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

[crimson_rain]

He searches his rucksack to check his inventory. He finds his ticket.

"Mine says, cabin E, sleeper 3 and I'm on team blue. How about you, gege?"

[lucklessgege]

"We are in the same cabin at least. I am on purple team..ah..I guess that explains the outfit." The fact that everyone on the train seems to be sporting their team color now seems more obvious.

[crimson_rain]

"I wish I have the red hoodies, but for some reason I am blue." Well, it doesn't matter. Blue is indeed a nice color. "Oh, same cabin? I preferred that way. That means we stay together." He grins.

Seeing it's safe to get up. "Why don't we go find it and check it out?" Taking his hand he tugs him along.

[lucklessgege]

He nods and lets himself be tugged. He does prefer red on Hua Cheng but there must be a reason he was placed with blue instead. He will have to find someone who knows the different colors.

"I'm glad they are going to let us stay together. I wonder if everyone is that lucky." because it definitely isn't his luck that got them this..so it had to have been Hua Cheng's luck.

[crimson_rain]

"We ought to stay together. I want to stay with you and give you all of my luck." He said with a smile, and much of his luck does indeed come from him, given to him.

He takes him through the carriage cars, reading the letters and numbers until he finds theirs. "Here it is." Using his ticket as the key, he opens the cabin door to find it empty, and there are top and bottom beds.

[lucklessgege]

He walks into the cabin and looks at the beds. He marvels at how odd they are. "Looks like there might be four of us in here at some point. Which bed would you like?"

Xie Lian doesn't really have a preference but if they are going to have roommates then he would happily let them all chose which bed they want. He would be content with any of the options.

[crimson_rain]

They'll discover much later no roommates will come. Not until the train makes it's next stop on the next platform.

Hua Cheng set his backpack down and inspects the beds. It's all clean and neat, so to his approval, befitting for him and the prince.

Thoughtfully, he tries to think of bunk bed arrangement. "Oh, I'm not particularly picky. But I rather pick the bottom bed. I want the bed to be opposite of yours, gege. But if you pick the top, I'll go top. Or do you go top and I'll be on the bottom on the same side? I don't think it matters as long you're comfortable."

[lucklessgege]

He laughs at the different options that Hua Cheng gives him. He doesn't really mind which bed he sleeps on. "I think I would prefer a lower bed. Since I am used to sleeping on the mat that will be closer to doing that."

It's not like he has a fear of heights or anything. He just wants to feel a little more like at home.

[crimson_rain]

Then, he'll make it safe as a home for him. He smiles and laughs back. "Gege, as long as you're comfortable and get some sleep later on. I know this isn't paradise manor or the straw bed back in your temple, but anywhere you are, I'll be with you. Let me make your bed, your highness."

In the meanwhile, to make room and space, he helps pack away their things. He pushes the top beds, folding them up since they won't be using it. Being clever, he pulls the blankets and pillows from the top bunks down for their use to double their blankets and pillows on their bottom bed beds.

Since they're behind closed doors, his smile wides and he gives him a quick kiss on his cheek.

"There, made your bed so it's extra warm and comfy."

[lucklessgege]

He smiles, blushing lightly at the kiss. Even in the privacy of their own room it seems strange to receive such affection. But after their public display on the platform he really shouldn't be surprised or shy about it anymore.

"Thank you San Lang."

He sits down on the bed to test it. "Ah..they are going to be far more comfortable then the mat."

[crimson_rain]

Hua Cheng sat on his bed, leaning on the nearby wall on one side, and cross his legs.

"This cabin feels a little narrow and cramp. But I don't mind." Because from his view, if he sleeps and rest, dianxia will be the first person he sees upon waking up since they sleep on the bottom bed are adjacent from each other.

"Is your bed comfortable dianxia?"

[lucklessgege]

"It is. I don't think it feels that small. It is smaller then the shrine but we can't be greedy for space when there are so many that have to share it."

Xie Lian is just glad to have a space they can call their own for the time being.

[crimson_rain]

Xie Lan...he always find him too humble. But this is why he adores him so much.

"If it's fine by you, then it's fine by me." He could get used to it. He summons a silver butterfly of light and sends it to fly and swirling around his Beloved to light up the cabin.

While there's many activities going on through the train, and jobs to figure out later, he's going to relax in the meanwhile for the entire evening.

[lucklessgege]

He smiles as he reaches up to let the little butterfly land on his finger for a moment before it flutters off.

"We should rest up. We will have much to explore later." Xie Lian intends to look at all the cars on the train but it has already been a very busy day and he wants to make sure he has plenty of time to do so.

He lays down on the bed and rolls onto his side so that he can see Hua Cheng.

[crimson_rain]

The butterfly flutters off, only to fly back again, and landed on his hand to leave a red thread around his finger there as he willed it.

"Let's explore later. I want to see what the night life looks like."

He plops on the bed and rolls on his side to see Xie Lian. He smiles softly, before closing his eyes to drift off. "But a nap sounds nice gege."

[lucklessgege]

"I heard there is a curfew. I'm not sure there is much night life."

It will certainly take some getting used to if they have to be in bed by a certain time, but Xie Lian doesn't mind. He looks at the little red string and smiles softly.

[crimson_rain]

With a yawn, "There is? I guess we have to learn the rules then." As he lay comfortable on his cot.

He smiles softly too, but nap time. "If you need anything, let me know. I'll go get it for you."

[lucklessgege]

"Just rest San Lang. We can go and get things together later." He is content to rest for now.