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

[consider8]

Eight was inwardly squeeing at the show.

And takes a moment before addressing the guy without facing him. "So is what's making you angry about getting abducted or not being able to leave?"

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Eh, both. I'm used to it, I got stuck in a heaven for a while before I was here. Thing is, that was better, and that's coming from a DEMON." A demon book, even!

[consider8]

"A demon, huh?" Eight played with the word. Was it possible that this book was a demon? Considering everything else she's seen -- a human that became a weapon for heaven, a strange mechanical disk -- there was even a girl that was running around that looked like she was made of metal! It wasn't like she was in any position to be doubtful...

Well, all but one thing. "Demons aren't exactly known for being trustworthy. Or loyal."

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Hey, you actually get it!" At last, someone who immediately knew what to make of a demon! He got so tired of explaining the whole 'evil' thing. "But we're also supremely self-centered and self-interested, and that takes precedence. It's smarter for me to work with others than not in this case."

[consider8]

She can see the logic in that, only... "What keeps you from being self-interested against your allies after you get what you want?" It's simple logic... and perhaps, the most dangerous. Eight can understand helping for the community as one becomes a part of that through collaboration... what the book was proposing seemed short-sighted and prone to betrayal.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Short answer is that it's a terrible precedent. Doing that puts everyone against you. I may be the strongest Overlord there is, but that doesn't mean I want to do all the ruling over every inch of my Netherworld because I have no vassals or loyal servants. I'm evil, not stupid." Or rather, he was definitely stupid, but not an incompetent Overlord.

[consider8]

Makes sense. But she wasn't about to tell him that. "So you reach out to get allies now, escape, and then go your own separate ways?"

That was almost... fair. "Are you sure you are a demon?"

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"I'm totally a demon! If I was in my proper body, you wouldn't doubt it! Like I said, it's purely self-interest!"

He'd swear that endlessly, no matter HOW many times his actions disproved it!

[consider8]

Eight shook her head. "You are either too nice to be a demon, or it would be foolish of me to trust you at your word."

She shrugged. "Either way, your words and actions are very perplexing." Like looking at an ice cream dish covered in ketchup.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Yeah, well, I'm the most badass Overlord in the freaking cosmos, I'm stuck in a book, I got trapped in heaven and became a god, and now I'm on this train forced to play hero, so..." Zetta would shrug if he could. "What's NORMAL for that situation? I'm pretty sure we don't have a baseline here."

[consider8]

"What's NORMAL is that you are a liar, and a bad one at that." I mean really. What sort of pony-in-the-sky place would make a crazy book a god? Please.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"What the --?! A liar?!" Everything else he'd endured without complaint, but THIS accusation had him drawing himself up indignantly. "Demons may be notorious liars, but not a word I've spoken has been one! No one here is worth the effort of me deceiving them, including you!"

[consider8]

Ohh...? she wasn't expecting that as she had mostly just expressed disdain. That... was an interesting reaction.

...

She wanted to push this a little. "...which makes the mind wonder why you would say such things."

[badassfreakingoverlord]

Zetta had very strong feelings about being taken seriously, all the worsened from a very long run now of people doubting his power and ability.

"Uh, which things?"

[consider8]

"That you are a demon. And a god. And a benefactor. And a sinner, too, I bet." She smirked, mostly a show of bravado than any genuine emotion. "And to me, a lowly Octarian."

"There is no reason to lie, so why would you want to say such things?"

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Because I was making the point that nothing around here was normal!" How had he lost control of this conversation?! "Your perception of demons would normally be pretty good, but this is not normal at all, so that's why I'm not going down the total-betrayal route."

[consider8]

"The what?" That made no sense.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"You know, like you were saying, where I use you all to get what I want and then turn on you just because I can. Which I'm not doing. But you know, it's bad politics to do that as a rule anyway. Overlords especially need vassals they can rely on to do their jobs."

Not 'trust', of course.

[consider8]

...yeah, she reminds her greatly of the Overlord-like leader from back home. Not that she had any reason to doubt his sincerity -- if anything, the fact that he was seeking help from outside the people that he was used to spoke highly of how open he was. But still, she had already had enough of vassalage to want to go to be living under another one.

"I may be new, but I am not seeking another lord to follow." She gives a soft wave to the prinnies before standing up and directly addressing the book. "I do hope that we can still work together, despite that."

She looked at him intently, curious how he will respond to that proclomation.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Then just stay out of my way," Zetta huffed. She was, of course, making a mistake, but Zetta was used to everyone making that same mistake. Fools! They could have all been home by now!

[consider8]

Passably neutral. Interesting.

She'll have to keep an eye on this one.