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

"I honestly don't know if it's always like that," Gen told her, with an apologetic expression. "This is the first time I've seen them leave, of course. I hope they're at least all returning home?"

What other options were there? Some other place they'd be held against their will? It's not as if someone could follow them to see, it seemed.

"It's what most have claimed at the least," Yuume answers calmly. She'd rather not entertain thoughts on any alternatives there. "...Though I suppose now my thesis will be...late..." she mutters, frowning. Very...very late...

"Ah, you're a student," Gen wondered what it said about the train's passengers that such an ... ordinary thing was unusual in its kidnapped victims. He smiled sympathetically. "At least I can say - so far as we've been told! - time isn't passing back at home. Of course, I've no way to know that for sure ..."

"I am- archaeology and ancient history," she chuckles, nodding. "Though that isn't to say I won't be useful on these missions, if that's a worry...it's a little complicated..." Ah.

"Is that what the theory is? ...I wonder how they came to that conclusion then, if we don't have any way to check..."

"I'm just a performer!" Gen laughed softly too. "Not even half as educated as any university student would be, regardless of their major. So I know how you feel, my dear, about feeling a little like dead weight at times."

Gen shrugged. "Whenever I see something strange that science can't explain - on the train, the answer often is magic. As fantastic as that sounds! If someone believes time stands still at home, I'd imagine that is how they knew."

"Ahh, a performer?" Well, she looks happy to hear that at least. "I would still say that requires a fair amount of skill though, doesn't it? to be able to act and perform...at the very least I definitely can't say I'm capable of doing the same very well.."

Still, she nods. "Mnn. Magic does sound like an answer that makes sense...the trouble I imagine would be differing realm's laws for it..." Ah, but that aside. "I don't know if I want to simply go off someone believing it to be the case though...hmm..."

"On the contrary - you're required to be open to new information, to learn it, to study, to pay attention and take notes, and as an archaeologist ... you need to remember a lot of dates and information about very obscure things!" Gen smiled at her. "That's also a skill, that many don't have."

Gen nodded, sympathetically. "Well, as I'm only just learning magic for the first time now - the sort of magic you see in fantasy stories, anyway - I don't have really a way to check with my own two eyes. So we just have to trust others!"

... Which is something Gen really didn't do, but he wouldn't be truthful about that. There's only one person he truly trusted on this train.

"Ahhh...it's really not that much..." she insists, smiling at the compliment nonetheless.

The smile soon fades though. "Mnnn...I'm not sure how much I'd want to trust another's word on something like that without some more concrete proof... ...I suppose we don't have much choice but all the same..."

"I know how you feel," Gen said lightly, but unlike many things he said, it was true. It was deeply, deeply difficult for him to trust what someone else said, especially some stranger. "But, perhaps it's something you could research, here? If you found out a definitive answer - I'm sure tons of people would appreciate hearing it."

"You do bring a good point...I'm not sure how my methods will be of much use here, but I can at the least try my best." The woman chuckles, albeit quietly. "Thank you for the suggestion though, neh?"

"You're quite welcome," Gen told her with a warm smile. "My name is Asagiri Gen, by the way. It's a pleasure meeting you."

"Souryuu Yuume," she introduces in kind, nodding. "And likewise. From what I've heard we won't likely see each other on the field, but I look forward to working with you all the same." Purple team and all, she'll be busy elsewhere she's certain.

"There's no forced assignments, once we're on mission - you'll be free to pick whatever catches your interest," Gen told her, reassuring almost. "So perhaps I will end up lending you a hand, or vice versa. Certainly, if you find yourself ever needing help, don't hesitate to reach out. We're all in this together."

"Is that so?" Ah, well then. In that case, she gives a somewhat more assured nod. "Then I suppose we'll have to see, neh?"

"We'll just have to see," Gen agreed with a smile.

A New Platform [Intro Post October]

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