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: (consider this...)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-25 06:18 am (UTC)(link)
[ Olivia might not be so happy about her living conditions then, as soon as they arrive at the cabins. With two bunks on each side, one on top of the other, barely any leg room to maneuver if you're not careful...well, hindsight is 20/20. If Roland had been privy to her penchant for privacy, which he completely understands and prefers as well, he would have led her to the Quiet Cars instead. No distractions, no people, with booths sealed and soundproofed from the rest of the world. ]

[ For now, he'll lead with what Olivia gives him, mimicking her movements and standing up himself. But as he walks a little past her, ready to show her to her quarters, he pauses to glance over his shoulder at her question. Sadly, Roland shakes his head. ]

I'm sorry, Olivia. All new passengers only have this to wear until you can earn enough...currency to buy clothes from back home. [ The word switch is deliberate. Points will have to be explained at a later time. His point is emphasized since Roland himself is a stark contrast to her typical Voidtrecker orange ensemble; a black turtleneck and a long coat draped over his person. ] You can change out of your train uniform, but the question is more of what you'll be able to change into. Your rucksack will only contain different variations of your gear for the time being.

[ He tugs at the collar of his shirt. ] Though I can understand where you're coming from. I'm partial to a certain style myself. [ If she isn't opposed to it, Roland will start walking to the other end of the train, where all the Sleeper Cabins lay in one line. He's alert about the time too, watching the throngs of people file into the train as they're nearing entry into the voidspace. ] Are you looking to change into something specific from home?
wisdominshadows: Manga: Three quarter profile (thirty)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2021-02-25 07:21 am (UTC)(link)
"I grasped the point. I simply don't have enough information to make a hypothesis of the type you're looking for, not can I be sure other parts of the plant have the same properties. The Baba have no flower beyond the head-"

She thumps the head in question for emphasis.

"-and the dried stalk is an effective holder of fire, and not a bad weapon- but it doesn't have the properties of the buds."
theturksway: (069.)

[personal profile] theturksway 2021-02-25 07:26 am (UTC)(link)
[He was absolutely devastated that he was all alone but he wasn't going to let that show. Especially not in front of a stranger. The cute girl didn't need to know he had a weak spot of any kind, not to mention anyone else for that matter. Keeping up appearances was a big deal to him.

Aaand she was asking him to look out for her, how did that happen. Oh, right. He told her he worked for the Public Safety Division. (Not a lie!) Of course.

He cocked his head as he gazed at her in curiosity. Then slowly smiled.]


Of course I'd help you out, yo! I know a plethora of things that are super useful for just about any sort of situation. Ya need me, and I'm all yours~.
mynameisallen: (105)

[personal profile] mynameisallen 2021-02-25 08:28 am (UTC)(link)
"So what would other methods be?" Since it sounded like there was more than one anyway. Plus it seems like candles are the most common because of how easy it is.
hashtagparkerluck: (what? No!)

[personal profile] hashtagparkerluck 2021-02-25 08:45 am (UTC)(link)
"Uh..." Peter falters a second because that was a bit of a rough year for him and he really didn't want to go into too much detail. That wasn't what Cap meant anyways though so he opts for the short version of event.

well, short if you're Peter Parker.

"Um-a cursed fieldstrip to Oscorp, a radioactive spider-bite that caused some really weird and traumatic genetic mutations-not that I'm traumatized over it. A very expensive trip to the ER-honestly, I think the bill was more truamatizing then the spider-bite-but anyways-now I can do this!" He uses his powers to stick of the notebook he'd come back for and then tips it over to show off his powers. "That's not all I can do though-I also have super strength and a healing factor."
irrationally: (reverberating through my dreams)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-02-25 09:25 am (UTC)(link)
".. it's a kind of dance." Though Alice is quickly realising why it's very likely that he's never heard of it before, so she adds: "Probably too oldfashioned." For Dyme to know about it, anyway. He seemed just about as modern as some other people in this place.

"The Mock Turtle taught me about that song and the dance when I visited him." Her fingers idly glide along the keys of the piano as she talks, but without really pressing them and producing any sound. "It was rather interesting to see the sealife dance like that."
sizedoesntmatter: (30)

[personal profile] sizedoesntmatter 2021-02-25 10:13 am (UTC)(link)
"That's pretty impressive." Yugi really didn't know much but hey if one could without having to use things to melt metal and all that for it, it's still impressive.

"I'm not sure I could honestly do that myself. At least making armour without some items that would be needed." Just a normal human here after all.
sizedoesntmatter: (54)

[personal profile] sizedoesntmatter 2021-02-25 10:16 am (UTC)(link)
Then maybe I should make the badge for you then.

[He spoke with a smile and he was pretty serious. it wouldn't look all that great but hey he would try.]
guru_clef: (Dramatic)

[personal profile] guru_clef 2021-02-25 10:33 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, you could learn from the books and learn from that what you need to spend points on, and what you can trade for," he said, simply. He had no clue that Yugi thought that metal was a common ingredient for armor. Then again, Yugi probably had no idea that Clef's odd looking, but still seemingly cloth, clothes probably could stop more damage from hitting him than a full Arthurian suit of armor could. Ah, magic.
blitzcheer: (wibbly wobbly)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-02-25 11:53 am (UTC)(link)
"Sure thing! I don't read enough," he says with a laugh in his words. "We can be our own book club! I got some comics too, 'bout blitzball. You wanna read those too?"

This was going to be the most literature consumed month in Tidus's life, that's for sure. Even with half of it over.

(Okay, at least on the train.)
adropofsunlight: (291 (B))

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2021-02-25 12:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"But thats something we can't be sure happens. That we actually get to go travelling after we leave. Like... I would like to do things back home and the new explore if I was able to, but there is no way of really knowing."

Which gives people a little bit more as to what she would like but what she expects would be vastly different.

"But I think for now, it's something I could think of a bit more. Maybe I should go see who is new and help."
flatteries: (somehow it's never enough)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-02-25 01:35 pm (UTC)(link)
.. good question. Even I don't really know how these buddies work sometimes, really..

[ But even with the awkward edge to it, there's a slight smile on Inigo's face as he watches the higgledy hop around. And since Jumblie is so connected to his heart, of course she immediately picks up on the very fond feelings he has in said heart for Olivia.

Which is why the creature immediately reaches out, putting her stubby little arm on top of Olivia's fingers before moving it up and down, as if trying to shake hands with her despite not really having anything resembling a hand. All the while just letting out more high-pitched chattering sounds and giggles. ]


I think she likes you already though, mother.
badassfreakingoverlord: (looking at you)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2021-02-25 02:41 pm (UTC)(link)
"You always work hard, that's not something you need to say." Too hard. Maybe Zetta could finally teach the kid about proper behaviors such as laziness and excessive video gaming...
adregem: (look forward to tomorrow.)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-25 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"Aha! Thank you."

He lowers his weapon and exhales loudly, loosening his form. Roland's expression is bright, happy at the outcome of helping perfect a new move as well as receiving such tailored advice from Inigo who he's wanted to see succeed in these things for a long time now. Maybe he might have played it in such a way that he was encouraging him without looking too obvious...But that could be up to anyone's interpretation.

The Cat King's Claw disappears in a burst of sparkle and light, tucked back into his Arms Band. And while it might have gone better for Roland to keep this to himself, he can't help the pride that overflows from his cup. He leans a hand on his hip, regarding Inigo openly. He deserves to hear it out loud, after all.

"I'm glad to see you taking the lead, pup. Do it more often for me, okay? I like your style!"

And it's not just for show, either. Inigo has skill, battle-hardened even if it comes from an unsavory place. He could talk shop about this all day, and he has enough renewed energy to try and convince Inigo to accept his compliments whole-heartedly, but for today, he approaches him and slings an arm around his opposite shoulder to guide him gently out of the car. A casual yet fond bump of their temples together as they walk and talk.

"As promised, your gifts await. Follow me."
adregem: (CEASE AND DESIST TEENAGERS)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-25 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[ DELLA PLEASE ]

Ah. Well...At least the troll club is relatively harmless. So, happy napping with your new bed buddy.

[ HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO THAT ANYMORE but then really after all this time does Roland expect any different from his most adventurous duck mom friend... ]
adregem: (mister president.)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-25 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"Heh. As you wish, Chief. I look forward to learning a new language from you!"

But that's one nickname Roland will stick to, thanks very much. He is after all, a Chief himself.

The experiment completed, and the platform slowly filling out of people as they entered the train, Roland beckons him inside with a nudge of his head.

"Wanna jump back in? Or is there something else you're researching out here?"
adregem: (uneasy rest.)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-25 06:19 pm (UTC)(link)
The family pictures are what make Roland smile fondly at the magazine, and the historical mines pique his attention in a way he doesn't try to hide. They're things he appreciates about reading new material himself, and he's glad that even with the circumstances of their being here on this train, there's still a sense of wonder to be had across the universe.

He's mid-sip when Nita speaks quietly, almost apprehensively. The tea doesn't make it, his hand carefully dropping it down to the matching plate as he studies her closely. A height difference that grants him a view of the top of her head, which he takes a moment for before a heavy yet warm hand pats her once by the hair.

"You would do the same for me. We're friends, right? Don't worry about it."

Besides, nobody comes out of a memorial space just because they felt like it. There's always something, and Roland is attuned to that more than people give him credit for.
adregem: (dad's thinking)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-25 06:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"Any time."

Cinnamon and milk weren't bad combinations either. He nods happily into his own mug, warmed up from the inside out.

"When you're ready, then." There's a part of Roland that wants to ask more decisively - what is it that's bothering Taiki, if it's just the departures or something else that's getting him down, but for now he takes it one step at a time. Roland sips his drink and looks around, and sometimes adjusts the coat on the kirin so that he's more covered up and cozy as he finishes his drink. He wasn't going anywhere, regardless.
flatteries: (from misery; take it from me)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-02-25 07:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Dad likes his style.

This truly is too much for him today. If Roland compliments him in such a way even once more, Inigo feels like he will most certainly be bursting at the seams. It'll just be too much for his little pup brain to contain.

Which is why he chooses to not linger on that part of what Roland says. No, while he's allowing himself to be guided along, he instead focuses on the last part of what the other says. While gifts are still a hard to process thing too, Inigo is at least getting pretty used to seeing that from Roland. It's as if the guy has something for him on each platform day - a day he used to dread, but which may be getting a bit better through a combination of that fact and the fact he no longer goes out on the platform.

"Can I get a hint as to the gifts?"
unfavorableinstigation: Nita working with a Kernel (Wizardry Is Kid Stuff)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2021-02-25 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Nita smiles tightly - before dropping the 'tightly' part, sighing.

"Friends... can't have enough of those."

And that was more a comment on the day than anything else she'd said so far.

gundamofthedesert: (pensive)

[personal profile] gundamofthedesert 2021-02-25 08:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes. I will miss him and I hope that we get the chance to speak more when I return home. It's not quite as hard when my teammates from home left. I didn't know him as well from back home, but I had been getting to know him here.

[He nodded] I wish that they were too. Any final words that they might have to the people that they have met here.
sos_pilot: by <user name=cupcake_graphics> (and you know i'm going)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-25 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yeesh. Hope you never have to lie to save your life, lady.

As Della waits for the water to boil, she pulls a chair for herself, and sits in it, speaking as gently as she can.]


You know... it's okay to not be okay. You don't have to force yourself to smile, or get through without complaints. You're going through a lot right now... I want you to relax, yeah, but not if it drives you nuts on the inside.

Don't be afraid to... feel what you feel.
gundamofthedesert: (another cup of tea)

[personal profile] gundamofthedesert 2021-02-25 10:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'll have to ask her. See what she's been working on."

And since he suddenly realized he never introduced himself.

"I'm Quatre Raberba Winner."
achickenformylove: (mdzs 1)

[personal profile] achickenformylove 2021-02-25 10:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"Mn. I don't know that there is much of a way to blend in here."
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (Default)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-25 10:18 pm (UTC)(link)
... You're too cute for words, I hope you know that.

[ Incoming hair ruffle! ]