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

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony gives Ignis a smile, a bit curious that he seemed to prefer to stand watching instead of being like the rest of the people here and mingling. Either way, Tony appreciated it.]

I hadn't expected us to be stopping for new passengers every two weeks like this. If this keeps up, it could easily turn our relatively peaceful train ride into a mad house.

[He sighs.]

When we first arrived, there was one young woman who seemed to vanish mid-trip. When we got to the platform you were on, she left from that back door there and went to the ticket counter and off she went. It was really strange. She didn't hear anyone calling to her and she didn't react to any of us. That just happened with Evie. And yet, there she is over there too.

[He looks at Ignis.]

What do you suppose that means?

[faithfulsupport]

[Ignis isn't the type to hang around a lot of people uness he's forced to or needs intel. Neither of this things applied so he's definitely alright to just stand there next to Tony.

He sighed and shook his head.]

One does wonder how many more stops we'll have to make like this, to pick up more..passengers.

[The advisor clearly isn't happy and his green eyes note who Tony's referring to. Wait, didn't he just see Evie inside? He's going to have to check that out. For now though, his head shakes and looks at the other man. The only thing he has to compare this to was the time Y'jhimei showed up from another world. But this certainly wasn't that.]

Until I have more information, I have nothing conclusive.

[Ideas and theories Ignis had, but more information would be required before he could make a final judgement.]

[runs_on_batteries]

[He might deny it at times, but he appreciated the company. Ignis had an air of responsibility around him that Tony missed when living among so many teenagers and children. Even some of the adults were barely that- depending on how they acted.]

I've started to wonder if there isn't some kind of connection we have to our home worlds. A tether of some kind. I'm not sure what to call it just yet, but some kind of essence. I've wondered if that essence gets disrupted- kind of like a cell phone signal or a projected image- and that's why people fade out around here. It'd be hard to test that theory though.

[It helps keep him sane. Otherwise he had to think about these two girls getting taken and returned without memory. With no way to fight it, it was eating him up inside.]

[faithfulsupport]

[He listened to Tony's explanation with interest. He had thought something along the same lines but again he didn't have all of the information he needed to come to such a conclusion. He hated ambiguity and that was still a factor here.]

So you believe it's something like a string or an essence. Then I do have to wonder if something like that is responsible for bringing us here in the first place with this invisible sort of rope if you will. And if that is indeed what it is, then it may work both ways.

[Ignis shook his head and turned away, remembering how upset Tony had been about the topic of going home. And he'd had plenty of time to ponder over if everyone wanted to go back or if they even had anything to go back to. For that conversation, Tony had received more than a few silent apologies from the advisor. So he sighed and lowered his head while readjusting his glasses.]

For those that wish to return of course.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony didn't like it either. In fact, he knew how dangerous those unanswered questions could be when you were putting your faith in something. He knew Ignis well enough to believe the man understood this was still a preliminary thought. He could always spot another scientific mind in the room. They didn't have to be a scientist, but someone who thought logically and was intelligent enough to keep up with him.

Be proud, Ignis. There are very few he would put in that category.

The idea that the 'essence' might go both ways was fascinating. He hadn't considered it. What could it mean if a piece of them belonged here on the train for some reason? Was it stolen or was this where it naturally was supposed to go? What did it mean that Peter and Tony were both here? There were still far too many questions without answers. He sighed, unsure what to do or say back, but he did nod agreeing that Ignis had deciphered his meaning.

And that last comment was unexpected. It felt like the man had sucker punched him square in the gut. He flinces and looks at Ignis, shocked by the unexpected attack before realizing.. that clearly wasn't the intent of that comment. Ignis couldn't know what he was facing. His gaze dropped to the floor as he thought about how to address it.]

Some of us.. we don't have anything to go home to. I know what my fate's going to be and even though I know it's really important to the world and the people I care about back home.. it's not exactly something I'm looking forward to.

[faithfulsupport]

[Ignis stood silently, still not sure what was going through Tony's mind. But the night the other left the dining carriage weighed heavily on his mind along with hoping that Noctis and the other two were alright without him there to play peacemaker and parent, more or less.

So he tried to put his mind on something else he could figure out which was what the other man was referring to. If either of their theories were correct, then would that be a way to help them? Ignis was trying to consider this and wondered if it mayhaps would alter time in some way? If so, would it help?

The advisor risked a look over and saw Tony flinch. That surprised him and he was about to apologize when the other seemed to be staring at the floor as if it was the most interesting thing in the entire world right now. Immediately Ignis felt badly and wanted to reach out, but his tone lowered again as he shook his head.]

I'm sorry. I realized something of that sort had to be the case the night you..left the dining carriage. That sort of thing can't be easy to face.

[This was said as a certain King's self sacrificing fate to bring back the light of their world came to his mind. Ignis wasn't sure if Noctis knew of that himself or not at the point he'd left their world. All he would do was ask to not continue, but in the end, the King decided and the advisor would support whatever decision was made.

From this conversation, it sounded like Tony shared a similar fate with what was said. And Ignis supposed this was irony or maybe the Will of the Six somehow, to be taken from one situation and placed in a similar situation with a different person.]

[runs_on_batteries]

[As much as that explanation had been meant to be truthful, he realized too it wasn't completely. He did have something he wanted desperately to return home for, but he couldn't. It wasn't in the cards. Either fate or perhaps as penance for the blood on his hands and many, many mistakes, he wouldn't ever get to see his daughter or wife again. It was much worse living with that than knowing he was going to die.

His tucked his arms across his chest and tucked his hand as best he could. He could feel just the very start of them shaking. There was a pressure on the edge of his consciousness and he knew what it was. He had to fight it back.

Breathe. Just breathe.]

It's.. It's a work in progress.

[He has to push back. And it helps if he can push his thoughts to the other man instead of himself.]

You seem to know what I'm talking about to a degree.

[faithfulsupport]

[Ignis nodded sympathetically.]

One could imagine.

[And with the last statement, Tony had provided some details, and the advisor knew that it was only fair that he provided a few in turn. But he could decide how much or how little as could the other. With a sigh, he looked off at something in the distance as he thought about Noctis.]

I do to a point, if cessation is what you would be facing.

[Death was just too hard to say right now, but then he then looked over at Tony with a slight nod.]

Please bear in mind that I am not trying to pry for details.

I lost this tag :( I'm sorry

[runs_on_batteries]

Yours?

[Tony clearly didn't have the same hang up as Ignis did on asking personal questions. He nodded yes, 'cessation' was exactly what he was facing. He snorts a laugh at the disclaimer.]

It's fine. I don't mind even if you are prying. It's.. my reality and after recent events the only person I didn't want to know, already found out.

[faithfulsupport]

No.

[That would be far easier for Ignis by every means. He would more than willingly die for Noct but this was something between the Gods and Kings of Lucis. He himself wasn't of royal blood and had absolutely no say in the matter.

Hearing what the other said still made him feel bad, it couldn't be easy to know something like that was your fate the moment you returned, so he shook his head.]

I am sorry.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony was glad when the answer was no. He didn't really need any further details, so long as he could believe Ignis was going to be okay.

At the sympathy, he gave the younger man a smile and light pat on the back.]

It's fine.

[He is quiet a moment, looking over at the crowd. When his gaze returns to Ignis, he decides to share a plan that has been slowly brewing.]

If we're going to continue to get new people like this, it would be smart we start developing systems to govern ourselves. Between the cramp quarters, the vast free time, there's bound to be a never ending pool of drama here soon. What do you think of a council of representatives of the train who have been deemed suitable for the job, such as an election?

[faithfulsupport]

[It really wasn't fine, but Ignis made no comment even with the pat on the back. So his green eyes returned to the crowd still searching for Buttercup, hoping against hope that he could pick that little face out of the sea of people in front of them.

Once Tony begins speaking, he looks over at the older man with a nod.]

The idea has validity and would make sense considering there's no way of knowing how many times the train may stop like this.

[runs_on_batteries]

Do you think it likely others will agree to something like this?

[It was easier focusing on this than the many other questions in his life right now. For instance, this young man standing by his side was almost making him feel like he had a true confidante and he hadn't had that since.. well, in a while.]

I wonder if there isn't a feature on the ICP I could use to set up a poll.

[faithfulsupport]

I don't see why not. After all, everyone would have a say.

[It made complete sense to him because they did need something in place to keep order. Ignis himself wasn't really involved in anything like this back home. He was sworn into the Crownsguard at seventeen, and that was to officially protect Noctis. But he'd been told by King Regis to look after Noct at age six.

But as he thought this new prospect over that Tony was proposing, Ignis knew he didn't know many people at all so he would have nothing to do with it. He wasn't qualified in the slightest to vouch for unknown people. To the last, Ignis shook his head.]

I'm sure you could find a way.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony nods, as he continues to ponder the situation. It would be helpful to have some kind of decision making power around here rather than using his charm or strong arming people. But how many and who should be considered was still up in the air. How many people here were even familiar with a republic system?

He felt the first wave of encouragement to board the train and he sighed.]

Well, guess it's time to get everyone boarded. I'll see who I can round up if you keep the line moving.

[faithfulsupport]

[He nodded.]

I'll certainly handle things from here.

[Ignis didn't know what was going through Tony's head, but whatever it was, the idea of the council didn't sound like a bad idea. Hopefully everyone would get a say and be agreeable. Things would run smoother if that were the case.]