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!
flatteries: (set it free)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-02-05 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
How did this all become about Inigo may as well be the subheader to many threads between these two. So much so that even Inigo is aware of it to some extent - and isn't surprised at all to see this flipped back around to him.

"I'm the one getting a surprise as a reward for you doing it perfectly?" He seems amused though by the way it's spun around towards him, more than burdened. Inigo knows a bit more about Roland's weak spots now, and he's pretty sure he'll be able to make this amusing enough for the other as well. Roland deserves rewards for a job well done too, after all!

"Now you're just making me double curious."

He summons his sword from his Arms Band - his regular sword, saving the other, newer one to show off to Roland later. First the old man has got to show him what he's got!

"Should I just have at it then?"
happyends: (so it's now or never more)

[personal profile] happyends 2021-02-05 07:52 pm (UTC)(link)
The one upside to this situation is that this certainly isn't the first time Madoka has dealt with an Intimidating Adult. In fact, it's not even the first time that said adult hasn't looked 100% human either. (Thanks, Piccolo, for granting her this experience.) So she deals with it at least a tad better.

Or at least enough to realise that said smile isn't the one of a wolf that's about to eat her, but rather someone smiling who doesn't look like they often do it.

So rather than freaking out about it, she can focus on the question.

"Um.. One time we were underground for a mission." It's hard, trying to provide context for what she's about to tell without giving too many detials and making it boring.. But she's trying, gently pressing her fingers together as she thinks. "A lot of people went ahead further underground, and we had to stay behind and keep the monsters from going after them. There were so many of those monsters, it was really overwhelming when we had to hold them off.. A-And mister Gladio-- um, he was one of the team leaders back then.. he was really strong, but he was having a hard time holding off that many monsters."

She frowns a little. Obviously that part of the memory isn't too happy, or maybe just too stressful for a fourteen year old who hadn't ever fought before this place happened.

"But since I learned archery, I was able to take out some of the monsters before they overwhelmed him. He said I saved his life.." At least that does make her smile, even if it's a tiny, still shy one. "I felt really proud of myself for having been able to help someone, so I think I liked that moment the best."
gentle_jim: (listen here)

[personal profile] gentle_jim 2021-02-05 07:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"Mn." Jack can relate to the absent father thing... his own left when he too young to really remember him.

The murder thing though- woof.

"They catch whoever did it?" he asks, leaning forward with interest.
firewalled: (If you realize it's me)

[personal profile] firewalled 2021-02-05 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Rich certainly remembers why he doesn't like being blocked in somewhere, but he's not about to blurt that to a stranger. He'll just be silenty thankful he's not about to be attacked... and also very, very happy that the kitten trusts him.

"Oh, hey little guy... You're so cute..." He gives the kitten what he wants, stroking her ears, and then beaming at V.

"I actually got one of the gifts I actually care about in my rucksack. I guess sometimes this train does something right..."

And as their conversation continues on, Rich is quite surprised to feel that the tone continues to be safe and comfortable. Like it's not weird for Rich to mention it. He tilts his head, looking at the stranger more carefully.

"Yeah. I think I did that a few times, but it hurt too much to keep trying. I... hope you didn't try that." Should he be implying that? It sounds like this stranger knows more about it than he would if he was just a casual ally.
miseris_socios: (standing proud)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-02-05 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"No, of course not. When your company owns the whole town you can cover up any sort of suspicious murders that happen because of superpowers that were a result of you fucking up your research." He's too tired and frustrated for restraint right now.

"I hunted him down. I was going to kill him, too - then someone else killed him first. The guy even... shielded me from the guy who shot him." He still doesn't know why. He shouldn't have... there was no reason for him to do that.
knifewithnoname: (yes okay)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2021-02-05 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
She took the ticket, looking it over and then grinned. "You do be being in my cabin, so I can be taking you there."

She handed the ticket back and nodded, standing straighter, as tall as she could.

"When I did be coming here there did only be being ten of us and this train did be being empty before us. That did be being ten months ago so it did be being a long time."
knifewithnoname: (listening to you)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2021-02-05 08:07 pm (UTC)(link)
"A toy that did be being made alive?" She wrinkled her nose at it, poking it again, it felt solid enough. She swung her legs around so she was sat on top of a trunk.

"I did be reading a book where they did be putting the minds of people who did be doing bad things into rocks. Do it be being like that?"

Was there a person stuck in that thing?
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (Default)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-05 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Della let out a laugh, walking more into the room. "C'mon, show me the rock already!"
yondu: (0 6 9)

[personal profile] yondu 2021-02-05 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"So you're an archer, huh? So am I. In a way."

He makes a so/so motion with his hand. Centaurians were pretty good archers as a standard, but he was different from most of his brethren. He reaches into his cargo pants and pulls out his arrow, setting it on the table. The red gem towards the end glowing just faintly.

"Sounds like I lucked out in meeting a hero."

She kind of reminds him of one of the kids they picked up. She'd been real enthusiastic about it, asked for a uniform like theirs. It was right before he figured out what was going on with Ego, and it ate at him. The smile holds anyway.
sos_pilot: by <user name=cupcake_graphics> (i'm in over my head)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-05 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Damn, maybe these two are married, he knows her so well.

Yup, in less than three seconds, there's Della, slamming the door open. ]


DIBS! I CALL DIBS!
sos_pilot: by <user name=cupcake_graphics> (and i'll do it all again)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-05 08:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ So, that didn't work either? All right... time for the worst tactic of them all.

She turns her head away, and says nothing.

This is... DELLA IGNORING TIDUS. ]
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (where the air is rarefied)

Platform

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-05 08:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Della was on the platform to help all the newbies out, and boy, that SHRIEK she hears sounds like someone needs help, all right! Blinking wildly, she heads to the source of the sound. ]

Hey, hey! You all right there?
blitzcheer: (heyy you want some???)

1/2

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-02-05 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Oh, well now look at that pout. That dismissive pose. He could walk off...

...


.... ]
blitzcheer: (i'll always be with you)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-02-05 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ OR HE COULD SCOOP HER UP INTO HIS ARMS AND LIFT HER OFF HER FEET WHILE DECLARING- ]

FREEE HUUGS FOR MAMA D!
sos_pilot: by <user name=cupcake_graphics> (i got whatever it takes)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-05 09:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Della lets out a little "wak!" of surprise, but gets over it immediately, laughing joyously while hugging him as close as she can. ]

You gigantic brat! I changed my mind, you're one of my top favorites again!
fivemilesdeep: (But if we try this)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-02-05 09:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's a sudden change of demeanor, but...he gets it. Sometimes you can only keep it together for so long.]

[It chills him, though, to hear someone so young express what Ryo himself had lived through - where he would have been were it not for his brother and uncle. He's quiet when he speaks again.]


It's hard to believe in kindness when nobody ever shows you any, isn't it.

[The kettle whistles, giving him a short respite, and he takes it off the stove, pouring the water in the mug and putting the kettle back on a cool part of the stove. It'll be a few minutes yet before that's ready.]

As far as I can tell, the only one who wants anything from us is the train - it takes us to worlds that have asked for help so we can give them the help they need, and it provides for us in turn. But as far as people go... [He shrugs.] We take care of each other. It might sound hard to believe, but that's generally how it works.
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-02-05 09:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[He hasn't recognised anyone either, as he quickly scans over the new people. No one he knows, from Tai or from Hourai.

But plenty of new people nonetheless and he stuck close to his king as they moved through the crowd.

He looks up as Gyousou calls a name. Olivia? Someone from Tai? That isn't a Tai name... But... Who else would his king know?

He is answered without even asking.]
She is? [His voice is low as he looks over at her, eyes wide. ]

She looks so young... [Inigo certainly hasn't mentioned people being immortal like sages in his world...

Time is often strange on the train, people came from different worlds. He feels a spike of worry for his friend.]
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-02-05 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
It did explain a lot, he tensed slightly but he didn't move... Alright he stumbled slightly when she first pulled at him, he is much lighter than a human after all. But he stood his ground, between them both.

His eyes stayed on the man as Xion spoke. He understood what she was asking and if he was from the organisation...
miseris_socios: (not so innocent)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-02-05 09:23 pm (UTC)(link)
... I have a group at home... we fight together. They're the only ones in two years to... treat me like how I am. I'm smart. I can fight. I lived on my own for a year and a half with monsters around that most people couldn't see. They take care of me.

[He looks up to meet Ryo's gaze.It's steady, though there's something exhausted behind his eyes, making him look much older than he is.]

Most people just treat me like I'm a kid. I'm not.
azrthmtrnznthos: (content)

[personal profile] azrthmtrnznthos 2021-02-05 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Raven was quiet for a bit, preparing her cup of tea for when the water boiled. "I appreciate that. I'm...used to being seen as creepy." With a hint of a self-conscious smile. "I'm magically trained, and wield a form of dark-energy for telekinesis." Pondering what else he might consider, or would be useful. "I was actually raised by Temple Azarath, in another dimension."
irrationally: (now the past is gone)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-02-05 09:40 pm (UTC)(link)
The girl doesn't even give an answer.

Or, well, not verbally, anyway. Rather than answering by speaking up, Alice just extends a hand, gesturing at his outfit.

Surely he's got to know what she's talking about then, right? Alice thinks so, anyway.
irrationally: (now the past is gone)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-02-05 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, I'm sorry."

Crowley isn't even really saying anything bad this time, but it's just.. just that smile! On his face! Alice has apparently already decided it's out of humor, and it kicks her sense of Teen Rebellion up to eleven.

"I wasn't aware that suddenly young women require reasons to have some tea with their friends." She's even crossing her arms now. Definitely 100% belated puberty going on here. She's seconds away from an eyeroll. You're not her real dad, Crowley.

Though she at least doesn't leave it at that. After a moment Alice glances back in Crowley's direction.

"And.. yes, you can bring Aziraphale." Because who else would this date be. Please. It's obvious. "If not just because I'm fairly sure he will be more well behaved than you."
dyingpro: Annoyed (The weight of the world)

[personal profile] dyingpro 2021-02-05 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[Did... did he just get insulted? Zagreus squints at Kaiba for a moment, debating whether he should sass back or not. But this duel disk is too fascinating to ignore, and so he instead listens to Kaiba's explanation carefully. A lot of it, honestly, still doesn't make much sense. But he's trying!]

Only problem I see is it doesn't look very useful in an actual fight. [He points to the duel disk.] It's not even sharpened. What will you do when your opponents realize your holograms aren't real? They may scare some of them off, sure, but that doesn't stop everyone.

I just got here, mate, I'm... not really sure what an ICP even is.
blitzcheer: (big smile!!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-02-05 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[ You know what this hug can do with? Swinging in place. Just feel that cold air! ]

If I'm a gigantic brat, what does that make you? [ Huh! ] What's bigger?
dyingpro: Smirk (No contracts)

[personal profile] dyingpro 2021-02-05 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Tastes fine to me, but I'm not the expert on surface world foods.

[Zagreus is Banned from actually trying to cook anything, so he's mostly watching with interest.]

What's a pie? Never heard of it before.