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

[marriedanidiot]

She nods, breathes, and musters enough strength to try and stand.

"We should... go inside." She murmurs.

There are too many people on the platform.

[achickenformylove]

"Yes, let's go back inside."

When she made a move to stand, he would help her. He was certainly strong enough to not struggle even in the slightest, but he was too polite to simply move a woman unless she was so completely unable to move.

[marriedanidiot]

She's almost frail, leaning against his arms as he helps her up. There's something almost insubstantial about her, as if her spirit no longer grips properly its flesh.

But she manages something close to a smile, for him.

"Thank you, Wangji. You... are very kind."

[achickenformylove]

He feels that she is much weaker than normal. It was sad, but of all people could understand what it felt like. He kept his arm around her securely to keep her up and help her walk.

"You are welcome."

He helped her to the nearest car with seating so that she could sit in a chair. "I'm sure the rabbits would enjoy a friend today."

He's not the best at emotions, but he does know small fluffy creatures are comforting. Especially ones that would sit patiently in a lap for petting.

[marriedanidiot]

"I think I would like to see them today as well."

She murmurs, sinking into the chair with relief.

"I will be alright." She reassures him. "It... will just take a little while."

[achickenformylove]

"Of course. I understand." It had taken him a while to feel better when WuXian and Sizhui had disappeared from the train before departing.

"Would you like to go see the rabbits now? Or would you like me to bring one to you?"

Nice thing about rabbits... highly portable.

[marriedanidiot]

She nods.

"I would, if you could bring them?"

She should probably try and make it to the garden soon, but...

"I don't know if I can get that far right now."

[achickenformylove]

"Of course. I will be back momentarily."

WangJi left her long enough to go to the greenhouse. He didn't run but he did walk quicker than normal. This was important. He returned presently with Little Rabbit in his arms. Having been on the train the longer of the two, Little Rabbit was pretty much immune to the crowds of platform day. He would be the better one to sit with her.

"Here. I brought Little Rabbit."

And he would pass the rabbit to her when she was ready.

[marriedanidiot]

She's shivering again when he returns, but she smiles at him when he returns.

"Thank you, my dear. Hello little one." She murmurs fondly, accepting the rabbit and bringing it up to nuzzle.

[achickenformylove]

Little Rabbit squirmed a little at first being passed over since rabbits didn't really like their feet not on the ground, but he settled quickly when she nuzzled him. Cuddle times were a go.

"Do you need a cloak?" WangJi asked, seeing that she was shivering.

[marriedanidiot]

She considers this.

"I... it might help. It's... not a physical cold, technically."

Her spirit is just literally trying to yank itself free of her body to follow Feanor out of the gate, that's all.

[achickenformylove]

Yeah... all perfectly normal there.

"Of course."

And he retrieved his qiankun pouch from inside his robes and pulled out a cloak. Yes, he was just carrying that around with him... But he took it and carefully draped it around her while Little Rabbit snuggled.

[marriedanidiot]

She chuffs a soft laugh.

"That pouch of yours is terribly useful."

Little Rabbit is a warm, breathing presence close against her heart, and his concern is more warming still.

[achickenformylove]

He smiled faintly. "Yes, it is. We carry a lot of our supplies in them when we are on night hunts."

And it had been snowing on the platform once before so he had thought that it might be useful... just not for this.

Little Rabbit snuggled, making faint happy rabbit sounds as his nose wiggled.

[marriedanidiot]

"It is... " breathe, Nerdanel, say it. "Probably good Feanaro never saw them. He would want to replicate it."

[achickenformylove]

WangJi sat down next to her, reaching over to put his hand on her shoulder. "Perhaps. There are many already who want them."

[marriedanidiot]

"It is clearly very useful."

She smiles thanks for his hand, and leans a little into the touch.

"To be able to carry much in such a small space! Why that would lessen many a burden."

[achickenformylove]

He said nothing, just kept his hand there as she leaned into it. He figured she needed that right now. Just like she needed to hold Little Rabbit.

"It does. I can carry my guqin in it when I choose not to have it with me. Many cultivators will keep clean robes and other supplies."

[marriedanidiot]

She is grateful for that hand!

"Can you carry food as well?" She asks curiously.

[achickenformylove]

"We can. But we cannot carry living beings in a qiankun pouch. Something that is no longer living can be carried."

So no rabbit in the bag.

[marriedanidiot]

"I suppose something living might not really like being squashed down into a small dark space, either."

She smiles wryly.

"It there a limit?"

[achickenformylove]

"Not likely. It is probably not a hospitable environment."

Not that he has been tempted actually find out. That would be weird.

"Perhaps. There is a lot of space that becomes available with them it is hard to measure."

.......realisation they are... basically... pokeballs....

[marriedanidiot]

"They sound almost like Eva's pokeballs, although hers only work for pokemon, as I understand it."

She nods.

"Does weight become a factor?"

Sorry Wangji, the Noldor like to use SCIENCE as distraction.

hee

[achickenformylove]

"I see. Then it might be more similar to a spirit capture bag. Those are made for holding spirits which a qiankun pouch would not be able to do."

He thought about that for a moment. "Perhaps, but not noticably. I carry my guqin in it here and I do not notice a large difference from when it is in the bag compared to when it is not."

It's fine. He's going to just keep going with it since it seems to be helping.

[marriedanidiot]

"Except that as I understand it the pokeballs hold the whole pokemon. I do wonder how it's done. A spirit would be... well. Technically smaller. At least, they have less mass, I suppose. Could you fit more than one in a bag?"

It is absolutely helping. For now, anyway. At the least, it's distracting from her grief.