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!
forleaving: (008)

Sleeper 3-D

[personal profile] forleaving 2021-02-02 06:04 am (UTC)(link)
Sitting on one of the bottom bunks, Adam looked up from his watch, pulling his orange hoodie sleeve down over it. It wasn't a secret, but he didn't keep his sleeves rolled up was all.

He put on his best smile, standing up. "Hello," he said. "You must be new." Probably replacing Ken, if he had to make a guess. "My name's Adam."
makeadragonwannaretire: (Sitpout)

Re: Sleeper 3-D

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-03 05:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Azula kept a healthy distance between them, as best she could in the small room, watching him with fierce, appraising eyes.

"Azula, and if I'm replacing someone does that mean you already know which bunk is mine?" She hadn't actually decided on if she wanted a top or bottom bunk, she'd never had to share a bedroom against her will before.
forleaving: (005)

[personal profile] forleaving 2021-02-04 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
That look reminded him of Ronan, which meant two things. One, he wasn't bothered, and two, for a moment he allowed himself to fiercely miss his boyfriend. Then he did his best to pack the emotion away again so he wouldn't spiral into homesickness.

"It's nice to meet you, miss," he said, polite as ever. "The last guy had a top bunk." Which meant that one was free now.
makeadragonwannaretire: (Wanna see a magic trick?)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-04 09:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"Finally someone gives me a straight answer about something." She unfolded the bunk from the wall studying it's mechanism and the amount of space she was alotted.

"So far every person I meet has something insane and impossible to explain to me. Technology I've never heard of, worlds I could never even imagine, and somehow on top of that I'm expected to share a room with strangers? It's a bit much if we're honest."
forleaving: (005)

[personal profile] forleaving 2021-02-05 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
He nodded, sympathetic. "Everything about ending up here can be overwhelming," he agreed. There was so much information and explanations. He couldn't imagine coming from someplace where you weren't used to the technology; that would make everything even worse.

"I don't mind sharing, at least, but I can imagine how it's strange for people."
makeadragonwannaretire: (Pouty meh)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-06 11:46 am (UTC)(link)
"Very strange." She confirmed and then sighed before climbing up onto her bunk and trying it out.

"No, this won't do at all. I'll have to replace all of this." She decided "The blanket, the sheets, the pillow it's all too cheap. You'd think we were in the military." She grumbled before sliding back down.

"It's going to be hard enough to sleep with...three room mates? Are all these beds spoken for? The least this train can do is offer us proper comforts."

It wasn't often she played the "Spoiled Princess" role but after spending almost a year locked up she missed her royal bed more then just about anything.
forleaving: (008)

[personal profile] forleaving 2021-02-07 05:53 am (UTC)(link)
He raised an eyebrow but said nothing at first. Adam knew their accommodations weren't the best, but they were a lot better than nothing and he'd learned from a young age not to complain about certain things. Personally, he was happy just to have a roof over his head and a place to sleep.

Eventually, he nodded. "All the beds are full," he confirmed. "I'm not sure if the train offers better bedding, but you could check the shop."
makeadragonwannaretire: (Sitpout)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-09 11:57 am (UTC)(link)
"Which as I understand will require more points." She sighs folding her bed back up for now. "It's not every day you get kidnapped and forced to work for the basic comforts you deserve but I guess I've no choice for now."

On the whole this day was turning out to be a stressful, confusing mess. But on the upside she'd been so busy dealing with all this she hadn't had to deal with the fallout of emotions regarding...other events.

"Do I have to worry about any of you in the night? Do our room mates snore?" The only time Azula had shared a room with people had been her former friends, and while Ty Lee snored she was also easily dispatched by a pillow to the face.
forleaving: (008)

[personal profile] forleaving 2021-02-11 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
"That's right," he said with a nod. Things could always be worse, but he didn't say that. He had the feeling she was used to being rich and having nice things, and he knew exactly how those kinds of people could be.

"Not that I've noticed. And I don't think I snore, myself." At least, if he did Ronan had never told him about it. Nor had any of his roommates here.
makeadragonwannaretire: (groan zombie death)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-11 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well it's not home, but it's not outside or prison so I guess it'll have to do." She sighed giving the room one last look over. This was going to take a lot of getting used to.

"Any advice for the new girl? Or should I just keep my eyes open and follow everyone else's lead until this all stops feeling like madness?"
forleaving: (005)

[personal profile] forleaving 2021-02-12 05:25 am (UTC)(link)
Adam made a thoughtful sound. As tempted as he was, he wasn't going to ask what she knew about being in prison. Instead, he focused on the question.

"I'd say follow everyone's lead," he said after a moment. "And make sure to listen to the train's messages. Sometimes they're pretty important. When it comes to missions it's probably a good idea to stay with a group, but people are also good at looking out for others, so." It probably wasn't much to worry about.