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

[laurefindil]

Glorfindel sadly nodded, thinking of all the people who had left this time. Several people he had been getting to know, whom he had called friends. As an elf he was used to losing the short lived humans, but so soon, so abruptly, always hurt. "It is," he agreed.

"But no, there was no reason to watch. Once they leave, they are gone. All we can do is pick up the pieces and tie them back together, forge new friendships and hope that those who left are healthy and happy back in their homes."

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"I'm sure they are." Because being sure was the only way to keep going. "And much less bored here than we are!"

Especially compared to an ancient elf, Edge had zero patience whatsoever.

[laurefindil]

An ancient elf who was used to commanding the military part of a large settlement, helping run the settlement, training, managing, and occasionally going out on patrols and is bored out of his mind, you mean?

Glorfindel took a deep breath and released it. "Quite." Then he smiled again. "I am learning to play an instrument that doesn't even exist on my world. What are you up to?" he asked.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

This was where Edge would reflexively answer 'flirting with girls' -- but since the one he'd been flirting with quite successfully was gone, he jerked his head over to look out the window.

"Not a thing," he said, after a moment. Way too calmly.

[laurefindil]

"Ah." Glorfindel considered him for a moment. "Have you considered taking up a new hobby? Trying something different? Perhaps...flirting with boys?"

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Edge looked at him for a long moment, trying to come up with a proper response instead of just sputtering in anger. Remember, Edge, many differences among many people in this train...

"Boys, uh, are missing a few things I consider important in a person I want to flirt with."

[laurefindil]

Glorfindel looked a little surprised. "You only flirt with people you want to have sex with? But, that is so limiting."

It was fun to flirt with people, but it wasn't something to be taken seriously. Until it was, but that was a different kind of flirting. Flirting with intent.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"That... is a little more blunt than I intended it, but I'm also starting to think we have very different conceptions of flirting."

Luckily Edge had rapidly come to understand how very different people's outlooks could be on such things, or else he'd be struggling with this a lot more.