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

[longforgottenpromise]

No. [He shook his head.] I haven't been back to my cabin yet. But I am sure I will meet them soon.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Here's hoping they're cute, right? [Edge flashes a thumbs-up.]

[longforgottenpromise]

Um... I guess...

[He looks confused, more than anything.]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Uh, not your type? [Maybe he doesn't like girls, but can't a guy be also cute by his standards?]

[longforgottenpromise]

I... Sorry. [He shook his head. He guesses not? He's never really thought about it before.]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

...Just don't go in for that sort of thing? [Wouldn't be the first one he'd met here. Still seemed very weird to him, but who was he to judge about anything like that?]

[longforgottenpromise]

No... [He shook his head.] I never really thought about it.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Well, maybe it is the no-interest thing. Otherwise, how would you miss looking at pretty girls and thinking how nice it would be to date one? That's practically a requirement to come of age!

[longforgottenpromise]

I guess... [He looked down, but the last part made him look up again.] Kirin come of age when they find their king, so perhaps... [He had never heard of a kirin dating. So maybe it was just another thing about his own kind that he didn't know.]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

[Edge tilts his head slightly.]

Uh, how does that work?

[longforgottenpromise]

Um sorry... [He blinks.] A kirin's calling is to find their king and form a covenant. When that is done they are considered an adult.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Why's that difficult? Just go to the palace!

[longforgottenpromise]

Oh. Sorry... The new ruler. After the previous king has died...

[He smiled awkwardly.] In my world rule is not something inherited but instead another king or queen is chosen.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Chosen how? [This sounds stranger and stranger.]

[longforgottenpromise]

We follow the ouki, which is... It can be called an aura. When we find our king we know it. [Technically, his own case is complicated but that was because he hadn't known anything, being a Taika.] The kirin bows at the kings feet and swears an oath, sealing the covenant.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

But that only works for a new king? Or can you just find the existing one and do it?

[longforgottenpromise]

Um... [He's silent for a moment. Before he realises where the confusion might have happened.] Oh. There's... Each king only has one kirin, We find the king and serve them until they die or they stray from the correct path. If we outlive them we find another, but often the kirin dies alongside their king and a new kirin is born to find a new king.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

So... the number of your people is basically limited to the number of available kings? And -- you can only have kids if there's a free space? [This just gets weirder and weirder.]

[longforgottenpromise]

[He smiles at that even as he shakes his head. This is what he gets for giving half explanations.] No... sorry. There are only ever twelve of us. One for each kingdom. When the kirin of a kingdom dies the new kirin is born. Only one kirin for each kingdom is ever alive at once.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

What happens if you guys aren't near enough to... you know. [Have a kid, right? How does that get arranged?]

[longforgottenpromise]

Near enough? [He blinks, confused and feeling guilty that he has to ask for clarification. It seems he has already confused Edge a lot.]

Sorry I don't understand. Near enough for what?

[onehandsomeslickninja]

To... have a kid. [This has gone places he did not anticipate.]

[longforgottenpromise]

Oh... Sorry... [He really hasn't explained well.

He is quiet a moment.] People in my world grow on trees. That is... Parents pray to the gods and tie a ribbon around a branch of a riboku, an egg fruit grows there that bares a child. Kirin... Kirin are a bit different. We don't have parents but instead an egg fruit grows on a tree in the centre of the world when the kirin of our kingdom before us dies.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

[Quite a pause ensues.]

...Okay! Now I completely understand why you never thought about girls!

[longforgottenpromise]

[He just nods. It's not quite that... But he's not going into things. He has already confused Edge far too much for one conversation.] I'm sorry I didn't explain things clearer.