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!
unfavorableinstigation: Nita looking right, holding a book. (I'm In The Book)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2021-02-02 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"That... is a good idea, actually."

Nita puts one hand to her chin, looking at the gray outfit with new eyes.

"Think she saw the post, or should I go find her?"

It couldn't hurt to ask her opinion directly.
fivemilesdeep: (A good idea)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-02-02 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh good, he hadn't overstepped with that suggestion. Time for another one, but at least she'd asked his opinion on this one. "It's pretty busy today. You might need to find her to make sure."
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 2021-02-03 01:06 am (UTC)(link)
"Got it."

Nita nods, before carefully taking that outfit down and folding it.

"I can keep it with me when I head out for dinner; if she doesn't call in the meantime I might just end up running into her, the way this train is..."

Once that's done, she goes back to looking at the other outfits. Now, what to do with the rest of them...?
fivemilesdeep: (A good idea)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-02-03 06:48 am (UTC)(link)
"Probably - especially if you go through the greenhouse." A beat. "Is it always this chaotic at platforms?" He remembers his own arrival, but he'd spent much of that day panicking and trying to stay out of everyone's way; he hadn't really gotten a sense for how everything worked in the grand scheme of things.
unfavorableinstigation: Nita looking right, holding a book. (I'm In The Book)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2021-02-03 06:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Nita's response to the next question is a wry look and a nod.

"We've had a few platforms with less than ten people each joining, but in general there's always a lot going on. Comings-and-goings, packages..."

It could be a panic for long-timers, too, depending upon who left.

"A goal for us, or at least the team leads, is to have each team meet once a month, if not twice, a couple days after each platform."

Nita starts absently playing with the fabric of another outfit, twirling it 'round her hands.
Edited 2021-02-03 18:22 (UTC)
fivemilesdeep: (But if we try this)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-02-05 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
"So we'll probably have another meeting soon, then." It only makes sense. Hopefully he'll be able to say more than a few words this time around.

He hesitates for a moment, watching her play with the fabric of one of the outfits - the green and yellow dress. It's pretty, and it looks soft enough, and he doesn't understand why she'd want to get rid of it - dresses aren't terribly difficult when it comes to fashion - but she'd already given him her reasons - but-

She's been kind - surely she won't abandon him over a question. Right?

Right?

He gathers his courage and-

"Are you sure you want to get rid of that one?"
unfavorableinstigation: It is dark, but Nita is inside reading a book. (Dark)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2021-02-05 02:04 am (UTC)(link)
"We can both keep an ear out."

It wasn't as if Nita was leading the meeting, after all.

The question surprised her, but she didn't flinch, nor did she suddenly turn cold or any such thing.

"... I don't know. I just - don't really see myself as someone who dresses up?"

She sighs.

"It's not your fault, though, alright? That's true regardless. I just wish Kit was here."

It meant more when she had someone she liked getting dressed up for- aaaand she may have just said too much out loud, hadn't she?

A bit of a blush tinges her cheeks, not that she's looking at Ryo at this point.

"Sorry."
fivemilesdeep: (But if we try this)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-02-12 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
The look straight into his anxiety is a bit unnerving, but...well, she's perceptive. He should know this by now. As for the rest of her answer...

He settles back in his bunk, partially to give her a reprieve and partially to hide his expression. He has yet to figure out how to handle homesickness with a straight face, and it's been particularly bad here. "It's okay," he says quietly. "I think we all miss people from home." He certainly has days when he wishes he'd wake up at home and find the entire train to have been one long, strange dream.
unfavorableinstigation: It is dark, but Nita is inside reading a book. (Reading Indoors)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2021-02-13 01:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Amusingly enough, the reason Nita's embarrassed isn't just because Kit's 'people from home'.

She doesn't mention he's her boyfriend all that much, does she. Should that worry her??

Slowly, she brings her face back out to the light.

"Yeah. That much's true enough. ... And it's not as if the clothes remind me of home or anything..."

To at least attempt to bring the conversation full circle.