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

[irrationally]

It should be fine as long as you're not a noisy sleeper. Or particularly annoying.

[ But there doesn't seem to be much cause to worry about the latter so far. Siebren seems normal enough, she supposes - or at least not annoying.

She steps away from the door and over to her own bunk in case the guy wants to come in. The bunk Alice is sitting on has a particularly worn-looking rabbit plush sitting on it. ]

And I suppose I could answer some questions, if you end up having any along the way.

[namethattune]

Do let me know if you find me to be either.

[She steps aside, and he heads in. Not much to write home about in the room, but assigned quarters often have that air about them. It seems whoever put his name on the door did not extend their planning to assigning specific bunks. Hm.]

I have one for you now, if you do not mind: which bunk is mine?

[He may have missed an assignment, or he may have just handed her the power to make the decision; it matters little in the interests of keeping the peace.]

[irrationally]

[ Wow, Siebren, what's this? Someone actually willing to listen to complaints and feedback?

Sure, he got points docked for being an adult man, but at least he is getting a very tiny portion of those points back just for that fact. As long as he can turn out to live up to his willingness to take criticm into account, anyway. ]

Hm?

[ The question snaps her out of the thought, glancing between the man and the buks. ]

Well, this is mine, and the other girl I met did seem very eager to take the other bottom bunk the moment I told her she could. [ Nike's odd overenthusiasm about that was.. something, alright. ] So you could take either of the top bunks, as long as you can fit up there.

[ Look, his height has not gone unnoticed by her. It'd be pretty hard to not notice somehow. ]

[namethattune]

[Tempers flare easily in small spaces, which means any argument has the potential to blow up in turn; better to present oneself as willing to negotiate up front and avoid issues later on. There are hills Siebren is willing to die on, but "which bunk is mine" is certainly not one of them. He nods, picks the bunk above the currently-empty bed - the one another, yet-unknown roommate had claimed - and stows his bag in the storage next to it.]

This is not my first time fitting into tight quarters, and I doubt it will be my last.

[The ISS had certainly been tight quarters as well, and Siebren had given up on the idea of being able to sit up in bed when he'd first gone into space. It is an old habit, but easily revived. He pulls himself into the top bunk, rolls over, and  - ah, yes, it's long enough to fit him. Good - that had certainly been a concern. He turns to face Alice, propping himself up a bit.]

I believe this will work out.

[irrationally]

Good.

[ Because the last thing she needs is a roommate throwing a fit over bunk assignments. Granted, Siebren currently seems like he's at the very bottom of the list of "person most likely to throw a tantrum" in this room, but who knows. He's a man. There's very little trust by default.

Alice picks up her rabbit plush, staring down at it rather than up at Siebren as she speaks. ]

You seem rather unfazed by this entire situation. [ Look, she can't help but be curious! Most people are a lot more annoying confused and upset by the whole situation than this. ]

[namethattune]

To be honest, I am rather excited.

[He cannot help but smile; he has had some time to think about this since his arrival on the platform, and his exploration of the train has only cemented his opinion.]

You see, multiverse theory is only a theory where I am from, but being here - meeting you and the rest of our teammates, and being on this train - proves that not only is multiverse theory true, but that there are also methods to successfully traverse dimensions. It seems no one quite knows how it all works yet, but that means there is work do be done, discoveries to be made - I cannot wait to start!

[He lights up as he talks. Congratulations, Alice; your new roommate is a weirdo scientist.]

[irrationally]

[ At this point Alice has heard many, many opinions on getting stuck on this train.

Being excited isn’t... quite one of them. It doesn’t make her look super shocked, since Alice isn’t easily fazed, but there is a hint of a slight surprise in her eyes when she looks over at Siebren. ]

Is that so marvelous to you? I already traveled to a different world when I was only seven. [ She says, as if it’s just something totally normal. ] Not to mention that younger version of me was actually here on the train alongside me until a little while ago.

[namethattune]

[Siebren has, on more than one occasion, been described as quirky or odd. Having an out of the ordinary reaction to odd new circumstances is simply more of the same for him. He nods.]

It is! Is dimensional travel commonplace in your world as well?

[A number of the other passengers he has spoken with have said the same; evidently there is much to be said for dimensional differences. Speaking of which:]

Fascinating. And no time paradox occurred?

[He has no idea if time paradoxes are even possible in this dimension, but that will not stop him from asking.]

[irrationally]

I wouldn't say it's common. [ Despite the way Alice talks about it, apparently. But she's well aware what most people would call her for describing her travels to Wonderland - especially back home. ] But it's a regular thing for me.

[ But while that's an easy question to answer and at the same time information she doesn't mind sharing, the other thing he's asking seems to make her think more. ]

Besides that.. well, I am not quite sure what would happen in the case of a 'time paradox'. [ Alice sure is no scientist. She has no idea what it's supposed to mean. ]