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

headcanon time

[ramengroupie]

I TRIED to! But everybody stared at me and the professor said things about brains that gave me a headache!

[ This was very upsetting, because Wormmon really doesn't like being left alone while Ken is at class. ]

--Our worlds are connected. People are adjusting to the presence of Digimon, but...

[ As Wormmon had said... ]

It's a process.

the rp lyfe

[blitzcheer]

Oh, okay! I think I get it. So he's like an exchange student ... ... to another world!

[ And a faraway place, but not one where monsters rule. ]

So you're the guy showing him around. That's nice!

[ramengroupie]

Well, something like that.

We also go to my world and stop bad guys. Or we stop them when they break into Ken-chan's world! Ken-chan will protect everyone, and I'll protect Ken-chan.

[ And that, as far as Wormmon is concerned, is Digimon 101.

Which reminds him they haven't done those nice things you're supposed to do when making new friends, like learning names. ]

Oh, I'm Wormmon. Ken-chan is Ken-chan.

[ Ken-chan cannot deny this fact. ]

[blitzcheer]

[ Is everyone on this train a bad guy fighter...

But oh, introductions? ]

I'm Tidus! Nice to meet you both. [ And, with that said- ] If you two need anything or wanna know anything- I can help? I've been here a while. About...two months, now?

This ride has been running for about seven. [ Voidtrain Fun Fact #4. ]

[ramengroupie]

[ Hey, they are bad guy fighters who used to be bad guys! That is a twist on the formula. ]

Thank you. [ Ken looks sincere. Everyone - everyone is so welcoming, it's a mysterious feeling. There was this leaflet available, and now people going out of their way to help. To wander the train, despite their own circumstances, and reach out to him. Specifically.

It's been eight years since he started noticing such gestures, but Ken still doesn't take generosity for granted. He likely never will.

Knowing where to begin is difficult, as his biggest, most burning question is "why him in particular for this quest" - yet maybe there's a way to start investigating that? ]

Then, what sorts of "missions" are we assigned?

[ Oh, Ken-chan is going to do the questions thing. Wormmon will be quiet and watch this happen. Ken-chan always comes up with such amazing stuff after he does the questions thing. He's so cool~ ]

[blitzcheer]

[ Missions, huh? ]

You're Orange team, so... [ He's thinking back, remembering what he knows. ] The mission before the one we just had, Orange Team had to investigate a lab and find out why everyone in it disappeared after a bunch of others got blown up. And the one we just got off, you had to get crystals growing out of some flowers, to take them back to people who were sick.

[ That's easy to understand, right? ]

You're a lot of the safer missions - most of the others have fighting in 'em. Orange gets into fights too, but that's not the purpose, you know? You're more... investigating.

[ Are they? Let's say they are. ]

[ramengroupie]

So different teams receive different missions.

[ And now Ken doesn't just have to wonder "why him on the train", he has to wonder "why him, on the train, on Orange team"...But he can spiral down that rabbit hole when there isn't a person in front of him offering to help. ]

Orange is the smart team that figures out what's going on! Good for you, huh, Ken-chan?

...I'm not...averse...

[ But his face is still clouded in thought. Are they sorted into specific teams on purpose? But that would imply the train already knows everything about them. How much of an independent will does it have? Does it know - what - he's hoping to do with his future....

Now that Ken's here, he's going to fulfill the tasks in front of him. But if he were a multidimensional rescue train attempting to travel various worlds and assist people in need, he's not sure what he would have seen in Ichijouji Ken. ]

[blitzcheer]

What's up?

[ Happen to be standing there getting lost in your thoughts, pal? Don't worry, Tidus is here to notice, be curious by whatever it is that could be going through the guy's mind. Does he want to know more? Is he confused? What? ]

[ramengroupie]

[ -He'd done it anyway, hadn't he. Ken blinks himself back to reality. ]

Sorry. [ The word comes out reflexively. Like he has a lot of experience saying it.

Now that Tidus is curious, though, Ken should probably share. ]

It must sort each person into their specific team for a reason.

[blitzcheer]

[ Oh, was that it? ]

Sure, but I don't know what. [ He shrugs, a hand coming up. ] All I know it likes sticking most of us in Orange or Purple. The other two teams are half the size of us.

[ Since, hey, what do you know-- they're both an Orange and Purple! Or two Oranges, one Purple?? ]

one and a half oranges, one purple

[ramengroupie]

There's that much difference?

[ Okay, now he's just lost. What on earth could THAT imply? ]

What do all you Purple people do?

[ Wormmon will help Ken-chan by keeping the conversation going. Plus, he wants to know!

Because it can't possibly be as cool or important as what the Orange people do. ]

purple is plum, there we go

[blitzcheer]

...Defence? [ He's trying to sum up the team with a single word, but to elaborate more: ]

Let's see... last mission they had to depower some ... things, powered by crystals that were attacking villages. Before that they had to help out a city that suffered an earthquake and then protect it from fiends, and before that -

[ What was it? Oh, right. ] They had to protect some priests going down some tunnels under the sea.

the train was making a fruit salad this whole time

[ramengroupie]

A protection team. [ Ken nods. ] That's important work.

But! But the investigation people stop the bad thing by figuring it out!

[ Wormmon isn't suddenly self-conscious that he isn't on the helpy defense protecty team, nope, no way. ]

Everyone has a role to play....

[ And these are extremely...specific missions. What's the train's goal? Why did it choose him?

Maybe that's something so veiled in mystery there's no point in thinking about it. But Ken can't help but believe he'll get something out of continuing to investigate that, too. ]

[blitzcheer]

Well-- Orange did that too! [ he says, as if he totally should assure Wormmon he's Team Helpful too!! ] One mission they found a way to stop all the bad stuff happening to an island, but then the rest of us had to go to different places too!

It's a team effort!

[ See Wormmon, see? ]

[ramengroupie]

A team....

[ All the teams....are one BIG team....?

Wormmon thinks he gets it. ] A team is good! Right, Ken-chan?

....Right.

[ Is it running away to not want to think about how this makes him slightly nervous? Ken knows the value of working alongside others. It's given him so much. He treasures those moments.

Perhaps he's gotten complacent, used to people he can be himself with freely. Orange Team is surely full of others for whom he won't be a burden.

All the teams seem to be. Which means, to his not-teammate but trainmate: ] We'll be in your care.

[blitzcheer]

That's the spirit! [ Tidus slips in, to the verdict on teams. Giving this guy his moment to speak, though the wording is a little odd to him. But Tidus smiles regardless. ]

Sure! You need anything, lemme know. Or, uh, if you can't find me, the ICPs work. You read about them?

[ Or maybe a good question is, does he know what they are? What's tech like in his world? ....but that's way longer and more complicated. ]

[ramengroupie]

Ah, those are the terminals that work somewhat like smartphones, right? [ Ken lifts the leaflet. ] They're mentioned.

[ Though if people are from all different kinds of worlds, perhaps "smartphone" is going to be a hangup, too....

Not for the first time today, Ken feels the lack of his. Not in an "addicted-millennial" way, but, uh. His is custom.

His evolves his partner. ]

[blitzcheer]

Yeah, like a phone! [ Since, well, he got that word. ] 'Cept you gotta use them where the screens are, and you can't take them around. And, everyone's gonna hear you.

[ Everryooone. ]

... So more of a megaphone, I guess. Or intercom? Those things.

[ramengroupie]

Group communication, but not private.

[ ...In these close of quarters, though, perhaps even a personal call wouldn't have been private anyway. ]

[blitzcheer]

Private is not the train's motto. [ So, yep. ] You can get some one on one calls on mission though, whatever that's worth.

[ramengroupie]

[ It really does want to facilitate its missions....

And the idea of that little privacy is a bit - disconcerting, though Ken can't put his finger on why. Even though he's closed the emotional distance between himself and many people, a physical distance had still existed - is that why? Because he lives in a different part of town than all of his friends?

In any case, it sounds like he'll have plenty of time to interrogate that feeling until he understands it. Ken nods along. ] This has been helpful. I appreciate it.

....Though.

[ This is such a bizarrely specific question. Should he even ask it?

Wormmon can sense thoughts like "should I bother", by this point. He rests his chin on Ken's head. ] It's okay, Ken-chan.

[blitzcheer]

[ Tidus himself isn't the kind of guy to usually let go or not nudge a hesitant question when it presents himself. But with Wormmon going first- ]

Yeah, what's up? [ Support nudges! Not real physical ones, of course. ]

[ramengroupie]

Something [ most signs point to "the train", as mentioned, but Ken has also been to worlds where mindset determined outfit ] replaced our clothing and supplies. It prepared a survival kit, but...

[ Oh, this. Wormmon bobs his head before resting the side of it against Ken's hair. He also wants to know this. ]

Is arriving without key items - typical?

[blitzcheer]

Keys...? [ Literal keys? He wonders, but despite the confusion there- ] You don't get whatever clothes you had, 'cept sometimes? It's weird... you get something, and it's usually just the one thing.

I got my necklace when I came here, but nothing else. [ Not that he had much left - what did he even have, at that point? ] So if you had your own bag and gear, that's gone. I mean, you can probably ask for it back...

...Actually, I never thought about doing that. [ Huh. Would he get his bag back if he asked? ]

[ramengroupie]

We can ask for things back?

[ Then, his Digivice....you'd think that would be his one thing....

Was Wormmon his one thing? Seems rather cruel to Wormmon, to consider him an object.... ]

Hooray! I'm going to be able to evolve!

[ Ken isn't celebrating just yet. He wants the information first. ]