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: (You have nothing to threaten me with.)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-14 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm not sure. Probably not." Azula muttered a bit too honestly still watching Kitty with sharp, judging eyes.

"I'm trying to figure out the layout of this place seeing as I am apparently stuck here and I find it a bit...strange that there should still be a normal looking train car with all the other cars I've seen so far. What purpose does it serve us?"
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971957)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-02-14 07:46 am (UTC)(link)
Kitty couldn't help a slight frown, but still tries to keep her voice light and friendly as she replied, "This car? It's just a place for people to sit and hang out. People can meet here, or someone can sit by themselves for a little bit." She pointed over to the computer on the other side of the car. "People can also use the computer and the printer if they need it."
makeadragonwannaretire: (Oh really now?)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-16 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"A sort of parlor then." That made sense to her, though this was her first interaction with a computer and so she approached it cautiously.

"A printer, so this can produce book pages and flyers and things?" She sounded unsure but mostly because when she thought of a printer it was something massive that used a lot of ink.
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971656)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-02-17 09:09 am (UTC)(link)
"Pretty much, though a book might be a lot of pages," she replied with a shrug. "Still, if you pull up a document on the computer, you should be able to print it."
makeadragonwannaretire: (ugh eyeroll)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-17 06:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Azula studied the computer for a moment before poking decisively at a few of the buttons on the keyboard. When nothing happened she sighed.

"I don't suppose there are instructions somewhere nearby?"

It sounded as though asking for help might be causing her physical pain.
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971678)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-02-18 08:13 am (UTC)(link)
"Um...probably somewhere." Where, exactly, Kitty wasn't sure. "I can also help show you, if you want."
makeadragonwannaretire: (Pouty meh)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-18 05:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Azula hesitated then nodded stepping aside and gesturing for Kitty to take the lead.

"Are these devices common in your world? I'm starting to see just how far behind my worlds technology actually is."
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971957)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-02-21 09:51 am (UTC)(link)
"Pretty common, though I've also noticed that even some of the tech here on the train is a little more advanced than a lot of the stuff in my world."

She was able to pick up on things pretty quickly, thanks to the tech they had at the institute. But even then, some things were even more advanced around the train.

Stepping over to the computer, she started showing Azula the basics; turning it on and off, opening up different programs, writing up a document, how to print it out, and other simple things that could be done on the computer.
makeadragonwannaretire: (Oh really now?)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-26 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Azula to her credit was a quick study, watching, asking questions when she needed to but not interrupting. It was at least a little more pleasant then her introduction.

"If I ever manage to find my way home I am going to be having a LONG discussion with Zuko about continuing to press our advantage in technology. The other Nations do not deserve such complex devices."
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13969459)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-02-27 10:42 am (UTC)(link)
Kitty definitely had to give her credit, she picked things up pretty fast. Her statement, though, had her pause a moment, and she glanced at her curiously.

"Zuko...?" That name was actually familiar.
makeadragonwannaretire: (Siblings)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-03-04 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
A chill raced up Azula's spine at the sound of recognition. Had she finally reached the moment she'd been dreading since speaking to Senku?

"Yes, he was my brother. I was told he was here before me." She answered with a guarded glance at Kitty trying to read her expression. "Did you know him?"
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971828)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-03-05 09:40 am (UTC)(link)
Kitty nodded. "Yeah, I knew him." She couldn't say that they had been close, but they had been friendly enough. And while he had mentioned Azula a few times, including one about needing to fight her, she didn't know all the details about it.

"He hadn't been here too long before he left, but he was a nice enough guy."