voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2021-02-01 06:00 am

A New Platform [Intro Post February]

On the Train

Three days after the Voidtreckers return to the void after their adventures on the biosphere world, they are awoken by a familiar announcement.

"Good morning passengers, it is day Sixteen 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 also 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 fog seems thicker than usual and as they step out onto the platform they will find it is cold, very cold. Icy fog sticks to their clothing, makes it hard to see very far; the atmosphere is dark and gloomy.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Alexis Rhodes, Elfnein, Itsuki Myoudouin, Ken Ichijouji, MT, Neku Sakuraba, Nike Lemercier, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Rainbow Dash, Rei Saotome, Taichi Yagami, Tsubomi Hanasaki, Yuri Tsukikage and Zechs Merquise 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 sixteen 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.

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 braving the freezing fog, 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!
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-02-14 08:29 am (UTC)(link)
"I think..." He looked up at the man and nodded, "I think that will be for the best. But I hope that we meet again soon."

He kept his arms around Xion. He needed... He should get her to Lea. This was too far out of his understanding and he knew from experience that Xion would not be able to explain things in a way that was understandable to him.
longforgottenpromise: (smiles)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-02-14 08:32 am (UTC)(link)
He smiled softly as she looked at it, he really hoped she would like it. She had seemed to like meeting Gyōkō after all.

thawed_pride: (Nort-I had become a monster.)

[personal profile] thawed_pride 2021-02-14 08:44 am (UTC)(link)
It hurt. His heart was barely there, but it still hurt. He'd already known it would be best to not try to get close to Xion, but the idea that even being in her presence hurt her...he didn't want to imagine what this would feel like, if he was still human.

"I am...very sorry, Xion. It seems I've only made things worse, so...please, put this discussion behind you."

With that, coils of darkness reached up from the ground and quickly began to cover him. For now, the corridor went nowhere in particular. He would return to the station to learn more later, but at the immediate moment, the solitude of the shadows themselves held great appeal.
nobodys_puppet: (Hooded and Grounded)

[personal profile] nobodys_puppet 2021-02-14 09:13 am (UTC)(link)
"What?" she asked, confused and surprised. But then he was just leaving and... And she still didn't understand. If she got free of Taiki could she follow before the corridor closed? There were only so many places it could take him but...

Should she?

Her shoulders slumped. She was a real person now, wasn't she? So why didn't she know what she was supposed to do? Was she as broken as a person as she was as a puppet?

Should she have tried to follow him? Or run away? Or.... She didn't know what or. What did he mean made things worse? Was she more broken now?

Axel. She had to get to Axel. He'd know. He'd understand. Wouldn't he?

Besides, she didn't know where the Dark Corridor had taken him... Axel had to be warned. He needed to be protected. "Axel..." she whispered.
nobodys_puppet: (A bit happier now)

[personal profile] nobodys_puppet 2021-02-14 09:15 am (UTC)(link)
It... would probably take her a while to remember she wasn't alone, if he doesn't speak up or move. She would keep turning pages, fast at first, then going back to the beginning and starting again. Slowly. She wasn't reading yet, just staring, fascinated, at the variety.
hotheadwarmheart: (Pensive)

Re: Later

[personal profile] hotheadwarmheart 2021-02-14 09:57 am (UTC)(link)
"What happened?", Lea said. Then, remembering what day it was, he asked, "Did one of your friends leave the train?"
bakegarasu: (brooding like a demon)

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2021-02-14 10:03 am (UTC)(link)
"I've met her." They aren't close, but he knows who she is. "I might. ... Not used to being thought of as a person either, huh." With the whole 'death incarnate' thing. "... If you want to talk to someone who understands I'm... usually around."
hotheadwarmheart: (Attentive)

[personal profile] hotheadwarmheart 2021-02-14 10:09 am (UTC)(link)
"I dunno," Lea said. "I don't really know how Replicas work. Even your notes weren't much help there; you have really terrible handwriting, you know that? I mean Xion definitely has some quirks that a human or even a Nobody doesn't, but I don't know how much is a Replica thing, how much is just a Xion thing, and how much is something that's not supposed to happen at all."

"That heart-reading ability though... is it something you could teach to other people? Or does it require some kind of special training or high-level magic ability?"
thawed_pride: (Nort-Why am I still here?)

[personal profile] thawed_pride 2021-02-14 10:54 am (UTC)(link)
"You are not the first to comment on my handwriting, no. I'm not surprised you couldn't make out much, you wouldn't be familiar with the shorthand I use within my own personal notes. Fortunately, I have my records of the entire project with me, so I ought to be able to discern the underlying cause of whatever problems you're concerned about."

Whether he could do anything about them or not, though...that was up in the air.

"My ability does require a decent aptitude for magic, it is not something Aeleus would have a chance of mastering. Why are you so interested in it?"
mynameisallen: (Huh ★ So answer me this?)

[personal profile] mynameisallen 2021-02-14 11:01 am (UTC)(link)
"I have no idea actually. I believe so." It would be weird if they didn't in his mind because he knew how much people like to drink that stuff. Allen however was more of a tea drinker if he had to have anything.

"Though it might not be like specific brands and such, so if you were expecting something in particular you might be disappointed." he figured to add as he had started to walk towards the way to get on.
mynameisallen: (Stare ★ You don't want to escape)

[personal profile] mynameisallen 2021-02-14 11:04 am (UTC)(link)
"None. While I have been to other worlds there is still a limit to how much I actually know." He was at least being honest about that much at least. There is only so much one can learn from one place to another even if one was there for a while.
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-02-14 11:42 am (UTC)(link)
He's seen dark corridor's before. So he knows that he has moved somewhere else. He doubts he will go to Lea, but Xion... Probably needed Lea.

"Yes. We can find him." He answered her. "Can you walk?"
longforgottenpromise: (smiles)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-02-14 11:44 am (UTC)(link)
He merely smiled and moved to the door, he would be happy to answer questions later but for now he would leave her, to look at the pictures, eventually read it and gain the information, answers to at least some of her questions.
nobodys_puppet: (New kid in the Hood sad)

[personal profile] nobodys_puppet 2021-02-14 11:46 am (UTC)(link)
She gave a small nod, so confused and unsure and just... She needed to warn Axel. After that... She needed to sleep for a month to sort this all out. If she even could.
myblueskies: (sad eyes)

Re: Later

[personal profile] myblueskies 2021-02-14 12:08 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yes..." He nodded and stared back at the ceiling with a deep sigh.

"Elfnein did."
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-02-14 12:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"Okay..." He took a step, still supporting her as they moved towards the train. They could find Lea and then... Find the next step.
nobodys_puppet: (New kid in the Hood)

[personal profile] nobodys_puppet 2021-02-14 12:24 pm (UTC)(link)
She was able to walk on her own, but didn't know if she was supposed to or how to do it. So she just went with him.
paopuofyourlife: (1152467)

Re: Spark - OTA

[personal profile] paopuofyourlife 2021-02-14 01:19 pm (UTC)(link)
"They weren't. It's just I don't get what you were going for this time."
paopuofyourlife: (kh-97)

[personal profile] paopuofyourlife 2021-02-14 01:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"I don't think that suits you either, but give me time and I'll think of something." Probably and hopefully not as bad, but she does think it's a case of time and something will click at least.

"But if you have a certain theme about you, I'm sure it would be something related to that."
irrationally: (reverberating through my dreams)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-02-14 01:39 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a little odd to hear someone speak of it so easily. Like it's just alright for her to do that, like it's only natural to chase the place where you are most happy.

Maybe that thought isn't so weird by itself, but Alice has only encountered people back home who told her to give up on the idea of Wonderland. That she should grow up, move on.

Then again, maybe this person would too, if she knew the details.

"I suppose it doesn't matter much here," Alice says, half-dismissing the thought with a shake of her head. "We're all stuck on this train regardless. Not much of a choice as to where we can go."
blitzcheer: (awww yeah babeyyy)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-02-14 01:39 pm (UTC)(link)
There's a tiny 'whoa!' as he sees her rocking over the fountain, chiding himself too late for duh, good pick for frightening a poor girl! But she finds her footing, the hand he puts out a needless gesture; nevermind the fact he's too far in the first place, and stopping in place helps nobody.

(Maybe though, it helps Olivia, with the way she flusters over herself after.)

"You got me," Tidus admits, hands coming out as if caught, friendliness expressed in the motion, the smile he continues to wear. "I'm Tidus! We room together, and uh- I've known him since I've been onboard here. He's a good friend!" Enough for his expression to brighten further. "And I wanted to see how you were doing. I know this is all...different."

Said, as he looks about them. Nevermind that half-transparent walls aren't a usual occurrence where he's from either, the swirling multi-colour of the void that surrounds them beyond the path of the train, without end.

His hands have already fallen back to his sides, and he takes a lax step towards her. "You know what to do with yourself?"
irrationally: (but now i know it's going to take)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-02-14 01:40 pm (UTC)(link)
No one should have to. That much Alice can agree with.

But she knows it happens. All the time. Constantly. Back home she was utterly surrounded by other children who also had absolutely no one or nothing left. There's too much pain in the world, and right now it's all just reflected in Dyme's eyes.

So she just silently sits down on the piano seat, squeezing herself in next to him, her shoulder pressed to hers. Like a less contact-intensive kind of hug.

"You've done well to come this far." What else can she say here? She can't undo the death of his brother, or wish it to be better in any way. "Even though it must've hurt so much."
irrationally: (i don't even have a song)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-02-14 01:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah.

Definite red team member right there, Alice can't help but think, but she keeps the thought to herself. It's rather interesting how the train really does seem to be on to something when it sorts them into these teams.

"People have tried," she explains. Though she's sure those attempts won't be enough to satisfy Azula, since she's heard other people say as much too.

"Apparently you can't leave through the gates at the platforms. And people have tried figuring magic or other powers at the wall that ought to lead to where the train's conductor should be, but the wall fires everything right back at them." Then again, maybe Alice should be sounding a bit more concerned by that than she is right now - since her current level of concern is just no concern at all, judging by her voice.
happyends: (i want to see you smile with power)

[personal profile] happyends 2021-02-14 01:50 pm (UTC)(link)
".. I know," she says, realising as much with a smile the moment Alfredo mentions it.

Romeo isn't a very needy kid at all. He's happy with the little things in life. But even so..

"It can't hurt to spoil him a bit all the same though, right? If anyone deserves it, it's Romeo!" Since she definitely thinks he's the best of them.