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

[goingthroughaphase]

She blinks in surprise for a moment, but rather than question how Eva knows, she instead manages a faint smile.

"Y...Y-Yeah, that...I wouldn't mind giving that a try."

[mtsilver_conquor]

"We can do it here -good practice for being able to this even in a crowd-, or we can head to one of our cabins?"

[goingthroughaphase]

Glancing around for a moment, she releases a slow breath. "Maybe one of the cabins. It might be better to try it someplace quiet first."

[mtsilver_conquor]

"Sure. I think mine's closest if you don't mind, or we can go to yours?" Eva asks as she starts to head in the direction of the cabins.

[goingthroughaphase]

With a last glance back to where the others had left, Kitty then hurries to catch up with Eva. "If yours is closer, I wouldn't mind heading there, if that's okay."

DW ate my notifs :(

[mtsilver_conquor]

"Right."

She leads the way to the cabin and lets Kitty in.

"First off, how much do you know about mediation?"

No worries!

[goingthroughaphase]

"I know a little bit. It's kinda like trying to clear your mind, right?"

[mtsilver_conquor]

"Sort of, but this less clearing and more quieting the mind, or at least ordering thoughts. That way, you get a sense of where exactly the Silence is for lack of better term, and you can start gently put shields up around it."

[goingthroughaphase]

She nodded a little bit. She only knew a little about meditation; all the students at the institute had been given meditation lessons, but only those with psychic abilities really practiced it regularly.

"Okay...so what do we do first?"

[mtsilver_conquor]

"Try to clear the mind, or at least quieten it as best you can."

Eva lets out a shallow breath. "If you need an example, I picture a volume control on them. Though there's no right or wrong way to do it, as you will find what works for you and that's the main thing with this."

[goingthroughaphase]

Thinking for a moment, she nods a little before taking a deep breath and tries to clear her thoughts. She remembers that the few times she's tried meditating, it helped to just repeat a thought or phrase for a little bit, so she tries that first.

[mtsilver_conquor]

"It doesn't have to be perfect. Just enough to get a feel for where the 'silence' is and what shape it takes, which can be anything, honestly. Once you've found that, try picturing a paper something around it. The aim is to try boxing it in. Now, the paper is less to silence it and more to start the process of easing the loss gradually over time."

She hopes that makes sense, at least.

[goingthroughaphase]

She thinks it does, but it's difficult concentrating on the words as well as trying to follow her advice. She has to start again, but after a moment she realizes that all she's doing is just the repeating of her chosen phrase, but she's still aware enough of her conscious thought.

So after another moment she opens her eyes again and frowns, sighing softly. "I'm not sure it's working," she admits softly.

sorry for the delay

[mtsilver_conquor]

"It's fine." It really is and Eva wishes she were an empath. Maybe then she could be of more use.

"What are you trying to do? Clear, empty, or quieten?"

No worries!

[goingthroughaphase]

"Just trying to quieten it for now," she says with a small shrug. "But I keep getting distracted. My mind keeps bringing up random thoughts, even when I'm trying to focus."

[mtsilver_conquor]

Eva nods with a thoughtful hum.

"Then... Then follow them. I've heard that daydreaming can be a bit like mediation and it might help at least."

[goingthroughaphase]

A little unsure, Kitty nods and closes her eyes again, letting her thoughts drift. Even while they jumped around a bit, she let them wander without focusing on any one in particular.

[mtsilver_conquor]

Eva waits silently for as long as it takes, keeping her breathing steady and even.

[goingthroughaphase]

As her mind wanders, she finds that in a strange way it clears from the jumble that it had been earlier. As she follows the different trains of thought, she finds it easier to concentrate on them and focus, and the other things fade a bit.