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!
marvelous_murderbot: (at the ready)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-02-06 04:27 am (UTC)(link)
She's quite happy with this. An actual friend, not just an associate! It is, so far, her greatest triumph on the road to becoming more human. And it shows, a bit, on her face.

"I suppose I should get situated. But I am very happy to have met you, Ple."
stopstaring: (pic#13457828)

[personal profile] stopstaring 2021-02-06 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
[He's so stubborn. Olivia just wants to trip and fall all over her words and protests, but even as her lips part and she's trying to find a way to argue with him, none of it comes out. At least, it's little more than a plethora of awkward sounds that manage to escape from her.]

E-er. I... I don't mind keeping you c-company.

[Even if she can't understand why he'd want her to be so. It's hard to keep that leashed inside and not flying out of her mouth.]

Do... you come up here often?

[Somehow she manages to squeak the words out, a painful reminder that graceful conversation is still not her forte.]
subcircuits: (heart-hands)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-02-06 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
Devero knows he's a handsome man. Koumyou knows that Devero knows that he's a handsome man. But his looks have been reserved for her for so long that it's still flusteringly novel to have them complimented sincerely, and by someone he wants to look good for.

So he doesn't pull away immediately to repack the trunk after all, instead ducking his head and returning Koumyou's smile with a silly one of his own. "It-- it is, isn't it? I'm glad you like what you see."
bodyoftheseus: (resting bitch face)

[personal profile] bodyoftheseus 2021-02-06 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
The disappointment was noted, but it rolled off of him as if it were nothing. The man was clearly looking for someone with more information than what V had to offer and V could understand the disappointment. V admittedly harbored his own disappointment that the man also had nothing new to say about the situation, but if they were to be trapped here they would be learning quite a bit pretty soon.

"You think people'd abandon their home to be here willingly?" One eyebrow involuntarily rose as he asked the question. V wouldn't have even been able to give consent either way in the state he was in before being here, but he couldn't imagine many would be down with the idea of all of this.
stopstaring: (pic#7997408)

[personal profile] stopstaring 2021-02-06 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
D-don't come any closer!

[It's a purely instinctive response on her part, something the way a small cat might arch the back and attempt to seem threatening. (When in actuality, they're usually quite the opposite.) There is very little threatening about Olivia, especially as she is at the present moment.

But when she realises that he's not actually present to cause her... harm, Olivia has to coax herself to stand down.]


Er. S-sorry. I'm just trying... to figure out where I am.

[And doing a swell job of it so far.]
pleple: (i ran out of lyrics)

[personal profile] pleple 2021-02-06 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
Apparently it's just that easy somehow. "Good luck, Guri. I'm sure you'll fit in once you've gotten the swing of things."
its_dad_sanzo: (:])

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-02-06 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, but now Koumyou's also complimenting Devero's own choices on how to dress himself! Though the priest would surely find Devero handsome in literally anything, and be especially enthused about it if the man chose it for himself.

So it's Koumyou's turn to reach to cup Devero's face, and lean in for a nice, slow, lingering smooch. Nothing risque, but definitely not in any kind of hurry, either.
stopstaring: (pic#7997406)

[personal profile] stopstaring 2021-02-06 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
[There are worse ways to catch her off guard. Olivia hasn't formed any expectations of the train or of its various inhabitants. Well, none save perhaps the occasional moment's solitude where she can dance (and maybe sing) without people stumbling upon her.

It is, in the end, her fault for doing so in a remotely public space. But to be fair, it wouldn't have mattered what Olivia was doing. She's never handled interruptions well.]


Er.

[When she hears him, she finds herself pausing. In the midst of a healthy flush, she turns from where she's hanging articles of clothing and hesitates plainly.]

A-are you a musician? You sound good!
10billionpercent: (Avoiding Emotions)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-02-06 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
Okay. [ He raises his hands in a placating motion and takes a step back. He doesn't think he was crowding her because that's not his style, but she seems....he's gonna settle on upset.

Where's Inigo when he needs him? A quick scan and he's not visible. Drat. ]


On a train platform. This is the Voidtrecker Express. You didn't intend to come here, we've all come from different places and we're stuck travelling on this thing to be heroes and save worlds.

[ Did he mention he's not welcome wagon material? Yes. But somehow he keeps trying. ]
stopstaring: (pic#7997426)

[personal profile] stopstaring 2021-02-06 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
[Her name. She picks it out right, likely because it's the first familiar thing she's been greeted with. But the voice it belongs to isn't one she can identify. How likely is it that there's someone else with her name?

Olivia scouts around quickly and her gaze moves between Gyousou and Taiki and from the way they're looking at her... Well.

What follows is lacking grace as she motions to herself.]


M-me? [She asks it stupidly. Yes, of course she's Olivia. No, there probably aren't other Olivias.]
subcircuits: (the gentle man)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-02-06 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
Oh... He's only too happy to oblige, tilting his face up-- how novel!-- to enable Koumyou's smooch. And oh, he's happy, too, to linger, just soaking up the affection like the starved hound that he is.

He looks a little dazed when they separate, touching his fingers to his lips and smiling. "You m-must really like what you see..."
deage: (le gasp)

[personal profile] deage 2021-02-06 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
[ Haibara is flustered by all of this. This is not usual for her in the least. She tries collecting her thoughts, pulling out the information to give Sera an answer. ]

The disguises were... they were part of a plan by a member of the Organization, Bourbon. Bourbon and Rye... Dai... Akai. Were rivals within the Organization. Nobody hated him more than Bourbon, but Bourbon also thought that nobody else could ever kill him.

He disguised himself to trick the people Akai was close to into giving away a hint that he might be alive. Vermouth did too, at least for the Bell Tree Express.

[ Man, it's a good thing Haibara is sitting down. She'd need to after this if she wasn't already. ]

I heard that all from Bourbon, while he was trying to capture me.
its_dad_sanzo: (head tilt)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-02-06 05:01 am (UTC)(link)
Koumyou beams at him, and then pushes himself back from the edge of the stage in preparation to stand back up. "I really like that you got to pick something for yourself!"

And that he did so!

Gotta encourage that!

Devero could make literally anything look good, it's more about the choice made here. The priest climbs back up to his feet once he's not immediately in Devero's face, and wanders a bit further onto the stage again.
stopstaring: (pic#7997418)

[personal profile] stopstaring 2021-02-06 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
[It's... a voice she knows well. Not so well that it's akin to the back of her own hand, but enough that it wasn't so long ago that she'd heard it back home. It is a refreshing familiarity. A comfort and stability that Olivia has been without since her recent arrival.

She turns quickly, her laundry momentarily forgotten, and when she rests her gaze on him, Olivia simply stops. It's as if the breath is knocked right out of her.

The relationship she's had with him is a new one. She is still very much trying to teach herself to get accustomed to the idea that there is a future her. That the future her has a son. That the future her has a husband. She has not had much time to grow accustomed to these ideas. To her, Inigo is still someone she... doesn't know terribly well.

It has been hard to accept.]


O-oh, it's...

[You.

Is what she wants to say. Except it just won't come out. Maybe this all has meaning to it. Maybe there's a greater purpose to her being here. And him, too. A calling?]


Uhm. H-how long have you been here?

[Rather, how didn't she run into him sooner?]
stopstaring: (pic#7997430)

[personal profile] stopstaring 2021-02-06 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
[Is that a duck.

Honestly, after Panne and Nowi, nothing should surprise Olivia. 'Should' being the keyword there. Olivia can't help being a bit flabbergasted and it takes her some moments before she can properly put herself marginally together. At least together enough that she can actually speak up.]


I-I think I'm okay. Just—

[Just what. New. Disoriented. Overwhelmed. Very much not liking that she doesn't have someone to hide behind. This is a lot to take in all at once.]

—confused. [Seems to be the best way to start.] I'm n-not really sure what's going on.
subcircuits: (go young lover)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-02-06 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
Koumyou's nefarious plan to encourage Devero's agency and self esteem is working. Damn him! Devero's still wearing that silly grin as he says, "Remind me to show you the rest of the things I picked out later, then. I ordered a whole bunch."

But for now, he packs everything back up, not quite as neatly as when he'd taken it out. He latches the trunk and sets it at the foot of the stage before climbing up himself and joining Koumyou.
swansongs: (Let's face it I blew it you waited)

[personal profile] swansongs 2021-02-06 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh." He took a few moments to try and let that sink in, trying to figure out what the heck it meant. "How are you incomplete?" The guy didn't look incomplete, but Dyme had learned that looks could mean very little in this place.
bodyoftheseus: (math meme)

[personal profile] bodyoftheseus 2021-02-06 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
V's eyebrows quirked slightly as the suggestions that the cat was a passenger just like them and not someone's pet. He's shocked enough at the expression that he's left speechless for a moment.

"A cat? Arrived like... You'r me?" He was trying to ask if the cat was expected to participate in the heroics, but his mouth wasn't cooperating.
its_dad_sanzo: Burial-era (talkin' shit)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-02-06 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
"Ooh, a fashion show?" Koumyou asks brightly, "Are you going to model it all?"

Why not, right? It's not like they don't have time to be silly.

For now, though, Koumyou intends to use their time for something else. He smiles up at Devero as the man joins him, "You remember how to make it pause, right? And how to make it go back to how it is now?"
foxyou: (food???)

[personal profile] foxyou 2021-02-06 05:27 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, the kid went with it? He did! After getting mocked the last time he suggested it, hearing this boy say it so easily immediately endears him - if only a tiny bit.

The free pastry helps as well. Jiu catches it on reflex, somewhat surprised by the offering, and gives it an inquisitive sniff (unfamiliar) before tentatively biting into it.

"...Is the food here not usually safe, or was that more an assurance that you aren't a threat yourself?" He asks between bites.
subcircuits: (picking up your signal)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-02-06 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
"Maybe if you ask nicely," Devero says with a crooked grin.

He lifts his hand and touches the paper of the sutra, just a light brush of his fingertips. Taking a deep breath, he says, "If I pause, it pauses. If I say stop, it goes back to this."
its_dad_sanzo: (chin up)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-02-06 05:34 am (UTC)(link)
As usual, the holy artifact just feels like regular paper. If one had never seen it act differently, it might easily fool a person even to the touch.

"Exactly," Koumyou beams up at him, "This way, you can set the pace."
foxyou: (ugh this is dumb)

[personal profile] foxyou 2021-02-06 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Between worlds...." His ears droop at the thought; so he's gone from an abyss between worlds to a strange platform between worlds. Just great.

The girl doesn't sound like she'd be the one in charge though, so aside from looking disappointed he doesn't show any particularly strong reaction. "I suppose this thing here is the train? If you cannot tell me how to leave, you must at least know where we are headed." Not that he actually necessarily expects an answer to that either, but! Being a negative person doesn't mean he can't ask hopeful questions anyway.
thawed_pride: (Nort-Well this is going poorly.)

[personal profile] thawed_pride 2021-02-06 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
"That is, indeed, a different variety of creature."

He reaches into one of his coat pockets for a notebook that certainly wasn't there when Ken was wearing it. He flips it open to a specific page, and shows him a quick ink sketch of a Shadow. Above and below the picture, words are scribbled in a quick, near illegibly messy hand.

"This is what I'm familiar with."
forleaving: (005)

[personal profile] forleaving 2021-02-06 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
Somehow he managed to make space sound boring, but maybe it was for the people who traveled all over it. Maybe someday being on the train would be boring to Adam. The missions would stop exciting him. Or maybe there was just so much to see it was hard to pinpoint specific things. Adam liked that idea, better.

"What's Terran?" he asked curiously. "And did something happen to him?" He frowned a little, wrinkle forming between his eyebrows.