voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post October]

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Xingchen took his seat, and with his guidance, held onto the table. He tilted his head, curious. "What's going to happen? The train is leaving now?"

Listening to the PA overheard. Well, he can't read for reasons. But he'll take the advice to remain seated during the departure.

The train moves with a sudden jerk and lurches as the train moves. He can't see the change in the environment outside, but the train is moving as he remains seated.

When there's some stability, Roland stands and resumes a spot next to Xingchen.

"Welcome to the void. Officially. Not too dizzy?"

He can feel the train moving as he's seated next to Roland.

"Not dizzy. At least, the train is moving now. But what is the void? I can't see nor understand. Where is the train heading to?"

Aha, that was going to be a bit more difficult to explain. But now on the move, at least they can take their time.

"Hm. We don't know." Simply said, though he elaborates quickly, steadily. It is an answer for both questions - what the void is, and where they're headed.

"The final destination is a mystery to everyone. But...we were taken to assist in saving other worlds from peril. This train will stop every couple of weeks to disembark us in planets that need aid." He pauses there for now, waits for that information to settle. On its own, already heavy.

With a thoughtful look, "A mystery you say." Being blind, it's hard to imagine what he's describing, and because of the cause of his blindness and death, it's a heavy feeling of guilt and regret sitting in his chest.

"Planets...? Forgive me. I can't imagine if other worlds existed since I can't see. I came from a simple world or what is simple to most." He tries to smile however a forced one with pain. "How many worlds have you seen and visit? What do they look like?"

"No worries at all. I'll do my best to help." He's earnest-sounding enough about it that there's little to no room to doubt his intentions. He takes up a seat again, right where he was when the train jolted to life moments ago, before speaking.

"Personally, I've been to three different worlds since I boarded this train. But on our mission logs, the oldest passengers have landed on about ten different worlds in total. They can range from the most fantastic places your imagination can think about, like a world that has people living underground, or a planet covered in snow. But they can be simple too, like a planet that's mostly outdoors and for having a holiday by the seaside."

Roland hopes he's painting a vivid enough picture for Xingchen. He's been described as charismatic, but not quite the colorful storyteller.

Xingchen couldn't imagine it. He tries. He still feels the pain and hurt from the cause of his death, with the evidence of the thin-looking scar across the left side of his neck, and he's only boarded the train in the last few hours, so it felt like yesterday to him since he's back on his home world. He listens carefully. It sounds wonderful and too good to be true.

He has many questions, but he felt alive and it felt like waking from a fitful, restless sleep. For now, he's only absorbing the information and Roland did a wonderful job describing the world as a colorful picture. "That sounds wonderful. I wish I could see it."

Maybe he will, once he finds the will to stay present. For now, he's tired and sag into the cushion seat.

"You don't mind if I sleep for a while here? It has been a day and already I'm exhausted."

Ah.

Roland stands and ever so gently touches his shoulder, with perhaps enough of a firm grip to help keep him upright. Leans in just a little closer so it isn't too much of a burden on Xingchen to listen to what he has to say from where he sits.

"Xingchen, if you sleep here, you'll wake up at your cabin. That's...the way the train works, I'm afraid." And honestly, why put yourself through such discomfort? He shakes his head. "Do you think you have enough energy to walk with me to where your assigned bed is? I'll just need to see your ticket, if that's okay?"

At the nudge, he stays awake. It has been a trying day considering how he arrived here and what he remembered last was traumatic. "Oh, I'm sorry for troubling you. I think I can walk if you can lead me to my room."

At his question, "I think I was given a ticket?" He searched his pocket. He is unable to read it and he shows him the ticket paper. "Is this the one?" On his ticket is his assigned cabin room number.

The ticket may have had braille on it, but considering the universality of such things, how tricky it can get on the voidtrecker, Roland won't assume right away. "Thank you." Cabin 3:B. A little closer to his own, but that meant a farther walk to the other end of the train. He offers him a worried glance.

"Your cabin is a bit on the far side. Will you still be okay to make the trip? If not, I can maybe drop you off by the Medical car where there are beds to sleep in. Better than napping upright here." He offers, just wanting to make life a bit easier for the newcomers onboard. Especially when they seemed so tired...But who could blame them?

He's not able to read the braille on his ticket yet. He's very touched by his concern. He's not sure whether to take the offer of sleeping in the bed in the medical car since he is new and trying to become familiar, so he maybe a little timid right now to ask.

"I think I'll be all right. I just need a bed to sleep in for a little while." He smiles a little bit, "It has been a long day, so thank you for the help."

For now, once he's introduced to his cabin room, he'll be taking a rest in there.

A New Platform [Intro Post October]

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