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

[winterforecast]

...ugh, maybe you have a point.

[She backs away, absentmindedly scratching some fluff out of her hair.]

Really wish I could do more than just tear these things up, nya. Not nearly as satisfying as taking on a live opponent. [And around this time of day was generally when she sparred with Dokja, too, but like hell was she telling a stranger that.]

[shadowslipping]

Hahahaa...that seems to be the general agreement with anyone who's had a true spar before, [Yuume admits, smiling empathetically. Alexis ultimately looks about the age of most new recruits for the Doctor and Officer field, so she's more inclined to encourage safe combat practice than discourage it over all.

Mmmm speaking of that though...] Mmmm...I haven't gotten anything better to wear for that kind of thing but...if you need an opponent, I could set up a field for that...

[winterforecast]

Oh, nya?

[Judging by Alexis's dilating eyes, rapidly swishing tail, and claws, she would ADORE an opponent. Trying to play it cool is of no use.]

[shadowslipping]

[Yuume smiles- she can see the tail and eyes, after all. So, moving back toward the wall, she flexes her glove hand.]

Just one moment- I need to make sure that this...

[A pause, and as she settles it over the wall there is a 'wave'- a faint, vaguely visible film moves out from the glove to coat the area, and she nods, shadows warping and leaping around herself to form her familiar armor.]

Aha- good, that's in place. I don't expect you to have the same reaction that others from my home would, when a field is triggered...but this will reverse any damage the environment sustains, [She explains, smiling behind the face mask. Setting her goggles off from her eyes and onto her hat, the expression is more clear.]

So holding back shouldn't be an issue now, neh?

[winterforecast]

[The moment Yuume casually mentions that, Alexis is in motion. A wave of cold washes over the training room, chilling Yuume to the bone, and with a sweep of her arm she summons a half-dozen icicles, each one easily the size of Alexis herself, and flings them at Yuume.

Alexis skates across the frozen floor with lightning speed as the icicles hurtle towards Yuume, circling around behind her to wildly slash at her opponent with intensity that speaks of an indiscriminant bloodlust.]

[shadowslipping]

[The blade comes out immediately, acting as an impromptu shield- in the same motion she sinks into the shadows, skirting off to the side and swinging through the ice.] Hmhmhmhmhm...a strong start..!

[But that won't stop her from pursuing Alexis in turn!]

[winterforecast]

[Alexis's grin grows only more ferocious as it sinks in that she's finally found prey that fights back (it's no fun unless they struggle, after all). She meets Yuume head-on, sheathing her arms in a thick layer of ice armor as she casually goes to bat the sword aside with the back of her hand-

Only to discover that she is not, in fact, as far above Yuume's level as she thought she was, and she stumbles as she just barely manages to redirect the blow. She stumbles back, taking a moment to recover.

And in that moment, three Snow Fairies silently materialize behind Yuume, take aim with their fingers, and fire beams of icy energy at her back.]

[shadowslipping]

[The thing that Alexis is going to find rather soon is that for all that Yuume is tied to a 'Raven', she is no mere middle-chain animal to be preyed upon.

The Raven is very much a predator on its own. A whirl of the cape, and dropping 'limp', Yuume sinks into the shadows just in time for the beams to strike fabric but little else. Yet again she swims as a shark through the water, honed in upon the 'blood' of the target.

Rather than the blade however, it is a kick that surfaces to strike in Alexis' direction.]

[winterforecast]

[As Yuume swims through shadows, she may notice that she feels... heavier. More solid than usual as the cloak frosts over, the ice slowly sapping Yuume's "magic" away.

When Yuume lashes out with a kick, Alexis slides to the side, grabs her leg, and attempts to pull Yuume upward as she dives forward, aiming a punch right where she's guessing the rest of Yuume's body will emerge.]

[shadowslipping]

[Hmmm. That's never grand. Well, if Alexis is going to play it like that, she'll have to improvise. First, the cloak is clipped off, fading into the dark around her. Then.

Then she swims down. She swims deep, gathering the momentum.

And then she launches upward, her own fist raised to meet what soon swiftly grows clearer in view above the shadows.

Speedy thing come out, Alexis-!]

[winterforecast]

[Really, there's only one thing to do in this situation.

Alexis slams her head forward past Yuume's fist in a headbutt, snapping her jaws in an attempt to rip Yuume's face off with her fangs as the follow-up.]

[shadowslipping]

[Oh dear.

Well, fortunately, she ducks. Further fortunate is that she did that instead of grabbing her sword as instinct said; Alexis will meet cloth and metal goggles, while the punching hand moves to instead grab at Alexis herself.

NOPE!]

[winterforecast]

[Alexis stumbles back to try and avoid Yuume's grabbing hand, but it finds purchase on her lapel. Alexis is firmly in her opponent's grip.

But Yuume is also in hers.

Alexis pulls her own arms back and wraps her hands around Yuume's, attempting to flash-freeze her arm.]

[shadowslipping]

[Well, suffice to say she's not going to be holding on forever! She whirls around, slamming Alexis toward the ground- or perhaps the shadows? It'll be far harder for her to freeze anything in there, in Yuume's domain!]

[winterforecast]

[Alexis goes down and goes down hard, kicking and clawing and scratching and biting and as her heel slams into the ground, a pillar of ice erupts at an angle to slam into Yuume's stomach.]

[shadowslipping]

G-OH!

[Well that certainly throws her back- though now they're both sort of in the void. Alexis can certainly get out if she tries hard enough- it's like swimming in molasses, ultimately. But she might not have to, as Yuume darts forward to launch her back out and up toward the ceiling.] HHHHAAAAUH!