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!
bakegarasu: (can you feel the sunshine?)

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2021-02-05 01:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah..." His voice is a little fond as he talks. "... Yeah, it is." Was? He's not sure. "He's... he was always laughing and smiling. He was just one of those kinds of guys. Always seeing the good in most people..."

He really didn't belong in the yakuza. Otoha'd told him his kindness would get him killed one day, and... well.
its_dad_sanzo: (dilf)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-02-05 01:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"...Ah," well. Koumyou comes from a certain kind of world, himself--

One where 'those kinds of guys' didn't live long, either.

"I have to say, a tragic death is almost the expected outcome, isn't it?"

The brighter the light, the quicker it goes out.
bakegarasu: (fire in your heart)

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2021-02-05 01:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"... Almost, yeah." He sighs and slips the picture back into the envelope, and the envelope back into his pocket.

"Second thing... someone from my world showed up. My yurine. The will of the city of Shinjuku."
its_dad_sanzo: (speak only endearing speech)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-02-05 01:19 pm (UTC)(link)
"Is that someone to be worried over?" Koumyou asks, like Otoha just told him about something absolutely mundane. Like it's just gossip over tea, if they'd had tea at the moment.

Because, look, most people from Koumyou's world... would be someone to be worried over.

Especially a certain shitty raven.
bakegarasu: (as i pondered weak and weary)

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2021-02-05 01:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"Mm..." It's a noncommittal noise. "Yes and no." How to put this...

"So I'm the guardian of my city. She's the one I contracted with. ... Unintentionally as I was dying, but still. She took my memories, though I don't think she meant to. She's... not human and worse with emotions than I am."
its_dad_sanzo: Burial-era (uhhhh)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-02-05 01:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"...So you figuring shit out is going to get a lot harder with her around, I'm guessing."

Whelp.
bakegarasu: (Default)

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2021-02-05 01:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"... Probably. I don't know how to act... I have to follow her orders." Well. "... I think? I don't know, I didn't question it before. But I think I do. ... But she's even more lost than me, here."
its_dad_sanzo: (serious glance)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-02-09 10:50 am (UTC)(link)
Wait, what? That gets a sidelong glance from Koumyou, expression suddenly entirely serious.

"Is that so?"
bakegarasu: (brooding like a demon)

How did I lose this tag...

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2021-02-15 11:34 am (UTC)(link)
"... To which part? Because yes?" His tone is a little questioning. "She's the will of a city, she doesn't exactly have experience in living like a person."
its_dad_sanzo: Ibun-era (mask)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-02-15 12:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm much more concerned with the orders bit," Koumyou says evenly, "is she able to override your will?"
bakegarasu: (death carnivore)

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2021-02-15 12:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh." ... Right, that would be more ocncerning to people. "... No. I'm pretty sure she can't, at least. I've defied orders before." And a good thing he did. Nue helped them out a lot.
its_dad_sanzo: (ha ha Ukoku you're awful - no really)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-02-17 11:28 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh. Good."

Secretly in the privacy of his own mind, Koumyou essentially tosses a rock aside. Maybe she can live, then.
bakegarasu: (his eyes have all the seeming)

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2021-02-17 11:31 am (UTC)(link)
"Mm." He looks at Koumyou curiously. "... You really are concerned about me, aren't you?"
its_dad_sanzo: (zen priest)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-02-17 11:37 am (UTC)(link)
"It wouldn't sit well with me for anyone's will to be subsumed by another."

But.

"But, yes."

He's concerned about you specifically, Otoha.
bakegarasu: (i hear you)

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2021-02-17 11:42 am (UTC)(link)
He sits quietly with that for a few seconds.

Thanks.
its_dad_sanzo: (zen)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-02-17 11:45 am (UTC)(link)
Koumyou leans over for a second to knock his shoulder into Otoha's.

"You're welcome."
bakegarasu: (out here in the quiet of the night)

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2021-02-17 11:56 am (UTC)(link)
He smiles slightly and knocks his shoulder back, gently. "... Do you want me to leave you to your nap? Though a quiet car or something might be better so you don't get neck pain."
its_dad_sanzo: (havin' a sit)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-02-17 12:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"If you like," Koumyou chuckles lightly, "but I've certainly napped in stranger places on this train."

Drooling on a window is a new one, honestly.
bakegarasu: (uh oh)

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2021-02-17 12:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Just because you can doesn't mean you should." He doesn't know what neck pain is like but he's heard people complain about it.

He raps his knuckles gently against Koumyou's forehead before getting up. "Your choice. ... I should probably check on Yurine, though. I don't want her getting more upset."
its_dad_sanzo: (speak only endearing speech)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-02-17 12:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Koumyou waves lazily up at him, already looking half-asleep again.

"Good luck with that."