voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post January]

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That wasn't a terrible assessment, really. There was a lot Yoite didn't know.

"Oh, I didn't know surgery could do that." Surgery hadn't been broached for him ever. If he had needed it, no one would've bothered, he was expendable.

"I see..." He said, copying what Xingchen was doing.

Xingchen isn't knowledgeable about medicines, but he does indeed learn that science works.

"It could. I didn't know such a surgery exist and can heal me and return my sight back. It's so...it so nice to see everyone and everything. I'm so grateful for my nephew with this gift. My nephew saved me."

Turning to him, "What about you?"

Yoite tilted his head slightly. "What about me? I mean...if you're asking if I've had surgery before, I think I did when I was in the hospital for a long time, but I don't remember."

While cleaning and wiping away tables, "Have you considered it?" He makes sure Yoite is doing the same. There's really no correct way of doing things as long the tables get cleaned.

Yoite is cleaning, if nothing else he's trying to be helpful, since it was in the list of things he was supposed to do. He didn't want to invite trouble.

"Um...no? What kind of surgery?"

"I have no idea." He rambles. "If they can figure out surgery for eyes, but then maybe they can figure out a surgery for anything."

He's finished wiping the tables and then uses a new cloth to clean the kitchen counter.

"I don't know. I don't think there's anything they can do for me. Surgically. I mean. No one ever said so. There's a lot wrong with me." Yoite explained lightly.

"There's a lot wrong with you? What's wrong with you, Yoite? I hope you don't mind me asking, I'm only curious. Is there anyway I can help?"

"I guess not." Yoite said, musing. He'd already talked to the doctors after all.

"I don't know about help but I..." He paused a moment. "I can't really hear at all anymore, and my vision is a little blurry." He exhaled. "I can't taste anything anymore which makes eating kind of...hard. And I can't feel anything where I have qi burns. The train fixed some of the heart damage, but I'm still tired sometimes...and also I cough up blood sometimes."

His burns couldn't be seen, but he set aside the cloth a moment so he could pull his gloves off. He'd be able to see black stains on Yoite's fingers and patches on his hands.

He stops what's he doing completely as he examines his condition closely. Of course, there isn't anything he could do to help, considering he isn't a doctor or a healer in a sense.

"Oh, Yoite..." Part of him wishes he told him sooner, but he was blind and couldn't see.

"I'm glad the train helps, but...I'm glad you told me. Now I feel better, I could help you whenever I can. You just need to let me know." If anything, he wanted to help with his burden.

"It's okay." Yoite responded softly. "I did this to myself."

He was self-conscious about his hands, so he put the gloves back on. "It's the price for the technique I use. In the end...there won't be anything left."

He didn't want to die anymore, but it was far too late for that.

"All right. Take it easy and don't take things too hard."

He's going to finish the job and put the cleaning tools away.

"I think that's about it. Everything is cleaned. Yoite, thanks for the help. I appreciate it."

"Oh, um, you're welcome." He was a bit surprised to be thanked but he offered a small smile in return.

A New Platform [Intro Post January]

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