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!
wizard_redfive: (Side glance)

Re: Library

[personal profile] wizard_redfive 2021-04-04 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
"Ughh, fine. Keep your secrets," she says, rolling her eyes. But hey, at least she's not pushing it. "Didn't realize it was some high-clearance project."

Dairine would have commented that it still sounded a lot like wizardry, but something else distracts her from it. She stares up him incredulously. "So... is seven hundred years young for you or...?" Wait, is this a Powers situation? Crud, should she have been calling him Elder brother all this time??
wisdominshadows: (six)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2021-04-04 04:02 am (UTC)(link)
"It's possible," Zelda looks back at the plant, a thoughtful frown crossing her face.

"But if someone did, I don't know of it. Members of my guardian's people, the Sheikah, might have experimented with them- they were in the habit of using Deku nuts as distractions in battle. But the last century has been unkind to them; innovations that weren't common knowledge among the tribe could have easily been lost."
guru_clef: (Looks 10)

Re: Library

[personal profile] guru_clef 2021-04-04 06:30 am (UTC)(link)
"From what little I recall about finance, value comes in part from scarcity and suspense. If we tell everyone, then no one will pay in books for what we are selling and the effort will have been wasted."

"In Ceiphro one stops aging once one achieves a certain level of power and control, unless they actively chose to continue aging. Without physically advancing in years, one cannot perish from them. I am among the oldest on my world, but there have been those older than I and doubtless will be again. I for one have no plans of ending my life, or aging, any time soon."
springforth: (pic#13866791)

[personal profile] springforth 2021-04-05 08:17 pm (UTC)(link)
No no, all the Furies have snake hair and wings!

[Persephone shakes her head, gesturing] Meg has the shortest snakes and she's shades of purple and lavender, Alecto is yellow all over, well, with some markings on her snakes and Tisiphone is this gorgeous charcoal with bright pinky red accents. Really beautiful, though I think I'd want to cross Alecto least, I think she's the one most in charge?

[She pauses] I don't know why I'm arguing, I know everyone looks super different in your world. But regardless, she's...nothing like what you described. A different sort of beautiful.
hotheadwarmheart: (Pensive)

[personal profile] hotheadwarmheart 2021-04-06 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
Lea made a thoughtful sound. "It's more likely she went back to her world then," he said. "Being a god and everything, she probably has important work to do back there, since gods tend to be responsible for taking care of really big things."

"You said you met her in the heavens though, not either of your worlds. How did that happen? Can people from your world normally go to others?"
hotheadwarmheart: (Pensive)

[personal profile] hotheadwarmheart 2021-04-06 03:28 am (UTC)(link)
"Eh, maybe," Lea said. "Though you'd have been out a lab and the whole lot of us would have been out a place to stay for probably weeks or months, so I doubt a bit of schadenfreude would've been worth it."

But at the question of Xion, he sighed. "Honestly? Most likely, no, at least not at first. I'm not sure how much you considering me a threat would matter, but getting her to willingly associate with anyone aside from me and Roxas- who isn't on board the train any more- is tricky. I can only think of one or two people she regularly talks to other than me. I've been trying to get her to branch out and make more friends, but... I don't know. It's hard to tell if it's really doing any good."

"I mean, if I didn't push her to put herself out there a bit, she'd probably just spend all day hiding in our cabin, which I know isn't good. But it's hard to tell how much pushing is too much or too little, or if I'm even doing it the right way. I know what would work for me, and a bit of what might work for Isa, but neither of us is really that similar to Xion when it comes to stuff like this, you know?"
myblueskies: (of course!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2021-04-06 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
"People in the heavens just end up there. It's a bit like on the platforms here, people just arrive and they don't know anything."

It was very confusing at first. "When we were there we could go and help the human world but not to lots and lots of worlds like we do on this train."

wizard_redfive: (Side glance)

[personal profile] wizard_redfive 2021-04-11 12:44 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah..." Sounds like they're cutting a little close to home. Dair's not sure how comfortable Zelda is with that, or herself for that matter. "Sorry to hear that."

"Well I imagine someone here might be excited to try if you'd be interested."
tactlesstantei: (quiet)

[personal profile] tactlesstantei 2021-04-11 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
The other way around?

[That still doesn't answer much, but by now Masumi has given up on going after Vermouth. Instead, she just glares after her, too hurt to really think about much beyond how she'd let herself be tricked that day on the Bell Tree Express.

Thinking about the hints she'd been given will come later, once she's had a chance to calm down and work through her emotions, though. She's just too worked up to deal with these cryptic hints right now.]
wisdominshadows: Manga: Three quarter profile (thirty)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2021-04-12 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's all right."

That bit of recent history is not the most comfortable of subjects, though admittedly she can think of worse ones. Still, Zelda's a bit relieved that Dairine doesn't want to linger.

"No. There are certainly no shortage of curious souls here."
hotheadwarmheart: (Attentive)

[personal profile] hotheadwarmheart 2021-04-14 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
Lea was beginning to suspect that maybe 'the heavens' weren't quite what Romeo thought they were, but kept that suspicion to himself. "Well, then I bet wherever she is, she's helping people," Lea said. "And I know she won't forget you. Know why?"

He tapped his own chest. "Because your hearts are connected. Just like mine is with my friends. Even if you're not together, that bond is still there."
myblueskies: (the world is beautiful!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2021-04-17 06:47 am (UTC)(link)
She wouldn't forget! He hoped... There had been some worrying rumours but Elfnein was a good god so he didn't think that would happen.

He smiled sadly when Lea told him their hearts were connected. It was true. Even if she technically wasn't his god anymore. Their hearts were connected, with all his friends.

"You're right sir! Our hearts will always be together!"
najaran: (Really it is fine)

Wow this thread got lost. I a so sorry!

[personal profile] najaran 2021-04-18 09:09 am (UTC)(link)
"If I had kept track, sure. But my ticket...." she reached into her pocket, frowned, tried a different pocket. And a different pocket. "Um...."
najaran: (Eh heh heh... you noticed?)

So sorry! Not sure how I lost this thread!

[personal profile] najaran 2021-04-18 09:10 am (UTC)(link)
"Kind of, yeah. I guess." Going by how much he yelled at her that one time, anyway.
najaran: (Oh!)

Ugh, this siomehow got lost. I am so sorry!

[personal profile] najaran 2021-04-18 09:22 am (UTC)(link)
She considered. One card she especially wanted? She wanted all of her own cards back of course, and that included the cards that had been Kigi's that had been entrusted to her care... but...

But she also had to think about taking away cards that the Black Cepters especially wanted. the Dark Lord - the Lord of Earth, and the Lord of flies specifically came to mind, but she wasn't sure she was strong enough to contain them. Lord of Flame was with Zenith, and she wasn't sure how safe that was... but it also seemed to be kind of sort of fused to him. She wasn't sure he could survive having it ripped away and she really didn't want Zenith here. Or worse... just his arm.

Lord of Water was... actually in a good place where she was. Despite how and why she was created, Lord of Water was helping people. Sort of.

There were some cards she had only heard of, and never encountered, that were said to be powerful, but a lot of them were spells she wasn't strong enough to control or creatures she wasn't powerful enough to summon and the thought of them being trapped in their cards while she was here was just too sad to think about.

Then her shoulders slumped and she realized that if she had a chance to get one card that hadn't been hers specifically, there was one card it had to be. Because as much as she'd love a Dragon... she owed the Woodfolk still, didn't she? Sure she had planted so many of them to make up for what she had done, but if not for her... that Woodfolk momma wouldn't have been weakened and she never could have been infested.

Najaran still heard the baby Woodfolk's cries some nights.

She swallowed hard. "Woodfolk," she said softly. "There are cars with dirt and grass where they can grow. I wouldn't take them into battle, but... I owe the Woodfolk. I kind of mistook one for a tree stump and hurt it. That let it be infested and turned evil. Even after we saved it..." she shook her head dashing away tears. "The Woodfolk helped save us after that. I need to do something for them. Even if it is just giving them a home where they can't be infested anymore."
najaran: (Really it is fine)

I am so sorry, this got lost somehow.

[personal profile] najaran 2021-04-18 09:25 am (UTC)(link)
Najaran followed behind him, trying not to sneeze all over him.

"Oh, one of these things," She said sniffling a bit.

She... was not good at using the ICPs.
dyingpro: Grinning (No burdens; no further debts to be paid)

[personal profile] dyingpro 2021-04-19 12:13 pm (UTC)(link)
So who's your favorite bard? Or what's your favorite song, if that's too hard? I'd love to hear more bards, as great as Orpheus is and all, he can only write so many songs, yeah?

[He finds a set of red headphones. Success! He'll just wrap them around the back of his neck for now.]

I've always appreciated that about mortals, that they're constantly learning new things and challenging themselves. Makes life more exciting!
dyingpro: Curious (Goodbye to all the plans that we made)

[personal profile] dyingpro 2021-04-19 12:20 pm (UTC)(link)
BCE? AD? What do those mean?

[And then Senku hits him with that. Five thousand years. That's a lot of years!]

I... wow. I didn't realize you were from that far ahead. And the whole world is empty?

[Zagreus imagines how jam-packed the Underworld must be, with all those people, gone. His Father's realm must be a mess in the far-flung future.]

That sounds... lonely. Do your people get by, at least?
dyingpro: Annoyed (The weight of the world)

[personal profile] dyingpro 2021-04-19 02:04 pm (UTC)(link)
"Anti-ghost?" That's concerning, and it makes Zagreus frown. "What have the shades ever done to your parents? They're not harming the shades they're invoking, are they?"

Rule one of the Underworld: don't ghostbust his friends!
dyingpro: Smirk (No contracts)

[personal profile] dyingpro 2021-04-19 03:22 pm (UTC)(link)
To expand upon it, very briefly, my Mother left my Father, and I'm searching for her. But my Father doesn't want me to find her, says I belong in the Underworld, and so I have to fight his loyal forces of shades and witches and wretches and long-dead heroes to see her. Oh, and giant rats and poison-wielding satyrs too, if I get to the Surface World. [It's a very, very short version of his story, and it may lead to a lot more questions, but it should be enough to answer Alice's question without getting too far into it.]

Oh sure, but I can't die either, at least not permanently. So I'll just come back to life if something bad happens. Oddly, I haven't felt sick at all since arriving here on the Train. Not even once.
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-20 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
They're markers to pass the time. So at a set point, they marked the years by counting down backwards. I don't know why they did that. So after the year 3000, you would have the year 2999. When they reached zero, they started over counting upwards. So after year one, was year two.

[ That's the best way he can explain it really. ]

In 2003, it wasn't. It was bustling with a large population and when the petrification hit in 2019, there were 7.8 billion people on the planet. They're all asleep right now, as statues. It is, well should be presently, 5742.

[ He shakes his head. ]

It's not that lonely. I live in a village, primarily, of about a hundred and fifty people, and we're managing. We haven't had a preventable death in the past few years at least.
dyingpro: Smirk (No contracts)

[personal profile] dyingpro 2021-04-20 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
I will believe it when I see it. [Because holy shit all of this is so weirdly wrong in a fascinating way. Meg is blue and pink! Alecto is red and green! Tisiphone is green and purple! And none of them have cute, Dusa-like snakes for hair!]

If Alecto is anything like the Alecto in my world, you definitely want to cross her the least. While Tisiphone is the Fury that punishes murderers and Megaera is the Fury that punishes oathbreakers, Alecto punishes pretty much everyone else. And she really, really loves her job.
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971957)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-04-20 08:26 am (UTC)(link)
Uh... [ She has to think for a moment. She's not sure if she can really explain how different musicians are from what he's probably used to. ]

Well, I do have a lot of favorites...but um...Oh. [ Turning to the monitor near them, she scrolls through the musical library for a song she knows she's downloaded. ] This is one of my favorite songs.

[ Selecting the song, she lets it play over the speakers in the car. It's a little silly, the memories associated with this song. But she still finds herself listening to it now and again. ]
irrationally: (goodbye to reality)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-04-20 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She's just...

.. quiet. For a few moments. Just staring. It's hard to even read Alice's expression, since it's so neutral, and yet she's just quietly staring.

All the way until she speaks up. ]


You truly have to be a character from a story.

[ Or a resident of Wonderland. No normal person just is like this. ]
schrodingersghost: (pic#10323507)

[personal profile] schrodingersghost 2021-04-23 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Danny grimaces. Explaining this part was never fun, especially to people who had never seen what most people in his world thought about ghosts.

"So... the thing is, most ghost scientists and especially my parents think that all ghosts are evil. They're wrong about that of course, but no one's going to take the word of a kid about it. Even less, the word of a ghost." He shrugs awkwardly. "They probably could hurt ghosts if they ever managed to catch one. But... most of the time they're just coming after me. And like I said, they have awful aim."