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

A

[recurrens]

Homura doesn’t look over at him, continuing to survey the world around them. “No.”

She’s lived the past month over and over, time and time again, and never once has she shown up here. There was something about this timeline, or this place that was… different.

She finally turns and glances over at him. “I assume you don’t either.” She’s not sure if that makes things worse, or better.

[forleaving]

He shook his head. "No, sorry." He'd been hoping someone else would know. "Were you..." also kidnapped? "-Did you just end up here, too?"

Kidnapped or kidnapper were the only options he could come up with right now, and he wasn't about to go around accusing anyone of being a kidnapper until he knew more. Not because it was rude, but because it could be dangerous.

[recurrens]

She nods. “Yes. I was…” in the middle of battle, fighting against the one Witch she’s never been able to defeat. She looks away. “... in the middle of something important.”

And now she’s here. The change is jarring, so much so that, for a second there, she thought she well and truly lost the battle.

[forleaving]

"Sorry you're here, then." It wasn't his fault in the slightest, but he felt compelled to apologize. He was maybe too polite sometimes.

"Do you think people will come looking for you?" Was there a chance of a rescue being on the way? He doubted anyone except Ronan would come looking for him.

[recurrens]

It takes Homura a long moment to answer, but when she does, all she says is, “no.”

Madoka, maybe. But before she went off to battle, she had told Madoka everything. She might just think Homura jumped timelines again, and that’s why she couldn’t find her.

She’s not sure if it’s better this way or not. She certainly wouldn’t want Madoka to follow her here, wherever here may be.

[forleaving]

Adam considered that quietly for a moment. "I guess we'll just have to work extra hard to get out of here on our own then," he said. If they would be able to work together in groups, it would be even better, but it wouldn't be the first time he'd dealt with problems on his own.

[recurrens]

It’s not the first time Homura’s had to deal with problems on her own, either. If anything, she’s overly practiced on working alone -- she’s had to be. But she’s not the only one in this situation, this time.

She nods in agreement, then turns to him fully. “Akemi Homura,” she introduces herself with a bow.

[forleaving]

He started to hold out his hand, but then she bowed and he pulled back. "Adam Parrish," he said, a little bit of his Virginian accent creeping into his voice, "It's nice to meet you." Considering the circumstances, at least. It would have been a lot nicer if they both hadn't been kidnapped.