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

Senku Ishigami | Dr. Stone | OTA

[10billionpercent]

Collecting his things...OTA

Senku, of course, was rooting around for his orders and found himself couple of things - a suitcase, which he opened to reveal two bolts of fabric and an arms band, excellent. Most interesting of all was an unexpected package that held a brand new orange sleeping bag. He also had another package waiting for him and a blue bag.

"Huh, wonder what this is for?"

Perhaps the better question was, what is Senku up to now?

Popping out on the platform - Closed to Roland

Senku wasn't even really thinking about the fact he had no functional SCA, but rather the opportunity to look at a new chunk of real estate in some vague world if one could call platforms that.

He was also intrigued enough by new people, just in case any of them were people he knew, to just wander out and check.

Anyone could see though, his wrists were completely bare, he definitely was not wearing an SCA.

Time to take stock - Closed to Gen

Senku was, in truth, trying to hunt down his boyfriend. He would at least wait until the train had left the station again before approaching him because he tended to do his thing, meet new people and while he sometimes enjoyed the performance, he had things to tell him.

He found Gen easily enough - the train was long but there were only so many places to hide - and came up behind him, holding out a bottle of cola over his shoulder and grabbing his hand with his free hand, interlacing their fingers a moment, a gentle squeeze and then he let go so he could swipe the arms band while he was maybe distracted.

"I got our new project." He grinned wickedly.

Around the train - OTA

Senku would, from a safe distance inside, take the opportunity to meet the new people at the very least, he could decompress later, because meeting new people led to a level of tired that was just more than he liked.

After all that, and if he missed anyone, he could be found loitering around the kitchen, library or even the standard car. He had a cup of coffee, settled in nice and cosy, and out of nowhere he summoned a microscope and set it down on a table.

"Let's see what kinds of things I picked up."

Time to take stock! <3

[fun_thementalist]

"Oh?" Gen asked, not alarmed at all since it was clearly Senku who'd grabbed him, with a bribe. He took the cola and Senku's hand both, squeezing Senku's fingers fondly, even as he rolled his eyes.

"You're plying me with treats very early, my darling," Gen teased, "so I don't believe I'll like the project you'll propose. What do you have in mind?"

When Senku let go of his hand, he was free to take the Arms Band back. It was both of theirs, really, and he found a lot of things he thought Senku would find useful on the last mission, before everything went completely to hell.

[10billionpercent]

"Well." Senku started with a grin, he didn't actually think Gen would mind the project, but he had the opportunity to troll his boyfriend.

What kind of a boyfriend would he be if he didn't take it?

Senku produced a pink and purple ball and held it out with a grin. "What do you think of this?"

[fun_thementalist]

Gen's eyes widened in surprise, then, twisting off the soda's cap as he looked over the ... "It's pretty, that's what I think. Because, very frankly, I don't know what it is."

"Hmmm ..." this was purely for Senku's amusement, "perhaps it's a toy? Or a weapon? Ah, it's a new piece of void technology, you're about to tell me this will allow us to ... that's a button ... receive video transmissions now, in addition to the radio ones."

Probably not, Gen thought. He guessed weapon might be closest, because those were probably the most useful to take apart.

[10billionpercent]

Senku grinned brightly, delighted by his guesses because of course he was. "I'm going to guess a weapon is closer to what you're thinking."

Gen had no idea. He pressed the button and tossed the ball onto the ground.

In a cloud of purple smoke appeared an adorable, tiny, pink kitten with two tails appeared and let out a very delicate meow. The ball seemed to bounce back into his hand and he tucked it out of sight in a pouch that was tucked into a utility belt of sorts looped through his pants.

"Eva got him for me."

[fun_thementalist]

Gen actually took a tiny hop backward, a reflex, even though he was pretty sure that Senku wouldn't throw a grenade at their feet. Well. Not an exploding-kind-of-grenade. Maybe a smoke grenade. Or a grenade filled with some kind of odd gas. It was hard to say. He didn't underestimate Senku, but he did trust him with his life.

He still wasn't expecting a tiny baby purple kitten to appear, giving a tiny little mew. Gen was very sorry, Senku, but. His heart melted.

"Awww, look at you," Gen found himself saying, getting close and kneeling down, offering his hand for the creature to sniff. "You're adorable. Why on earth did you get him, Senku-chan? I didn't think you had any interests in pets? Of course, he's cute enough to be an exception, isn't he? Fuzzy little guy ..."

Collecting Things (Thought it over more, felt this made more sense)

[iamnotgod]

"The bag, or the package?"

Webmind gave him a very considering look - that lack of an SCA has been bothering him, certainly, but if Senku hasn't been straining himself then Webmind had no cause to pester him on the matter...

"I cannot answer as to the former, I'm afraid, but if you open the latter we could perhaps brainstorm answers?"

Given his own small stack of packages, it was as good a solution as any.

[10billionpercent]

"The little blue bag." Senku said, holding it up. "The rest of this stuff I ordered." He paused.

"Not the sleeping bag, that's just a bonus, I guess."

[iamnotgod]

"Presumably it was part of the materials you'd lost on a mission?"

Or so Webmind assumed; there was no way he could know.

"In any case, where is your next stop? I'll be dropping these,"

Meaning his own packages.

"Off in the Standard and Stores carriages. If you happen to be heading that way..."

It was an open offer, not that Senku had to read much into it.

[10billionpercent]

"Yeah, that's right, I figured I'd just be without it." Senku admitted but shrugged. He had no complaints about geting a new one.

"It's fine, I'm just looking for Eva." He had the magical arms band ring that made his purchases disappear in the blink of an eye. For good measure, he swiped Gen's blue bag too and vanished it.

[iamnotgod]

"There is something to be said for sharing," Webmind replied.

"But the train does not let the stores in the kitchen completely empty before refilling them; other amenities and necessities seem to be the same as well in that respect."

Webmind eyed that Arms Band, only now truly considering getting one of his own. Perhaps he need not cut himself open to store tools...

"You ought to be careful, lest the train think combining that device with your SCA would be a better way to make you keep it on."

Which, if its sound-making capacities were any indication, wouldn't truly solve what the problem had been as Kaiba had cited it, but it certainly sounded like a conclusion the train would draw.

around the train

[sos_pilot]

Della was trying to check in on all her friends, like she tended to do after every mission - but this time it was a little slower, since her leg was in repair so she had to walk around via mop-made crutches.

Anyway, when she spots Senku from a corner, she (not very stealthily) stares intensely at him, making sure he's okay.

"Hmmmm..."

[10billionpercent]

Senku was a bit distracted with looking through the microscope but then he got an uneasy feeling, like someone was watching him. Intensely. For some reason.

He turned his head and glanced around. "Hey Airavata." He greeted, when he solved the source of the intense stare.

He saw her crutches. He absolutely knew nothing about those repairs, nope, he definitely didn't consult on them even though he didn't break his promise exactly, he didn't do any repairs himself. He didn't even touch it!

As for his condition he was looking a little more normal, he wasn't confused or dragging, in fact his mind was back to being sharp. A couple of days' rest took care of what was going on with him. Magic healing saved him weeks of recovery.

[sos_pilot]

Oops. "Well, guess I shouldn't consider a career in being a ninja." With the lame joke done with, she began to hobble inside.

"I just wanted to check in on you, see how you're doing..."

[10billionpercent]

Senku snickered appropriately when she came closer. "Probably not, for one thing you're not dressed all in black. I hear that's how the ninjas do it." He tended to err on light teasing.

"Better." He softened slightly. "I only sort of remember our conversation, which is weird, but not much I can do about that, I took a hit to the head."

[ Closed - Senku / Roland / Tidus ]

[adregem]

Even with a mind swirling with unprocessed fears and emotions kept under lock and key, hot off the trails of what was the most chaotic mission of his short train life, Roland still won't be caught unaware of the things happening around him when it came time to work. And the crowd that joins them this time around is not large enough to warrant his attention split anyway, so the little things don't pass him yet.

Like Senku. A pal of his, someone he needs to speak with regardless, with his brow dipped in worry and his body language reflective of a desire to be urgent, to talk. To let some of this pent up stress loose, somehow, just by telling someone else while the rest of the four in that group who met Halo reconvened in their own circles. The group announcement was inevitable, but Senku - Senku had stakes in this way before the events of the mission.

Which is why he crosses that distance with a long gait, and holds Senku on the shoulder with a firm hand. As he turns to greet him, Roland will start off as he usually would - "Hey, got a minute - " until his eyes drift down to wrists crossed against Senku's chest. Bare wrists. Off the train. On the platform. On the platform, without his SCA. Again. A different man, but again, and that woman disappeared, she became light -

Roland's usual levelheaded cool is superseded with a different overflow. Crazed almost, at least by his standards. There is a rush of movement as he takes Senku by both shoulders, makes him face Roland who is suddenly up close without much warning or give.

"Where is your watch?" He says, strict and unrelenting. "Senku, where is your SCA?"

[10billionpercent]

Senku would've preferred, if Roland had called out to him first or went for his arm instead. Roland could probably read his body language by the way he tensed when he was grabbed in the first place. "Hey!" He said, sounding more startled than for it to be a greeting, he'd been about to protest, shy away from his grip but Roland of all people was grabbing him with both hands, looking, well kind of manic.

"Hey!" He said, a bit firmer, trying to step back, but they're sort of in the doorway and there's nowhere to go. "Too close!" Senku retorted. "Let go!"

He hadn't raised his voice, but it was far from his usual level speech in return. He also didn't look like he was listening to Roland's questions and Roland's panic and he kind of couldn't at the moment, he was completely distracted by an overwhelming sense of feeling boxed in. He could address everything in a moment.

[blitzcheer]

It's the first platform stop in a while where Tidus actually doesn't have some hesitance over getting off. It's been a rough mission, the past few days finally washing off him the usual aftermath's exhaustion. Still reluctant to get too hard into any physical activities, but, well - Piccolo was a demanding teacher who wouldn't allow his students to slack off for much longer.

But there are faces he wants to catch for the stop, an experiment not forgotten. He just needs to find them, the pair and a certain radio. And what luck he'll see them - or so he thinks? - already together, just about the length of a carriage away, and apparently... chatting? Tidus walks comfortably in their direction, unaware of anything peculiar.

"Sup, yo! Rol? You got Senku there?"

That was both of them he saw, right? He sees Roland's back, anyway...

[adregem]

Tidus's greeting is lost in the struggle. Roland's eyes are strictly on Senku for now, until there is a stronger intervention. He feels Senku attempt to pry free, but even as his own hands try to force Roland away, there's not enough push to make him budge more than an inch.

At least though, he hears some of that discomfort, sees it close enough in Senku's eyes that he can afford to loosen his hold. But the touch remains as his anchor, only drifting down as gently as he can to grasp instead at Senku's still bare wrists in an attempt to hold him there, in place. One more step out of the train and -

- he doesn't want his mind to go there. He doesn't want to imagine a single casualty, not when he knew, not when he could stop it. So Roland uses this chance to maneuver his body to block wherever led to outside, shaking his head adamantly.

"I'm not letting go until you wear your watch. Get it first, then I'll move!"

around the train

[flatteries]

Inigo does remember what he and Senku talked about during the mission - and since the platform day didn't end up as disastrously as some of the last ones, Inigo figures he's in an okay enough mood to go through with what he promised Senku.

Thankfully he's pretty sure of a place he could find the other. There's only one place in the train those big brainy types always go-- and bingo, there's Senku, right in the library. Like clockwork.

Inigo approaches him, a slight smile on his face, only to stop and tilt his head in confusion slightly as he tries to make sense of what the other's got there.

"Hey, Senku. Did you.. get some new.. science thing?" Surely that's what it is when Senku is using it, right. A Science Thing.

[10billionpercent]

"Last platform I did." Senku said agreeably and turned to smile at Inigo. "It's called a microscope. It lets me see things that are super tiny by making them significantly bigger."

He pulled out a slide that had a little leaf pinned between the glass.

"Gen got it for me."

[flatteries]

"He did? That's so nice of him!"

But while Inigo means that, he sounds a little distracted. It's not hard to tell what exactly has got him distracted in the first place - he's still staring over at the microscope, like he's trying to figure out what it's all about. Senku's explanation is one thing, after all, but.. is a thing like this somehow supposed to make things bigger? How even?

Besides--

"What kind of things would you look at using that?" Inigo points at the slide. "Is that leaf that interesting?"

[10billionpercent]

"It is. We have a tendency to swap gifts a lot." Senku admitted, then again they were dating now, but they really had no excuse before it was just as true.

"Incredbly. I got it on the last mission. It's completely different from the leaves I got on this mission. Do you want to look?" He slid the slide back into place and got up, moving away.

"You just look with one eye through the eyepiece here, and you'll see what I mean."

around

[thornsofmundus]

"I didn't realize you had a microscope now," Thorne.tcai says, utterly unbothered by Senku summoning said microscope out of nowhere. She's used to video game inventory systems.

(Had he announced it and she just hadn't been paying attention?)

[10billionpercent]

He'd adapted incredibly well to having his own limitless video game inventory system. It was incredibly full.

He turned to glance at her and smiled. "Yeah, I got it a little while ago. The Mentalist got it for me."

He hadn't actually every announced it, it was a gift from his boyfriend.