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!
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-02-09 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
It was a strange feeling, the emotions muted, almost locked away. He's not sure what is happening, if it is something that is wrong or something she can do. He didn't move closer, not wanting to startle her too much.

"Can you hear me?"
nobodys_puppet: (How Long Was I Asleep This Time?)

CW: suicidal thoughts

[personal profile] nobodys_puppet 2021-02-09 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
Her head turned slowly towards him and she blinked a few times as his sense of her swam back to the surface. "Oh. Hello. How long was it this time?" she asked, confused. There were no shells by her pillow, so she couldn't tell, and she was still as confused as when she laid down. So what was wrong with her this time? Fear filled her, higher than the background fear that had surfaced, but not as sharp as the fear on the platform. Was she so broken that even this didn't work any more? The long sleeps were part of what was broken about her, but at least she usually understood more after them. At least since coming to Daitu. But now she was just as confused as before. Like she had been after talking to Riku. Was she even more broken now? Had something happened to her? Was it because there was another Keyblade here, or was it because there was another former member of the Organization here? How badly could she break and still be Xion? How badly could she break and the train would still keep her? She didn't want to go back! She didn't want to go away again. But if she broke too badly here... would she rin everything that Roxas told her happens later? If she was too badly broken to even go back to Sora... what would happen to her friends?

If she was breaking... should she go back as soon as she was sure she was breaking, die again, to be sure that Sora would actually wake? That there would be any scrap of her left inside him to save? Was it finally her time?

She wanted to stay here, with Axel. With... With Taiki even. She wanted Roxas to come back here. She wanted to stay with her friends.

But she always knew she wasn't meant for forever. She didn't understand sadness as an emotion, but it descended upon her now and he'd feel it. She... had to go, didn't she? She couldn't stay. She was not created to exist at all, maybe having a heart was what broke her and it just took a while. She really was a failed experiment, wasn't she?

Self hatred joined the sorrow and fear. She couldn't even exist properly. She didn't know how to have a heart, even if she did have one now. Maybe she shouldn't have ever had one.

Her eyes closed again. Maybe it would be better if she could somehow get rid of it. Go back to the Xion she was when she and Axel first became friends. No... that wouldn't work either. He would be upset. And that would just make things worse. Maybe... Maybe it really was just.. time to go...

(again, her hood is still covering her face.)
longforgottenpromise: (contemplation)

CW: suicidal thoughts

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-02-09 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"How long?" He blinked at her, "Um... Maybe an hour... Two at most." Time wasn't easy to track on the train but it hasn't been all that long since he had left her after they had spoken to Vexen.

His confusion is quickly pushed aside by worry as all her feelings hit him, fear, sadness, grief. For a girl who did not understand emotions she had an awful lot and they were strong. So strong they threatened to drown him but he clung to himself, reached out towards her, hoping that touch would help. Not sure it would.

The emotions are known to him and it terrifies him.

"Xion... I know... I know it is hard right now. I know it must seem like things are bad... that there's no way to fix them. But I won't let anything happen to you. Neither will Lea... Axel. You have friends here."
nobodys_puppet: (Seal)

Re: CW: suicidal thoughts

[personal profile] nobodys_puppet 2021-02-10 06:18 am (UTC)(link)
Only an hour...? Then maybe she wasn't as broken as she thought? But sleep usually either happened all night or for days. An hour or two? She was so confused.He would feel that from her and relief. And then when he spoke again, more confusion. She pushed herself into a sitting position, not noticing as her good fell down, exposing her face.

"What... needs to be fixed this time?" she asked, so confused. She still didn't know he could feel what she was feeling, in large part because she didn't understand any of this, So she felt his concern but didn't recognize it for what it was or that it was directed at her. "Is someone hurt?" She could heal them. Unless it was something other than hurt?

She really had no idea he was reacting to her own self hatred and surety that she had to go away from just before. All of that was pushed aside within her now so she could focus on the confusing things he was saying.
longforgottenpromise: (thoughtful)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-02-12 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
He was glad to feel her relief, even though her confusion was confusing. More things he did not understand. It seemed every step closer he was to understanding her something happened to turn him away from any sort of clarity.

"Sorry... Nothing needs fixed... No one is hurt." He hopes. He really believes that Lea won't hurt Vexen, he is not a bad person. He's kind, friendly.

Not a murderer.

"I was bringing you a present..." He held it out.
nobodys_puppet: (How Long Was I Asleep?)

[personal profile] nobodys_puppet 2021-02-12 06:44 am (UTC)(link)
"A.... present?" she asked, confused. She looked at the book, then up at him, still unaware that her hood was down.

And if it helps, she doesn't understand herself all that much better than he does. Possibly she understands less, even.
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-02-13 10:11 am (UTC)(link)
He hasn't seen her with her hood down before, her face always half hidden in shadow. He smiled at her softly, though he didn't draw attention to it, he isn't sure if it is something she is apprehensive about.

"Yes.... A present."
nobodys_puppet: (Sad Dreams)

[personal profile] nobodys_puppet 2021-02-13 10:55 am (UTC)(link)
"Why?" she asked, so confused.
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-02-13 06:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"Because I wanted to give it to you." He answered, simply. Simple answers were usually the best way.

"Will you open it?"
nobodys_puppet: (In her own little corner)

[personal profile] nobodys_puppet 2021-02-13 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
But... why did he want to give it to her? She was so confused. But she nodded and tried to figure out how to open whatever it was without damaging it.
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-02-14 07:50 am (UTC)(link)
It wasn't too hard to open and once she managed it she would find a book. An illustrated encyclopedia of animals. It was aimed at children but it was a thick hardback book filled with beautiful pictures and a lot of information about various animals, where they came from, what they ate and a little about efforts of conservation.

He didn't move, watching her.
nobodys_puppet: (Soft thoughts)

[personal profile] nobodys_puppet 2021-02-14 08:11 am (UTC)(link)
She blinked as she opened the book, then stared wide eyed as she turned page after page, staring at the different illustrations. Somethings looked familiar from the worlds she had been to. And some looked a little like Heartless. But some she had never seen the like of before, at all.
longforgottenpromise: (smiles)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-02-14 08:32 am (UTC)(link)
He smiled softly as she looked at it, he really hoped she would like it. She had seemed to like meeting Gyōkō after all.

nobodys_puppet: (A bit happier now)

[personal profile] nobodys_puppet 2021-02-14 09:15 am (UTC)(link)
It... would probably take her a while to remember she wasn't alone, if he doesn't speak up or move. She would keep turning pages, fast at first, then going back to the beginning and starting again. Slowly. She wasn't reading yet, just staring, fascinated, at the variety.
longforgottenpromise: (smiles)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-02-14 11:44 am (UTC)(link)
He merely smiled and moved to the door, he would be happy to answer questions later but for now he would leave her, to look at the pictures, eventually read it and gain the information, answers to at least some of her questions.