A New Platform [Intro Post August]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

"Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Grasshopper. Points have been updated on the system and Voidtrecker Express lunch boxes are now available to buy."

They have indeed and everyone can spend the morning shopping, for lunch boxes or other items. 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. The sun beats down, a harsh, red glow heating the structure almost to the point of discomfort, although the train remains pleasantly cool. People might want to leave hoodies in their cabins.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Alex Hashimoto, Ardyn, Basilton Pitch, Garrett, Gyro Gearloose, Heart, Higgs, Jack Harkness , Luke Skywalker, Merciless, Sam Bridges, Scintilla Caminus, Sven, Telli, Tokidoki Rikugou, Undyne and Wen Ning

But on the platform itself there are many new faces. Wearing polo shirts in four familiar colours, with an equally familiar array of expressions.

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 the oppressive, cloying heat hazing the air. The paving is sun-warm, and damp with water vapour.

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. They aren’t alone.

The platform, all pale paving and cement pillars, is not large and it holds thirteen 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 heat step a selection of people. Some are human, some are less so. Most are wearing the same uniform 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.

Once again it’s not all that long before the whistles blow 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 with more carrots, as well as other staples for the month. Those heading to the luggage carriage for their parcels will find some generic boxes labeled All Passengers. Inside they will find extra leather bound journals for those who have gotten to the end of theirs. There are also supplies of extra toiletries for passengers who are running low.

The big changes that passengers will notice is that the Quiet Coach and the Medical Coach now have two stories. The quiet coach has a whole extra five booths upstairs. The medical coach now has four recovery rooms whilst downstairs now holds two treatment rooms as well as a surgery bay.

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 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 itself. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!

Comments

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[sos_pilot]

Glimmer will then feel a few sprinkles of water on her face - not from rain, but from his older (duck) woman flicking off some water from an open bottle.

She's trying to help. Really.

"There, feel any better?"

[queenofsparkles]

The splashing gets a surprised squeak, and she raises an arm defensively even if there's not more coming, using to wipe her face with the weird chunky sleeve (oh she does not like the feel of this material, it's all scratchy on the outside), before she actually looks for the source.

And. Stares. At Della.

"...you're a duck." Great start. Try again. "... a talking duck."

[sos_pilot]

"Well, your eyes and ears work, so that's good for you!" Okay, it was getting a little annoying getting that reaction... almost every day... but! It wasn't their fault! Worlds were different! So she did her best to stay up-beat for Glimmer's sake.

"I take it you're a human?"

[queenofsparkles]

Sorry Della, she was like this with the horse too.

"Oh, I'm-- sorry." A darker flush crosses her tan skin briefly. "I am, I'm a Princess. Well, queen, technically," she corrects with a chuckle.

But honestly, the splash of water was a great distraction from her freaking out, so she's able to ask a little more coherently, "Do you know where we are?" And then, more anxiously, "Have you seen my friends, a tall girl with a blonde ponytail, o-or a boy with black hair and a heart-shaped shirt? Or a- a cat girl?"

[sos_pilot]

"Ah, forgive me for my impudence, your rrroyal highness." A bit of humor to make things easier, finishing it off with an overly theatrical bow.

With that done, she straightened up. "Can't say I've seen your friends yet, but then there's a huge group of newbies here. They could be around and I just haven't seen them yet. Want a second pair of eyes to help you look? I can tell you what we know as we search."

[queenofsparkles]

Why do people always feel the need to disrespect her title? It's important.

She supposes she can be gracious about it, when the duck is being really very nice and offering her a hand. "That would be so great, thank you." She gives her a smile, at least. "I'm Glimmer."

[sos_pilot]

Della's attempts at ice-breakers can often be seen as... titantic-sinkers.

She takes the hand and gives an eager shake. "Good to meet you, Glimmer. Name's Della Duck. So, the place we're in? Doesn't exactly have a name, per se. We all wind up here from different worlds to board the same train."

[queenofsparkles]

Probably a bit too eager a shake in the given circumstances, but at least it's giving Glimmer the impression very quickly that Della doesn't do anything by halves.

At least she already knows about the idea of other worlds, that saves some time. Instead she stares at the giant black thing across from them. "You mean that thing?"

[sos_pilot]

"Yep! Basically we all crash there until the next world we come across needs us. We're like, inter-dimensional heroes." This was not strictly true, but it was how Della saw it.

"So, no biggie - our worlds hit the pause button. So no one's going to panic that you're gone, cause they don't realize you are gone."

[queenofsparkles]

Glimmer just stares at Della again for a few seconds.

Her voice is a little bit strained when she replies, with a forced smile, "You know, I don't think that's as reassuring as you think it is?"

[sos_pilot]

Della raised her eyebrows, legitimately surprised. "Huh, really? When I thought I'd abandoned my boys again and created an even bigger rift between us that could never be sealed, I panicked so hard I nearly molted... Until I found out about the pause thing."

... Unaware that this is not the sort of thing one drops on a stranger, especially a young girl, Della merely shrugged and walked on.

"Different strokes for different folks! You hungry?"

[queenofsparkles]

"Wait, what?" Della why are you like this, Glimmer doesn't move from where she's standing. "I thought you said you'd help me find my friends!"

[sos_pilot]

It's a fair question everyone asks on the daily.

"I am! I just figured maybe if I climb on top of the train, I can see everyone at once!" As she says this, she digs into her jacket to pop out two bags of jerky - one which she tosses behind her at Glimmer.

Also, this idea may not be the greatest.

[queenofsparkles]

"Wah--!" She almost fumbles and drops the bag of jerky, but manages to catch it awkwardly in both hands, and gives Della an utterly befuddled look. "You're not going to be able to see anyone through all this steam! I thought you'd help me walk!"

She doesn't want to risk teleporting in this right now.

[sos_pilot]

Della paused for thought, as if having seriously not considered that until Glimmer brought it up. "Huh... good point. Makes me wonder if all the steam is on purpose to prevent climbing."

Oh well! Walking it is.

"Lesse, it was... tall girl, blonde, ponytail. Boy, black hair, heart-shaped shirt. Cat-girl. All humans, except for the kitty?"

[queenofsparkles]

Everyone's tall to Glimmer, really, but it's not a stretch.

"Yes. Catra's about the same height as me." Just so Della doesn't get the impression she's looking for, like. A kitten. "If you see them, tell them Glimmer's looking for them, and-- and to meet me by the train. And not go anywhere!"

[sos_pilot]

"Can do." A pause, glancing over at Glimmer. "I suppose the same way follows - you see any ducks like me, you give me a shout. But if I told you who I wanted to see, it'd be a pretty long list. So just avoid any ducks that are all about vowing revenge or doing maniacal laughter or giving some speech about ruing the day."

Ducktales, woo-oo.

[queenofsparkles]

"You know, I think that's a pretty good principle in general. I'll make sure to kick their butts for you if I spot someone like that!"

And she winks at Della - and a very large and visible sparkle flashes next to her eye, before her entire body glows and she disappears in the blink of an eye into a mass of sparkles, that quickly fizzle out.

Byeeeeeee.

[sos_pilot]

... What the.

"THAT WAS SO COOL!" Della yells at... no one, but still. "Okay, we are doing so many experiments next time we meet..."