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

[melodiouspacifist]

He was settled well into a song by then, it was slow and melodic, gentle background music meant to be somewhat ignored.

He looked up, his fingers didn't stop moving and he smiled. "Hey, thanks!"

The fact that he was looking at a talking duck person was not even the strangest thing he'd ever seen so he didn't react.

[sos_pilot]

She was rather relieved he wasn't freaking out about her appearance. +1, Demyx.

"Are you new to the train? Haven't seen your face before."

[melodiouspacifist]

He may have been familiar with a particular spiky haired child who had a duck companion. That was about all he knew though.

"Totally." He answered with a wry grin. "Never been here before. Not really looking to stay."

Demyx was convinced he'd be able to dig out his phone and get Ienzo's big brain figuring things out, failing that, a rescue.

[sos_pilot]

"Ehhh... hoo boy. Sounds like you haven't been given the talk yet." With that, Della invited herself to sit down with him.

"Let's start things off simple. My name's Della Duck."

[melodiouspacifist]

Hopefully she didn't mind the mood music, because even with the distraction of conversation, his fingers didn't stop moving. It wouldn't be a familiar song, he tended to play whatever came to mind.

"I'm Demyx." He answered and offered a grin.

[sos_pilot]

She didn't mind at all, occasionally tapping her fingers on the arm rest to the beat.

"Nice to meet you, Demyx. Let's start things off with the obvious... everyone you meet here is from a different world."

[melodiouspacifist]

"Okay." Demyx responded with a blink. Was that..noteworthy? Everyone he was always meeting was from a different world. He was on some huge world-hopping adventure. They didn't usually know that though.

Was she some kind of keyblade wielder? Then again, she didn't react negatively on sight, but that didn't necessarily mean anything unless she wasn't working with them. Confusing stuff.

[sos_pilot]

He was handling this pretty well so far! A good sign!

"So, almost every month, the train picks up us other-worlders. And we go off and visit other worlds that need our help. Like fighting monsters or repairing broken systems and stuff. Basically, the train needs heroes!"

[melodiouspacifist]

Demyx responded by laughing at that, then he shook his head.

"Huge mistake. I'm no hero." He waved his hand a little bit.

[sos_pilot]

Ah, so he was the humble type? Della reached over to pat his arm.

"Everyone has the potential to be a hero, in their own unique ways. We're sure to find yours! I know it!"

[melodiouspacifist]

He wasn't at all, he believed that he wans't really.

"I don't really think so but..." He shrugged lightly. "I can't think of anything I can do."

[sos_pilot]

"It's not something you need to figure out right this second." She admitted. "We just wrapped up a mission, so we've got plenty of time before the next time. It'll give you a chance to explore the train and make lots of friends!"

[melodiouspacifist]

Demyx just blinked at her a moment. There was that mention of missions which he'd already been told about but really...

"Make friends?" He couldn't think of anyone, save maybe Ienzo, that he might call a friend. Who would even want to be his friend?

[sos_pilot]

"Yep!" Della cheered on, still oblivious to what was bugging him. "The train is full of so many awesome, friendly people! You're bound to make a new friend almost every day! And you've already started with me."

That's right - they've known each other for all of five minutes and she's already considered them bros.

[melodiouspacifist]

Five minutes had to be a new record, even considering where he's come from and how important friendship seemed to be.

"Uh...Well..." He blinked. "Maybe. I don't usually have friends so, I guess we'll see."

[sos_pilot]

"Don't sweat it! You already have a leg up on people here, with your own instrument! Whereas I have a leg down."

Cause she's missing a leg. Get it? Get it???

[melodiouspacifist]

He couldn't fight the amused expression at her joke. He totally got that.

"Ah, I guess you have a point, if people like music! I know some very boring people who don't." He admitted with a chuckle.

[sos_pilot]

FINALLY. Someone who appreciates her terrible puns. You're now her bestie.

"We have a whole music car too! It has songs from all the different worlds, it's awesome!"

[melodiouspacifist]

He did appreciate that pun, terrible or not.

"Wait, really?" Demyx sait up a little. "That I've got to see."

Any plans he had about leaving could be put on hold long enough to check out music from all kinds of worlds, couldn't it?

[sos_pilot]

"I can show you where! ... If, uh, you give me a minute." Now she's got to get back out of the seat and back on the crutches.

[melodiouspacifist]

"Yeah, yeah sure." Demyx answered, getting up and that huge sitar that was as big as him suddenly disappeared.

[sos_pilot]

Soon she was up, and ready, and... startled. "Hey, where did the huge guitar go?!"

[melodiouspacifist]

"Ah, it's a sitar." He corrected, huge difference after all. "I just unsummoned it."

He smirked a little bit. "Want to see me bring it back?"

[sos_pilot]

"Of course I do!" Della tried to clap a bit. "You've got magic! Dude, that's super useful!"

[melodiouspacifist]

"Alright." Demyx looked amused at least and he took two steps back and raised a hand above his head.

Water seemed to gather around from nowhere and then formed into the shape of his sitar and it fell, landing perfectly in his hands.

Demyx was a bit of a show off.