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!
adregem: (if you stay with me again)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-20 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Does Roland truly want to reward this energizer bunny pup with more sugar to fuel his natural high??? Questions for a later tag, or for later regrets when his surprise is revealed...

There's nothing about Inigo's excitement that discourages Roland. He withholds himself from smiling wide, trying to remain as easy and stable as he can despite the infectious giddiness that radiate from his sparring partner. A spitfire of words that come out of him, true to form, but Roland catches every detail without missing a single beat. That Inigo got a new sword that conducts magic with his higgledy - and boy was that an exciting sparring session for the near future! To finally see him come up with a move with higgledies to hyper-power his blood! - and then, to the sage advice from someone who clearly has the experience to lend. He shifts and retains his composure, easing up on his stance to throw his entire attention on Inigo.

He's really truly listening to him, taking the suggestions to heart with a finger to his chin, humming in thought as Roland usually does.

"You make a good point there. Though I can find an advantage to exposing my back to the enemy if it means we can get them to reveal a secret weapon in hiding..." His gaze drifts back to Inigo, his sword hand back to position. "How do you think I should cover that vulnerable spot? I want this move to be able to disarm an opponent but if I'm hurt in the process, it may not be worth it to execute."

The whole point after all, is to disarm so he can move in for the kill.

What Roland asks of Inigo next is not untoward or unexpected, given the context. They're training, they're helping each other get better, so what else would he have asked but this?

"Let's go for round two. Attack me first. Let me see if I can't find a way to perform this move when I'm on the defensive instead." He braces himself...but also, before things get too crazy, Roland peers behind the width of his blade to flash Inigo a small smile. "After this, we can go get your surprise. Heh."

Motivation!
subcircuits: (frustrated)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-02-20 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, he'll get interrogated about that at some point, no worries about that.

I don't know that I'd call it remedial. Specialized, maybe. Considering it has to conduct this train between realities, the processor load must be enormous.

It's told me that it was deliberately designed to be as infuriatingly lotek as it is, and that it might develop the capacity to offer large items for sale through its shop in the future.


He pauses transcription for a moment to rub his face, as if just remembering that shitty conversation was giving him a headache.

More generally, it's basically told us that it conscripts people based only on whether we can be tethered to it or not, and has no control over whether or not the tethers degrade or break. We can't leave of our own volition, it can't bring specific people here; it's just very limited in its functionality.

I know, I know. It sounds like absolute bullshit. It sounds like a sim or a stream. But it's really not.
blitzcheer: (know what that means?)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-02-20 06:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sure did!" He pulls back his arms, the blanket still draping over them. "It'll be in the luggage carriage. Help me find it?"

They'll go together, but first, Tidus needs Romeo to move off him before he can get up onto his feet! A standing up that his legs particularly won't like after coming off the cold hard floor, but it's cool, he's still young and got his knees!!

He'll even offer Romeo a hand to hold once he's upright and on his feet.
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (we'll just glide starry-eyed)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-20 06:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Half-shrug. ]

I've slept without a real bed for nearly ten years. I don't mind!

... For the record, no one on this train is regular. Don't you dare call yourself that again.
gentle_jim: (that's cute)

[personal profile] gentle_jim 2021-02-20 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Jack considers that for a moment, stroking his chin in thought. "Huh... Guess you've got a point there. Who was it that explained it to you?"

"Heh, you know, I probably would be. Maybe I'll mess with it." That's the thing he likes about Entrapta: she's smart and she knows he's smart. Always a nice ego booster.

He pointedly does not look at the slightly banged up controller when she inspects it. "You play a lot of games where you're from?"

adregem: (i'm going to turn into a what now?)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-20 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Roland throws a humorous glance at the crates of avocados. So many avocados. "Yeah, I don't think that's going to be an option. Besides, we're technically rationed on supplies. I'd rather not have things go to waste all because I don't have the palate for them."

Call him utilitarian, but it's practical and he wants everyone to have an equal amount of every other ingredient. He can't hog all the dry and canned goods to himself.
afterburner: (eyebrows raised)

[personal profile] afterburner 2021-02-20 07:00 pm (UTC)(link)
He had a good point, though. "You know, maybe I ought to try just a little. Broaden my horizons. Like I don't need to be someone's heavy bag, right? Or not just that?" Rich might not get what she meant, but he might get the gist underneath.

Her brows furrowed down a bit. "Not much love for AI? Yeah, I kinda get that." Not like Cerebro hadn't made a giant mess of things at least once, when she's from...

"Eh, scars mean you've got character. Or somethin', I've got my own so that's a thing," she says with a shrug. "You lived, it's proof, right?"
adregem: (i like your style!)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-20 07:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Heh. I will try not to, ma'am.

[ Aw, Della. Alas. He'll only shake his head and hold up a hand at that compliment/correction, holding back a smile as he goes on. ]

All right, fair point. But were you also cuddling next to a giant troll club on the moon?

[ Touché! ]
deage: (listen to me speaking)

[personal profile] deage 2021-02-20 07:01 pm (UTC)(link)
We do have an actual doctor on board. Plus a... doctor-in-training, I believe.

I don't think the "Train" brings people on board with an eye to filling in skill gaps, though. It generally brings in skilled people, I would say, but it doesn't seem to care to balance where those skills lie.
adregem: (analyzing the situation)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-20 07:06 pm (UTC)(link)
He resists another rise of his brow at the curse uttered without hesitation.

"I don't think you have to worry about that here, but I will give you my word that I won't be snooping around your things." Roland nods. "If you keep your valuables in your cubby, no one will touch them there." Not even the teams who clean in bedrooms, which technically, is Purple's job this month. Ken's penchant for privacy is duly noted.

"...Did you ever find out why they stole from you?"
stopstaring: (pic#13457828)

[personal profile] stopstaring 2021-02-20 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Long enough...?

[Long enough to what? Dislike it? Be frustrated with not being able to go home? Learn about the train and largely how it works, Olivia assumes.

In the grand spectrum of things, three and a half months is not very long at all. But circumstances can make it seem longer than it actually is. Not unlike war, at that.]


Hrm. You do s-sound confident. I guess that would happen after months here.
stopstaring: (pic#7502415)

Sure thing!

[personal profile] stopstaring 2021-02-20 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[She shifts a bit awkwardly, which is probably no different than all of the other fidgeting she's been doing since she arrived.]

It's O-Olivia.

[That's it. No titles. No surname. Just straight to the point and very simple.]

N-nice to meet you.

[At least she kicks herself on the inside long enough to remember her manners.]
stopstaring: (pic#7997418)

[personal profile] stopstaring 2021-02-20 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[Olivia takes her time in looking around at the kitchen. For being aboard a train, it's... Well. It's more comfortable than she was expecting it to be. A pleasant surprise.

As Della addresses her, Olivia turns to eye her and she nods.]


Please don't p-put yourself out too much. [She doesn't follow up with what she really instinctively wants to say, but she doesn't think she's worth the effort, really.] Just tea is o-okay.
stopstaring: (pic#6899211)

[personal profile] stopstaring 2021-02-20 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[The moment they start encountering other people in close space, Olivia tenses. She still manages to squeeze her way past, but it's a rather vibrant reminder that she is not at all fond of crowds. It's one thing to be on a stage. It's another to be in a gaggle of them.

Somehow she manages to escape from it all, however. She can hear him and though she's listening, it's not all quite registering immediately. To be expected considering her situation. Olivia nods along all the same, because she is hearing him.

He asks about her ticket and it doesn't take her very long to emerge with it after tucking the flower he gifted her into her hair, just over the ear. She waves said ticket around for him to see and then once she's seated, she takes a moment to go through her rucksack.

...

Nothing. Which makes a little sense because her life is mostly music, which lives in her head and other stuff (like an oven) wouldn't have fit. So she closes it up and turns her gaze back onto him.]


I'm g-good. And listening.

[Just in case he wasn't sure.]
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (if you could use)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-20 07:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Hell yeah. And on purpose, too! ]

How's about this? Tiffany Homosapien?
foxyou: (what're YOU lookin' at?)

[personal profile] foxyou 2021-02-20 07:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"....Your people actually live that far away from your work? Why don't you simply live at the school, or choose one you can walk to?" As someone from a world where horses are the preferred method of long-distance travel, the idea of keeping your house so far away from your work that you'd need one of these humongous metal carriages to get there every day is...

Well, anyway. He scoffs, then immediately tries to smooth out the slightly offended look that had instinctively materialized on his face. "Cultivators aren't farmers, we--they cultivate their bodies and minds to achieve spiritual power and longevity." A pause. He side-eyes her curiously. "Do they not teach martial arts in your world? Or meditation?"
10billionpercent: (Default)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-02-20 07:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yep, she sure has, and he's still just as fun as he was the day before. ]

I would keep it if you gave it to me.
badassfreakingoverlord: (determined)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2021-02-20 08:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Zetta scowled. Not because of the memory -- sure, it was unpleasant, but he knew perfectly well Romeo was dead and circumstances were bad at best -- but because of his own damn sentimentality. Not seeing the kid as a furry animal just seemed wrong somehow, and he didn't appreciate feeling that way.

"You're a motorcycle, actually. Hey, are you capable of moving like that?"
hisblueskies: Blond boy with candle, smiling (Candle)

[personal profile] hisblueskies 2021-02-20 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
And you as well, Olivia.

[But as for right now... well, the laundry isn't quite done.]

... Shall we get back to work, then?

[And maybe they would harmonize again, though Alfredo isn't going to insist. Helping Olivia adjust is more important, here!]
10billionpercent: (Avoiding Emotions)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-02-20 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's really all of the above, and it does kind of feel like forever in some ways and barely no time at all in others. ]

Long enough to learn what I can about the train and the void, but I wish I knew more.

[ More information was likely to be better to figuring out their situation, honestly. ]

Confident...yeah, I guess I am. That might also be my nature though. I'm not really one for hesitating. [ That may be a huge understatement. Some people might wish he would hesitate more. ]
afterburner: (oh my god really?)

[personal profile] afterburner 2021-02-20 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, for sleeping, so good luck if you're a member of Club Insomniac," Renee says. "Six AM train time, and bloop, you're back in your bed, if you want to sleep or if you don't want to sleep."

She'd had that happen to her often enough. Annoyingly enough. She wasn't an official member of the Insomnia Club--the one that actually played games and crap--but she didn't sleep all that much, either. Too many nightmares. Not that she was about to complain about that, either.

"It does feed us, at least. Though sometimes we actually have to cook stuff, too." Renee was only a functional cook, though--no fancy dinners out of her!
afterburner: (You make my head hurt)

[personal profile] afterburner 2021-02-20 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Firehawk? The fuck? Also, she grimaced a bit at Jack's comment. Because ew. He could talk dirty to the train all he liked, but he could leave Renee out of it. Not interested in that, thanks.

"Firehawk? Dunno who the fuck that is," she said, hazel eyes narrowing. "When I bothered going by a code name, it was Afterburner, thanks!"

Even though she and her brothers had decided it was sort of a dumb one, later on. But Renee wasn't coming at Jack again--she doesn't feel like she needs to beat him up. Nothing to prove, here. She just wanted him to stop choking her. Mission accomplished, there.
sciencegirl: (041)

[personal profile] sciencegirl 2021-02-20 09:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"Najaran had her own version but I've seen Kaiba with this."

It's just facts, really. She's seen him work with things. She knows he's incredibly intelligent and productive. Denying learning anything he could, especially if he had an inclination, would be a waste.

"I don't really hang out with enough people to play games at home. I have designed labyrinths and enjoyed logic puzzles and I've helped Hordak build combat simulations... but I'm not very good at talking to people so most of what I do is by myself." Her expression wilts a bit and she holds her arm. Right.

But she fights to find the brighter side. "I've really enjoyed watching other people play, though! Even if I'm not participating in a game it's really interesting trying to gauge someone's strategy and their manipulation of the rules to gain an advantage. Especially in disadvantageous situations."
deductiongeek: (oi)

[personal profile] deductiongeek 2021-02-20 10:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"These creatures seem to be surprisingly common, then." That made the third independent world that he'd heard of them appearing.
comefadeaway: (Hmm?)

[personal profile] comefadeaway 2021-02-20 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"I got a book about Japanese, science and social studies. And Devero gave me a book about math." Yoite looked a little bit pleased, if one knew what to look for.

"I like math already. I like when you get to solve the problems."