voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post July]

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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!

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There is something distantly familiar with that doubtful tone, but he just can't quite place it...

He doesn't dwell on it very long, instead yelping and turning his ponyta's head away from where she was moving to peer outside again. "GYH- F- Fatal!?" he repeats with a choke. "F..Seriously jus' from lookin'!?"

"Presumably."

She frowns. "We do not know how much is too much, however - I would suggest, as a tip, perhaps to limit exposure. There is a suggestion that we have already been exposed enough for amnesia, as none can recall getting to the platform."

The blind turning away of a ponyta head continues. Like any small thing, being told 'no' seems to make it more appealing.

"Nyh? Y' think?" Katsuya asks as the topic of amnesia. "I figured it was a matter 'f teleportation. I mean, better than th' trip I had t' reach Alola, so..."

"It is one suggestion." She shrugs. "One I will add, posed by what is presumably those who run trains such as these."

"'Those'? What, like a whole group 'f people?" He suspects she's not talking about the conductor...

"Presumably." She hums.

"There was a notice posted - and not by whoever runs this train."

That. That's spooky. The fact that it's spooky shows on his face.

Spooky... "Nyh..."

He'd like to change the subject. "W...well, g...guess we know tha' then...were y' all here too long before it went up..?" he manages to ask, swallowing nervously.

"We assume so." She sighs. "I would suggest speaking to Tony Stark - he's been gathering data since he arrived, I believe."

"Tony Stark?" He keeps the name in mind- or tries, at least. For the moment he just nods. "Righ'. Uh, where's he at normally? I mean I guess w'th th' train th' way it is, people are normally all over but..."

"Aye - he's one of the most hardworking folk on this train! He and my husband Feanaro have something of an experimenting room on the train - knock before you go in! There are signs outside. Or you can call for him on the ICPs."

"Experinmentin' huh...so he's a sciencey guy!" That's one way to put it, but at least Katsuya seems to get the picture. With a grin, he simply nods. "Eh, I won' bug 'm w'th a call, I'll jus' see 'f I run int' him I think. Probably better than int'ruptin' anythin' he's workin' on w' your husband," the blond decides with a shrug. Better safe than unintentionally shocked by an errant machine or something. Or whatever gets experimented with here. "I'll make sure t' knock 'f I go by, like y' said then!"

"An inventor, aye!" she nods. "And those two are forever up to something." She says tolerantly. "A few interruptions would probably do no harm."

"Hohhhh..." Well...

It's decided then. He grins- "'N tha' case, maybe I will poke in! Thanks, uh-"

He pauses, and chokes a bit- realizing he's missed what was probably an important step of the conversation. "Aw geeze we never trad'd names," he mutters, looking far more ashamed of himself than of anything else.

"Oh! Goodness, my manners. Forgive me - Nerdanel, at your service." She smiles apologetically.

"Nah, nah, I forgot too righ'?" he laughs with a shrug. "Uhh...Katsuya Jonouchi. ...Same? ...Normally I jus' say 'nice t' meetcha'," the blond adds.

"Anyway, jus' Jonouchi's good, 'f that's alrigh'."

"Jonouchi." She says slowly, making sure she pronounces it right.

"Did I say it correctly? I fear it is an unfamiliar one to me."

Given the grin, she's done pretty well. "Got it in one! An' hey no probl'm, I'd bet that 'f it wasn' f'r whatever we have here, we wouldn' understand a single thing th' other was sayin'!" he laughs.

"Anyway, ain' th' worst I've heard it sound by far, trus' me on tha'."

"Oh, that has been proven!" She smiles wryly. "There is something about this place that translates. It broke, not that long ago. My husband was ecstatic."

Feanor is a Nerd, and she loves him very much, and his reaction was ABSOLUTELY not typical.

"S-seriously..? Tha' seems like th' last thing t' be excited abou'..."

But ah, that's what makes it a scientist response...

She laughs softly.

"He can't help it - one of his great loves is language. To be given a chance to learn so many languages, why, he was ecstatic."

"Maaaaan..." Huh. "...Guess tha' sucked at th' end then... ...'s there no way t' like...force yer way through th' translator then? T' try an' show someone what it normally sounds like?"

"Not that we've found. He took copious notes though, and I imagine he still works at it." says a woman who is very tolerantly used to her husband's eccentricities.

"Some words do not immediately translate, if you concentrate. I find that when I speak to my family, I am certain that the words we use with each other are not translated, more often than they are."

"Huh. Now tha' seems like somethin' t' play around w'th..." Maybe he should give it a shot with that guy, test what words won't translate with focus? Maybe?

It could be fun. "Well, guess now I've got extra reason t' go try a visit! Thanks," he cheers, grinning widely.

"You're welcome." She smiles at him.

"Tell him Nerdanel sent you."

"Will do! See y' later, Nerdanel!"

With that, he'll head off to find that lab!

...

Or at least until he gets distracted by something else.

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marriedanidiot - 2020-08-10 13:31 (UTC) - Expand

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