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

[internetsexsymbol]

"You've got a good head on your shoulders, kid...

...But that kind of irresponsible behavior as a ghost is what'll end your existence as one! Prankster ghosts who terrify the staff and student body are the most common kinds to get exorcists called on them. Right after the kind that linger around abandoned buildings and ones that grab onto people's shoulders."

[stealsyourheart]

"But that requires the exorcist to catch me, right? I mean, what's the harm in making people laugh! Exam halls are the most stressful places anyway."

[internetsexsymbol]

"Hm...fair point. Just make sure you stick with the harmless kind and you won't have to worry about getting someone like me called on you in the first place. ...hypothetically, of course. Who knows if you'll even need advice on being a ghost?"

[stealsyourheart]

"Are you an exorcist then?" He says interestdly.

"Like, an actual real one?"

[internetsexsymbol]

“Haha...I’m only one of the greatest psychics of the twenty-first century, no big deal.” He points to himself after cycling through a few other hand gestures for effect. “Reigen Arataka, at your service. I’ll be handling any spirit problems that might come up here.”

[stealsyourheart]

"Huh! An actual real psychic! This place really does have all sorts. Nice to meetcha, Arataka-san. I'm Kaito Kuroba!"

[internetsexsymbol]

"Kuroba, then. It's good to see a young man your age doing well in this turbulent era." Reigen has taken to talking like an old man in this conversation, apparently.

[stealsyourheart]

He laughs, hands sliding into his pockets as he shrugs, nonchalant.

"Eh. Can't wait to get out of school." He says cheerfully. "So I dunno about doing well."

[internetsexsymbol]

Reigen dismissively waves a hand. "Come on, you've got your future to plan, don't you? It's fine."

[stealsyourheart]

"Depends." He says cheerfully. "I already know I wanna go into magic full time. Exams aren't that important for that, you know?"

[internetsexsymbol]

“Magic, huh?” Hey, not like Reigen has room to judge when he quit his last job to be a fake psychic. “The performance type or are you an actual wizard?”

[stealsyourheart]

"Nah. Magic's not real in my world - well, there's Akako, but she's... um. Different."

L-lol.

"Sleight of hand's my game - and I'm pretty damn good, if I do say so myself."

[internetsexsymbol]

Akako, huh...sounds suspicious. Maybe she's an ESPer or something. At least that's Reigen's guess.

"Are you now? You'll have to show me what you've got sometime, Kaito-kun."

[stealsyourheart]

That depends on if ESPers talk to what is quite possibly an actual literal demon...

"I would but this place has only given me one measely deck of cards." He grimaces. "I can show you a mean shuffle though."

[internetsexsymbol]

"That's when you improvise! You've gotta set yourself apart from all the competition, Kaito-kun!"

[stealsyourheart]

He laughs.

"Oh, I intend to! I wasn't expecting anything quite like this place though."

[internetsexsymbol]

"I doubt anyone expects trains in the void. ...what's even on trains, we need to search for magic show material."
Reigen is going to make sure this kid can perform his passion, dammit.

[stealsyourheart]

"Thanks man, that's good of you." He says sincerely.

"Don't think any of us expected to wake up today and find ourselves in a void catching a train!"

[internetsexsymbol]

“Right, one moment you’re at your office, and then—“ Reigen trails off as if he just realized something...he had appointments lined up for later in the day that he was definitely going to miss. Not to mention all the walk-ins, other potential calls, chances for another scandal surrounding his disappearance...shit.
“I’m going to lose so much business...” he mutters to himself.

[stealsyourheart]

He grins a bit at that. "Suddenly I'm not so sad about only being a school student. The worst that'll happen to me is I need to repeat the year. Gambatte, Arataka-san!"

[internetsexsymbol]

"Yeah, thanks, kid. I can handle the adult world..." Did anyone else in his office know how to file paperwork? Serizawa might able to manage, but Mob's a kid, and Dimple--oh no. Oh no, please don't let that green ghost anywhere near his affairs, he might end up committing tax fraud in Reigen's name.

[stealsyourheart]

He doesn't bother to hide his grin.

"Good luck, Arataka-san?"

[internetsexsymbol]

Reigen looks up, noticing the grin on Kaito's face, and suddenly appears reinvigorated. He can't look pathetic in front of a kid! He's a stable adult, dammit!

"Thanks, but it'll be fine! I'll just have to work twice as hard to pick up the slack! Nothing can bring me down!" He's getting really fired up about this. Reigen, please.

[stealsyourheart]

He laughs, but it's a friendly sound.

"Gambatte, Arataka-san." He agrees with a grin. "Hopefully you won't be stuck here too long!"

[internetsexsymbol]

"Heh...it's just a minor inconvenience, right? With enough confidence and effort, any problem is solvable." He says, as if he wasn't just freaking out about his stable income disappearing on him.