A New Platform [Intro Post October]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

"Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Horsehoe. Points have been updated on the system and new stock is available."

They have indeed and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train a while will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A lurch and a jolt and they are soon surrounded by the fog that means they are at a platform. The first thing they may notice is that this platform is inside a basic shelter, making it warmer than the last couple at least.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Adora, Alex Hashimoto, Catra, Cloud Strife, Elizabeth Midford, Feanor, Gerome, Gladiolus Amicitia, Glimmer, Ifrit, Isabella D’Oro, Maru, Nari Reno, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Prompto Argentum, Scorpia, Siobahn Chereshei, SXT-2, Tamamo-no-Mae, Tony Stark, Uta, Zidane Tribal

But on the platform itself there are many new faces. Wearing hoodies in all four colours in various states of confusion.

For New Passengers

At first all they can see is steam. Billowing around them as they come to their senses. The second thing they will notice is it is gloomy, even without the steam and fog. They are in a wooden building, open to the tracks on one side. It in a creaky shelter, cobwebs hang from the rafters and there is a peculiar whistle as wind finds its way through the cracks.

They are standing, in clothes that are not their own, styles they might not even recognise. They are carrying a rucksack on their 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 large and it holds nineteen figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. Both left and right the tracks disappear into the mist. Then there is a roaring sound and out of the fog arrives a train. Jet black with gold writing on the side. The Voidtrecker Express. There is a hiss as the doors slide open and out into the gloom step a selection of people. Some are human, some are less so. Most are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple though some are sporting different clothes in a variety of styles.

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. If that is not enough, there are plenty of people on the platform now, to encourage them onto the train.

Indeed whereas usually there is plenty time for people to be met and brought slowly onto the train, the whistles blow a lot quicker this time, as if hurrying the passengers along.

Each ICP shows the same message and next to the screens there are stacks of leaflets written by those on the train, with further information. The store rooms have been restocked, with… teddy bear shaped luncheon meat being the main ingredient to be found. There are plenty of other staples.

A new carriage has been added, those that go to investigate will find a room full of lockers, designated as the Armoury. Even for passengers without weapons it is somewhere to secure possessions. There are instructions on how to use the lockers and enough for everyone to claim one.

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 over the noise of the hail stones to encourage any stragglers braving the snow and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, they may wish to brief their new companions.

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. Entry into Voidspace in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

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 the Void!

Comments

[consider8]

No. [What else could she say to that?]

I have no reason to do such a thing. I do not even know where here is.

[Eight waited for the next volley of questions. She can be patient... especially if there is an explanation of what that device was for a prize.]

[tokenloveinterest]

Then how did I get here?!

[Her voice sounds... perhaps a bit more accusatory than it otherwise would. She's been having a rough day.... week........ year?]

[consider8]

I do not know.

[She notes the tone and isn't too pleased... further, she's starting to dislike how one sided this has been...]

...may I ask a questions?

[tokenloveinterest]

What?

[she'll apologize later, probably]

[consider8]

[She took a deep breath, hoping that the pause would serve to de-escalate things.]

You know my name, but I do not know yours.

May I request your name?

[tokenloveinterest]

... Right. My name's Rei.

[That seems.... harmless to tell someone? She hopes?]

[consider8]

Rei.

[She nods.]

It is nice to meet you, Rei.

[tokenloveinterest]

[...

Weird. Rei is clearly confused. It doesn't make any sense. If this is a duel monster spirit, she'd be more hostile. 'Nice to meet you' isn't something an enemy says, right?]

... Yeah. Nice to meet you, Eight.

Did you just sort of... wake up here, too?

[consider8]

Yes.

[She gives her a moment, noting the posture.]

...I am not your enemy.[As though indicating this she shows her empty hands.] I do not have a weapon. I do not know who you are. I do not see value in causing you harm.

I am confused too. [Though her tone seems unusually calm. This isn't the first time she wound up like this...]

[tokenloveinterest]

[It's not the first time Rei's wound up like this either! Which.... is the problem.]

... Right. Sorry for freaking out. I'm just really, really confused.

[consider8]

It's okay.

This can be very overwhelming. It is understandable that you would be scared.

[What would Pearl and Marina would say.] Take your time if you need it. I have nowhere else to be.

[tokenloveinterest]

I guess none of us do.

[She actually finally starts... looking around.]

This is a train station? Why is there a train station?

[consider8]

[She's glad that Rei was starting to calm down, but she still hadn't answered what her dual gauntlet was!]

...the obvious answer would be so that a train can arrive and depart.

[tokenloveinterest]

[bold of you to assume rei even remembers that that was a question]

Yeah, but why? We got kidnapped to a train station, but it's not like anyone is here to force us on.

[consider8]

[Eight can see the logic in this, but there was something about the way things looked beyond... everything that made her more uncomfortable.]

That is a logic that only our captors know. [Still.] I don't think that this would be a good place to stay.

[tokenloveinterest]

I guess we'll have to see when the train arrives.

[Rei puts an arm over her duel disk again, clearly uncomfortable with all of this.]

[consider8]

[Eight nods, wringing her hands as she eyes the duel disk. The tips of her tentacles wriggle the more she thinks about it...]

[She's practically vibrating when she finally gets the nerve to ask again.]

...what... is that?

[Had she waited any longer she was liable to burst.]

[tokenloveinterest]

Huh? It's a Duel Disk.

[She says it like that explains everything.

I'm sorry 8.]

[consider8]

[Anime sweat drop...]

Oh. Is it a weapon or...

...how do you duel with it?

[tokenloveinterest]

What do you mean, how? You duel! With your cards!

[consider8]

You use cards to attack? That seems hardly effective...

[Though if the intention was pain... paper cuts ARE hell...]

[tokenloveinterest]

It's... It's a card game?

[consider8]

Card game?

[She was SO confused...]

[tokenloveinterest]

Yeah? Here.

[She draws a card from the top of her deck and shows it to 8.]

[consider8]

...

...cute.

[But then she looks the card over from various angles. She tries to figure out how to weaponize it and dare not try to use it in the event she attacked Rei.]

How do you duel with it, though?