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

[strawberryprotector]

Ichigo hummed a little at that. "Well, forgive me for saying so, but you do look a bit malnourished. It's not really a surprise that you don't have much energy. Were you born blind or did it happen later on?" He guided Xingchen over the transition between two cars as they entered the medical car on the way toward the kitchen. "Right now we're passing through the medical car, you can usually find me here. There are two levels, too. Down here are exam rooms, upstairs are recovery rooms where someone who is wounded or sick can stay to rest."

[feixuehua]

"Malnourished? Do you think so? I don't have much of an appetite these days. I apologize. There's nothing wrong with the train food. In fact, it was much better than the food back home." Where food was bought from the farmers in the market on the streets, and his diet consists of little meat and vegetables, as he couldn't afford much, and being blind, the market people tend to take advantage of him.

He follows his friend along, learning to let go of fear and learning to trust. Walking by his side slowly through the corridor of the train.

"Oh...my eyes." There's a long pause, wanting to give him a safer answer of what really happened. "It happened later on due to an accident." He nods at his direction. He'll remember Ichigo's description of the car, memorizing later.

"Are you a healer...? Working in medicine?" His knowledge of medicine and technology is basic and limited at best.

[strawberryprotector]

"In my world I am a student of medicine, working to become a doctor. Which is the equivalent to a healer, I suppose. There is a far more experienced healer in the medical car that I do defer to, Wen Qing." Ichigo explained, leading his friend along.

"Have you been eating just very small amounts for a long time? If you get used to very small meals, your stomach can shrink down and make it hard to eat a proper portion. And also if you haven't been getting the right nutrients, your body will start stealing what it needs for your more critical functions from your less critical ones. That could be a contributing factor to your exhaustion and lack of appetite.

"I have read in some of my textbooks that losing your sight either as a child or as an adult if you were born sighted can mess up your circadian rhythm. It's the natural rhythm in your body that helps you stay awake during the day and sleep at night, and not being able to see the visual cues from ambient lights can cause that to go wonky."

[feixuehua]

Wen Qing. He never met the woman, but the surname makes him wonder if she is related to the Wen Sect and if she comes from his homeworld. "I think it's wonderful to be a doctor and healer. You're helping people and healing them."

He becomes quiet for a while. He's amazed at his knowledge on medicine, that he's really listening and taking his advice. "I see." He said with much wonder at his knowledge. "I apologize. I'm...I'm trying to eat, but there's a lot on my mind. I'll try to eat." If he could find his will to do so. "The train food isn't something I'm used to back home, so it will take a while to get used to it, but the train food is very good."

He follows him in slow steps through the long corridor of the carriage, " I did eat in small amounts in the past. I didn't make much money where I was from. Some day, when I was working in the village, I helped people for free, thinking it's the right thing to do as long I help those less fortunate. So on most days, it's fruits and vegetables, and very little rice and sometimes soup and meat if I'm lucky. There's a home I share with just A-Qing and Xue Yang. We're not starving, but I made little money to make ends meet."

[strawberryprotector]

"A-Qing and Xue Yang, huh? We have passengers by those names here on the train, if I recall correctly. And there's no shame in starting with small meals. We can make sure you eat more balanced meals, with healthy fats in them to help you get used to eating more. Snacking between meals can also help with that."

Ichigo hummed a little at the comment about being a doctor and smiled, though he knew Xingchen couldn't see it. "My father is a doctor, and runs a clinic that is attached to our house, so I've grown up around medicine my whole life. I enjoy helping people and looking after others, so following in his footsteps seemed like the perfect career choice for me."

[feixuehua]

"Mm. I know they're here. They're my family and my company in a way. Or I'm a part of their family. A-Qing is like my daughter and Xue Yang is...an acquaintance of sorts." And leaves it at that.

But he is very interested in his advice and takes it to the heart. "Goodness, doctor. You made me realized I wasn't paying attention to my own health. I know you said no shame, but sometimes I don't think of eating at all since I tend to worry a lot. I came from a different world where money and food are scarce. I'll try to eat better in good health then. I had been taught in my sect to eat healthy and they do encourage fruits and vegetables."

Hearing his story about his father and following in his father's footsteps is very touching. "If your father sees you now, he'll be very proud."

[strawberryprotector]

"I can work on getting a diet plan for you to follow that should help you get back to eating normal portions again." Guiding Xingchen across the gap between cars, Ichigo snorted softly in amusement. "If my father were here, he'd attack me to test my reflexes. He thinks it's an appropriate form of greeting for me."

[feixuehua]

"I would like that, Ichigo. I may need someone to read it out for me and see the food in front of me." He said as he follows him from car to car, minding his step over the gap.

"Why would your father attack you? Is he concerned that he wanted to train you?"

[strawberryprotector]

"Do you know how to read braille? I can try and print it in that for you."

The question about his father made Ichigo shrug a little. "I guess he thought it would prepare me for fighting corrupted spirits called hollows. He knew I would need to eventually."

[feixuehua]

"No, not yet. A-Qing mentioned about it several times. You're too kind to do such a thing for me, so I'll appreciate that."

He follows where Ichigo is taking him. "There are spirits in your world? I'm a Daoist priest, so my sword can detected the living dead. So dealing with the undead was my specialty."

[strawberryprotector]

"Well, blindness shouldn't mean you're completely cut off from the world around you." As far as he knew, that was why braille was invented.

"Oh yeah, tons. There's one on the train named Grimmjow. He's pretty surly, and sometimes he's downright mean. But he has the capacity to be a good guy." Deep, deep, deep down. Probably.