's not that rare of a character trait.. Although Inigo does think Gerome definitely takes it too far sometimes.

But it makes him curious.

"Some friends of yours? Or just people you've met in passing?"

"One friend in particular. Not that he didn't have REASON to brood sometimes." What with the time his whole family was declared heretics and disappeared by the inquisition. Samata had taken steps to ensure the same thing didn't happen to her own family, once she realized how deep into things she was getting.

"Sometimes you just have to be understanding and let someone brood."

For a second Inigo is quiet, but then he lets out a quiet laugh.

"Yes.. I understand. Gerome also has plenty of reason to brood." After all, he's been through the same awful stuff as Inigo. So Inigo would understand better than anyone just why Gerome acts the way he does.. Even if the way they deal with their trauma is very opposite on a surface level.

"Although it does get a little worrying sometimes. Even though things are hard.. I'd still like for him to enjoy himself every once in a while. But it's hard to tell when he does. Surely you'd understand that, with your friend acting similarly."

"You can't make someone be okay. People just have to work through things themselves, sometimes."

She had a rocky relationship with Faust specifically BECAUSE she had kept sticking her nose into his business when he didn't want her to.

"Well.. Yes, that's true.."

Although he does look a bit hesitant, even as he agrees with her. Or maybe a better word for it is reluctant.

"But you can still help someone feel better, right?"

"Sometimes. I wouldn't dare to assume I know what your friend has gone through, so I couldn't say for sure in your case."

Inigo lets out a slight breath.

"Well, I suppose there's no harm in trying. Perhaps he'll feel better if he gains some friends here on this train?" Hint hint, nudge nudge. Not that Inigo would force it if Samata wouldn't feel like being friends at all after meeting Gerome, but he's hoping there's a chance for some friendliness. Samata and Gerome are both good people, after all. And both of them deserve more friends.

A New Platform [Intro Post July]

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