A New Platform [Intro Post December]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

It's only been a couple of days since the Voidtrecker Express took to the void once more, and many of the passengers are still recovering and recuperating after a very hectic end to their latest mission. Nevertheless, they are awoken by a familiar message.

"Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Imagination. Points have been updated on the system."

They have indeed, and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train for 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 the windows fill with the fog that means they are at a platform. It is warm outside with a pleasant breeze that flows down the platform, rustling the light spread of leaves that litter the floor.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Akemi Homura, Alfred the Poisoner, Donatello Versus, Chie Satonaka, Joscelin Fitzthomas, Ronan Lynch, Rose Tyler, Tangle the Lemur, Trowa Barton, Wester Mazaki and Whisper the Wolf all pass through the platform, not looking back before 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 swirling leaves at their feet, moving in flurries and rattling against each other softly. As their eyes adjust, they will see they are on a platform, cement and packed earth forming a very practical, plain-looking shelter. Behind them is a set of barriers, and in front of them is a single track extending both ways into thick fog.

They are standing, in clothes that are not their own and a style 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 eight 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's 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 lead to something terrible. 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 (see
'Publications'). The store rooms have been restocked with more jars of honey, the ingredient of the month of Imagination, as well as sundries.

A new carriage has been added right next to the luggage carriage. It is a second medical carriage, or triage carriage. Downstairs is more open with beds and chairs, upstairs are two surgical bays for those that need immediate attention.

For those intrigued by the claim of a parcel for every passenger they will find several large boxes filled with small blue bags. Inside each bag is ten dark blue coins imprinted on each side with a silver snowflake. Each bag has a small label with a passengers name. On the other side of the label it reads: Keep these safe for now.

Of course for any passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage as well.

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 taking advantage of the pleasant weather and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view again 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

Agent 8 | Purple Team | ota

[consider8]

On the Platform -- The Other Side

Eight took a step onto the platform, taking in the feel of it once more. It had been a month now since she first saw this place. The same ephemeral mist smelling of nothing in particular, flecked with the faint metal of the train.

She looked out to the procession of the people leaving into the fog with practiced indifference. Although she did not know them long, she knew two. Their absence would sting.

Yet there were new faces now. She took a deep breath, feeling a bit strange that she was on this side of the platform. "Hello. I go by Eight. If you have questions or need anything, I will do my best to help." Her smile, though awkward, seemed sincere?

On The Train -- Triage and Luggage -- What An Octogirl Wants

She had seen the presence of the Spa before, and... and took efforts to be careful as she navigated it. The new triage, though, was a welcome addition and certainly something that would help when things got dangerous. Though a part of her wondered why it was so close to the luggage. She wasn't going to argue the point and was sure that the medical crew was going to make good use of it.

The promise of things was enough to pique her curiosity, and she was surprised to see the sudden appearance of the small blue bags. They were nice! Though what was the point of the coins within them? Well... she was not one to set aside a gift freely given and quietly thanked the train for its generosity.

She was practically on the way out when her attention caught the name 'Mimi K. Octoling.' Curious, she didn't think there would be anything more...

Her hands cover her mouth at the sight. In the next moment the octokid is jumping up and down, arms pumping in the air. "WHOOPEE!! VEEMO! VOOOU-VEEMO! OPPI OPPI!!! WHOOOOPEE!!! CHYU-OPPI!!"

The Octoling just received the ink tank she wanted.

Quiet Coach(a) -- Next to Godliness

Forget the spa -- it was a death trap to her anyways -- with a bucket, a towel, and her new ink tank on hand, Eight is now taking over one of the quiet rooms and is going to give her a wash. The process is simple: pour ink over her head, dive into the ink to refill her new tank, and repeat the process. This was a tactic that her squad would use when out on the field, and it works except it was FREAKING COLD.

When she's finished toweling off and getting dressed, a much happier and refreshed Eight opens up the curtains and step outside. She's feeling fresh and the room will have the ink disappear in a few minutes or so. ...in the meantime it would look like an can of paint exploded in there.

Quiet Coach(b) -- Making A Leg to Stand On

After a very busy day, Eight returns to the large quiet room to finish the final stages on Della's prosthetic leg. The process had been fascinating, and she learned a lot of how skeletal legs are supposed to work.

With stretch and a yawn, the final steps was testing the hydraulics of the knee. The problem was getting just the right amount of liquid inside. Too little and there would be no point, and too much would make it seize up like plunger pulling at a tub of frozen molasses.

...maybe she should bring this thing to Senku to look at.

Quiet Coach (B)

[subcircuits]

By the end of the day, Devero has vented out much of his stomping and frustration. He is by no means resigned to his fate yet, but he's not acting out as obviously about it. He's still exploring the train, though, prowling like a caged animal as he visits each car--

A flash of movement, of color catches his eye and he stops to-- okay, stare through the window, because whatever that is in there, it ain't human. (Rude, Dev.)

But then he sees something that he actually sort of recognizes, something hitek. Thank patience. He steps inside, points at the weird little augment leg, and says in his deep, rough voice, "Can I see that?"

[consider8]

Eight looks up at the new person and is immediately put on guard. The language, the body movement, everything about this man is putting her on the defensive.

"What do you want with it?" She draws the leg nearer to her, ready to bolt if she feels threatened.

[subcircuits]

Yeah, that's a fair reaction. Devero notes it, and actually makes a visible effort to tone down on his-- everything. He jams his hands in his pockets and hunches his shoulders (not that that really does much to make him seem less big), and with somewhat less savagery in his voice says, "It looks like something from my world."

Kind of. Whatever. Beggars can't be choosers. "I just want to see it."

[consider8]

"I'm working on this." Eight shoots quickly, though she feels less inclined to run, so that was an advantage. Still, the leg was too important to Della to just have one of the new people come in and take it from her.

But she supposes she could let him stay, if he behaves. "If you want to pull up a chair, that's fine. Just don't touch anything."

[subcircuits]

Cycling through a deep breath to control his frustration, Devero nods. "Thank you," he says, and turns to find a chair.

He places it so as not to crowd the other... person... and sits, looking over the mechanism on the work table. "It's a prosthetic, right?" (He's going to feel like a real heel if he just shouldered his way into an art studio.)

What DOES an Octogirl Want?

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"What the?"

Just as he was about to head out, suddenly the apocalypse was going off? But it sounded like a happy one, anyway.

Edge stuck his head into the luggage car to see what was going on. "Everything okay in here?"

A Model-S2 Splatterscope with optional mid-range lo-light scope :>

[consider8]

"Edge!" She squeaked, holing up a rather strange backpack in her hands.

"It came! It came!" She's laughing and hopping and all-around giddy.

This is a very happy octopus.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"That's terrific!" It had to be, because she was downright shining with delight! But... "What is it?"

[consider8]

"What is it?! It's..." Oh... the question brought her back down to reality. Yeah, people wouldn't know what the thing is.

Well, it was enough for a playful smile to come to her face. "What do you think it is?"

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Why does he always get stuck with the mischievous ones?

"It... is..." He drew out the second word as he thought quickly. Some sort of backpack, clearly, but with a strange hole at the bottom. Something had to go in that hole. That must be what made it special. "...a weapon holster!"

B - Speak of the devil

[10billionpercent]

Senku had a fondness for wandering about the quiet car because he enjoyed the quiet, and that should be surprising to exactly no one.

He didn't typically spend a lot of time in the big room, but he saw Eight tinkering with something.

"Hey." He offered by way of greeting.

[consider8]

"Hello Senku." She looked up from her work, drawing her attention to the metal duck foot.

"Did you say hi to the new folks?" This was a joke on Senku, of course. As she was pretty sure meeting the new people was pretty low on his list of priorities.

[10billionpercent]

He chuckled. "Yeah yeah." Amusing as it was, he was at least trying. Was it interesting? Not very.

"I usually do eventually, never hurts to know who can watch my back for me around here." He cracked his neck a bit with his hand.

"It's exhausting though."

[consider8]

Eight nods. "It's another small group, it looks like. I think I counted six... seven? Maybe a little more." Her eyes drift as she recalls the one guy that came in with the burns. Another sign of trauma in what was already a very trying week.

"I think you'll find one or two of them interesting." But she'll let Senku decide on that in his own time.

"What are you doing here?" Not that he wasn't welcome, she was more curious.

[10billionpercent]

"I'm not sure on the significance of the size of groups, maybe that's a data set I could look at." Senku mused thoughtfully.

He shrugged at her suggestion. He might, he might not. He typically found a lot of people interesting though.

"I was going to ask you that, since I was wandering by."

Triage and Luggage

[fun_thementalist]

Gen was making his way to the luggage carriage, because he had an order that he wanted to pick up himself. He's humming a little as he walked down that direction, but it's quickly drowned out by ...

... someone sounding really excited?

He peeked his head in, first. "Ah. Hello there, my dear ... did you receive something better than you expected?"

[consider8]

She's positively jumping with excitement. So much so that she's twirling in the air, quickly shifting form between a human to an octopus. The whole time she's clinging to her ink tank like she's dancing with a long lost love.

After she lands and gives it a passionate hug did she notice Gen looking at her. Oh.

...nope, she's too happy. "I GOT MY INK TANK!!" Apparently this was cause for celebration.

[fun_thementalist]

"Ink tank?" Gen had to smile, though, not just because it's the socially expected response, but because the Octoling was so excited, it was contagious. "I'm very happy for you, my friend, in all honesty. But I can't say I understand the significance."

"Will you be able to do some sort of art project with it?" he asked.

[consider8]

"Art project? No... I!" No, that would take too long to explain.

Hmn... "Okay. Let me show you. Meet me in the gym in... five minutes?"

There was no way she could not show this off. And it would be a nice lighthearted thing she could do considering how bleak their last few conversations have been.

[fun_thementalist]

"... Ah. Certainly! I can do that. Five minutes, then." Gen's curiosity could not be denied. And he doubted, at least, she was excited over a weapon made of ink.

... Probably.

... Likely?

... It was hard to say.

All the same. Gen would be in the gym, right on time, curious and happy to see what Eight was so excited about.

here for the happy eight

[blitzcheer]

Tidus has a few things of his own to collect, boxes upon boxes, a crate of fresh fruit and some leafy greens stacked up on top of each other. Got to collect everything first, search around the luggage car and all that. Why can't the train ever just stack his orders together for him??

But then--Tidus is startled out of his collecting. Head up, he doesn't know if the squealing's over a stubbed toe or a fearful phobia before he realises what it is. Excitement. He moves away from his things, not yet approaching Eight but calling over-

"Whoa, hey! You wanna share the good news with the rest of us?"

[consider8]

Whatever it is, the girl is dancing with it, quickly shifting between her octopus and human form in an astonishing dance that is like a friend being reunited with their long lost love. She's so caught up in the moment that she almost doesn't hear Tidus... until she accidentally bumps into him, that is.

"Vee--!?" She squeaks, looking up at him. The moment does not last, though, and she's ear to ear smiles once she realized who she bumped into.

"Tidus! Tidus, look!" It's... a backpack? Maybe???

[blitzcheer]

Wow, she's on another octo-planet with all the excitement! The bump only gets a small sound from him; otherwise, Tidus about ready to chuckle in the absolute giddiness she's exhibiting.

"That's cool-looking!" Like, it's not untrue! But he looks from it to Eight, eyes wide with interest. "But what does it do? Is it just your bag?"

'Just' her bag. But hey! Getting personal stuff back matters, okay!

[consider8]

"It's an ink tank!" She beams. "I use it to store ink!"

That wasn't evident in the name, Eight??