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

.......realisation they are... basically... pokeballs....

[marriedanidiot]

"They sound almost like Eva's pokeballs, although hers only work for pokemon, as I understand it."

She nods.

"Does weight become a factor?"

Sorry Wangji, the Noldor like to use SCIENCE as distraction.

hee

[achickenformylove]

"I see. Then it might be more similar to a spirit capture bag. Those are made for holding spirits which a qiankun pouch would not be able to do."

He thought about that for a moment. "Perhaps, but not noticably. I carry my guqin in it here and I do not notice a large difference from when it is in the bag compared to when it is not."

It's fine. He's going to just keep going with it since it seems to be helping.

[marriedanidiot]

"Except that as I understand it the pokeballs hold the whole pokemon. I do wonder how it's done. A spirit would be... well. Technically smaller. At least, they have less mass, I suppose. Could you fit more than one in a bag?"

It is absolutely helping. For now, anyway. At the least, it's distracting from her grief.

[achickenformylove]

"Yes, that is true. A spirit capture bag can only hold souls or spiritual matter. The qiankun pouch can hold material items, but I would not subject something living to it. More than one spirit in a bag? I wouldn't recommend it. The souls we have used these bags for have been quite damaged. Having two together might cause more damage."

Distractions were good. She had done the same for him so he will return the favor.

[marriedanidiot]

"Oh dear, yes I can see how that would be a problem. Are you able to mend spirits then? That is a high Art indeed!"

[achickenformylove]

"It is an art form of its own. It requires patience and care from someone who carried for the person in life. Even then it is not guaranteed. I doubt I would be able to do it for most cases."

[marriedanidiot]

"I am glad such a high Art has practitioners amongst your folk." She agrees.

"Amongst mine, the disciples of the Lady of Mourning and the Lady of Rest are considered the greatest of healers, for wounds to the fea, the... soul, the spirit - are much harder to mend than wounds to the flesh, and although to do both is ever a healers call, tis a hard road to walk."

[achickenformylove]

"It does. There are not many who would try it."

It was important though to give those badly damaged souls peace.

"They are doing good work. Even if it is harder."

[marriedanidiot]

"It was never my calling." She nods. "But we honor those who choose it."

She smiles quietly.

"It is good to here that even in distant worlds and disparate lands, such things are still valued."

[achickenformylove]

"I am not a healer either." But their work was important. He would never doubt that.

"Yes, it is good that it seems many worlds also value taking care of others."

[marriedanidiot]

"It would be a sad world indeed that did not."

She sighs softly.

"I suppose that is why few truly refuse the missions we are offered."

A chance to help. To feel less useless.

[achickenformylove]

"I suppose so. It seems that this is what the train is counting on."

Luckily there weren't too many people who refused to assist.

"It is good to have met so many kind people."

[marriedanidiot]

"And it has so far succeeded more often than it fails." She agrees.

"Although I am sure some just participate from boredom!"

[achickenformylove]

"I'm sure."

He could think of at least one.

"Still, they are assisting as long as they are not harming anyone."

[marriedanidiot]

"True! I know there are those who ... mm, who proclaim themselves as 'Evil'. But so far we have had no troubles, and I am very glad."

She thinks... very little of the so called Demon Lord. Compared to what she has known, he's... not exactly impressive.

[achickenformylove]

"There has been one in those I know from home, but I think he is having a change of heart."

Or at least he was behaving himself more as far as WangJi could tell.

[marriedanidiot]

"Ah?" She frowns a little worriedly.

"Well, so long as he is not causing trouble here... we have enough to worry about as it is!"

[achickenformylove]

"He has not caused trouble as of recently."

He was not going to reveal this was the person who had the train in an uproar a few months back by killing someone else from their world. If he was proving to not be a threat, no reason to keep announcing what he had done.

[marriedanidiot]

"Good." She murmurs.

"May he stay that way, Valar Valuvar! We do not need more trouble."

[achickenformylove]

"No, we do not. I certainly hope he has taken that lesson to heart."

So far, he seemed to have, but that remained to be seen in the long term.

[marriedanidiot]

"People sometimes just need the right motivation to learn." She murmurs.

"Perhaps he has found his."

[achickenformylove]

"I hope that he has found a reason to change. He will be more likely to keep the changes if he has a reason other than to appease the train and the other passengers."

[marriedanidiot]

"Even so."

She huffs, and smiles - wry and sad and knowing.

"Some are very stubborn. Tis not until they suffer the loss of all they hold dear and know it to be at their own doing that they learn. So it was for my Feanaro."

For what jewel did the greatest of the Noldor hold more dear than any than his sons, who destroyed themselves for his sake while he could do nothing.

[achickenformylove]

"Yes, I think that is what he suffered in consequence to his previous actions."

He reached over to put his hand over hers at the mention of her husband again.

[marriedanidiot]

She smiles faintly at him and squeezes his hand in acceptance.

"I hope he has indeed learnt then. Some lessons are ... too painful."