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

[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. ]

[blitzcheer]

[ Tidus blinks at Wormmon with confusion - evolve? - but Ken-chan asked a question. ]

Oh yeah, but you have to get points for it. Don't ask how we earn them - I know chores don't get you many, and the better way to earn them is with missions! But you just missed the one for this month, and to be honest, even that's up in the air how many you'll get.

[ He raises his hands with that up in the air, but not as high as that. Who knew how anything was decided around here? ]

What're you thinking about? [ A look up at Wormmon. ] You lose something?

[ramengroupie]

Ken-chan's Digivice.

[ Wormmon tries to indicate smartphone-size. Given the scale at which he's built, it requires a leg for each corner. ]

It's the symbol of our partnership. When we have it, I can become bigger and stronger!

[ Ken lets the back of his head process what Tidus said, since the conversation is continuing. (An unpredictable points system...) ]

I was surprised to be summoned without it. It's not that we can't do things on our own, but...

[ Well, it's as Wormmon said. Life is not all about utility and worth, but when you've been summoned to investigate and help people out, being able to turn your small bug into a large bug increases your options. ]

[blitzcheer]

[ ...that sure is an oversized caterpillar trying to visualise for him a Thing he's never seen!

But the description helps fine - thing that makes the creature thing do things better, got it - and he scratches the back of his head at Ken-chan's confusion. ]

It takes the clothes we were wearing too, right? Not a long it won't take at that point. [ But he pauses, asks- ] He's gonna be okay without it?

[ Oh wait. Let him look at Wormmon. ] --Are you?

[ramengroupie]

Um.... [ Wormmon tilts his head, then says cheerfully: ]

I don't know!

You don't?!

[ This is apparently news to Ken, too. He starts. ]

[blitzcheer]

Huh... [ Well. That's worrisome!


Tidus folds his arms. ]

...if he'd be in danger, I don't think the train would let him be without it. I'm pretty sure. The train covers that.

[ A small beat, and awkwardly: ] It did for me. My, uh... watch helps me.

[ He raises the SCA. ]

[ramengroupie]

This...?

[ Ken hasn't examined his own much yet. He looks it over. Wormmon peers down too, reaching with a tentative claw.

Poke. Poke poke poke. ]

It doesn't do anything.

[ ....neither does a Digivice until you need it to, Wormmon.... ]

[blitzcheer]

It doesn't really do anything. But if you needed something about your other thing to be alright, I think that would do the job. Somehow.

I don't really get it. [ He waves a hand quickly. ] Just, you don't have to worry!

[ramengroupie]

I see. That's a relief.

[ Ken grins. Maybe Wormmon will be able to evolve, maybe he won't. But he should at least remain stable - come to think of it, Wormmon hasn't started losing energy, and that's a good sign.

Plus, if these devices are looking out for all of them... ]

For you, too.

[blitzcheer]

Thanks. [ He says it awkwardly, unused to speaking about it, and it's weird to hear remarked on, even positively. Let's just brush by that, right...!? ]

Well- I'll leave you two to look around. It's a long walk from the bedrooms to the kitchen, but the Spider helps everyone to the dining car in the morning, so you don't have to worry about the morning walk!

[ Got it. Normal thing to share. ]

[ramengroupie]

...Spider.....?

[ Smol New Bug has apparently not yet met the Grand High Bug. ]

[blitzcheer]

Oh. Yeah, Spider! She's a giant spider. She hangs out in the dressing car. She's cool.

Her upper half looks like a girl [ let him make a gesture up ] but then her bottom half's a spider. [ and dooown goes his hand. ]

She's quiet, but she can make clothes if you want 'em. And she likes reading comics.

[ Your Spider Facts For The Day. ]

[ramengroupie]

[ Wormmon looks dismayed. ]

Ken-chan, that sounds like--

[ The description does, yes, but the similarities end there. So Ken only double-takes half a second. ]

--I see. I'll look for her.

[ When she does her helping-people-for-mealtimes thing. And confirm it's not....who they're both thinking of. Though Ken has a hard time imagining that person making clothes or reading comics.

.....Or being quiet. ]

[blitzcheer]

[ He looks curiously at Wormmon. But, with that said... ]

Well, I'll let you get going so you can explore the train more. Dressing car's right after the bedroom cars. You'll know it by all the cobwebs.

[ramengroupie]

Thanks. [ Ken grins. ] I'll go look.

Bye for now!

[ Time to cling to Ken-chan's head nice and snug. Being a hat is a better way to get around than crawling, because Ken-chan's legs have gotten so long.

Wormmon can't keep up otherwise! ]