A New Platform [Intro Post January]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

It’s been a month of ups and downs for the Voidtrecker Express and its passengers, but like clockwork, they are awoken by a familiar message that morning.

"Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Jelly. 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. The air is particularly crisp and clear here, the view blocked only by the fog around the platform, and while not overly cold, the temperature can best be described as brisk.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Fingon, Galo Thymos, Hikaru Aosora, Jin Ling, Lio Fotia, Minako Aino, Nerdanel, Nie Mingjue, Thorne.tcai, Webmind and Yotsuyu goe Brutus 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. As their eyes adjust, they will see they are on a platform, glass and dark stone rising in sturdy arches around them. 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; then the steam begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform is not large with fifteen figures scattered around, all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. To both the left and right, 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 step a strange assortment 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

After a short time, the doors hiss open again. 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 fresh ingredients, including several crates of avocados, the ingredient of the month of Jelly, as well as all sundries.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. For each member of Blue Team, a small gauze bag with their name on it contains a generous handful of sweet rainbow fudge.

New passengers will find their ticket allows 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 full of spare blankets and pillows.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers taking advantage of the fresh air, 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 itself. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!

Comments

II All Aboard

[azrthmtrnznthos]

Raven wasn't sure why she lingered, as usually she sought privacy from the crowds and rush. But she was glad she did, as she saw a familiar person creep on to the train. Radiating stress and unease even without her Empathy picking up passive leaking of the same.

"...Bucky?" This was definitely not the way the Bucky she knew behaved, and he hadn't been aboard when she came back. Which means he'd left at some point, and was now back?

She kept her voice calm, and let herself passively project calm-and-peace. No need to add unduly to his stress yet.

[worthallthis]

There's a little twitch at the name, a flinch, and then their head is craning around to find the source of it. Who else here knows that name? Or any name at all? The small young lady in the hood is looking at them, which means-- either she's the one who called them, or she noticed the twitch. Possibly both.

"It's. I go by. Soldat, now. Mostly." They might not be able to make themselves tell Steve to stop, but anyone else... probably. Maybe.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"Then you don't recognize this place?" Raven will honor the request, although she's curious about it. "I'm sorry for the questions. I'm Raven."

[worthallthis]

"No, I. Should I?" Soldat's expressions are small and subtle, but this one is clearly confusion. "It's okay. You know me? Or." Universes. There are multiple universes. They know this, they know how there'd been two different Elevens in Beacon, how all the people from Rosinante's world came from slightly different ones, how Sora had been two people.

They flatten out their expression, dismayed. "Or you know another me?" they guess.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"Bucky was here before. I knew him, as did some others. One of them even had a special bond with him." It's a simple explanation, trying to give him just the facts.

[worthallthis]

The name earns another flinch, this one a little less obvious, but still their. "Another me, then. I don't. I don't use that name. I've been on a dead world for a year and a half. Never been here." The only train they've been on is--

--not something they actually remember yet, but the itch is there, in the back of their mind, like it's just waiting to pounce on them at the worst possible moment. It isn't helping their feeling of being on edge.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"That's why I wanted to warn you, as well as explain." A pause. "I'll call you Soldat, since that's what you prefer."

[worthallthis]

"Thank you." That's a relief. Soldat sags a little against the train seat just inside the entry, trying to stay out of the way of any of the others while they talk. "Should I. Is there anyone? I should really expect to upset?"

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"I'm not entirely sure how to answer that." Raven said honestly. "He had friends here, so it's likely they'll be happy to see you, but also perplexed and call you the wrong name." Raven paused, trying to figure out how to ask, gently.

"It bothers you. You're very much unsettled and on edge, from what I can tell."

[worthallthis]

Soldat shakes their head once, just a little. "I was on edge before. That's just. One more thing, I guess. That name isn't comfortable for me. Upsetting people isn't comfortable. But neither is anything else, right now, so. Rather know up front and be prepared."

What they really need is a familiar face of their own, somewhere quiet to sit, and maybe some paper to fold. (And food. Aw, shit, they took our pendants for chewing on, too. Fuck. We'll just... make a new one. There's got to be something.)

[azrthmtrnznthos]

Raven was quiet while she thought, before keeping her tone soft, if still slightly deadpan. "I understand you don't know me. I'm willing to continue helping if I can, but would you like to go somewhere less open and public?"

[worthallthis]

If there's anyone who understands having trouble with tone, it's Soldat. Their eyes flick around the car briefly. It's true, they don't know her... but it's also been a year and a half where no one has actually betrayed them. And getting out of the noise sounds really nice. "Okay." A pause. And then the maybe slightly plaintive: "Do you have any paper?"

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"I'm sure there's some somewhere. Do you want to go to the quiet car first, and I can bring you some, or would you rather I try and find some on our way?"

[worthallthis]

"Whatever is easiest," Soldat says meekly. She already seems to be putting herself to a lot of trouble for them already.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

Raven was quiet, thinking, but started walking. "I can probably find some faster if you're alright with waiting in the quiet car alone." It was still up to him.

[worthallthis]

Easier to let her decide, anyway. Soldat's gotten a lot better about self-motivation, a lot better, but they're still kind of overwhelmed right now. "I'm fine with waiting."

Might help let them get themselves in order without somebody watching for a couple minutes, too.

They let her lead them to the quiet car with something like relief to be out of the bustle of everyone else boarding and getting to know each other.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"The ICP in the quiet car only works for train-wide announcements from the conductor. The door locks from the inside, too." Raven offered, as they approached the car. It wasn't a long walk at all, thankfully. Raven lead the way to one of the cabins on the top floor, just to add to the privacy for the other.

"I'm going to find some paper and then back here. Do you want anything else? Tea, or water, or food?"

[worthallthis]

(Yes food. Shut up, Pit.)

They chew on the inside of their cheek instead of answering for a moment. It's hard, sometimes, to tell if they're really hungry or if it's just their eating-things problem. The Bottomless Pit's influence. But they do still need a lot of fuel, and the last thing they remember from Beacon was fighting, it might be a good idea.

So, flesh hand hanging onto the door of the private room, they say sheepishly, "If food isn't too much trouble. I can find some later if it is." She's being so kind, and they know how to fend for themselves. They're just stressed right now.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"Anything I shouldn't bring you?" Because Raven was planning to do things the quick way, via teleport. Mostly because she was worried about Buc--Soldat.

[worthallthis]

They shake their head, wearily, looking into the quiet room rather than at her. "Anything you bring, I'll eat." Even if it's not technically edible, honestly, they might.

They slip inside and just drop onto one of the benches, setting the lantern gently to on side and the rucksack to the other.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

Raven watches for a moment to be sure they're settled, before heading out of the quiet car. Raven wanted to be quick, but she wasn't sure teleporting on the train itself was safe. At least, not the way she teleported. Better to phase through the cars and walls. So her first job was finding some paper--once she secured that, she'd get some food. Preferably something already made, as her cooking skills were less than stellar.

So, phasing through the train-cars via her dark-energy, Raven began her hunt.

Hopefully it wasn't too long before she was back at the Quiet car, bearing paper, some herbal tea, and some Lembas from the stores. Phasing only into the main car, before she walked to the door where she'd left Soldat, and knocking softly.

[worthallthis]

Soldat takes the time in the quiet to go through their rucksack, and so by the time Raven gets back, they're sitting on the floor, head leaned back against the seat, tablet sitting on their knee and playing soft music, instrumental, slightly jazzy.

"Raven? It's unlocked," they say at the knock, lifting their head and looking over.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

Considering the Quiet Car's wall with the door was glass, it should be obvious. Then again, Soldat was under a lot of stress, and Raven got that. Coming in, she passed him the tea and Lembas, along with the paper.

"These doors can lock from the inside. You also don't get any noise from inside or outside, except for train-wide announcements." A pause, and she pulled her cowl down. Maybe that would help put Soldat more at ease too, if she looked less creepy. "I...sleep in one of these cars a lot. At least until the train makes me unconscious and puts me back in my bunk."

[worthallthis]

Soldat has seen so many more creepy things than a quiet girl in a hood. They set the tablet aside to accept everything she's brought. The tea and Lembas get set aside, and the paper gathered up immediately.

They flatten it against the floor of the carriage and start slowly folding. Raven might recognize origami. "Good to know. Are there other people who use them a lot?" Because sleeping in a private, locking space sounds like it might be a good idea-- but at the same time, sleeping when they can't hear any heartbeats or breathing sounds like a bad idea. They'll have to experiment.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"Yes and no. But it's usually pretty easy to find one that's free." Soldat has not seen Raven angry yet. Hopefully no one on the train will ever see her angry.

She moves to come take a seat on the other bench, smiling a little as she recognizes the origami. It must be a way he copes with stress. "It's kind of too big for one person, but I'm used to more space and privacy. My room at home is pretty off-limits." Hence why she comes to sleep in the Quiet car a lot.