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

[shadowslipping]

"Both- it certainly wouldn't look like it, but I can't deny that's how it feels," she answers. "It's a little better than what most people assume though at least..."

They just say she's melting...

[stillnewatthis]

"A brief analysis indicated no obvious difference between your dissolution and the surrounding shadows. But then, I was not exactly prepared for such an analysis!" Perpetually cheerful, Orisa shrugged. "I am very curious but not a scientific omnic, so I likely cannot make any conclusions."

[shadowslipping]

"None at all? I've admittedly wondered..." Well! "If you're not built for science, that's fairly impressive already then- as you said, it wasn't an analysis you were prepared to make neh?"

[stillnewatthis]

"It is nothing more than you could do with your sensory organs," Orisa said, a little bashful at getting such an unwarranted compliment. "That would be like observing I am an omnic!"

[shadowslipping]

"You say that, but I didn't know that was the term after all- so I couldn't exactly make that observation neh?"

Yuume is unfortunately the master of making more compliments!

[stillnewatthis]

"I have not met anyone else who does," Orisa mused, a finger to where a mouth would be if she actually had one. "That is very surprising when it is so common on Earth."

[shadowslipping]

"Is that so..? ...Just what does 'omnic' refer to then? Would it be any sentient robotic being..?"

At the very least, Orisa sure seems sentient!

[stillnewatthis]

"That is correct, although degrees of sapience can vary based on the intelligence and programming of the omnic in question." Needing to explain this was still strange, but she was getting used to it.

[shadowslipping]

Well, if it means much it at least seems more like she's nodding to confirm if anything. "I see...that sounds like 'machine' types from home in my case then... ...Ah, in any case then, it's good to meet you! I imagine it's been fairly challenging with the train as it is..."

You're so large Orisa...

[stillnewatthis]

"I cannot complain. It has been challenging for everyone." Said the robot who had managed to get stuck in the doors between carriages. "We adapt and improve!"

[shadowslipping]

"Exactly..! Ah..." Oh right did they. Actually introduce themselves? She imagines not. "Ah...since we'll undoubtedly be working together in some way, I should introduce myself, neh? Yuume Souryuu- it's a pleasure to meet you."

[stillnewatthis]

"My name is Orisa." She offered up her single hand for a shake, as was proper. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well!"

[shadowslipping]

Ah! In that case, a shake is what Orisa will receive. "Orisa then- I look forward to working with you, neh? Ahh...though I suppose we may not be on the same teams..."

[stillnewatthis]

"That does not matter. We will still work together, here and elsewhere."

Orisa was an optimist.

[shadowslipping]

Ahhh, that's the spirit! "Then I look forward to it, in that case..~! Now- if it's alright, I'm going back under- I hope to explore the rest of this train before it's time to eat, so that I don't have to disturb anyone with questions," she admits.

[stillnewatthis]

"Do not worry. People are used to others asking questions. But I wish you the best of luck in your exploration!" Orisa waved, a faintly odd-looking gesture because of how her wrist shifted without her arm doing so.

[shadowslipping]

"I'll keep that in mind then," she replies- though she truly hopes she doesn't have to inconvenience anyone... "Until then-"

With that, she's into the shadow, and out from under the other side of Orisa- making her way to the rest of the train.