voidtreckerexpress | A new platform [intro post September]

A new platform [intro post September]

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.

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[ Gwen is standing by a lamp-post, shoulder leaning against it as she holds one of her web shooters in her hand, relaxed and waiting. Humming to herself as she waits to board the train again. She found Miles. She met a a million interesting people and as she stands and hums something to herself, her Spider-Sense ticks wildly.

She's in trouble and she has to act...right now. So her hand reaches behind her and grabs, small but probably insanely strong fingers closing around the wrist of one Harry Hook as he's in the middle of reaching for the web-shooter in her back pocket. She has her back towards him, the hood of her purple hoodie up, so her face isn't visible as it remains casually ducked down. She doesn't turn to face him as she speaks, her tone as casual as can be as she speaks. ]

We have this saying in my house, because I have three younger brothers who like grabbing things that aren't theirs. If it doesn't belong to you, don't touch it. Why were you reaching for something that clearly doesn't belong to you?

[ It was neat, and novel, something he'd never seen before, and in his boredom and uncertainty with the whole situation it seemed like a good idea. Calming reflex, of a sort.

Except he's in the process and suddenly there's fingers around his wrist, gripping tightly even though they're slim and delicate. ]

What can I say, I can't help myself sometimes. What is it?

[ Deflection's the better tactic, right? ]

I think you’ve been doing a good job helping yourself. And by good I mean you’re getting a little too curious for your own good.

[ So, Gwen turns gracefully, looking Harry right in the face and still holding his wrist for a moment as she studies him. If she knew that her face was the same as someone from his home?

Nah, she probably wouldn’t really care. The multiverse is, after all, an absolute weirdo. But she will be glad to know there are differences between her and Mal. Gwen has an eyebrow piercing that’s raised slightly as she looks at Harry with bemused annoyance. Her hair is far shorter, blonder and cut with a side shave. And Gwen is a couple inches shorter than Mal.

There’s also the matter of just how strong the tiny blonde in front of Harry is. She lets go of his wrist and pulls her webshooters back on, still kinda humming to herself before she talks again. ]

It doesn’t matter what they are. What matters is they’re mind, and you can get yourself in a lot of trouble if you touch them. That’s not a threat. It’s just facts.

[ A quick shake of her arms and the sleeves of her hoodie drop over her webshooters and she crosses her arms over her chest. ]

You got a name?

[ The face is a surprise, in some ways more so than the grip. It's one he knows pretty well, but supremely different, and it's jarring. So he doesn't protest much when she tucks things away out of sight, too busy staring like an idiot. ]

Lucifer's soggy goblins.

I haven't said no to trouble yet. Uh, yeah. Harry. Harry Hook.

Really? Cuz you totally strike me as the type of guy to laugh in the face of danger, and then run and hide until it goes away.

[ That's sarcasm. Light, teasing sarcasm. And a little old pop culture reference just for fun. ]

Also, Lucifer's what? What does that even mean, Hook?

Soggy goblins. Lucifer, the big nasty cat? Goblins, the little buggers that cause trouble and eat everything? I don't know, it's a...thing.

[ Why are you commenting on his cursing it's totally normal and fine. ]

[ The explanation doesn’t help at all. Her arms cross over her chest and she shifts her weight to her left foot as she listens, just so very confused as to what he’s saying. ]

Literally none of that made sense to me, so I’m assuming it’s something from whatever part of the multiverse you’re from.

I suppose so. Not for me to say.

[ Anyway... ]

So what are those things you're so keen on me not touching?

They're web-shooters.

[ She's going to give him a minute to process before she explains. ]

I didn't design them. A friend of mine did. They take ambient moisture out of the air and convert it into webbing. I use them to stop terrible people from doing bad things. Anyone from crazed scientists to petty thieves.

[ That last one? Possibly a jab at Harry. ]

Oh! That's very cool. Very handy, I would imagine.

[ Yes, that's essentially Harry saying he REALLY wants to steal one now. ]

You stop bad people.

I do, and I'm very good at it.

[ She saves the day, people don't know it's her. It's a thing. She's happy with it. ]

So, these will be living on me from now on. I really hope that doesn't put a damper on any plans you may be trying to come up with. Are we cool?

[ She doesn't care if they're cool or not. She really doesn't. ]

[ Harry pouts. So much pouting right now.

Not that he isn't still plotting, because he absolutely is. ]

Fiiiiine. Boring.

[ Gwen rolls her eyes so hard at the pouting. He's older than her by at least three years and this is the behavior she gets? Really? ]

Wow. Pout more, emo kid.

[ Gwen. No. ]

I'm going to go back on the train. You enjoy your trip, Harry. Gravity can fail at any time, so can the engines, and once in a while we get dropped off on strange planets that need our help. Have fun.!

[ She's going to turn and start walking off now, shaking her head just a bit. Multiverse, you have a lot of explaining to do. ]

That's all I get? Really?

[ The pout fades as soon as he realizes it's not going to get him what he wants, and maybe he shouldn't follow her, but he does anyway. ]

That's all you get.

[ Gwen realizes half a second later that he's following her and she stops walking, looking him over for a second before turning to face him fully, her hands on her hips. ]

You gave me a weird look a little bit ago. Like you were surprised to see me. Back when you said Lucifer's soggy whatevers.

Why?

You look like somebody I know. That's all.

[ All casual, like it's no big deal. ]

You looked horrified.

[ So..explain. Because with the face he made, it probably is a big deal. ]

....I wouldn't say horrified. Surprised, more like?

[ It's not a horrifying face, really. It's a nice face, he likes the face, even if it belongs to a traitor-that-isn't-really-probably. It's just a weird context for it, and supremely complicated on top of it and he doesn't even know this girl. It's a lot to process. ]

How about we just say 'weirded out' and leave it at that?

[ That seems the best description. ]

[ Harry nods, maybe too quickly but whatever. ]

Works for me!

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A new platform [intro post September]

Platform: Best future siblings ever y/n?

perfectttt

Yay!

Re: Yay!

Re: Yay!

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