A New Platform [Intro Post November]

[voidtreckermods]

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!

Comments

[reluctantjinrou]

He stopped himself from backing up and held his ground, no matter how strange he felt.

"No. I...apologize." Natsuno offered, glancing away and not meeting his eyes.

"You've just arrived, right?"

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Yes! Is that alarming?"

The kid was acting like a monk Koumyou had just caught slacking off in the temple. Maybe even doodling extremely badly-proportioned stick figure porn in the margins of some copying task or other, going by the way the boy was avoiding eye contact.

It was a little worrying. He hadn't met anyone here who even knew what a Sanzo was, let alone responded in such a suspicious way to his presence.

[reluctantjinrou]

He didn't know what the man was, or have an inkling really, he couldn't even say what was triggering that flight response either, the fact he felt like he was seriously in danger near him.

"No, not terribly." He admitted. "I'm not sure..." He stopped himself.

[its_dad_sanzo]

Koumyou glanced behind himself again, baffled.

"You're not sure...?"

[reluctantjinrou]

"I'm not sure what the problem is. I apologize, it's incredibly rude of me." Natsuno responded with a frown. He understood the reaction, he just didn't see what the issue was.

[its_dad_sanzo]

At least the priest was hard to offend. Case in point, "Well now I'm just super curious! Does this happen with other people too? I haven't had this sort of effect on anyone here until now... maaah, you look like a student I've caught doing something naughty!"

[reluctantjinrou]

"No, you're the first person I've met who's caused any reaction at all." Natsuno admitted.

He flushed slightly. "I'm not a student."

That was true, school ended when he died, because why go to school in that state?

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Well, what is it exactly?"

And to help a description come along, Koumyou took a tiny step closer!

[reluctantjinrou]

He was startled into a surprising surge of fear as Koumyou got closer, his eyes flashed red, if only for a moment.

"Ah...do you have...a talisman or a cross or something?" He asked, balling his hands a little bit at his hips.

[its_dad_sanzo]

Oh, what a lovely shade of red for a second there! Koumyou folded his hands together inside the front pocket of his hoodie, just as unassuming as could be.

"A... talisman or a cross? Hmm," the blond glanced down over himself, and shrugged. "I'm a priest? Ah, and I protect a relic. I guess that could be considered a talisman of sorts."

[reluctantjinrou]

"That might be it. I have ah, an allergy of sorts to religious relics." Natsuno answered, as though that was an ordinary thing not at all meant to incite questions.

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Ohhh, is that why your eyes went red?"

Koumyou, you can't just ask someone why their eyes change color, gosh.

"It was really spooky-cool!"

[reluctantjinrou]

"I...did they?" He asked, a bit stunned by that, after all he couldn't see his own eyes.

"Yes, probably. I have a certain condition." Natsuno responded.

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Is it... a curse?"

Here we go, guessing time!

[reluctantjinrou]

"In my opinion, certainly." Natsuno answered. "Of a supernatural nature. It doesn't really matter." He said dismissively, figuring that most polite people would drop it.

[its_dad_sanzo]

Polite people are boring.

"So it's a supernatural condition that makes you react poorly to... holy things? In general? Or just relics?"

[reluctantjinrou]

"Holy things in general. It applies to locations as well." Natsuno answered. "It's not that interesting, really."

That was a bit of a lie, it was very interesting.

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Well, I'm pretty holy myself, but... I imagine this is a lot worse."

Hmm, experiment time! Koumyou reached up and plucked the sutra from his shoulders, which instantly took the form of a tightly-wound scroll. Holding it securely in his hand, the priest stuffed his hand back into his hoodie pocket.

"Does that help?"

[reluctantjinrou]

That...was surprisingly helpful. It tempered some of his worst instincts at least, which tracked with how his experiment with Tohru had gone. He hadn't reacted until he'd seen the cross, even if Natsuno had it on his person. It was mildly interesting, intellectually.

It was annoying to deal with in person. It wasn't completely gone, there was a low thrum of discomfort, but if he was holy that would make sense.

"It does, actually. Thank you for the consideration."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"So, being around it isn't really the issue so much as seeing it? What a peculiar curse you have."

To say the least! Koumyou had never encountered a curse that worked off 'if I can't see you, you don't exist' toddler logic before.

"How did it happen?"

[reluctantjinrou]

It didn't seem logical, he could understand that, it was strange, but that was where he was.

"I died." Natsuno deadpanned, as though that was a normal thing to say.

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Ohh? Me too!"

So normal, they should start a club!

"But the only curse I woke up with was these weird clothes and a lack of tobacco. Can you imagine if I developed an allergy to my own sutra?"

[reluctantjinrou]

"Depends on how you died, I imagine. Were you killed by a monster?" Natsuno asked.

"I was killed by a vampire."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Ohhh, those are real where you're from?" Koumyou actually gasped, "Like in spooky stories?"

And then, because he really wasn't half as stupid as he liked to act, "Is that why your eyes went red? Spooky spooky!"

Don't mind him casually side-stepping the question of what had killed him. It was fine. Totally fine.

[reluctantjinrou]

"Unfortunately." Natsuno responded with a bit of an annoyed huff. He wasn't terribly upset that he guessed, but because he was polite he wouldn't press the man on how he died.

"That would be a side effect, yes."