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!
makeadragonwannaretire: (Backglare)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-11 04:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Azula had to take a moment to figure out if she was being mocked by the duck.

...time to add another mark in the "Things that make me think I've gone insane" book.

"Alright, I can...figure this out. So you talk, wear clothes, you appear to be one of the purple ones. Do you still pilot things when we are...assigned? Sent on missions?" Trying to scrape together what she was learning quickly and apply it to what made sense was difficult but not impossible.
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (let's float down to peru)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-11 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sadly, no." She sighed, hand to her chest. Not being on a plane in months was agonizing! "All our missions are land-based... at least, the ones I've seen. Whenever we move, we're walking."

Then she inhaled, determined to be optimistic again. "But the future is nothing but possibilities! If we ever come across a world that needs a pilot, BOOM, baby, I'll be first in line!"
makeadragonwannaretire: (Ugh this is bullshit)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-13 10:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"And I'll be more then happy to let you take that spot." Azula agreed feeling her sense of shock and confusion reaching a semi-comfortable numbness finally.

"How many missions have you been on already?"
sos_pilot: by <user name=cupcake_graphics> (so kiss me)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-14 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, who can keep count, we've done so many!"

Truth - Della doesn't keep count because that's a way of keeping time, and she DOES NOT WANT TO KNOW HOW LONG SHE'S BEEN AWAY FROM HER FAMILY AGAIN.

"On our last mission, we got to fight with robots, wander around an ever changing maze, and get temporary elemental powers while we changed form! It was pretty sweet."
makeadragonwannaretire: (And I thought my jokes were bad.)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-16 05:32 pm (UTC)(link)
None of that sounds sweet in the traditional sense, or even in the sense that Azula considers something sweet which is typically some level of cruelty.

"And you're just OK with this? With not really understanding what's going on? Not knowing how long if ever it will be till you return home? That's all fine for you and you're just enjoying the adventure?"
sos_pilot: by <user name=cupcake_graphics> (i promise i'll be there soon)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-17 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
She is decidedly ignoring one of those questions. "Well, I'm kinda used to this stuff in my world. Getting yoinked into another world to help folks out, not getting any info until it's too late, saving the day, defeating bad guys... that's a basic McDuck Tuesday for my family."
makeadragonwannaretire: (Floor Chill)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-17 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Azula tries to imagine a life like that, Zuko and her father and perhaps even uncle traveling the world, helping people.

...it sounds really lame. Now if they were conquering and dominating those areas...

"It must be nice to be so utterly blasé about having no control over your life."
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (Default)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-18 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Della replied cheerfully.

"... Change your mind about the hug yet?"
makeadragonwannaretire: (uggggh)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-26 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
"You're an idiot, and no." Azula determined holding up a hand which produced a ball of blue flame.

"Touch me and I'll roast you. I'm no cook so it would be a waste for everyone involved." she added sternly, after a moment her face fell and she brought her free hand to her face.

"I can't believe I'm actually threatening a talking duck...I've lost my mind truly."
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (let's fly let's fly away)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-27 07:32 pm (UTC)(link)
She ignores the threat and insult - since she's used to both - and instead focuses on the fire.

"Whoa, that's so cool! Is that magic?"
makeadragonwannaretire: (Where is harvey dent?)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-03-04 10:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, at least something could be salvaged out of this insane conversation. She needed a good ego stroking at this point.

"Not Magic. Firebending. It's a type of martial art that only the truly special can master from my world." She took the ball of flame in her hand and snuffed it out before tracing her foot along the ground in front of her and making a light trail of blue flames which crackled dangerously for a moment before dissipating.

"It takes most people a lifetime of training to truly master all it's forms, but I've already managed it."
sos_pilot: by <user name=cupcake_graphics> (to notice i'm alive)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-03-04 10:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Oooh. This was getting cooler by the second.

"Any way I could learn how to do it?" Della asked, because if anyone was "truly special", it was definitely Della Duck!
makeadragonwannaretire: (Green ugh)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-03-04 10:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes...because the idea of a talking, walking clothes wearing duck that could fly airships wasn't already insane. Now Azula had to imagine them fire bending.

"It's not unheard of for animals to bend elements, the fire Firebenders were dragons...but if you haven't already shown some level of potential it seems unlikely." she hesitated and then added "Have you manipulated any sort of elements before?"