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

[death_from_above]

He leaned into the scritches. "Why do I keep winding up with people who have guilt complexes? he asked, shifting closer for easier petting. "I'm sure lots of people are also to blame."

[purifyings]

There may be a light laugh at his response as she takes his cue to give him more scratches. She'll concentrate on spreading around the back of his head next with a small smile, "I don't know. Could be of your form? Most people feel most at ease around cute animals. Admitting things they don't normally admit." It was their own special ability!

So when they mention it is a possibility being other people's faults, Nike will pause to ponder on it before shaking her head, "...there were many different factors, but in the end, it was my existence that was the key needed to get the ball rolling." Looking to the side, she couldn't help wonder, "Sometimes I wonder if I just listened to my grandmother, then maybe...it could've all been avoided." At the very least, if she had just let things well-enough alone, then maybe......Nike can't help wonder if she made the right or wrong choice, not when it'll mean to discredit the things she had experienced.

Shaking her head a bit more, she'll end up returning to petting her new acquaintance, wondering, "Is there a way to get fish around here? I wouldn't mind trying to find some for you."

[death_from_above]

"The kitchen, lots of fish there. And lots of bad things happened because of this person or that person existing, but if no one existed, how would I ever get fish?"

[purifyings]

"The kitchen, huh? You'll have to show me the way," responded Nike with the same weak, friendly smile until overhearing their next words. Ah. It was such a short sentence, and yet it held a lot of knowledge. A snort may just escape as she pondered on it, "I see, I see! Good or bad, you'll accept anyone who offers you fish, huh?"

Not to make him sound materialistic or anything, she'll add, "That's a positive way to look at it. Everyone's existence is important. I agree." Even her existence has some meaning to it now that she is a guardian spirit. All of her struggles and setbacks were preparing her for it -- to help extend the life of her world. Even if it meant abandoning her humanity and all those she cherishes.

[death_from_above]

He started leading. "This way to the kitchen! And one of my humans, Dominic, he keeps trying to help people see all the good they do by existing. He's just like that."

[purifyings]

She'll happily follow after her new friend without a second thought especially when he begins to talk about his....friend? Is that how cats refer to their friends?

"Dominic, huh?" repeated Nike while a smile forms on her lips, "He sounds like a good person if he's able to do that. What kind of person is he? How does he look like?"

[death_from_above]

"He's an oracle, and a Seer. So mostly he looks like this," he glanced back and squinted up his eyes in an imitation. Which could be taken as an answer that was somewhat serious or like an answer that was a pun. Kind of like "Walk this way" could be either sort of an order...

[purifyings]

"I don't know what an oracle is," confesses Nike since she never did pay attention to any of the classes concerning theology in her Queen's training, but she did recognize the word "seer". "Can your friend speak with spirits? I know a seer uses their abilities from what the spirits of nature or the dead tell them to help predict the future," began to explain Nike after remembering her grandmother's stories over the matter.

It was hard not to laugh a little at the cat's antics, but she'll gladly follow them without question.

[death_from_above]

"Sure, he's always up for a spirited debate." Bright feline smile.