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]

That was informative, but Eight wasn't sure what she was informed of was something she wanted to be informed of...

Well, that was a bit rude, really the whole thing was weird. And a talking book? This show was definitely one of the oddest things she had ever seen, and was definitely not fresh.

...

The "prinnies" were cute though, and she would gladly give them her attention.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

The Prinnies were all in favor of attention, crowding around her and waving their hellos happily.

Zetta cleared his throat over that. "Hey! Hey you! Are you an octopus, or a kidtopus... you know what, that doesn't work at all." He trailed off, thinking fast, then tried again. "Hey you, are you a juvenile or rocking cephalopod style?"

[consider8]

She heard him but wasn't sure she wanted to talk to the loud book just yet. Instead she took a moment to kneel down and rub two of the prinnies on the head, and starts to talk to them instead.

"When you have a moment, tell that loud book that I am an octoling." She looking at the three penguin-things. "What are you three?"

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Uh, that's a little rude."

Prinnies didn't care though; the middle one said brightly, "We're Prinnies, dood! That was totally in the song."

[consider8]

Eight laughed. "Oh, that's right... sorry." Then, as way of an apology... to the prinnies, and perhaps to answer the Overlord's question...

"If it helps, I am an Octoling. It doesn't look like there are very many of us around." She still... wasn't directly looking at the book yet.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"News to me, but that's how it goes around here." Though Zetta kept speaking, the Prinnies still were jockeying for attention. "Hmph. Well, welcome to the stupid train."

[consider8]

Eight allowed herself to pull herself away from the not-penguins to give Zetta a side glance.

"Is it really that bad?"

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Crammed in with a bunch of dumbasses against everyone's will? Yeah, it's worse." But Zetta tried to avoid swearing quite as outrageously as he'd want to, since that would really mess up the whole T-for-Teen thing.

[consider8]

Hmpf. She returned her attention to the Prinnies. She props her hands on her knees and watch them... well, be prinnies, mostly. "I suppose anyone who isn't you is a dumbass, then?"

He seemed the type. In a way he reminded her of her boss, DJ Octavio...

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Naw, there are some okay people on the train." Just a couple, really, but that wasn't so bad given the circumstances.

One of the Prinnies just began pirouetting on one peg-leg, because it could. Another offered Eight a flower, bashfully kicking at the ground and blushing.

[consider8]

"So aside from spreading the message of our mutual misery, what else is it that you do?"

One of Eight's hair tentacles clued in how much she is enjoying the performance as the tip is spinning in a lazy circle in sync with the Prinnie's spin. The flower itself was delightfully gathered and now tucked upper her left ear, which contrasts nicely to the bright magenta.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Channel my energies to escaping this place, of course. All I need to do is conquer a Netherworld, but that isn't as easy as I'd like it when the train is zooming through the void between worlds ninety-five percent of the time." Seriously, could it just stay put for like ten seconds?

[consider8]

"So that song was for recruitment?" Not... very effective if that was a case. Too theatrical and self-important. Even DJ Octavio's music was something you could march in place to.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Right. I was pretty clear in it that I'm the only one who gives a crap about getting us out of here, right? Everyone else just sits and accepts it!" By his definitions anyway! "What better pitch than that?"

[consider8]

She finally stopped and gave him a direct, clear look. "Well, there's the end of the platform, right? Go on. Leave."

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Yeah. That's right. Every single person here is just too dumb to walk away." The book slumped, an expression of infinite weariness on its features. "Super. You've saved everyone."

[consider8]

"Yes. If it was so simple to leave then it would have been done, yes? I don't think there is many that would willingly follow their captor's demands." Well, aside from her but that wouldn't really strengthen her argument...

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Yeah. Good luck even staying on the platform when the thing wants to go." Even Zetta hadn't tried to push his luck there.

[consider8]

"What happens if you do?"

That seemed like the easiest way to leave, to be honest.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"If you can find out, do us all a favor and tell us."

That was the state of things -- no one had managed. That creeping feeling of urgency and dread ended up overwhelming everyone in the end...

[consider8]

"No thanks." For two reasons. Not only was Eight not opposed to following orders, but she was also not one to ignore her feelings. And her feeling said that Zetta wasn't going to be a good source of information.

So she's back to playing with the prinnies, her tentacles spinning in small circles to see if she could get the other two to twirl.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

Now Eight had three Prinnies spinning pirouettes for her amusement.

"Exactly," Zetta said, as if she wasn't trying to ignore him. "You'll see when the time hits and you start getting the urge to get on the train. But you can't leave the station anyway, so it's not like you win whatever path you take."

[consider8]

Eight was inwardly squeeing at the show.

And takes a moment before addressing the guy without facing him. "So is what's making you angry about getting abducted or not being able to leave?"

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Eh, both. I'm used to it, I got stuck in a heaven for a while before I was here. Thing is, that was better, and that's coming from a DEMON." A demon book, even!

[consider8]

"A demon, huh?" Eight played with the word. Was it possible that this book was a demon? Considering everything else she's seen -- a human that became a weapon for heaven, a strange mechanical disk -- there was even a girl that was running around that looked like she was made of metal! It wasn't like she was in any position to be doubtful...

Well, all but one thing. "Demons aren't exactly known for being trustworthy. Or loyal."