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

[bombashbunny]

She returned the polite bow with a bow of her head, which turned into a shrug. "We have not made contact with a conductor and the heroes of my world are rumored to have fought a sentient train at one time. Stranger things have happened, I think."

There was a pause as she seemed to fiddle with a few strands of hair, tugging a little to loosen them in the pony tail. "I mean, we're here." To her that wasn't really so strange - she'd moved on and was more interested in seeing where things were going, and maybe figuring out how the train kept magically adding cabins.

[stealsyourheart]

"....Point." He agrees. "Although certainly despite the advances in AI we've not got to sentient trains in my world."

"Do you mind me asking... do you know a lady called Sarai Thunderstorm?"

[bombashbunny]

AI? What did that mean? She was about to ask, but he gave a question of his own.

"I don't mind." Why ask if you were going to ask anyway? "I do. Why do you ask?"

[stealsyourheart]

"I've been exploring, and I met her earlier." He grins shyly. "She told me they have people with rabbit ears in her world. Viera, I think she said. I was wondering if you're from her world."

[bombashbunny]

The look she gave was bordering completely unimpressed and judgmental, but she eventually gave in with a slight nod, seeming to warm up a little.

"I am from the same world as Sarai and Dread. And you recall correctly, my people are called the Viera. The ears are real and tails are not necessary to maintain balance while running among the trees, despite what the Miqo'te may say." She had a faint smile as she made the comment about the Miqo'te - it was likely a running joke from some previous discussion she'd had at some point.

[stealsyourheart]

He grins at the confirmation.

"That's cool! My world is pretty boring in comparison - there's only one race, just us humans. Your hearing must be really good, huh? Can you do magic too?"

[bombashbunny]

His excitement was a bit contagious, and her smile grew a little.

"One race isn't so bad - humans are tenacious and hard working." Very respectable. "Yes, and sometimes that's a little bit overwhelming. I am not very talented at magic - I can manipulate aether, but I can't manipulate my own. As a machinist, I have a machine to collect aether for me and I channel it through my gun - but that is not really proper spellcasting. Can you do magic?"

[stealsyourheart]

"Sometimes." He grins.

"Not that sort of magic." He shakes his head. "I'm a magician - sleight of hand is my stock in trade." Like the deck of cards that appear in his hands and get shuffled in increasingly improbable patterns.

"But we don't have 'real' magic in my world. Well. 'cept for my classmate. She's a witch? And I'm pretty sure it's real?"

[bombashbunny]

He wasn't wrong with the sometimes, and her smile grew a little.

Ash tilted her head as he said not the kind of magic she was thinking of, but her eyes grew a little at the sudden appearance of the deck of cards. The deftness of his hands was impressive.

"No... magic in your world?" She looked confused as she glanced back up to his face. "Surely that can't be right?" The idea of a world without manipulating aether confused Ash. Even she, someone that was considered severely broken, could do some limited magic. "I'm sure your classmate's magic is real." There's definitely no way there's not aether.

[stealsyourheart]

"None." He confirms. "Until Akako transferred in, I didn't know anyone with real magic, although the pros are pretty damn good with their illusions - but it's all done with sleight of hand and the right tech, you know? Anyone can learn, if you're dedicated enough."

[bombashbunny]

She looked confused when he confirms there was no magic, but her ears visibly perked up at the word tech. Her interest was piqued.

"If it's mostly sleight of hand and illusion, what is the tech for? I don't understand how they can be put together."

[stealsyourheart]

"To make the harder stuff work." He says easily. "And, in fairness, as distraction. Easier to pull of a trick with bright lights and a bit of smoke, you know? I did a 'walking on air' trick once that required a looooooooot of gear."

[bombashbunny]

As he explained Ash couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed, but it didn't show. The idea was actually pretty novel and she found herself curious about the tricks and how they actually played out.

"That makes sense once you say it." She was curious how it all looked together. "It also sounds like it takes a lot of work. Is it your job where you're from, then?" Something so intricate must be reserved for the wealthy, surely.

[stealsyourheart]

"Not yet - I'm only an amateur at this point. Still in school." He shrugs.

"But one day, yeah. I'll graduate next year. Unless I'm stuck on the train, I guess? And then I can take it to full time."

[bombashbunny]

She gave a nod of understanding as he explained he was in school for it. That made more sense.

"A year from graduation - you must already be pretty good at it, then? Perhaps sometime you could show me some more of the things you know how to do." She was already surprised with the dexterity he had with his cards so seeing more would probably be pretty impressive.

[stealsyourheart]

"I like to thimk so." He grins, although his face falls a little.

"I'd love to - I just... need to get a hold of more stuff, I guess. All I have is a deck of cards. Don't get me wrong - I love a good card trick! They're the basics for a reason! It just feels very odd to be without so much of my gear."

[bombashbunny]

Ash thought for a moment, speaking slowly. "There are a few of us good at building things. I wonder if it would be possible for us to recreate your gear?"

[stealsyourheart]

He turns hopeful puppy dog eyes at her.

"Really? I can do some things too but I could use some help. And I dunno where anything is or how to get the materials."

[bombashbunny]

"I think we might be able to do it, but we'll have to sit down and figure it out. Tony's completed a few projects by creatively taking some things apart, and I'm sure if it's true we visit other worlds we may be able to find some materials in the world we visit."

She smiled at him.

"I'm confident that between Tony and I we will be able to get you performance-ready eventually." Who knows how long it'd take depending on the complexity of the gadgets, but with enough time, sure. Anything was possible.

[stealsyourheart]

"Thank you! I figure I will probably start with really basic things like scarves and flowers but if we could rig other gear..."