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

[ramengroupie]

"Yeah!"

Says Wormmon, and promptly drops a crayon, which rolls over to Romeo. Wormmon has done so well at finding green and purple that if it's an art supply on the train, and it comes in green and purple......Wormmon is currently carrying it in his top two legs. And barely holding on.

Ken's origami creation now looks like some sort of...diamond? And he's playing with the folds. The most interesting part is about to happen....

[myblueskies]

Romeo picked up the crayon with a smile, Wormmon has found so many colours! He's a very smart creature.

He keeps watching Ken with a grin, "It looks like you can't fold anymore, mister Ken!"

[ramengroupie]

"Almost," Ken agrees. This...and then this....And then, when he pries the results apart.....bends this down...

Behold! The folded-up diamond has unfurled into a crane!

Ken sets it down, pleased the texture and thickness of the paper hadn't gotten in the way. Wormmon giggles, and looks expectantly at Romeo.

It's cool, right? It's cool. Ken-chan is just the COOLEST. Him and his....geriatric old Japanese man hobbies.

[myblueskies]

"Wow!"

Romeo's reaction is one of awe. "That's so amazing! You made a crane! Those are really really tricky to make!

[And it had only taken one go, rather than lots and lots. Ken really is amazing!

He nods at Wormmon.] Ken is really cool! And we are going to make the coolest sign!

[ramengroupie]

The coolest sign.....Wormmon thrills at this. He waddles all his art supplies over to Romeo, and makes a Bold Statement.

"I want to write Ken-chan's name!"

This is a Bold Statement because Wormmon sucks at writing. He can read (most things - Ken-chan is studying some very tricky books in college!) but fine motor skills are not, let us say, his strong suit.

Ken silently colors a little in appreciation - he's been folding cranes for quite some time, but he supposes it's more impressive if you haven't had this hobby for eight years, isn't it? Thanks for the perspective, Romeo - and sets this crane aside to begin making another. He's not artistic, so this is what he can do.

And if Wormmon is trying hard enough to want to do some of the writing, Ken has to do the same.

[myblueskies]

Romeo grinned and handed over a whole handful of green colouring tools that he had been gathering.

"Okay Wormmon! Do you know how to write it?" He tried to think how to write Ken, he thinks he knows it. It's not a tricky name!

He starts finding purples for Wormmons name and then some other colours, he's not sure what colour the other names should be.

[ramengroupie]

"I do! I can write 'Ichijouji Ken'"!

Probably. No, definitely! He will write 'Ichijouji Ken' no matter what. He knows the characters, so he just has to....make the writing implement do what he wants it to. He can do this. For Ken-chan!

What would he have the easiest time using? Some of these are so big. Having less of a stick to move around would be easier....

Wormmon arms himself with a giant green crayon and waddles up to the paper.

"I'm gonna put it at the top, okay?"

That will be the most helpful place for it, because anyone looking at this sign will definitely be most interested in learning that Ichijouji Ken sleeps here. Wormmon feels certain of this.

[myblueskies]

"Okay! That's a great idea!"

Ken right at the top, Romeo agrees with Wormmon. That's the best idea!

Clearly Ken is really important to Wormmon and Romeo understands what it is like to have someone that important.

He also has every faith in Wormmon's skill in writing Ken's name!

[ramengroupie]

"Hee heeee."

Okay, everybody watch him! Right up here at the tippy-top of the paper, Wormmon's going to do it. I...chi.......

....Huh? The crayon is wobbling. Writing is hard. But Wormmon must not give up. He wants to know HE'S the one who wrote Ken-chan's name! And if he does this, it'll make Ken-chan happy, too!

The lines are turning out all shaky, though. And Wormmon has to go veerrrrryyy slowly.

"Wormmon."

Wormmon looks over. Ken smiles.

"It looks good."

SUDDENLY, WORMMON CAN WRITE MUCH MORE STEADILY!

[myblueskies]

That's a very wobbly crayon! But Romeo has faith in Wormmon! Wormmon wants to write Ken's name so badly so it is impossible that he will fail! They are such good friends it can't go wrong!

Then Ken says Wormmon's name and tells him he is doing a good job and Wormmon can write so much better! Because that's how much they are friends!

It makes Romeo beam so happily to see their friendship, it is such a wonderful thing. There must be nothing that these two can't do together!

It makes his heart sing and he just watches them both, a huge smile on his face.

[ramengroupie]

Ken notices Romeo watching. This is sort of unfair to Romeo, isn't it. While Wormmon is working on the top half of the sign....

Though he'd better be sure he isn't assuming things.

"Did you want to work on the sign too?" he asks. If all Romeo wanted to be was a supporter, he can't very well instruct the boy to get to work, but....

[myblueskies]

"If Wormmon wants help I can help him! I know how to write lots of words! I know all my letters."

But Wormmon is working so hard and is doing such a good job!

[ramengroupie]

"I'm okay. You can write some other names!"

Wormmon thinks. Who else is in their sleeping car....?

"One is Adam. And the Professor!"

And one other person, but two is good for starters, right? These are the two Wormmon knows, so Ken-chan can provide the final name. Wormmon still doesn't remember all the fancy words in the Professor's full name, either, but one look at him and you CLEARLY know he is a Professor, so maybe that'll be okay...?

....Oh, no. Wormmon made "Ichijouji" too big.

HE IS RUNNING OUT OF ROOM FOR "KEN".

[myblueskies]

"I can write those!" In what colour though, that is the question! There are so many good colours to chose from and he doesn't know Adam or Professor at all! So he doesn't know what they might like...

It's a bit decision and he glances at the poster to see Wormmon's problem.

"Maybe you should put 'Ken' on the line under it!"

[ramengroupie]

"Oh. I could."

And that means he can write "Ken" EXTRA BIG!

The person in question has now finished three cranes and is taking a break to watch Art burst forth. Everyone is going to be able to see his name....the moment they pass through the carriage....

But Wormmon is so intent. Both "Ken is embarrassed by this sign" and "Wormmon is proud of this sign" are true. Ken doesn't have to deny one to feel the other. And he can choose how he acts on those feelings.

"Do you want your name to be big, too?"

"That's okay. We have to fit all the other people."

Wormmon is done! Now everyone will immediately know that someone named

"Ichijouji
Ken"

sleeps in carriage 3-D.

[myblueskies]

"That's so good Wormmon! Now everyone will know mister Ken lives in the room!" And some people on the train put their names the other way round, so this way is better as everyone will know that Ken's name is Ken!

Now that Wormmon has finished his task Romeo gets to work writing.

Adam

[ramengroupie]

Wormmon watches, impressed. "You're fast."

....Which, from Wormmon's perspective, is indeed an accurate sentiment.

Ken is also thinking about surnames, but for a different reason. Romeo has yet to be given some necessary information. "His last name is Parrish. Two Rs."

It wouldn't be fair to be the only person on the sign with a last name.

[myblueskies]

Romeo grinned at that, "That's 'cause I practised a lot!" He had hardly been able to read or write at all when he had first went to the heavens and now he could read really big books and write lots of words!

"Oh thank you, mister Ken!"

He can write that, he thinks about letters for a moment before adding the second name.

[ramengroupie]

Ken-chan is so thoughtful! Wormmon will have to try to be thoughtful, too.

So: "Ken-chan, what's the Professor's name? He has one, right? The fancy thing on the sign."

"'Waver Velvet, Lord El-Melloi II.'"

Though...Ken thinks about this. Wormmon's mouth, however, opens and...stays that way.

Romeo. They have a problem.

THAT'S A LOT OF NAME.

[myblueskies]

Romeo's eyes widen. That is a lot of name. Will that even fit on the sign? He looks at the paper. It will definitely have to be two lines!

"That's a lot of names, mister Ken. Are you sure they are all for the same person?"

Surely one person didn't need all those names!

[ramengroupie]

Ken is sure, but he also has a potential solution in mind. Given how the person in question had reacted to his full name...

"I think he prefers being called 'the Professor'. Putting just that on the sign would probably be fine."

That isn't putting words in the other man's mouth, right? That's how the Professor had introduced himself. The other sign will still be there, for strict accuracy.

[myblueskies]

"Oh okay!" He nodded, "There's already someone who likes just being called the Doctor so maybe some grown ups just don't like their names."

Grown ups are weird sometimes, often.

[ramengroupie]

"Maybe."

Wormmon's name changes based on what form he's in, so he has a slightly different perspective on this whole thing. Confident that Romeo will be able to handle "Professor", he scoots his way back over to the pile of art supplies.

Ken-chan is working really hard at the cranes, but Wormmon's name is not on the sign yet. So while Romeo adds the Professor's name, Wormmon will pick out a really good purple so Ken-chan can write "Wormmon".

[myblueskies]

Romeo focuses on writing "Professor" as neatly as he can though he grins when he sees Wormmon looking through the purple colours.

"I bet mister Ken knows how to write Wormmon really good, I bet he knows lots of words."

[ramengroupie]

"I try," Ken says modestly. Dear him, though. He's made. Far too many cranes. He got into the rhythm and just relaxed into it....

Hopefully there will be room for all of these on the sign - not that he's sure how they're going to attach them, anyway. Maybe Romeo will want some for his own cabin....?

In any case, Wormmon has selected the Best Purple Crayon (it has glitter in the wax), and waddles it over. "Here."

Ken is a patient young man who can wait his turn. Romeo shouldn't feel rushed about his part of the sign.