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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Gerome looked back at what had flown at them and walked toward it, kicking it lightly with the toe of one booted foot. A door made of some metal? And glass? It looked cracked but it wasn't broken at least.

When Prompto spoke, Gerome looked back toward him in time to see him press a hand to his face in a way he had seen Inigo do many times before. And now he looked around. There was egg splattered all over the kitchen, smoke coming from the pan that had been used for frying a different egg, and a very apologetic and scared looking man in the middle of it all.

Gerome almost wanted to laugh.

"... Was that supposed to have happened?" He asked, because if that was how one cooked eggs in this world, Gerome thought he might just starve.

Prompto peeked around his hand and shook his head. "N- no. That.. um.. no. It was just supposed to pop in the microwave! I didn't know it'd do that with the door! I swear!" He really wanted Gerome to believe him. He didn't have a good reason why he needed the man to know this so bad, but he did.

"I'm um... if I clean this up will you not tell anyone?" He asked, a hopeful spark behind the plea that just maybe not everyone on the train would find out about this stupid thing he did. He wasn't Peter! He didn't announce these things! "I'm sorry about the sandwich."

Given the way Prompto was acting, he did believe him that he'd had no idea that he was going to blow the door off... He bent to pick the door up and grimaced when egg dripped off of it.

"... And now you know." He carried the door over to one of the counters and set it down with a bit of clatter. "I assume this is an experiment you will not attempt again?" He hoped so. Gerome had no idea how many of these boxes there were, but he had a feeling that there would be a limit.

"Who would I tell?" He asked then when he turned back to the other and looked around. "... Who would believe me?" And how would he even begin to explain what had happened?

"Oh definitely, dude. I'm never going to do this test again ever! Even the one egg which.. yeah, no. I'll never do that even again." He shook his head quickly as he vowed to behave. He couldn't picture anything he was more sincere about in this moment!

"I'm never touching anything in this kitchen ever again!" Pause. "Well.. except to fix and clean up this mess. A- and pick up a snack but like.. nothing I have to use any equipment for."

His gaze went back to the other man. "Um.. well.." More people than Gerome might think might believe him! "But definitely don't tell Gladio.. o- or Inigo."

Gerome shrugged then. If Prompto had no intention of doing this again then he figured that the lives of himself and those on this strange contraption were all safe. For now, at least.

He opened his mouth to reply then, but stopped. The first name he had no idea about, but the second... Gerome had thought about telling Inigo. If only for him to try and explain to him what had happened in terms he would understand. And now he wasn't allowed.

"... You know Inigo?" He had to ask, but somehow wasn't surprised. Inigo was a giant flirt after all, and far more social than himself. It stood to reason he would know everyone here.

His eyebrows rose at the other man recognizing the name. He'd said them but had figured it was more of a future tense 'if you meet this person don't rat me out' kind of thing. This man knew Inigo?

"Yeah! Are you from his world?" He asked, a smiling spreading quickly across his face. "We're buds! He's such a great guy. You won't find a nicer bro and god, when he gets flustered!" He laughed at the memory. "He was telling me about all these wyverns from his world and about how dances were back home. It was really cool. If you know him though, go easy on him. His boyfriend was one of the ones who left the train and that's super sucky. Although truth be told, I think he could've done better- but don't tell him I said that. He was head over heels for Yuki and sometimes you can't really tell how a person is from the outside of a relationship, you know? Anyway, how do you know Inigo?"

"... Yes." Gerome nodded that yes, he was from Inigo's world. And how quickly the man's expression changed. He had thought a moment ago that Prompto was about to break down into a fit of tears but now he was smiling and... saying strange words. Bud? Bro? Cool... Wait. Inigo had been talking about wyverns? Gerome's head shot up at that, brows furrowed. A frown that only deepened when the other went on to mention the same person that Taiki had spoken of earlier.

He didn't know this person nor had he seen him and Inigo together to be any kind of judge, but anyone who could make someone care about another and leave was a hateful person. Gerome... did not like them in the slightest. And was glad that they had left. Had they not... he would not have been kind to them for causing Inigo hurt.

"... I have known him since we were children."

"Really?" That was great! Inigo needed some of his friends from back home here. The poor guy could use some support. Although he wasn't sure if Inigo would admit he needed the support given what he'd been told about how honest (or not honest, as it was) he was with them about his problems.

"I have a few friends here like that. Well Noct is the only one from that far back, but I've known them all since high school." He paused and looked around at the kitchen. "Oh.. I feel even worse I made such a mess out of this intro."

Gerome would sadly learn that leaving wasn't something people did around here voluntarily. Yuki was a little strange, but Prompto doubted he would've chosen to walk out on Inigo like he did. He didn't really know him though.

"Yes..." He was repeating himself a lot here, it seemed. Was it that unbelievable that he would be someone from Inigo's world? Though perhaps it was... since Inigo had been here alone for such a long time. He was the first to join him from their world. So strange...

"You made a mess of the kitchen." As an introduction he'd had worse, though not many. None that had exploded eggs as a means of hello, at least. But this was a strange world and the people were strange within it. Perhaps this was normal where Prompto was from?

This guy wasn't much of a conversationalist was he?

"Yeah," he sure did make a mess. He wondered if that was Gerome's way of saying it wasn't that big of a deal- or was that a way of pointing out how dumb the introduction had been. He wasn't sure.

"Well, what was Inigo like? He's been here for a while and I'd imagine he has learned to adapt since coming here. Are you all wyvern riders?"

It wasn't the best of introductions, no. But by far not the worst. There were far worse ways to meet people.

Though when he was asked about Inigo, Gerome frowned. He didn't think that it was wise for him to talk about someone who wasn't there to defend himself.

"Inigo was a capable fighter. And no, not all are wyvern riders. I am."

"Oh right, now I remember him saying it was you who did that," he remarked. He went and picked up the microwave door and saw one of the hinges was bent. Hmm, what could he use in here to straighten that up without breaking it off?

He paused and looked back at Gerome. He would've expected more from Inigo's buddy. Prompto always had fun stories about his friends. Around here, he'd unfortunately gotten into the habit of being nosy about everyone. In his defense, there wasn't enough to do and no TV.

"Besides wyverns, what else are you into?"

Inigo had talked about him? Of all the people to speak of, he was sure there were more interesting people...

He quietly watched what the blonde man was doing before he was asked the next question, and Gerome wasn't sure how to answer. What was he 'into'?

"... I am unsure what you mean."

He wondered if Gladio would know where to get some tools. He needed something to help make repairs for the train. Maybe in a supply closet? He went over and started looking around the drawers and cabinets for anything that would work.

"You know, like, what kind of stuff do you like to do? Besides making horrible first impressions by doing kitchen stunts, I also am a photographer and a marksman. I like video games and art and cards.. stuff.. uh, you know."

Gerome stared blankly at the man. Several of the words said to him made no sense. Marksman he understood. Art and cards he understood. Everything else was new to him.

Also the idea of having 'stuff you like to do' was utterly foreign to him.

"... Where I come from there is no time for such frivolous activities." Gerome admitted with a frown. "There are things that I can do, and do well. Things that I like to do...? There is very little time for those things." What little time they ever had to themselves was considered precious. Though for Gerome, it was time spent mending his equipment, his armour or caring for Minerva.

Prompto frowned. "Oh.. well, we also have been doing a lot of stuff lately that makes it hard to enjoy anything but what we have to do." He wondered at times if they'd ever be able to do those fun, frivolous things that made life more enjoyable.

He shrugged. "Now you have time! We'll have to let you try out some stuff and see what you like. You're on vacation now."

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A New Platform [Intro Post July]

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