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!
blitzcheer: (melt awayyyy)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-02-17 03:26 pm (UTC)(link)
He looks startled for a moment, eyes raising with Nita's raised volume. But as it drops, his expression narrows instead, and Tidus shakes his head when she's done speaking.

"Don't apologise when you aren't even sorry," he snaps. "I don't know what ideas you've got going in your head, but it already talked and said it cares more about its job than the fact it's screwing us over! We're useful! That's it!"
adregem: (( PORTRAIT ROLAND ) 1)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-17 03:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry. None of us can, not right now. I...

[ In that sympathy at least, Roland honestly shares in her plight and her struggle. This is what makes platform days the most painful, apart from the risk of seeing beloved friends walk out of those barriers, with a higher chance of never quite meeting the same 'them' ever again. These people have been kidnapped, forced to play the role of hero without their consent. Every two weeks, Roland has to contend with meeting them at their worst, because who wouldn't be scared out of their wits? Or worried? Or sad? Who would ever take this against them? ]

I'll head in first. Please watch your step, Olivia.

[ Perhaps it is her inherent connection to someone Roland cares about that makes him do what he does before he even takes a single step unto the train. Her feelings on this whole thing can't be helped, they can't be changed and he doesn't want to when it's unnatural, but there is a push nagging at him to help, if not out of respect for Inigo's love and adoration for his mother. Whatever version of her Roland is speaking to. He turns around, back to Olivia, but there is another subtle flash of light covered by the width of his body. Accessing his hammerspace once more, he knows immediately to take out the well-crafted vines of flowers intertwined by the stems to create a floral gauntlet that once wrapped around his wrist just last mission. Inigo made it for him, under the guise of wanting to rest. The flowers are purple, petals delicate like paper. With equal gentleness, he plucks one out of its hold and returns the arrangement back into the depths of his Arms Band.

The remaining flower is what Roland offers to Olivia with a single hand outstretched. A peace offering. A prelude that she is in good hands, she is in good company, and that all will be well. Not now, not tomorrow, but one day.

He enters the train afterwards, waiting for her to follow as he lingers by the corridor. ]
Edited 2021-02-17 15:37 (UTC)
adregem: (ok david)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-17 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
"The platforms are a safe zone, huh?"

That makes the most sense. He supposes they acted as a barrier against the rest of the void, a place to dock and replenish energy if that's how such machinations work. He tucks his hands under his armpits...until it occurs to him his new outfit came with leather gloves. This, he fishes out of his coat's pockets, wearing them deftly as he speaks.

"I guess it's trying to make us more familiar with each other. It's definitely an easier way to get people to work together when it tears down the language barrier on the get-go." Which makes Roland wonder to himself what everyone else sounds like when the translators are off, but that's not for today's discussion. "Do you want to keep trying this in every platform until you get enough data to conclude we'll be safe here even without our SCA's on?"
adregem: (heh. i expect that of you.)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-17 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"No rush, Chief. All in due time. We've got a whole void's worth of travel to learn more about our new alliance."

And as for the other bit, he pats his sleeve, his smile pleasant.

"Yeah. Like the ones you sew on your clothes. A patch of your flag to wear on official duty, as a sign of friendship. Heh. Is it too cheesy?"
miseris_socios: (unimpressed.jpg)

it happens!

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-02-17 03:47 pm (UTC)(link)
He doesn't take the hand but instead scrambles up himself, noting the cubby and taking a few things out of the bag. Not most of them though, and he hops down with an ease that tells of having had experience in landing properly.

"... Food would be good, probably. It's been a long night." Annoyance passes over his face. "Day now? I guess?"
adregem: (higgledy man)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-17 03:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"No, the guy probably has a brother. See, there was a scene right before she passed out. Like a flashback. Noir movies do this a lot, they cut into important bits to lead you into a false narrative. Then, it'll hit you later with a big reveal. Lydi's narration is faulty. She doesn't know what she's getting herself into, so when she talks, it's all from her perspective."

Which is precisely the scene that follows, her voice filling the small cinema car in not-quite-surround-sound, though the rest of the screen is black. It casts a strange light against its two audience members.

So there I was. Stuck in a loop. Without answers. This man, this...Jakob. I know him. But at the same time, I don't. There had to be something connecting him to the drug deal, but more than that it's his face that I want to recall the most. His real face.

I've seen it somewhere before...But where? The clues are getting hotter and hotter, but what crime do I really want to solve? The one I was assigned to...or the one I want to crack?


"Gah. This is corny dialogue, though. I've heard better." Not sure what he was expecting from what seems to be a blatant knock-off of different, pastiche crime movies of the olden days. At least, the ones he knows from Earth. Though the thought of a series gets him to remember something from a long time ago, back when he was auditing for Tidus's things in the stores. A darker season of train life, but they've moved past it. Hopefully, Lydi can solve the mysteries plaguing her detective life in the galaxy too...

He nudges Tidus back, craning his head to look at him before the lights on the screen return, a new scene in full play. Making this quick so he can check what's being established now -

"Didn't Romeo have a favorite show? You bought him that lady toy, right? We can get him more of that for this birthday day. I have some points to spare if you need it." Goodbye 1 point Roland! Never again!
adregem: (i'm going to turn into a what now?)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-17 03:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Roland brushes it off, probably expecting it. At least he's gotten him out of that dark place, that black hole of memory and despair. It seems all of them onboard had one; with very few people exempt. Even the kids...

He shakes that thought away. Focus on the now.

He chuckles. "I'm inclined to say day. To be honest, time is tricky here. We can't tell the time because the void exists outside of it. I tried ordering a void compliant clock once." His expression turns dry, unamused. "It used colors to tell me the time and it was never the same time on the preceding day. You can imagine how quickly we decided it was useless."
miseris_socios: (blankly)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-02-17 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's... really annoying. I've just been up all night... I think we ate at nine or so? I peeled off from the group at eleven thirty, I think." So who even knows how long he's been up or what time it is now?
adregem: GODTIER ARTIST PLEASE GO SEE HER WORK (wow turtleneck roland >///<)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-17 04:19 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's one way of putting it. You get used to it, though. I can't even tell you if the hour you excused yourself from your friends has an equivalent the moment you came to platform. I don't think there is one."

Though it helps to offer advice as early as now, Roland thinks as he leans his shoulder against the nearest wall by the doorway. Incoming roomies were just gonna have to excuse themselves in.

"There are ways. For example, the lights start dimming at a certain void hour, so it's a good indication that the train is telling us it's time for bed. You don't have to follow it of course." A beat. "You will however, always wake up in your bed, in this cabin, no matter where you fall asleep. No one's quite figured out why yet, but it's harmless as it is."
miseris_socios: (grr...)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-02-17 04:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"... Great." So he has to deal with that. "That's stupid. It should let us pick when to sleep... some people feel safer sleeping on their own." He absolutely does not plan to fall asleep in the room. "Does any of your stuff come along with you when you teleport into the cabin?"

He's not leaving his bag, but if the train makes him it might be safer in the cabin after all.
makeadragonwannaretire: (This asshole right here)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-17 06:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Something about his attitude is really starting to tug at her last remaining nerve. But she just can't seem to bail out of this conversation now that she's started it. Maybe she doesn't want him to feel like he won.

Or maybe it's just nice to be called Princess again even if it's in a condescending manner.

"Either that or she's a psychopath who kidnaps people from across multiple worlds and forces them to comply to her whims. So I'd prefer the classy version."

makeadragonwannaretire: (And I thought my jokes were bad.)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-17 06:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'll have to accept it for what it is."

That his inferior sun god was clearly a pathetic servant of the people rather then the mighty force of power that her sun was for the Firebenders.

"I suppose the next time we meet a god on this journey you'll just have to prove to me your...persuasiveness and get them to serve you instead."
makeadragonwannaretire: (ugh eyeroll)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-17 06:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Azula studied the computer for a moment before poking decisively at a few of the buttons on the keyboard. When nothing happened she sighed.

"I don't suppose there are instructions somewhere nearby?"

It sounded as though asking for help might be causing her physical pain.

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2021-02-17 06:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"I've acquired some taste for it black, but milk's still nice," she admits.

"What about you?"

Apart from that, and a nod to Roland's own earlier response, she is quiet as she goes about the kitchen, polishing off the pastry before coming back for another.

What can she say, they're addictive!
unfavorableinstigation: It is dark, but Nita is inside reading a book. (Dark)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2021-02-17 06:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Nita clears her throat.

"I will guard growth and ease pain. I will fight to preserve what grows and lives well in its own way; and I will change no object or creature unless its growth and life, or that of the system of which it is part, are threatened."

Her response after is cold. "I know most here didn't take any kind of Oath, and I'm sorry they're all mixed up in this! But I'm not going to walk away from mine. And if it turns out that this train is the threat, then I'll cross that bridge as it needs it!"

Though she did not look forward to it; that, at least, wasn't her way.
makeadragonwannaretire: (Ugh this is bullshit)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-17 06:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Azula returned this explanation with a slow blink processing the concept of magic healing hair. Once she'd managed that she muttered "Well that's a ridiculous power but still more reasonable then the Duck who pilots airships."

Is she...ranking the crew by level of ridiculousness?

"Yes I could use a tour seeing as I'm apparently stuck here." She cast a glance back over her shoulder towards the fog as if giving once last thought towards making a break for it and trying to flee.
strawberryprotector: (smile)

[personal profile] strawberryprotector 2021-02-17 07:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Ichigo chuckled at that. "I'd be a little happier if someone," he gave Shiro a significant look, "would let me up."

The kitten stretched and yawned, snuggling in more.
blitzcheer: (woo woo naee)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-02-17 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
He throws out his hands and arms, taking a step back.

"You know what? Forget it! I never told you to stop. I was sitting here trying to help you, even though this thing drives me crazy! But if you're gonna get pissed at me 'cause I'm pissed at this thing, 'cause I'm tired of what it puts us through? Then forget it, there's nothing else to say here!"

And with that he's turning, to make his way out of the carriage. Nevermind what he came in here for - it doesn't matter anymore.
sos_pilot: by <user name=cupcake_graphics> (i promise i'll be there soon)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-17 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
She is decidedly ignoring one of those questions. "Well, I'm kinda used to this stuff in my world. Getting yoinked into another world to help folks out, not getting any info until it's too late, saving the day, defeating bad guys... that's a basic McDuck Tuesday for my family."
nutkrusher: (Wink)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-02-17 07:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"Heh. I bet you'd like that."

She will, of course, continue to walk through the doors he's opening.

"Well, there's that look on your face, for one."
Edited 2021-02-17 19:40 (UTC)
makeadragonwannaretire: (Floor Chill)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-17 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Azula tries to imagine a life like that, Zuko and her father and perhaps even uncle traveling the world, helping people.

...it sounds really lame. Now if they were conquering and dominating those areas...

"It must be nice to be so utterly blasé about having no control over your life."
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (if you could use)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-17 08:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, no issue there! Sometimes we have to fight our way out on certain worlds, so you'll come in real handy!
blitzcheer: (full of laughterrr)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-02-17 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, it'd be easier to watch him if he was okay with an audience," he jokes, his head tipping to the side. Not that Inigo wasn't getting better about it - but that was where Inigo and his mum differentiated, huh? Maybe in a lot more ways, though Tidus wasn't about to stand around trying to figure out their similarities.

Never liked that in his own life, with his own family and strangers. It made him do it too much to himself.

"Why don't I show you the rooms?" he offers instead, voice lightening a little, a few step taken in her direction. "It's three...four cars that way," he corrects, pointing towards the door he's facing.

"I can even show you a way to play the music wherever you are! Some of all this weird technology's pretty cool."
springforth: (pic#14001883)

[personal profile] springforth 2021-02-17 08:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"...I think Weia is going to find that's not such a big weakness when she gets older." She laughs, "Are they very young, to have selfnames like that? Or do selfnames stick, no matter how you change?"
springforth: (225)

[personal profile] springforth 2021-02-17 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Not what you're for?

[Persephone frowns. Hard. This is deep frown territory here. And then she leans in a little and places a hand on Nita's arm]

...It's fine to not want clothes, to not want to keep things that you don't want. Lord knows, I've never understood all those big houses filled with stuff.

But you deserve to spend your points on yourself. On books or food or whatever it is that you do value. You aren't here to buy things for the rest of the train, to give it all away. If you didn't want them to go to waste, why did you buy them in the first place?

And you're not for anything. You're you, yourself, and sure you do extraordinary things for yourself and others, but you're not for anything or anyone but you. You're not an object.