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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It is? [ Parallel...? Why does that sound familiar... ] What's parallel about vegan food? -- oh, and can you see if there's almonds in the store? They shouldn't be too important though.

[ He puts the weighed out butter and chocolate into the nearby saucepan set aside. ]

Ah! It was a perhaps a little joke. If one world allowed you to have meat and dairy and eggs - and some sort of reality lacked those things, like stepping through a mirror - we're in vegan world now.

[ He'd try to pilfer a little chocolate before looking for almonds. ]

Ohhh- oh! [ A joke!! He gets it, scoffing. ] I wonder if anyone on the train would complain if that happened? Depends on how good this turns out.

[ Let them hope! And Tidus won't make any complaint about Gen nicking some chocolate - it's right there and even in handy breakable squares, and he's too busy fussing with the saucepan to care.

And when Gen should come back, he's put the flour into a bowl ready. ]

Hey, drop that in! Baking powder and cocoa's in there. Can you break down the almonds then stick 'em in? Or did you get any already grounded stuff?

[ In goes the sugar into the melted chocolate now! ]

Depends if they're allergic to nuts and soy, I'm going to guess. Someone is always going to be unable to eat something, unless we just had water to drink.

[ A bit of chocolate is popped into his mouth, then, and he came back with some almonds that he'd found. ]

Sadly not, but let's see. If there's some kind of ... grindy thing we can use ... I don't really fancy mashing all of these down by hand.

[ ... Okay, so most of the cooking skills he'd picked up were after he woke up from petrification, what did you want from him? ]

Get some of the kitchen roll, and then one of the rollers - in that drawer over there somewhere. [ Tidus nods in a general direction for them. The kitchen roll should be easier to spot, hanging up. ]

You wanna weigh out 70 grams, then stick them between the kitchen roll and bash the with the end of the paper roll. Easy stuff, just don't bash it too hard or you'll tear the roll! That's the way I do it anyway.

[ He's a cooking nerd ok, even if he's not using to working with BEAR ENTRAILS. ]

I was talking to another passenger 'bout allergies. Said we were lucky half the train isn't allergic to fur. Isn't that a problem for some people? Gotta be careful with your pets or they'll be sneezing up a storm.

I think you haven't taken a good look at my arms. You, I'm sure, could tear this - I'm lucky if I break any almonds.

[ Gen made a face of dread even as he moved to comply, the complaints just for show. ]

I was just here for brownies, I knew I'd be dragged into manual labor somehow ...

[ He took some paper towels from the roll, and weighed out some almonds in them. ]

Yes, unfortunately, a lot of people are very allergic to fur. Or dust - considering we're stuck on a train with a lot of people for weeks, we're lucky there's nobody with a dust allergy either.

[ He gives a small laugh, accompanied by a thumbs up. ]

I believe in you! A work out makes a treat all the better! And I'll let you have more brownies for helping.

[ See?? Isn't this such a wonderful deal, Gen. Just like a mom would tell their kid. ]

Wow, allergic to dust too? Can you get stuff for that? Maybe we should be preparing for anyone with these allergies.

[ Or is the med car already stocked? Man! ]

Well, as long as I'm being bribed.

[ That seemed to cheer him up a bit, and he started to whack a bit at the almonds in the paper towels. ]

[ WHAM WHAM WHAM. ]

[ ... He hated this already. But, think of the brownies! ]

Mmm, I think the medical car has something. It's pretty common where I come from, people being allergic to dust or pollen or animal fur or even all three. Some people need to take medications year-round to reduce their symptoms.

You can go lighter.

[ Just saying. With a grin. Hey, Tidus is having fun at least. ]

That sucks. But, as long as the medicine's good! All I ever had to worry about was a bad sunburn back home. [ He moves the chocolate off heat, now thoroughly melted. ] I wonder if one world's medicine is better than another's? My city was some far advanced place compared to what some other people come from. I was saying to Senku once it's too bad you can't just pack a bunch of stuff from here before you end up leaving!

[ He pours in the sugar, then searches around for a whisk. Time for him to put some arm power into this now! ]

[ A sheepish laugh ] Sorry about that.

[ Maybe a more ... rolly-crushy motion? ]

[ Gen hummed a little at the question. ]

Maybe. It's likely all depending on what technology they have - or magic. Senku-chan is the first who'll tell you humanity is always, always advancing.

I bet he'll want to take any advanced medicine apart, so to speak, so he can figure out to make it back at home - since he can't take it with.

Probably will have more fun that way, too!

We do remember things, huh...

[ That's something he's never thought about much. Never really been sure if it counts for a guy like him. ]

Can you take apart liquids or tablets and see what's in 'em? Isn't that all...too mixed in together? Or you seen him do it?

[ Since, well, would Gen know himself? ]

No idea, really! But if he can, I'm sure he would do that.

[ Gen shrugged. ]

Well, kind of? I got him a microscope. There's some things you can tell by looking at them really closely.

Others, you can figure out using chemistry? So, if something causes this kind of chemical reaction, then you know it's got this thing in it.

[ Laughed a little sheepishly. ] I'm not a scientist, I've just seen Senku do amazing things.

[ Tidus laughs a little himself. ]

Right, I bet. Don't know unless you try, right? And I'd give Senku room to experiment trying anything.

[ He just sounds like he knows so much! ]

I can tell you 'bout fitness I guess, how to play blitzball, holding your breath for longer... ... or we can just make brownies. [ Hah! ] Which speaking of- stick those almonds in the bowl there. I think...

[ he moves, looks to where the book is. ]

Hmm...yep. You put them in, make sure there ain't any lumps, then I'll do the rest of the mixing. [ Tidus tips his head, a grin thrown at Gen. ]

Unless you wanna get another good workout and do it?

Pretty much! [ Gen laughed along with Tidus. ]

[ He hummed. ] I could tell you about astrology, fortune-telling, how to play card games ... nothing that's all too useful, in the end. Fitness is a lot more helpful than you'd think, my friend, as are sports games. Teamwork is important.

[ Tidus asked him to place the crushed almonds in the bowl, so he did exactly as that. But he laughed again at his question. ]

I think you're far more equipped for a good workout than I am. Just look at your arms!

Never too late to start! [ But even so, Tidus will get to work in mixing everything together. It's fine! ]

You seen those Duel Monster cards in the games car? From Yugi and Seto's world? [ And however many more. ] I checked it out, but there's waaay too many cards there for me. And the cards do different things, and turnin' them sideways does something too?

[ He's squinting just thinking about it. ]

I'm more into Go Fish. Or just a game of solitaire.

Duel Monster? No, I'm not familiar with that one. [ Gen tilted his head. ] Sounds like some kind of trading card game. A lot of kids were into those growing up, but I liked videogame versions of those better.

[ Then, he chuckled. ] How about poker?

[ Poker? Poker... ]

That the one people play for money?

Money, or favors, or even simply candy ...

It's a game involving skill and a little bit of chance. It's a lot of fun!

Do you already know how to play?

Nope, just heard about it! I played cards a lil' when I was younger, but now I just play 'House' with my friend Inigo from time to time. He's into it.

[ A pause. ] Why? You looking for players? How many do you need?

Mmm, three or four people usually makes for a good poker game. You can play with two, but it's just more fun with more people.

[ Such an innocent little smile, not up to anything, of course not. ]

If you invited Inigo, and I invited Senku - we could all play together. I think that sounds like a good time!

Alright then! [ Obliviously, Tidus is all agreeable and good cheer at this very fun and innocent date. ]

But you have to actually let me know what's going on in this card game this time.

[ okay Gen!! No Halloween repeats! ]

[ Gen's smile was sweet and charming. ]

Of course, I'll make sure you and Inigo both know all the rules before hand.

But I hope you're prepared for a challenge, Tidus ... Senku-chan and I are both pretty clever.

It's just a card game, right? [ No sweeeat. ] How hard can it be?

[ Cards is half luck anyway, right? So Tidus isn't worried about that. But he does look at Gen, a tilt to his mouth. ]

Unless this is gonna involve more of your 'magic'.

It is just a game. [ Gen grinned. ] The rules are pretty easy to learn!

[ He giggled a little. ] No, no, I'm not going to be vanishing things, you're safe from me.

Well alright then, sure. Sometime before or after the mission? That's usually about... a week after this stop.

--actually, after would be good. [ Actually thinking about it! ] It sounds like a fun way to relax.

You could rope Roland into it too, if you wanted. He needs more fun.

A New Platform [Intro Post November]

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