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!

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"Well, two of them are from my world," he said. "The other two are from a world like mine. We all teamed up a long time ago to stop a threat that was facing all our worlds, and that's how I know him."

He thought for a moment. "I wouldn't say close-close, but the one I know from my world I know fairly well. His name is Ichijouji Ken and his partner's name is Wormmon."

Judging by Inigo's expression, the names don't seem too familiar to him. The train is a little too big for him to know everyone's names, after all, especially some of the people who are relatively more new. But he does nod, even with his slighty blank expression.

"From a world like yours, huh." That information needs a tiny bit more time to process. "So it's a world that's almost the same, yet slightly different? Something like that?"

At least he doesn't sound like his mind is blown by the idea. This train isn't Inigo's first rodeo with the whole weird time-space stuff.

"Sort of like that," he said. "There's multiple worlds with a Digital World where Digimon like Agumon come from, but they all seem to play by different rules."

"One of the people we met could punch Digimon with his fist!" Agumon exclaimed. "Even ones several stories tall!"

"Punch them?"

That makes Inigo frown. Just slightly. And only for a moment, since a second later he's already right back to smiling, giving Agumon a few more headpats.

"Aw, come on! Who would want to punch something as cute as you, huh? You're just a cute little guy who wants to eat! Nothing wrong with that!"

Agumon laughs a little, leaning into the headpats.

Taichi laughed, before shaking his head. "Ah, but not all Digimon are good," he said. "We've faced quite a few as enemies... and not all of 'em look like Agumon."

Agumon leaning into the headpats is so cute! He really is a good little guy. Inigo smiles at him, enjoying it for another moment before he pulls back his hands and looks over at Taichi.

"Ah, really? So there are good and bad Digimon?"

Granted, the kind of enemies Inigo had to fight at home - most of them - were a lot less nuanced than that, so he's thinking about it for a moment.

"Is it because their personalities are as varied as humans'?" Agumon sure seems to have a personality of his own, after all. He doesn't seem like he's just a pet.

Taichi nodded. "That's right," he said. "Some of them choose to do evil, and some... some are out of control because because of something they can't help, like a virus."

He looked down, suddenly appearing guilty. "Those are always the hardest ones to deal with," he said.

The way he spoke... it sounded like this was a recent issue he'd had to deal with.

"Ah.. I'm sorry."

And though Inigo is still smiling a little, those words sound very genuinely meant. Because he gets it, really. Not that Inigo deals with anything like Digimon back home, but.. having to fight people - beings - who are out of control because of something beyond themselves.. that's very familiar to Inigo.

And also how difficult it is.

"It can't have been easy. But you're pretty brave and strong to have done it regardless, you know? Some people would just leave that job up to someone else."

Taichi looked up, and his eyes met Inigo's. From his expression, and his words, he felt as though Inigo wasn't just saying things, but that he really understood what that must be like.

"... Thanks," he said. "There was a time I doubted too much, but... I had to lose someone important to me to show me the way. I figure I'd be insulting his memory if I gave up, you know?"

Sheesh. He already had to deal with the whole 'fighting things that aren't really evil yet acting evil' thing, and then lose someone too on top of it all? Taichi doesn't even look like he's really older than Inigo. And sure, Inigo had to deal with all of that too, but he kind of figured he was an exception to the rule.

But it seems like not everyone is that lucky.

"You're right. I'm sure that person would have wanted you to keep going, instead of letting your doubts hold you back." And it's another sign of strength just that Taichi was able to realise as much, really. Inigo shakes his head with the same slight smile. "At least a lot of the missions we have to do here on the train are much more straightforward, so hopefully you should have less to worry about as long as you're here."

Taichi found himself smiling. It seemed like Inigo understood him a bit, though he didn't want to pry into why. Just knowing that someone understood was enough.

"That's comforting at least, but I'm still going to worry," he said. "I have a sister and a bunch of friends back home, after all."

"Ah, wasn't this the point where you were supposed to say something cool like, 'of course I'm not worried at all!'" Inigo smiles, but his tone gets lighter, obviously joking. Jovial. Even though he understands - or maybe exactly because he understands - he doesn't want the mood to get too heavy at the heavy topics. "You missed your cue!"

He shakes his head though, looking between Agumon and Taichi.

"It's all going to be okay though. You'll be able to go back to them, even if we can't be sure how much longer that'll be. I'm making my own sister wait as well, so let's just hope they won't kick our butts for it!"

That... actually made Taichi laugh. "I don't know if I'd be able to survive if Hikari got seriously mad at me," he said, nodding his head. "What's your sister's name, by the way?"

Now that's a sentiment Inigo very well understands. Laugh included. It's not often that he gets to bond with someone over sisters here, but it's something about that rarity that actually makes it kind of nice to be able to do it now.

"Lucina, though I sometimes just call her Luce. She's a few years older than me."

Taichi nodded. "My sister's younger than I am," he said. "That doesn't make her any less intimidating, though! Especially on the rare occasions she gets mad!"

"I can imagine."

He really can. Especially since he has some female friends younger than him who could definitely still absolutely walk all over him - he imagines it must be very much the same with sisters. If Lucina had been the younger one, she still would have been the domineering one compared to him, he thinks..

"Then let's both do our best to make sure our sisters can be proud of us, rather than mad at us."

"Hear hear," Taichi said with a nod. "Can't surrender, or backdown, right? That's how it goes?"

"Right."

Inigo extends his hand towards the other guy.

"It's good to have you aboard this train. .. Both of you," he adds the last part as he glances over at Agumon. Can't forget the cute little guy! "Let me know if you ever need anything."

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A New Platform [Intro Post November]

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[ooc - can we wrap soon?]

yes, we can either wrap it here or with your next tag!