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

Daia couldn't be more excited to find out they got the spa he helped vote for. It's like another mini-paradise he's always wanted to try. And he's hurrying his way to get the chance to be one of the first to try it.

But he finds a familiar back turned toward him as he rushes in, and arms being folded, just as Kaiba crumbles.

And Daia can't help but tilt his head in confusion.

"Can't you just hop in?"

Look, being from Victorian England, there are some... not so cleanly habits he might still have.

Oh...Daia's excited! And doesn't see the issue. Kaiba just smiles gently and shakes his head.

"Everyone's sharing this water, it needs to stay clean. You shower first, then enter so your dirt doesn't get in the water. All the onsens at home had showers nearby, so you'd think this car would have some."

"Oh..." He'd certainly never considered dirt in the baths, be it his own or others. He pauses and looks thoughtful on it.

And with an idea comes a smile.

"I'll ask the Train to make some. So that way you don't have to go back and forth."

He'll have to check his spending points available, but he's sure that he can do it. Even if it's just one shower in here, right?

"I will too...and maybe it'll listen."

Kaiba stretches and eyes the water, then the sauna door thoughtfully.

"But the extra walk might be worth the exercise anyway. I can join you in about 20 minutes?"

Daia practically bounces with excitement.

"Okay! I can hardly wait!"

He gets to try the spa with his favourite big brother? Yes, please!

He happily claims a pair of swim shorts and scurries back towards the showers. Making a brief stop to submit his request for showers in the spa. But once he's nice and clean, he'll happily scramble back to where he last left Kaiba.

It's just as inconvenient as Kaiba imagined to do this. Really, they need shower sandals or something. But he manages, and soon enough he's back, dressed in the requisite orange shorts. He crouches by the water to test it, then turns to Daia.

"...looks good to me. What do you think?

Daia nods excitedly. He's so excited to try it out.

He slides up to the edge of the pool, sits down, and slides his feet in. The warmth is definitely nice, and he decides it's okay to drop fully in, even dipping his head underneath the water.

He pokes his head back up above the water, clearly thrilled.

"Kaiba! It's so warm! You have to try!"

Daia's excitement is infectious, to say the least. Kaiba can't keep a small smile from breaking across his face. Much more slowly, he slides in beside his friend.

And the effect is immediate. His tired shoulders slump with relief, and he sprawls blissfully.

"Mm. It's been far too long. With how long the lines are in the morning, we don't get to relax like this much."

And apparently that makes him talkative to boot!

"How do you feel?"

"The lines?" Daia gives a confused look. Did he mean for the spa or something else?

He slides himself next to Kaiba and buries his face into the water just under his nose. At Kaiba's next question, Daia opens his mouth to speak, only to intake water and start coughing - he'd forgotten he was halfway under water. And it takes him a moment to regain his composure.

"I feel great," he lets out with an embarrassed laugh.

"For the shower. No time to linger. This is a welcome break."

Kaiba watches him with a small smile, thumping his back to help him when he swallows the water.

"Easy. The point's to relax," he chuckles, keeping his hand there a few moments longer before letting go. "How've you been?"

Oh, the showers. That makes more sense to him, now.

Daia gives another embarrassed laugh after the sputters.

"Mm, I'm good. I still don't have anybody, but... I think that's okay for now. I get to have a lot of friends, and that's nice. Lea's kind of cute, though..." he says the last part under his breath, pensive.

"Oh, but how are you? Is everything going okay?"

Kaiba hears that last bit and raises a brow. Lea...he didn't know the redhead well, but he seemed solid enough. Reliable, strong, that kind of thing. He'll have to investigate this further.

"Yeah. I've met a few more interesting people...something's always new around here."

But then he gives Daia a small nudge. "...so. Tell me about Lea."

Daia thinks on that for a moment. Now that Kaiba mentions it, yea, there's always new people flowing in, as well as new things from time-to-time. Maybe he should stay on the platforms more often every stop the Train makes.

At the nudge, Daia flusters a little and let's out a small laugh.

"Well... he's really nice. I met him when I couldn't understand most of the other people on the Train that one time. He helped me out, and his English was more... new? But I could understand him mostly. Which helped because I was scared. We even had breakfast together."

Daia pokes his fingers together under the water.

"He looks nice, too. His hair is so interesting. And he's always helping me out. I guess kind of like you do, but a little different."

Which makes sense, not every nice person is going to be exactly alike.

A New Platform [Intro Post November]

Spa

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