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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[ That's all right, most people don't even try to pronounce Elvish. Much less stare at it! ]

You've got it right. Curufin.

[ He sets a hand to his heart and returns the bow. ]

Pleased to meet you, Madoka! And how do you like the train, so far?

Um..

[ Apparently that's not an easy question to answer! The girl seems to consider it for a moment, lightly frowning as she really has to think. ]

I guess it's a little hard to say.. Um, I'm really glad for all the things we have on this train. And everyone here is really nice too. [ She wouldn't just want to say bad things and make the new person feel bad.. ] But.. It's kind of hard to be away from home.

I should hope that everyone would be nice to you, Madoka. I've had the same experience; no one has been obnoxious. [ Although he was a little uncertain about that spider who was one his team. She simply spun out her message as a command and seemed to have appointed herself the team leader without asking. But then, some people were like that. ] And it does seem to be a well-supplied train, and comfortable, especially for such a limited space. But I guess we'll get to get outside when we come to the next world or the next platform.

I imagine it is hard for you to be away from home. What is your home like? Do you have family and friends?

[ She nods. ]

Yes. I have a mother and a father and a little brother. [ Let's just.. not start about the friends part though, okay. That's horribly depressing, and even beyond that there's multiple reasons she can't really talk about it. So she's just casually going to glance over that one. ]

I think it's probably the case for most people here that they have someone back home waiting for them.. [ Implying that the same is probably the case for him, but she doesn't want to ask too directly in case it's a painful subject. Hence this indirect way. ] And they probably miss those people too.

It is good to have family. [ She must miss hers, but he won't ask her about that unless she chooses to speak of it, in which case he'll listen and try to comfort her. Same with the friends, though he'd well understand trouble or losses there. ]

I hope it's the case for everybody. I find that having somebody to remember is anchoring; it gives me something to hope for. [ He gets the implication. ] I have a mother and a father and six brothers. And uncles and aunts and cousins. I had friends in the two worlds I visited that weren't my world, but I doubt I'll see more than a few of them ever again. However, as for family, my father and two of my brothers are here.

[ Wow, six brothers? It's not as if it's totally impossible, she's heard of families with lots of children before.. but it's still kind of amazing to hear that when she only has one little brother herself.

But before she can get lost in that amazement, something else about what he says pulls her attention. ]

Oh, your family is here? [ That's lucky, especially if it's three of them! What are the odds, right? ] What are their names? Maybe I've met them already..

[ It's unusual for Elves to have so many kids. It's part of the mythos of his family, that there are seven sons, seven being a magical number. ]

My father's name is Fëanor, and my brothers are Maedhros and Maglor. Have you met any of them?

And since your family is not here, are you managing all right by yourself, or do you have people looking out for you? You did say that everyone here is really nice.

Hmm, I have met them! [ Those names sure stick out in the memory of someone who's mainly used to Japanese and then maybe some foreign English names.. ]

I'm so glad you are here together.. It must be nice. [ And since Madoka is such a nice person to the core, there's not even a single hint of malice or jealousy in her voice as she says that. Despite her own, more unfortunate situation, she is genuinely glad for whatever happiness people can get here. ] But.. yes, there are a lot of nice people here who offered to help me, so I'm alright. Of course I miss my family a little, but that can't be helped..

I'm glad you've met my family. If you need anything, feel free to ask any of us. We'll all help.

Yes, I'm glad to be with them again. Some of us have been separated a long time. But I'm sorry your family aren't here. [ She does seem a genuinely nice person. She deserves whatever good can come of this situation, and more. ]

Tell me something about yourself. What are your interests? What do you like to do?

Thank you.. That's very kind of you.

[ The offer for help, that is. But that's exactly why Madoka has found the people here to be so nice - so many people have offered to help her out without asking for anything in return. Without even knowing her all that well, considering most of them offered on their first meeting. ]

Um.. About me, though? [ Apparently she didn't expect that question, since she blinks in surprise, caught off guard. ] I'm not sure what to say.. Compared to everyone else here, I rather feel like I'm just a normal girl. I guess I like drawing, and now I like being able to help out around here..

[ He smiles at her. She's a child, and a very sweet one, so of course he and many others are willing to help. But maybe another world would be different, not so filled with helpful people. He's glad she came to this one, if she had to leave her own world at all. ]

I think everyone has their specialties. If you like drawing, I'm sure people will be glad to have an artist around. And if you like helping out? -- again, people will be grateful.

Ehehe.. [ She giggles, though there's a hint of something awkward in it. ]

I guess you're right.. But it's not like I'm really good at any of those things. My drawings for sure aren't good enough to help anyone out.. and chores are something anyone could do, right? There are a lot more talented people here on the train.

[ He laughs with her. Her giggle is irresistible, even if it is awkward. ]

But you could stick your drawings on the walls of some of the carriages, and they'd cheer us all on our way to wherever. And I see what you mean about chores, but all of us will be helping with those, and every pair of hands is needed and welcome. I guess it does't require talent. Good thing, as I have no talent for laundry, but that's what the device says my team will be doing this month. And you're blue team, so you'll be on cleaning duty. I guess we'll just do the best we can.

Edited 2019-09-10 21:02 (UTC)

[ At the very least she nods at that final sentiment. Even if she doesn't believe much in her own capabilities, she does at least believe she's capable of doing her best.

Even if that might not be much. ]

Well, if you need help being taught more about how to do the laundry, then I can tell you some stuff about it if everyone on your team is too busy to do so.. Just let me know. I helped my mama and papa out with chores back home as well.

[ He'll make a point of believing in her capabilities and letting her know that he does. Everybody needs a cheering squad once in a while. ]

I'll gladly have you tutor me in using the onboard washing machines. Anytime you're free.

I'll bet your parents were pleased to have help with the chores.

[ Madoka smiles a little bit at what he says. ]

I just did what I felt I should do.. They already worked so hard for my and my little brother's sake, so I wanted to make things a little easier for them. [ Maybe it's kind of a mature thing to say for a fourteen year old, but she's just the responsible type. ]

And.. hey, if you learn how to use the washing machines here, maybe you could impress your father as well! You could show him how good you'll be at it.

[ Curufin smiles back. ]

That seems a very kindly way to treat your parents, and a very thoughtful way. [ She does seem the responsible type! ]

I'll certainly attempt to impress my father with my laundry capabilities. He's focusing on cooking, so I'm sure he'll appreciate my taking on a different set of tasks. [ So very different from the task devisions of their former lives as warriors! ]

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A new platform [intro post September]

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