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

[its_dad_sanzo]

"I mean, I know about cameras, sure, but we don't have a lot of that sort of thing in my part of the world."

Shangri-La was very backwater, as far as technology went.

"So you're an actual robot? That's so neat, I've never met a robot before!"

[iamnotgod]

So that cemented technological level if not a point in time. Useful, at least in giving Webmind context from which to explain things.

"Not quite; normally I am much more disparate than this form would suggest. There is Orisa who was also brought on this train, though - though she identifies as an android, she is a closer fit to the description of robot than I am."

It was a pity SXT-246 was no longer around; she would have been even closer!

[its_dad_sanzo]

"But your current body's a robot, right? That the train gave you?"

Koumyou Sanzo, the man with the important questions.

[iamnotgod]

Again, Webmind nods.

"On this train, be prepared to meet all sorts; 'robots' are only a small part of it."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Ohh? Sounds like it will be an interesting experience, then!"

Look, all of this was just gravy at the end of the day anyway. If he could keep entertained on this train, then waiting around for reincarnation wouldn't be so bad!

"I'm a human," only seemed fair to specify his own situation, just in case. Not everyone who looked human was human, even on his own world. "I've noticed there seem to be a lot of us here..."

[iamnotgod]

Webmind could only nod to that.

"Humanity does seem rather overrepresented, where demographics are considered. Others are humanoid but do not identify as such - the Elves are one such example."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Elves, huh?"

Well, if there were robots... why not?

"I'd say we're pretty equally populous as the youkai, where I'm from."

[iamnotgod]

At the mention of youkai, Webmind perks up.

"Youkai, you say? I have heard of them before but, how do they manifest in the world you are from?"

That he has not borne witness to any back home is carefully not mentioned at this time.

[its_dad_sanzo]

"What do you mean by 'how do they manifest'?" Koumyou was visibly baffled by the question, "They're just people. Uhh... pretty much the same as humans, but stronger and faster, with pointy ears and teeth. And um... some are really tiny!"

Like Tenkai Sanzo had been, which was probably why his physical abilities had been closer to Koumyou's own instead of even more heinous.

"And sometimes they have interesting magical abilities!"

[iamnotgod]

With his emoticon-expression settled back in his usual smile, Webmind explains, "In most encounters I have heard of, they are more vague presences, or are conflated with tales of beings taking the shape of once-inanimate objects."

It's not the biggest culture shock Webmind has had at this point, it goes without saying.

"Them being tiny sounds comparatively normative. Though, what sorts of magical abilities have you seen youkai display?"

[its_dad_sanzo]

"I've only met one who was tiny," Koumyou clarified, "usually they're pretty much the same as a human. Tenkai Sanzo could see the future, but I've always been told that youkai can learn to use to some spells that we humans just can't."

Koumyou rubbed his chin in thought.

"But then... I've been told a lot of things about youkai that I don't think are true, so who knows?"

[iamnotgod]

"Without meeting the metaphorical 'exception that proves the rule', there isn't much about any species we could truly say," Webmind admitted wryly.

"Still - keep in mind that, while others here may have experience with youkai, they may not be like those on your world."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Well, you've already mentioned hearing about shape-shifting youkai, so that's not a surprise," Koumyou pointed out, "maaah, if I was easily shaken by strange experiences and stories, this whole train thing would be a wash!"

[iamnotgod]

Webmind chuckled.

"'Strange' is one of the least superlative ways to describe life on this train, you'll come to find. But never fear sharing yours; you never know who it might help."