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

Yoite | Nabari no Ou | OTA

[comefadeaway]

A package

Yoite had actually ordered something from the shop after the mission and his reliance on his power was not going to be sufficient enough. He didn't actually want to know what happened if he screwed up more than once.

He wasn't even sure what was going to happen this time. There had to be some kind of consequence.

He found what he was looking for - a case with his name on it, and found it peculiar that he had blue bag, and another package. The latter seemed to hold another pair of cargo pants, which was good because having only one set wasn't going to be enough. The blue bag went into his pocket, the pants draped over his arm and he hugged the case to his chest.

Around the train

Yoite looked like he should be in bed. He should be. He'd lost a lot of blood, despite the fluids he was given he still felt a little woozy.

He could be found in the kitchen, trying to figure out how to make something, since Ichigo told him he had to eat more, which was just an astute observation at that point. He was moments away from just staring at the raw ingredients and giving up.

Apart from that, Yoite was trying to stay out of the way. He could be found in corners, curled up in a ball and trying to keep out of sight. He just didn't want any trouble, but at least he could be found if there was another mission to be had. He didn't trust the few reassurances he'd had that nothing bad would happen.

[OOC note: Yoite is deaf, one might have to get his attention first.]

A Package

[its_dad_sanzo]

Koumyou wandered into luggage, curious about how this whole 'ordering things' situation was supposed to unfold. Something about things being in here?

He spotted Yoite, and tried to wave him down. He remembered the guy's senses were spotty at best. "Found something cool?"

[comefadeaway]

Movement was usually the best way to catch his attention, barring reaching out for him and he stopped, looking Koumyou's way. 'Spotty' was rather generous, really.

"Cool?" He blinked and considered. "I guess. I ordered myself some kunai." He explained. "So I can be more effective in hand to hand combat."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Sounds pretty cool to me! Those are like... throwing knives, right? Little pointy guys?"

Koumyou glanced around at the various bits of luggage all over the place, but only when he was done speaking. Gotta make reading his lips easier! He could be considerate, like that.

He looked back at Yoite again to ask, "How many did you get? I bet they're awfully easy to lose in a fight."

So hopefully more than like, two.

[comefadeaway]

Yoite paused and opened the case. "Six, apparently." He snapped it closed again. They could remain there until he could hide them on his person.

"We don't typically throw these ones, but we can. They're a bit heavier. It's something of a go to defense, maybe." Yoite explained slightly. "I'll have to be careful not to lose them."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Ohh? More of a hand-to-hand thing, then? I see!"

And Koumyou spots a suitcase with his name literally on it, and kneels down to unzip it and peer inside. "Oh! It's here!"

[comefadeaway]

"That's right. That's the kind of training I have. My skills are ranged, otherwise." Yoite explained.

Around the Train - Kitchen

[zechs_isonfire]

Zechs tended not to sleep well, which had very little to do with the train - disastrous mission aside - and a good deal more with his life before it.

So he caught sight of Yoite when he was wandering into the kitchen to fix himself a cup of tea, staring indecisively at the fridge. When he turned, Zechs would still be looking, and caught the expression on his face. Like a man forced to fight for way too long, clearly running himself dry.

"What were you looking to eat?" Zechs asked him.

[comefadeaway]

Yoite tilted his head slightly as he watched him and considered his question. "I don't really..."

He sighed softly. "It doesn't matter. The doctor told me to eat something."

[zechs_isonfire]

"Even if you're not hungry," Zechs guessed, with a serious expression, "the doctor is likely right. That was a difficult fight. If you were involved in any way, you need fuel."

He walked over to the pantry, to find a box of pasta. "Do you have any known allergies or intolerances?"

[comefadeaway]

"That's right." Yoite answered, because that was what he'd said and he'd been in the thick of the fight, for the fat lot of good that had done.

As Zechs had wandered off, he completely missed the question.

[zechs_isonfire]

Not getting a response, Zechs took out the pasta and turned to look at the boy, attempting to see what caught his attention instead. ... Nothing?

"Yoite?" Zechs asked, wondering if he was spacing out from lack of food and energy.

[comefadeaway]

He glanced at him. "Yes?" He paused, realizing. "Did you say something?"

II.

[crimson_rain]

In the kitchen, he's trying to be of help to the humans for reasons. His partner Xie Lian ruins the food during meal prep, and he knows it's deadly for human consumption. He quickly replaces the ruined food, so the humans on board don't notice.

He saw the child staring at the raw ingredients on the counter, and he stood there without saying a word, but he intuitively knew what he wanted.

Smiling kindly, "Hello. I'm cooking. What do you want to eat?"

[comefadeaway]

He didn't actually notice him at first, he'd been focused on his utter lack of cooking ability and debating just if he could eat something raw and be done with it.

This person had a kind smile and had probably said something. Yoite tilted his head now, watching much more carefully.

"I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"

[crimson_rain]

He raised an eyebrow at his request. Patiently, he slowly repeats, saying a little louder so he could hear.

"I am cooking dinner. Do you want to eat?" He shows him a package of noodles or a bowl of rice to indicate what he's working on. But also, there's a smell of meat and vegetables being cooked.

"You're hungry?"

[comefadeaway]

Unfortunately, it didn't matter how loudly he said it, Yoite couldn't hear it, but he was watching his lips and so he understood.

"I'm not hungry, but the doctor said I had to eat something." He explained.

[crimson_rain]

Hua Cheng reads his body language as he sees he is staring at the food prior. Using his spiritual perception, he senses something is wrong with the child as he stares at his lips moving.

"Hmmm." Ah, intuition struck him that something is wrong. The child is deaf.

"Okay. I'll make you rice." He shows him a bowl of rice, and hopefully, that's something he likes? "Rice...?"

[comefadeaway]

"Alright." Yoite agreed with a nod. He didn't mind rice, he actually didn't mind much of anything, but he didn't know how to prepare it.

It would've been nice if he knew what he was doing in the kitchen, it was going to be harder to follow Ichigo's directions that way.

Around the Train

[azrthmtrnznthos]

Unfortunately for Yoite, Raven was observant. Especially when her empathy could tell someone was far more troubled than they were letting on. Between that and his behavior, it had her seeking Yoite out.

Finding him in one of those out of the way spots, and approaching softly. Enough to be heard, not enough to be too disruptive she hoped. "Hey." As calm as ever, trying for a little less deadpan in her voice.

[comefadeaway]

Unfortunately for Raven, a soft, quiet approach wasn't at all something that would catch Yoite's attention.

He was curled up out of the way and seemingly staring at nothing, but because he couldn't hear her, he didn't respond.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

Well either he didn't hear her, or he was ignoring her. Too bad Raven had no intention of being ignored. Crouching down herself, blue-cloak flowing around her to keep her covered. "Hey." She said a bit louder, but still trying for less deadpan in her voice.

[comefadeaway]

Yoite startled slightly, as he did when he wasn't paying attention to his surroundings and all of a sudden someone was in his line of sight trying to get his attention.

"Yes?" He asked, blinking a few times.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"Um....Hi." Raven hadn't expected that reaction, although she probably should've. "We haven't met, but I'm one of the healers. Raven. I wanted to check on you."

[comefadeaway]

"Oh. I see." Yoite said, relaxing his posture a little bit. "I'm doing alright since I left medical." He assured her gently. "I can fight again anytime."