voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post October]

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Xingchen is sitting close-by, but he won't be able to hear Senku speaking to him. For one thing, he has the headphones on and for another, if he looks closely, the man has a blindfold wrapped around his eyes, so he isn't watching the movie.

He is listening to the movie with audio-caption on. However, Senku merely has to tap him on the arm or some other to capture his attention.

That was quite a predicament actually, he hadn't considered that the other man couldn't hear him with the headset on, in fact, he rather thought he might be being ignored.

He wasn't the type to interrupt, he didn't like people in his space, so he didn't enter other people's spaces, so he would settle in to watch the movie instead, slouched lazily in the chair.

Senku might try later though, at the end of the movie. If Xingchen didn't take the headphones off, he would finally reach over and poke his arm slightly.

"Hey."

By the time Senku poke him on the arm, Xingchen was lightly dozing off. Something about movies and listening only on audio just puts him to sleep, since unable to see and just hear, it takes half of the fun of enjoying movies.

He woke up with a stir and slowly lifts the headset off. "Hello? Who is there?"

"Didn't mean to startle you. I'm Senku. I'm wondering if you mind if I pick something." He responded, getting to the point, in case he doesn't want to be disturbed.

He listens carefully and turns to his voice, in his direction. "Senku. It's nice to meet you. I don't mind at all if you tell me what you're going to do. I finished the movie now. Considering, I can't see."

"I'm not going to do anything strange, just find something else to watch." He commented as he went over to look at the selection.

"Anything I should avoid? Something you're not interested in?"

At his question, "Oh, you meant the movies? I think the horror type movies are terrible. The movies about the bugs, they're terrible. I couldn't stand even listening mid-way."

He sighed, "I mean, the stories are not interesting. The more interesting ones are the singing animals and where the animals are heroes."

"Movies about bugs, and horror films...singing animals?" He blinked. "Like children's movies? I'm not sure there's much like that in here, then again I like documentaries so..." He shrugged, he wasn't judging.

He brightens a bit, those movies met his approval. "Yes, the children movies. I like those better than the others. The documentaries are good, I learned a lot from those. Do you have a favorite yourself?"

"Children's shows? Doraemon, actually." Senku mused thoughtfully, although he hadn't seen that in forever.

"As for documentaries, I prefer things about space the most."

"Ah, space." Tilting his head. "Doraemon?" What a strange name. There are so many titles to learn. "Are they showing that on board and what's the show about?"

"Doesn't look like it." Senku answered and he huffed, showing a bit of annoyance. "Doesn't look like they have any documentaries on here either."

It made him a lot less interested in watching something since when he was bored he preferred to learn, but he supposed he could look for a children's movie instead then.

"Doraemon was an anime about a robot cat that went back in time to look after a boy and they had all kinds of adventures. He was always pulling out some invention or another." It wasn't at all a representation of what his life was like.

"There's a film about cats engaging in a singing battle of some kind, if that works for you."

"Oh...that. That would have been interesting." Well, no, not really. He will only hear them, and his mind can only imagine so much, so all he sees is darkness in his mind.

"Cats works for me." He remembered what a cat looks like, so it will be easier to imagine singing cats. Just that he imagines real cats singing and not cartoon versions. "Thanks."

"No problem. I'm mostly in here because I'm bored, so I don't need to be that invested I guess. I watched movies because my dad wanted me to." Senku responded with a bit of a shrug as he set it up. "I'm getting closer to you." He advised him before taking his seat a bit away from him, but still.

Xingchen sat still and nodded as he comes closer, curious what he wanted, sensing somebody, his hearing adjust to the sounds of someone getting up, sitting close to him on the chair next to him.

"I won't stay for long. I'll get up and be on my way to the dining car."

"That's fine, don't let me keep you if you're busy. I'm just passing the time in here I guess." Senku shrugged a little bit. He wouldn't mind the company, of course, but if he was alone that was fine too.

A New Platform [Intro Post October]

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