voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post November]

On the Train

The morning after the Halloween party passengers are once again woken by a familiar voice.

"Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Imagination. 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. But through the fog comes sunshine, causing patches where the light shines down to warm the concrete. Looking up passengers will not be able to see the sun through the fog, or much of the sky at all.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Bryn Pendragon, Bucky Barnes, Colden Rollins, Elena, Fai D Flourite, Jiang Yanli, Juliette d'Aubigniy, Misa, Peter Parker, Samata Mahto, Satou Kuroneko, The Doctor, Tohru Mutou, Zuko, 10 Vigilant Gaze Purges The Horizon. They all walk silently and do not look back as they disappear through the barriers and into the fog beyond.

But on the platform itself there are 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 the thick fog, penetrated by beams of light. As their eyes adjust they will see they are on a platform, behind them are a set of barriers and in front of them is a single track.

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 five 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.

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 and Honey is the newest ingredient, jars of honey stock the shelves and the ICP's in the kitchen have recipe ideas for the month.

A new carriage has been added, those that go to investigate will find a small but function-able spa, complete with a small hot tub and even a steam room. It is a relaxing room with sun lamps and relaxing music or nature sounds available through the ICP. There are a couple of massage tables, with a course for how to give massages for those eager to learn.

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 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

"Dunno if the platforms have names." Says a tall man with a shock of blue hair as he approaches. His polo is purple and clashes horribly with the red and yellow coat he's got on over it. The number 3 stands out in yellow on the shoulder as flashy as the smile on his face. "But the train always stops at these places and picks up people from all over."

He jerks his thumb towards himself, "I'm Galo Thymos, and love to tell you that you could just go back but. None of us found a way to do that." His smile fades as he stares at the exit of the platform. Satou left. His cabin is empty save for him.

"Not sure that's really a way out." He shoves that down and his smile returns. "Anyway, we're all stuck here together. I can answer questions you got and there's info people who have been here long than I have have compiled. I can show you where it is."

Xichen blinks slightly, as the combination of colors on the young man - from his hair down to the cargo pants - is very bright. But then he raises his hands and cups them at him in greeting, manners too deeply ingrained to be distracted from.

"Young master Galo. Many thanks - I understand that there are limits to answers." Gently, because the fall of his face is clear enough. Someone has been lost. And the recovery of the smile, though much more like young master Wei's than his own, is familiar too, almost the first familiar thing about this place. He knows the cost of it.

"First," he hesitates, but one hand gestures towards the train, and he has to stifle the wince at catching the color and shape of his own sleeve once again, "could you tell me what that is?"

The number of things that are strange for him is already very great. Starting from the biggest one makes sense, no?

He glances in the direction indicated and makes a small noise. He briefly holds up a hand and lets it fall. “Yeah, sure. First thing! Our histories are gonna be different. Everyone’s is unless you’re from the same world.” He nods once then gestures to the train himself.

“It’s a train that goes through the void. That isn’t something possible back home but it is here. You feel an urge to get on board, right? Seems like a standard to arriving here.”

'Train' is already unknown, but the rest is even more confusing...

"Through the ... void? And on board - how?" He sees no boats...

The train is enclosed space. Come on, I’ll show you.” Galo beckons with on hand and heads for the open train. He waits for him to join him then steps inside. “As for the void. It’s just a place and you don’t want to look out the windows when we travel through it.”

Xichen blinks, but then steps after him - the way the clothing does not flutter around him discomfiting, but not hindering the grace with which long limbs move - and gets on the train.

The feeling of dread that lifts makes Xichen blink a little.

And he tilts his head.

"So avoiding to look at it is ... important."

... and then he gets distracted just looking around on the inside of the train because. There is much that is confusing and new and unknown.

“Yeah, because it causes headaches. Worse during a void storm. I can show you how to access that info.” Galo says and takes a few minutes to let him take the train. “Neat, isn’t it? Trains were kinda big news in the past in my world. Did a lot to change how society functioned when we could get places a lot faster than ever before.”

He puffs up a little bit with a bright grin. He loves history when it comes to how society does better and defends its people. The bad happened but they can do better than what was. In every way.

"There is a lot to remember." But he will do his best. He is definitely paying attention as much as he can, though he gets distracted by things he doesn't understand, which is a lot.

"But how to ... access info...rmation is a good thing to learn."

A wild guess, there.

“Come on over here.” Galo says with a beckoning hand. And he runs him through how to access info from the terminals. He is patient with it, explaining it calmly. “Devices we have on us during missions or if you want to keep on it all the time work the same way. Fast communication too! Coms never fail to be useful.

He says, grinning again. “Changed the way rescue operations operated back home when we could talk to each other across bigger distances and so on.”

It takes a moment for Xichen to parse the enthused words. But then it clicks, and his face brightens slightly at the comprehension.

Lan Xichen loves people, after all. And finding ways to communicate from a distance, especially - but not only - so as to save others? That is some of the best kind of thing of people being good, especially to others.

"It would ... change a lot of things." Soft voice with a tinge of wonder. "It is common where you are from?"

"Yep! On all levels of society from general public up to government services, like my job!" He thumps his chest with a closed fist. "I fight fires and do rescue work. We have a sort of closed com system between our equipment."

He gestures to the SCAs, his on his wrist. "These have a closed line option but general messages can go to everyone with SCAs."

A New Platform [Intro Post November]

Platform

Galooooo

Tis him in his way too brightly colored glory

there's a reason my disco status is 'welcome to the dark, er, neon colored side' and they are it.

That explains it for sure

yeeees and aw Galo that's. Actually pretty effective way to get Xichen to get on the train

Haha I like their cr so far. It’s really fun and organic. Also let’s Galo’s nerd flag fly

it dooooes also chaos erupted so tags have been sporadic but I'm here!

Welcome back!

Thank you! Also, gosh

no subject