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

platform

[sos_pilot]

Della is out and about, intending to help newbies. So when she sees the lost, confused soul, she's already starting to walk over, ready to help.

Oh, he can float! And he's got a... giant... scythe...

Della flat-out panics - after all, giant man + giant scythe = grim reaper, right??? RIGHT????

"OH, HEEEEECKA NO, I AIN'T GOING DOWN YET! I HAVE TOO MUCH TO LIVE FOR!" She suddenly holds up her hands in karate positions, ready to defend herself. She has too much to make up for, she can't die yet!

[controlsthedie]

Now that is a reaction Thanatos is used to. He turns slowly, and he can't deny that he's a little surprised to see a talking duck.

... Must be one of Zeus' children.

"I'm not here for you." He doesn't even so much as twitch the scythe, but unfortunately, he has just confirmed that he is a grim reaper of sorts even if he's never been called that yet. Oops?

[sos_pilot]

"... Oh. Oooh, thank goodness." She exhales deeply, a hand to her chest, full of relief. But hey, so long as he's not actually to take her life (or that of anyone here, hopefully) she doesn't see why they can't be bros. She's BFFs with other deities.

"Phew! Sorry for the freak-out. Normally my introductions aren't quite as loud..." A little laugh, then offering a friendly hand to shake. "Name's Della Duck. What's yours?"

[controlsthedie]

"I have that effect on people," Thanatos says. He glances at the hand extended toward him. Where exactly does a child of Zeus fit in compared to a Chthonic God... He stops that train of thought. Never mind. Not worth potentially angering Zeus over. Thanatos shakes her hand.

"Thanatos. It is a pleasure to meet you, Della Duck."

[sos_pilot]

Shake-shake! Yay, they are friends now. She has just decided this.

"All right, Thanatos. I expect you've got a lot of questions, so, lemme sum up as best I can." Clearing her throat...

"One! You, me, and everyone you meet here? Are from different worlds. Kinds obvious, but, still. Good to hear."

[controlsthedie]

If he was privy to her thoughts, he'd think that she'd get along great with Zagreus. Both of them need very little to start a friendship and decide to help another.

"One?" His only question is who's soul is he being pulled towards and must release because he normally has more details or a stronger sense than this. However, Della sounds like she's about to list off a bunch a questions, so he'll wait for her to finish while he tries to pick up on his assignment better.

He does have an assignment here... right?

[sos_pilot]

"I like to give people time to breathe between each bullet point." She explained with a casual shrug. "In case of any 'whaaaat' or 'no way' or 'are you really a talking duck' interruptions."

Apparently she's been through this rodeo several times.

"Two! We've been chosen to be on this magic train that also takes us to different worlds. Usually it's to help whatever problem they have, like fighting monsters or fixing their tech. But sometimes we run into really chill worlds, so we can just relax or party."

[controlsthedie]

Thanatos gives a slight nod, surprised that Della was so efficient with her information but also not fully believing them. He's a god. He doesn't participate in quests and adventures. That's a job for heroes.

As strange as all this is, his appearance and his outfit, Thanatos can't believe he's meant for this task. Again, that's not his job.

"Is that the 'magic train'?" He points to the sleek black thing.

[sos_pilot]

"Bingo." You earned some finger guns!

"You'll be rooming with a bunch of other people, most likely, but think of them as your new BFFs. Honestly, we have sooo many friendly, nice people on the train, you're bound to make a new friend almost every day. Isn't that great?"

It's great, right??? WE'RE ALL ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY. At least Della clearly believes this.

[controlsthedie]

Uh, no... Thanatos is perfectly fine with not having to meet and make friends on a daily basis. Not his job. People don't want to meet Death. (It happens anyways.) He is not one of those gods who follow heroes around and offer advice and boons either. That all sounds like a bad idea to him.

"... It would be best if I kept my distance."

[sos_pilot]

"Oooh, one of those lone wolf types, eh?" Della always loved a challenge. "We'll see about that. I can't speak for everyone here, but I personally enjoy winning guys like you over.

[controlsthedie]

... ... ... Oh gods, she truly is a daughter of Zeus, and she has inherited that aspect of him. Excuse Thanatos as he stares at her in baffled silence as he completely misunderstands what she means.

"That... You do know I'm Death Incarnate, right?"

[sos_pilot]

"The giant scythe kinda gave that away. Unless you were just really into old-fashioned farming." She laughed at her own dumb joke.

[controlsthedie]

"I've only been on a farm to collect the shade of someone who died."

Della, he thinks getting close to him is a bad idea. People want to stay away from Death, not get closer!

[sos_pilot]

Someday, someone will laugh at her stupid jokes. Someday.

"... Anyway, the point is, death's a part of life. It's a bummer, sure, but it shouldn't stop us from enjoying life and being friends. I pretty much face death on a daily basis back home - meeting the man behind it all is actually neat."

[controlsthedie]

Someday, the duck daughter of Zeus will gain the laughs she desires.

Thanatos stares at Della for a long moment, unable to completely hide the surprise on his face. Even demigods had a fear of death, but she... "I'm... 'neat'?"

[sos_pilot]

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it." Della is no liar. Exaggerate-er, maybe. "I bet you have all kinds of interesting stories about what you do and where you're from!"

[controlsthedie]

"I don't have as many as you'd think. I usually arrive after the story has ended." And someone is dead and done from a more peaceful death and waiting to be picked up.

[sos_pilot]

"Even just one story of yours is one I'd love to hear!" Yeah, he's not getting rid of her anytime soon.

[controlsthedie]

"..." He's silent for a moment and then raises an eyebrow just a fraction. "Do you mean right now?"

[sos_pilot]

"It doesn't have to be right this second." Della admits, willing to - finally - give him some breathing room. "You've got a lot to take in, so I'm willing to wait it out."

[controlsthedie]

That's a relief, though he doesn't necessarily show it on his face. Thanatos needs some time to think of a tale that might sound impressive... and then figure out how to tell a tale. He could only think of the time he and Hypnos went to retrieve the body of Sarpedon... but given that he and Della shared the same godly father, that might give the wrong impression.

"I will think of something." Or try to.

[sos_pilot]

Whenever Thanatos "reveals" her parentage, expect much laughter. So much laughter. Endless laughter.

"I'll look forward to it! And if you need for for anything - a shoulder to cry on, a partner to kick butt with, or you just wanna chill - I'm down for anything." Finger guns! They are now BFFs, emphasis on the forever.

[controlsthedie]

Della is going to be the daughter of Zeus for a long time if he never says those thoughts out loud. Thanatos also has no idea what he has gotten himself into.

"... All right."