voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post November]

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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!

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Taichi looks up, spurred out of his ruminations by the new arrival.

"Uhm, thanks," he said. "This is, ah, actually not my first time being pulled into another world for some big mission..."

Agumon nodded enthusiastically. "The first time was when he was ten!"

Edited 2020-11-01 20:58 (UTC)

"Really?" Gen asked, looking incredibly curious. "I've heard other people talk about travelling to different realities, before - but you're the first who's told me they were pulled - kidnapped like this? - for a mission, specifically."

Gen gave them an apologetic smile. "Unfortunately, my friends, you're ... likely to be here for longer than a single mission."

"Well, it's not really kidnapping if the person bringing you over is destiny," Taichi said, with a bit of a laugh. "And that's... to be expected, it was more than a single adventure back then too. Life really hasn't been the same since then, really."

Destiny, huh. Gen had his doubts about such a thing existing, but he smiled agreeably, not letting on. "I suppose not! Fortune, good or ill, is going to sweep us off our feet either way. But we've at least got a chance to make the best of it, make the most out of these unlikely turns of fate."

Gen looked understanding, really, at the next part. "I can't imagine I'll be the same after this, either, so I can relate. Were the pair of you together for your adventures back then, too?"

"Oh yeah," Taichi said with a nod. He reached forward, and patted Agumon on the head. "We've been together ever since then... going on seven years now, I'm pretty sure."

Agumon laughed, nuzzling slightly into Taichi's hand. "Well, we were apart for a few times, Taichi!"

Taichi smirked. "That's true. But I think it's always better when you're here, Agumon."

Of course, after talking a bunch with Ken - well, he knew better now than to bring up certain subjects - but generally? He smiled knowingly and tapped his chin.

"You're a Digimon, right?" Gen asked Agumon. "There wasn't anything like you in the world I've been taken from, but I've made friends with another human-Digimon pair here."

He smiled at Taichi. "You're lucky to have such a loyal friend."

Taichi smiled. "I really am," he said. "But ah... who did you make friends with? Takato or Ken? I know there are two other people with Digimon here..."

Gen grinned. "Ken! My friend and I were making ramen and he and Wormmon wanted to have some. It was a lot of fun."

And he didn't think there was any harm in sharing, "Wormmon even sang a song about it!"

Taichi and Agumon both laughed at that.

"That sounds like Wormmon alright."

"It sure does!"

"It was a pretty good song, too," Gen laughed softly. "It's a shame you weren't there at the time, but we'll likely make ramen again in the future at some point."

Gen's head tilted a little. "Are you friends with them, then?"

Taichi nodded. "They're part of a different team than I am, but we all get along," he said. Though... recently, he felt like he let them down. But that was in the past for Ken... he'd have to try and square that away, later.

"Mm, you were both on different teams in that world you guys were taken from ... or are you talking about train teams?" Gen asked, smiling a little. "Because, if you ask me, the train teams are just a little silly."

Though, then again, Gen was wearing a silly smile himself, so perhaps Taichi wouldn't take him that seriously.

"No, I mean we were on different teams literally," Taichi explained. "Like there was my team of Chosen Children that come first, and Ken's team which came a few years later."

He blinked. "What's wrong with the train teams? Ken and I are on the same one I think," he said, pointing out his orange shirt.

"Oh!" Gen thought about that, curious, "So, he's a little younger than you, or just ... was recruited later?"

Gen giggled a little. "I'm on team orange too, and so is my closest friend. But shouldn't we all be working together? We're all kind of in the same boat, all thrown in the same pot. Uh. Insert your metaphor of choice, here."

"He's younger and was recruited later," Taichi replied. "And... I guess you have a point. But I'd like to think we were all put on these teams for a reason, you know?"

Gen tilted his head and tapped his chin. "It makes some sense, of course - I'm not much of a fighter and it doesn't look like we see a lot of this on team Orange ... for the single mission I've been on, anyway."

"But, what if we did run into some trouble?" Gen asked. "I'm pretty sure if this was ... some kind of video game, I wouldn't put all my delicate eggs in one basket. I'd ... spread people around more, but. That's a video game, I don't know much about real-life strategy."

A lie, of course, but.

Tai listened, and a thought came to mind. "Maybe that's why Agumon and I got put on the team?" he asked. "In case there's danger, I mean. We're fighters more than we are thinkers, after all."

He took a moment, before looking embarassed. "N-Not that I mean we never think things through! It's just... not our expertise, you know?"

Giggling a little, Gen held up a hand. "No, no, I know what you mean. I'm not much of a thinker either, not like some of the really smart people on Orange. But I'm also not much of a fighter. Maybe they put me there for lack of a better option?"

Gen shrugged a little.

"It still seems a little unbalanced, but? I also have no idea what the train is doing, so. It's easy to judge and complain when we don't know what's going on." Gen smiled at him. "At least everyone can watch out for each other, no matter what color they're wearing."

"That's a plus, at least," Taichi sighed. "I just hope I can do that... watch out for everyone, I mean."

There's that old self doubt rearing its head again.

Gen saw the thread of uncertainty there, and gave him an encouraging smile.

"You're already halfway there, my dear. You seem to really want to do well for everyone, and that's rarer than you think," Gen told him lightly, a little warmth there for the younger man. "And I'm sure your partner is more than up to the task to help you help everyone out."

It's sometimes easier for people to believe in each other than themselves, so Gen said, "If I've learned anything from looking at these Digimon partnerships - it's that there's very little a pair of good friends like that can't accomplish together."

Taichi's eyes widened in surprise. Of course, everything Gen said was true... did he really need to be reminded of it by someone he'd just met?

He looked over at Agumon, who was smiling as wide as could be, wagging his stumpy little tail. "He's right, you know!" the Digimon said.

Taichi couldn't help it. He smiled, and gave his partner a nod. "You're both right. We can do this... Me, Agumon, and everyone on this train!"

Gen beamed at them, satisfied he was able to lift at least Taichi's spirits. "All it takes is just a little teamwork."

He winked. "And patience, of course, because this trip is going to take us a while, sadly!"

Taichi couldn't help but laugh at that.

"Patience has never been my strong suit," he said. "But I'll do my best."

[ooc - Do you think we can call it a wrap? I need to move on from some threads.]

"That's all that anyone can ask," Gen agreed.

[ ooc - Looks like a wrap to me! ]

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A New Platform [Intro Post November]

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