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!
deductiongeek: (smug brat)

[personal profile] deductiongeek 2021-02-02 05:14 pm (UTC)(link)
I thought they might come in useful.

[As a detective, he was sure she could figure out their purpose with a glance.]

blitzcheer: (hand onnnn HIP!!!!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-02-02 05:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Look at these legs, Alfredo. Tidus slants it, four small toesies poking out from a woolly body. Blue Team got all the fun this last mission, didn't they!

"Heh. Well, he's a cute lil' guy, that's for sure." He turns it to have its head facing Alfredo, then holds it back out for the kid to take back. "Remember Irivar? Madoka fell in love with a dog there too. We had to leave it at the last post though. --oh yeah."

Snapping his fingers! "Nearly forgot, I had a question for you! I got something for Romeo."

He should start looking for that, shouldn't he? He steps towards the nearest shelf, eyeing the bags left behind. Hmmm, where is it...!
hisblueskies: Blond-haired boy looking off 3/4 stage left, looking dubious. (Concerned)

[personal profile] hisblueskies 2021-02-02 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Right up until they all ended up inside the system!

But that's not as important now; supposedly everything IS fixed...

Alfredo nods, thinking back.

"I don't remember Madoka with a dog; I think I did see one, though."

It had been someone else's pet.

"And - a question about Romeo?" he guesses.

Short of being stuffed in another box, whatever Tidus got shouldn't be too hard to find.
theimpatientone: (saddened)

[personal profile] theimpatientone 2021-02-02 05:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, that's... that seems like a lot of people to be caught up in this. It's an overwhelming thought, just like everything else about this situation.

"I have very little choice in this matter, don't I?" Merwen observes. "I am here. Either I hasten my own death or I cooperate." It's a grim pronouncement, but it seems apt, to her, just at the moment.
unfavorableinstigation: Nita looking directly at the viewer, mouth slightly open, as if she's in the middle of an important or unamused expression. (Focused)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2021-02-02 05:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Nita nods again.

"Exactly. And that's okay. The pace isn't so important as the reading, if that makes sense?"

Being a bookworm herself gave her no right to lecture people on how much or how often they should read, after all.
10billionpercent: (Satisfied)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-02-02 05:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, personally, the cooperation to some degree, is far more interesting. There are interesting people here, and there's not a ton to do on the train while we're stuck on it, making you anticipate the missions all the more for the chance to get off the thing." He commented with a little snort.

"But you won't die, at least not permanently. The train refers to what brought us here as a tether. That allows us not to be able to actually die. If you die, you'll wake up in luggage awhile later. I haven't done it personally." If only because some people didn't let him try it.

"It's not a bad community."
blitzcheer: (won't get oh so critical)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-02-02 05:40 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, see, before the mission, he said he wanted a birthday but he doesn't know his real one. From before-you know."

You know. That's totally helping him be discreet, thanks, brain!. Tidus hurries to resume, since there's more to get through.

"Thing is, he can't know it because of some...rules? Of where he came from. But I know you and him are friends." Tidus looks over, giving Alfredo a smile as he pauses in his search. "I figured you might like helping him pick a day. I mean..."

How to explain? He turns away from the shelf and faces Alfredo properly.

"I think it would mean a lot more if you helped him. A friend from home."
marvelous_murderbot: (Default)

Re: platform

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-02-02 05:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Ordinary, which of course to her means entirely out of her knowledge banks. Her galaxy has no knowledge of Earth, if indeed there ever was one.

"No, I do not. I would assume I am being utilized for my skills, but cannot posit a guess as to specifics."

It made sense. Whatever group or what not constructed this train in space surely had a larger purpose in mind for all this.
marvelous_murderbot: (conversation)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-02-02 05:41 pm (UTC)(link)
She looks over, and nods.

"Hello. I apologize if I am intruding into a private space. It was not locked."
marvelous_murderbot: (Default)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-02-02 05:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yes," she replies simply, watching the ghost. Adjustment is easy for her, really. It doesn't hurt when you can simply switch off inconvenient emotions, though she's rarely done so since emancipating herself.

"I have not encountered your species before," she asks it. The Soldat portion of the event is rather immaterial to her, in this moment of curiosity.
kabano: (猫)

[personal profile] kabano 2021-02-02 05:46 pm (UTC)(link)
She steps forward, almost daintily to get a good look at the man, or such that she can from her position on the ground and rather small at the moment. She isn't really sure what she's looking at, but the name at least she remembers Otoha mentioning.

After a moment, though, she drops the cat-shape altogether--easier to talk that way--and reappears in her red clothing. Somehow with those goggles still on her head.

"One of the friends. He told me about you."
marvelous_murderbot: (gun out)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-02-02 05:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Close up, the big notice might be the purple color coding of her clothing, but then again, maybe not.

"Nobody has given me any facts, so any help would be appreciated," she replied. "Though I am mainly curious as to how you are achieving flight."
marvelous_murderbot: (Default)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-02-02 05:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ple Two. Interesting. Does that designation indicate clone heritage?"

Something she just drops out there as if that is a completely normal thing - which, in many ways in her universe, it is. Her advanced sensors would have detected another HRD, so she can eliminate that possibility.

"And yes, I am. Wherever here, in fact, is."
theimpatientone: (saddened)

[personal profile] theimpatientone 2021-02-02 05:51 pm (UTC)(link)
I am looking for... sleeper one, cabin C.

[She shakes her head. She stands, rolling her shoulders, trying to rid herself of a degree of self-pity.]

This seems to be meant as directions as much as a description, but not in any way I understand.
blitzcheer: (cinnamon sticks)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-02-02 05:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeeahhh," he answers pitifully, hand coming to rub the back of his...hoodie, half-forgetting it got put up.

"You're not off the mark. We all got dragged and signed up to this the same way - you can't talk to anyone in charge, unless you wanna talk at a train." Which doesn't help. Tidus pauses, then asks, "You been through this before?"
hisblueskies: Blond-haired boy stares slightly off-center, one eyebrow perked. (Eyebrow-raise)

[personal profile] hisblueskies 2021-02-02 05:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Alfredo nods slowly, understanding... and then his eyes widen as he realizes all of what Tidus means.

"That's right. And... the truth is, I don't think he told me what his birthday was, either. But picking a day..."

At the thought he smiles.

"It feels somehow like he was born on a bright summer day. Only, I'm not sure what month on this calendar would work for that?"

He nods to himself, this time.

"I can definitely talk to him about it, though."
blitzcheer: (no promises there)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-02-02 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"Why not pick a day?" Tidus suggests. "We get the same amount over and over - then it doesn't matter what the calendar is. Just count it down by as many months as you want 'til the next one."

A small scoff, and he folds his arms. "Any numbers sound summery to you?"
theimpatientone: (big smile)

oh my god it's a whale I'm in love

[personal profile] theimpatientone 2021-02-02 05:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Merwen has never seen a whale -- it's all alien squid-analogues in her neck of the woods -- though she definitely knows the look of a large creature made for water, and for a moment the surprise catches her off guard.

"A sea-swallower shrunk down and out of the water," she says in delighted wonder, then abruptly realises that this is very rude, because whatever this creature is, she is clearly a person who is trying to speak with her. Which is a wonder all its own, really, because this is a non-human person. "Forgive me, I am sharing rudeness. I am not certain where I am meant to be, is all."
theimpatientone: (uh huh)

[personal profile] theimpatientone 2021-02-02 06:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Merwen puts out a hand automatically to help the person falling into her space, but -- well, she seems okay. That's reassuring. She hasn't seen a pink person before, but honestly, that's hardly worth remarking on, from her point of view.

"I'll be careful," she promises. "Are you hurt at all?"
so_dark_a_road: (in the unmeasured night #3)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-02-02 06:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Curufin answered, "It's good you're all right. No, no familiar faces amongst the newcomers. I was hoping that some of my family members would return, or that some missing friends would. But, no."

He normally kept up a cheerful or a businesslike face, but for a moment, his real feelings showed.
so_dark_a_road: (the softer side of armageddon)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-02-02 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hi, Senku!" answered Curufin. He was carrying his rucksack, and judging from the rectangularity of the objects inside, they must have been books. He unslung the rucksack, set it on the platform, opened it, and pulled out the books.

"Here's your belated birthday present! All three of the titles I ordered."
blue_ice: (still the best)

[personal profile] blue_ice 2021-02-02 06:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Seto's embarrassment returns in full force. He's always been passionate about the things that matter to him most: his pride, his strategy game, and his brother, but love for a partner is still new. It really has changed him.

"Yugi made me a better man. I owe him the world."

He squeezed the ring box with a wistful expression, then pocketed it once more. "...hey, did you come here to play a game? I still have time, if you're interested."
so_dark_a_road: (flickers of light)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-02-02 06:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Curufin turns and sees her, and gives her a smile. "Hi, Rapunzel! How have you been? Yes, it is sad when people leave. I never know whether they can hear my farewells, but it feels important to me. I wasn't close to any of the departing Void Warriors, but I will miss them all the same. And I, too, hope that things go well for them, wherever they are going."
theimpatientone: (finger to chin)

[personal profile] theimpatientone 2021-02-02 06:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"All of it, yes. I find the idea of living on stone to be... strange, even if I know it happens on other worlds."

But if you have to live on stone, then obviously the most sensible place to live is next to the ocean. That's just good sense. Though this place doesn't sound... pleasant. "If you take a boat into your Mystic Bay, it is destroyed? How?" She's honestly curious, at this point.
so_dark_a_road: (among the contending princes)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-02-02 06:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Curufin smiled. "Enjoy your smoke, then! How are you? We haven't talked in a while, even though we're roomies."