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!
sos_pilot: by <user name=cupcake_graphics> (my darling baby boys)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-06 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Della blinks a bit, then lets out a soft chuckle. ]

Huh... and, as a mom, I really ought to practice what's being preached, right? My bad. You're right. I just got so wrapped up in something I got from home, I lost sight of everything around me.
happyends: (so it's now or never more)

[personal profile] happyends 2021-02-07 01:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Is it that book?

[ Madoka will leave the rest of the topic alone now, since she thinks Della got the message. And thankfully without things getting too awkward, which causes Madoka to smile a little as she speaks up now. ]

What is it about? Um, if I may ask!
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (let's fly let's fly away)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-07 04:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Della all but SHOVES THE BOOK IN MADOKA'S FACE ]

The Junior Woodchuck Guidebook! The essential text for all Junior Woodchucks, young and old! It has the history of the world, important facts about everything ever, and it's always expanding with new knowledge!
happyends: (lies in the palm)

[personal profile] happyends 2021-02-07 06:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[ IT COLLIDES WITH MADOKA'S FACE AND SHE PASSES OUT.

Okay, not really. But for a moment it kind of feels like that might happen, and Madoka looks startled - a look that lingers on her face even as she views the cover of the book, trying to read its title while Della explains. ]


Junior.. Woodchucks?

[ She repeats the word. Judging by the way it sounds, and the cover of that book.. ]

Are those boy scouts and girl scouts..?
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (Default)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-07 08:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Thankfully she pulls the book back. ]

Yeah, but anyone can be in it! Boys, girls, non-binary, robots...

[ wait what was that last one - ]

I earned hundreds of badges when I was a duckling, and now one of my kids is following my path!
happyends: (lies in the palm)

[personal profile] happyends 2021-02-07 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Wait, what was that last one.

Duckplanet sure is a weird place, huh.

But that's not what Madoka focuses on. Instead it's the last part, making her cover her open mouth with a hand in surprise. ]


Collecting badges always sounded like so much fun! I always kind of wanted to do it.. [ But Madoka is so not the scout type, which kind of makes that hard. ] You must be really skilled though if you got that many..!
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (once i get you up there)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-08 01:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She lightly taps the book to her beak in thought. ]

Y'know... a lot of stuff we do on the trains and on missions would count towards what we normally earn for badges... All of you definitely would've earned a ton of them!
happyends: (i can hold on tight to nothing)

[personal profile] happyends 2021-02-08 07:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Madoka gasps.

But then her eyes light up. ]


Really?! [ !!! Even if she doesn't actually have those badges, the idea of it is still very exciting to her! ] I never thought I could do any of the things that would earn you those..!
sos_pilot: by <user name=cupcake_graphics> (because i'll face it all with you)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-09 08:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Several ideas are forming at once! ]

You guys have earned badges! And I'm going to make sure you get them!
happyends: (lies in the palm)

[personal profile] happyends 2021-02-09 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
You are?

[ Note that this isn't a sceptical question at all. Madoka wouldn't think of questioning Della! No, this is more curiosity than anything else when she asks: ]

How? [ While they're on a train traveling through nowhere! Surely no scout group could actually reach them here! ]
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (Default)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-10 06:59 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll make them myself! Sure, I've never made badges before, but I've sown stuff together! It can't be that hard!

[ Remind us again, what's the road to hell paved with? ]
happyends: (i want to see you smile with power)

[personal profile] happyends 2021-02-11 09:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ Madoka gasps, but in a happy way. The kind of way where she clasps her hands together, clearly excited in that way only people under 16 can still get. Her eyes are nearly sparkling. ]

Really? You would?

[ See, Della. Now you're stuck.

Because you can't disappoint someone this cute, right? ]


Thank you so much, miss..! I'm so excited to have my very own badges!
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (if you could use)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-11 05:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Della would rather die than disappoint one of her kiddos. ]

You just wait, I'll make the best badges ever for the best kids ever!