A new platform [intro post September]

[voidtreckermods]

For those on the train

“Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Bassoon.” The train announces the morning the month changes. It seems the train counts months in days of thirty. Team Points have been updated on the system.

The day continues as most days do, chores, eating, getting ready for another day. But those who suspect that a change of month may bring something else are correct. It is only an hour or two later that there is another announcement.

“Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void imminent.”

By now they should know to hold on as the train jerks and jolts. There is only fog outside the windows but the train soon comes to a stop. The doors hiss open.

As they exit into the fog they may notice Evie exiting from the luggage carriage door. Much like Hibiki the last time they were on a platform. She leaves the train, backpack on her back as she walks through the station. She heads no call, reacts to no words and cannot be stopped as she walks to the ticket barrier and disappears through it.

Strange. But even stranger still is that there on the platform that whole time is Evie. Dressed in purple, backpack on back, with her are others. Waiting for the train.

For new arrivals

At first all they can see if steam. Billowing around them as they come to their senses. They are standing, in clothes that are not their own, styles they might not even recognise. They are carrying a rucksack on your 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 very large, but it hold twelve figures all facing the tracks, all wearing similar clothing. The tracks stretch left and right into steam, or perhaps fog. Nothing can be seen to either side. There is a wall around the platform and the only entrance is a ticket barrier. It cannot be open, nor do there seem to be any staff.

What there is, is a train. Jet black and gleaming where it stands on the rails.Voidtrecker Express is emblazoned in the engine in gold. There is a hiss as the doors slide open.

Out step a selection of people, some less human than others, wearing clothes just like those worn by those on the platform.

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.

Once on board there is lots to explore. Passengers both old and new will hopefully be delighted to see the boredom of this train journey is somewhat alleviated by the introduction of a game carriage. Plenty of games, both familiar and new to play with your new travelling companions.
Each ICP shows the same message. If Red team go and look they will find a box in the luggage compartment that contains their prize. A dralite themed cake lolly each. There are enough for the new members of Red team too, share in your teams previous success!

The food stores have been topped up with new fresh food. Salmon has taken over as the primary ingredient of choice. Hopefully everyone likes fish!

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. For those who boarded two weeks ago they will know what is coming next.

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."

Hopefully someone warns you that you really want to heed that warning because a moment later there is 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 voidspace.

Comments

After Departure - OTA

[mtsilver_conquor]

[At some point after the train's back in the Void, Eva can be found in the Standard Coach at one of the table seats, notebook out as she writes.

What is she writing? A Welcome Guide. Or at least it seems like it, and every now and then, she stops to ask-] Does this look good?

[or if you are not a newcomer-] Does this cover the basics you think? Should I break it down even more?

[As for what she's written down-

- The VoidTrecker is a Void/Space train. We all felt a pull to board it.
- No, we don't know where we're headed or what the ultimate destination is.
- Every one of us has been brought here by unknown forces and we're all from differing worlds. Dimensions. Universes.
- Yes, we have proof.
- We don't know why, not yet anyway. We haven't been able to speak with the conductor. Yes, we have tried.
- We make stops sometimes. We haven't yet been able to work out a pattern, but we've already stopped at one world and stopped at three stations.
- We stayed at the world for a week before we re-boarded. or who's behind this."
- None of those you'll meet here are responsible for this nor do we know how to get home.

It's basic but it's what she has so far, and over time, more will likely be added.]

Re: After Departure - OTA

[hibana_incursa]

[ Gwen is in a web hammock, sitting near where Eva works. When she's asked if what she's written down is good enough, she leans some to read it. After a moment or two, she nods. ]

It's good. I like it.

[ Settling in her hammock again, she thinks for another second or two before pointing at Eva. ]

Make a note that disappearances happen and that if people return, they have no memory of what happened when they disappeared. And to not be alarmed if you wake up in a suitcase in the luggage car. It's not locked. You can get out.

[mtsilver_conquor]

-a suitcase? Really?

[She writes it down anyway before peering up at the spider-teen.] That- People aren't luggage.

[hibana_incursa]

Tell that to whoever it was that put me in said suitcase.

[ She'd like to punch them like...a lot. ]

But yeah, write it down. People need to know. Maybe we can have enough fliers ready for the next pick up, whenever that happens. We can call it 'The VoidTrain for Dummies'.

[ Her nose wrinkles and she shakes her head. ]

No. That's not fair. It's not like people'd willingly sign up to be part of this.

...


'Your VoidTrip and You; A Survival Guide'?

[mtsilver_conquor]

Oh I will if I ever meet them.

[She's serious, too.

She almost goes with the first title. Almost. It's something Blue would have encouraged, the troll, but she doesn't. Maybe if he ever shows up she'll make him his own titled that. Just for him.] I know a few who would, but you're right. None of us are willingly riding the train.

I think I can write out enough of them, and maybe next world we stop at, we can pick up a photocopier and several reams of paper.

[tinkerheart]

That's useful. [Feanor reads the notes. He nods a couple of times.] You can add that we tried to get into the engine carriage and found it completely sealed off. Nothing we have can break through. [Feanor is still irked that he even doesn't know what material the cursed wall is made of.] I don't think anyone has seen the conductor.

[mtsilver_conquor]

Thanks.

[There's a small preen of pride then a heavy sigh as she hads it to the list.] I'm not surprised. As much as I want to get into it, it's probably not the best idea. Where you around when the train malfunctioned? I'm Eva, by the way.

[tinkerheart]

I’m Feanor. [He thought he has already met everyone on this train. She’s a familiar face but they didn’t have occasion to speak earlier.]
Yes, I was. Pity we didn’t get to learn more about what caused that incident.

Sorry for the slow :(

[mtsilver_conquor]

On one hand. I'm glad because I don't fancy riding a train while people are trying to fix it or figure out how to take us home. But on the other... knowing what happened would be nice, even if it was a simple answer. It's more questions than answers and I'm not sure I like it.

[There's a resigned sigh.] But I guess life doesn't always give you answers, unlike a book.

Don't be, I'm far in the slow territory....

[tinkerheart]

I certainly don't. I'd rather know what happened and why it happened. Even better, what can we do to prevent it from happening in the future.

[That part about sending people home? That one he simply ignores. He's in no hurry. Definitely better here than where he was before he got here.]

Rarely. Usually you need to search for them yourself.

[runs_on_batteries]

You should add they need to do my questionnaire so we can keep looking for patterns. That my workspace is off limits. That we can't break the walls and it can be dangerous to try both to themselves and others. Be mindful there are young kids on board. If they have any problems or concerns, I'm available to help- or some of the people who have been here the longest. If they hurt anyone there will be consequences.

But.. perhaps you should edit that into something that sounds less of a challenge.

[mtsilver_conquor]

You have a 'Keep Out' sign on it. Telling someone not to do something is asking them to do it.

[But she does add most of the things to the list that is slowly being refined as she goes.]We're going to need to come up with a group of go-to people at some point... and probably figure out team leaders, too. But I think that should be left to each team.

[She sighs, setting the pen down.] We've picked up another kid as well. He's... interesting.

[runs_on_batteries]

[He rolls his eyes at that, but he can't help think she's right too. That just meant he needed a lock on his door, right?]

I have some stuff in there that belongs to other people and I don't want them to go missing.

[He'll think about that some more, okay? The rest of this was definitely something he wanted to talk about.]

I agree. Although I was thinking perhaps more along the lines of a council than team leaders. Or perhaps the council could be made up of team leaders- whatever works. We could have an election so people feel heard? I can organize that if it'd be helpful.

Sorry for the slow :(

[mtsilver_conquor]

... Why do you have other people's things?

[That is the more important thing right now, Tony.]

No worries!

[runs_on_batteries]

Are you honestly now accusing me of petty theft?

[He gives her a glare at that implication.]

People have given me items to fix. I have something of Maglor's, Manabu's, and a few other items.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin enters the coach and looks for a table seat, as he too has some writing to do. He sees a woman dressed in orange, as he is, and he sits down. When she shows him the notebook page, he looks it over with interest. ]

Looks like a good synopsis of the situation. I tried to get into the engine compartment and didn't succeed either. Whoever is driving is not particularly social.

My name's Curufin Fëanorion, by the way. What's yours?

[mtsilver_conquor]

Thanks. I'm not the only one contributing to this though.

[By now the list has grown, and even has a title!]

I'm Eva. It's nice to meet you, Fëanorion-san.

[It's obvious she struggles to pronounce the name as it comes out slightly mangled. It's unlike anything she's heard, even back home.]

[so_dark_a_road]

This list is co-authored? [ He smiles. ] It's good you're thinking in terms of giving needed information to newcomers or anybody who is confused about the train and its purposes.

Pleased to meet you, Eva! You don't have to use the honorifics, I'm not very formal anymore. Just call me Curufin.

[ He doesn't worry about her pronunciation. Most people who try to say his last name find it difficult, but that's not unusual, since nobody speaks Elvish except other Elves from his world and his mortal allies in that world. ]

Sorry for the slow :(

[mtsilver_conquor]

That would be rude and improper of me not use them, Fëanorion-san. It implies a closeness we don't have. The only one who gets that is Satoru, and he's not even here.

[She misses her boyfriend. But, moving on.] It is. I think it's best if we all had a say in it because like you said, it's meant to explain things, if only so we don't end up repeating ourselves.

[A sigh] Ideally I want to find a way to get it onto the ICPs/

No worries, I'm the same right now!

[so_dark_a_road]

It's okay. I should be using an honorific with your name, then. How would you prefer I address you? [ He guesses Satoru must be her husband or lover, and it's too bad she doesn't have his company here. ]

I guess it would be a good thing if everybody contributed, even if only by making suggestions.

If the train conductor can make announcements over the ICPs, then we should be able to do the same, right?

[stealsyourheart]

That's really helpful, thanks miss!

[ He grins and bobs in a polite little bow ]

Kaito Kuroba, by the by. Since we're... trainmates? Nice to meetcha.

[mtsilver_conquor]

Eva Iden'no. It's nice to meet you, Kuroba-kun.

[She pretty much lights up at the bow, returning it herself. He's probably not from her world, but that doesn't mean she can be happy about another Yamatan person who actually knows how to greet people.

But then she's also biased, so that as you will.

By now the list has very much grown, and even has a title!] Trainmates is a good way to describe us all. I'll add it to the list.

[stealsyourheart]

[ He grins back at her ]

You can call me Kaito if you want, Iden'no-san. Your name's not Japanese though - guessing you're from someplace else which isn't quite my world?

[mtsilver_conquor]

That would be rude and improper of me, Kuroba-kun.

[It's deadpan, but true, even as she really hopes she doesn't have to explain why.

She shakes her head with a grin.] No. My world's known as Arkea, and I'd guess the Yamatan culture at least, is likely a close match to Japanese.

[stealsyourheart]

It certainly sounds like! And I honestly don't mind, whichever one you like - I will confess my teachers at school constantly berate me for my rudeness!