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

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin turns to her and sees the tears in her eyes. She's new, so she's not grieving for any of the Void Warriors who are leaving, and thus it must be something else.

"It is very difficult to say goodbye," he agrees. "Especially to my father. You don't need to apologize for interrupting." He gestures toward the turnstyle, where the people are swiftly vanishing as they walk through it. The steam and fog envelope them and they are all gone, as though they had never been here at all.

"You had to leave your home without saying goodbye? I am sorry for you, then. Yes, would you sing your song? I'd appreciate it." He smiles through his tears.

[purifyings]

The way those people left will remind her of the way she appeared -- being surrounded by a thick blanket of fog. Nike could, while all at once, could not believe her eyes. But for the time being, she'll return her attention to the individual by her side, realizing,

"You're close to your father." Why did it sound as though she wasn't close to her own? To be fair, she did love her father while all at once she wasn't raised by him. "Do you come from a large or small family?" asked next, trying to erase her earlier statement.

With a somewhat wary smile, Nike will simply nod, "....unfortunately. It was for the good of my country and my family. I left....hoping it'd hurt less, but a lot of misunderstandings were formed." Like brainwashing her fiance, kidnapping her, and other issues. But she will brighten up a bit, "I can. I hope it'll help as much as it did me when it was sung to me." Even if it may not hold the same sentimental value, being she was singing to a complete stranger, but she was going to put her entire heart into the performance.

[so_dark_a_road]

The fog seems a metaphor for leaving, whether one's own world or another.

"Yes, I am close to my father. Always was, but it seems particularly lucky that we met again once more, on this very odd train. We were able to sort out a few issues that plagued us while we were in our own world, before my father's death in that place. I am grieved to lose him now, even as I was then. As for the size of my family, it was definitely large. My parents had seven sons, so I have six brothers. Two of them were here for a little while, Maedhros and Maglor. And since my grandfather Finwë was married twice, my father has two half-brothers, Fingolfin and Finarfin, my half-uncles. They both had children too, so I have seven cousins as well. One of them is here on the train, Uncle Fingolfins's oldest son, Fingon." He paused, and then asked, "What is your family like? You could tell me after you sing."

And he listened to the song. Nike's voice was high and sweet, and the song was lovely and wistful.

"That's beautiful," he said softly, when she was finished. "And it's a song of love and care. I like that very much. Thank you for singing." A fitting farewell to all of the departed.

[purifyings]

It was difficult to not smile after learning more about his family. She had to mentally imagine and try to connect it all to understand the size of it. Nike couldn't help find it very nostalgic! Their family tree seems to be very similar in scope of size.

After her song, it was hard not to feel sheepish by his words, she'll never get used to being complimented by her singing, "No problem! I was happy to help. To pass on what my grandmother has taught me." Her own grandmother sang the song to her in the ancient language. It was ten times more beautiful than her own interpretation.

"As for my family, I'm the youngest child. I have three older sisters and a cousin I consider to be like my older brother. We were all raised by my grandmother," began to explain Nike about her upbringing before continuing, "My mother is the queen of our kingdom. She's an energetic and very charismatic, but a sickly person. My father dedicates all of his time to support her in every way. Due to that, my grandmother had to take the mantel as both my mother and father figure while being my teacher all at the same time." Only her two oldest sisters were able to be raised by their parents for the most part while Kara and Nike had to be raised by other people. She will continue, "My family is rather large. One of my uncles acts as our family physician, many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins help keep the palace in order alongside the volunteers willing to help us out. Our country is rather poor, but everyone is happy. There is no army nor do we enlist others. My family and I are more than capable to be the only lines of defense to help give everyone a piece of mind."

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin would have given her an even more glowing accolade for her song than he already had, but he didn't want to embarrass her.

He listened to her description of her family. "Your family sounds energetic in general! And yes, a big clan, very nice to grow up in such a community. I'm sure you miss them all. I like that idea of everyone in your country being happy even if poor. And that you and your family are willing to be the defenders; that I can understand from experience. When you left your home without saying goodbye, if you're talking about when the Voidtrecker Express summoned you, of course that's not your fault. And maybe someday, you'll return and be able to tell them it was not your choice and that you missed them."

He suddenly realized he'd forgotten his manners. "Oh, by the way, I'm Curufin Fëanorion. Team Orange."

[purifyings]

"You aren't wrong! Everyone is very lively with their own eccentricities. We are all accepting of one another and willing to help whenever needed," began to explain Nike while realizing there were some lies to her words. She couldn't help be reminded of the time her family ignored and shunned her and Kitora because they weren't able to summon the weather. They could both sense the world, just not use its power. It isn't until Nike was able to unlock her powers that everyone became more accepting of her and her cousin. Unfortunately, Kitora was never able to unlock his powers but was able to use his intelligence by becoming an engineer.

Nike may avoid the topic of being unable to say good-bye though. There is still a lot of baggage to go through and think about. A lot to consider and a lot of things to unload. It was still too soon and too much.

Instead, she will concentrate on the introductions, a smile growing, "I'm Nike Lemercier! It's nice to meet you, Curufin." As for the mention of the team, she'll notice the color he was wearing before comparing to what she had on, "...I guess I'm in Team Blue...right?"

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin would understand that, that a family that is so loving and concerned could occasionally be rejecting because someone didn't live up to the norms of the family, or for some other reason. It had happened in his own clan.

Yes, a lot of emotional baggage can be invoked by a sudden departure!

"Pleased to meet you, Nike Lemercier! Yes, you're Team Blue. The train always makes sure that new passengers are wearing a hoodie in the color of the team they'll be joining. What sort of skills or abilities do you have? The train tends to assign us to a team that needs our skills."

[purifyings]

A hoodie? Was he talking about the strange jacket design she was currently wearing? It had to be because the shirt underneath it didn't have a hood. She wants to guess the word "hoodie" was a cute nickname.

But his next set of questions and explanations will catch her attention. What does he mean by the train assigning colors based on skill? What was the train? It couldn't be the metal contraption in front of her? Whatever the case, he asked a question, may as well answer, "I'm pretty good in using a knife, I have high accuracy in throwing darts, I'm pretty good in a fistfight, and can use magic."

All very vague responses, she admits, so she will begin to explain about her magic, "My abilities are a sacred ritual passed down in my family. Everyone has the ability to sense the voices and feelings of nature, spirits, and of the living. It gives us the power to create a song to summon and control the weather and wind. Not just that, we could use the help of those living in an unknown area, for the caster, to better synchronize as well. We call those rain partners."

There was more to her abilities, but for the time being, decided it may be too much to explain in one go without learning the fundamentals. Most people have a difficult time understanding the light version of her explanations. Then again, there weren't many spiritual individuals in her world, outside of her family and nation.

"Does it help in ringing any bells over the reason I was assigned to this team," asked Nike next, wondering if it'll help in any way to figure something out.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin nodded and smiled. "That sounds like a set of skills Blue Team can use."

He liked her description of her magic abilities and the source from which they flow. "A weather-controller, eh? I'm sure your team will benefit from that ability."

Curufn's own Elvish culture could be considered to have a spiritual approach to living, with many magical skills and a great love of nature and a profound connection to it. Also, the power of song is one the Elves have and understand well.

"I still don't know why the train assigns people to one team or another. I can make a guess, based on the type of assignments a team tends to get, but those assignments are not one-hundred percent consistent. Nor are the type of people the team gets always the same."

[purifyings]

The compliment over her abilities will gain a sheepish smile out of her. Looking down, she'll nod her head, "...hopefully. I don't know what to expect, but I'll try my best!"

It was all she could do. In all honesty, this was the first she was hearing about teams and helping one another. Her mind was still believing she will be able to accomplish her guardian spirit duties.

But when she heard their next explanation, Nike will wonder, "What kind of assignments were your team given? Do you know any my team has done?"

[so_dark_a_road]

"I'm sure you'll try your best. None of us really knows what to expect until we get to a particular mission planet."

The teams were important. They did work hard at helping each other to their goals.

"Team Orange typically gets assignments that involve technology, often we have to figure out how to repair something or to help the natives of a planet to repair something. But sometimes we get to fight, too. Blue Team seems to get assignments that involve figuring out a mystery, but they, too, may get one that involves fighting."