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

[schrodingersghost]

"That's right." There is a quick flash of light as Danny transforms back into his human self. "Flying is more fun when I'm a ghost, but I don't freak people out as much when I look like this."

[queenofsparkles]

She giggles a little. "I guess everyone's transformations are like that, then. All of my friend Adora's insane magical powers are part of her transformation too. I'm just like this all the time," she adds, a bit dismissively, as she brings a hand up to wave a few sparkles into existence.

[schrodingersghost]

Here Danny rubs the back of his head a little. "I can kind of use most of my powers when I'm like this too? But flying is just easier when I'm a ghost. And I like to think that I don't freak people out as much if I look like a ghost when I'm doing weird things."

Danny had had months to get used to the idea that most people on the train just didn't care if he was sometimes a ghost. But he still kind of expected someone to freak out on him some day.

[queenofsparkles]

"My friend's the same! Adora can pretty much only use magic when she's transformed." She grins a bit wider. "So I guess that makes us kind of special, when we can do it as part of being ourselves all the time."

[schrodingersghost]

"Special, huh." Danny wasn't sure what to think about that. But it sure sounded a lot nicer than most of the things he'd been called back home.

But he shoves the thought to the side, and smiles again.

"So magic is what you use? I don't think that was around at home. There was ghost magic, but I think that was just another kind of ghost powers."

[queenofsparkles]

"Right! We call them 'Princess Powers', usually, but there's another kind of magic called sorcery as well, it's like creating magic circles and stuff. I usually use my sparkle power first," she giggles, "I've kind of grown up with it."

[schrodingersghost]

"Wait, your power actually sparkles?" He had to snicker a little at that. "I have a friend back home who would hate that."

[queenofsparkles]

"My power is sparkles," she grins, not ashamed at all. "Look!"

He's already seen her teleport - so instead she sweeps a hand out from her chest, and a glowing ball of light gathers over her palm, before she wafts it into the air with a gentle motion so it hovers over their heads like a lamp. It's honestly brighter than the actual lights in the carriage.

[schrodingersghost]

"Nice" he says. "I can create light balls too. But its always green light, so it kind of creeps people out."

[queenofsparkles]

"What's wrong with green?" Her tone is mock-offended, because she's still grinning. "If I could make other colours of light I totally would. Green's a nice colour!"

[schrodingersghost]

In response he gathers a ball of bright electric green energy in his hand. Even in the light of the car, the energy gives a greenish cast to their surroundings, washing it out and giving it a somewhat spooky appearance.

Danny gives it a moment for effect, then dismisses the energy ball with a grin.

"Ghosts are spooky. I kind of got stuck with the theme."