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!
10billionpercent: (Huh?)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-02-14 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"Patches?" He was curious to know what Roland meant with that.

"An exchange of customs. Hm..." Senku considered that, crossing his arms as he thought about it. "I'll have to think about what would qualify, or what would be good for that."

The ropes were easiest, but were village specific, not technically part of the broader community.
adregem: (heh. i expect that of you.)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-17 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"No rush, Chief. All in due time. We've got a whole void's worth of travel to learn more about our new alliance."

And as for the other bit, he pats his sleeve, his smile pleasant.

"Yeah. Like the ones you sew on your clothes. A patch of your flag to wear on official duty, as a sign of friendship. Heh. Is it too cheesy?"
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-02-19 04:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"No, far be it for me to criticise what you do in regards to your country." He chuckled lightly.

"Ah, I know what you mean. Wasn't something I ever really had though. I'm not sure why." It just hadn't appealed to his teenage sensibilities apparently.
adregem: (look forward to tomorrow.)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-21 08:09 am (UTC)(link)
Roland would like to correct him insofar as Aremica never really quite caught on to his suggestion to do that, but never mind. Let him be a geek about these things on his own time, and in secret. Gotta look the part!

"Well, flags are the standard." Pun intended. "And might be less work. Imagine how many patches you'd have to sew into uniforms once every turnover. But I guess our alliance isn't subject to the same rules. Who even knows how inter-dimensional politics work these days. We're all making our own rules, as we go."

Should he buy a book about it? He'll put it on the list. That, and telling Evan he's come up with something completely new on the fly. Oops.
10billionpercent: (Ha Ha)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-02-21 08:55 am (UTC)(link)
He chuckled, wildly amused by that. "Sure, why not, inter-dimensional politics sound fun."

Senku should absolutely not be responsible for deciding on such a system.

"I don't know, I haven't tried to make either one." He hummed. "We also don't have uniforms." Senku responded as he considered that. "The original villagers have their own style, with a specific type of geta, their clothes tend to be very similar and they all wear ropes incorporated into their outfits. It's a specific type of rope and knot. I don't know how to make the rope." He explained.

"It was a fully formed society before we infiltrated it and brought science." Senku hummed. "I don't put my hair up often, but when I do I tend to use the same knot, kind of a force of habit. I follow the same rules around that that they do." Yes, Roland, he could tame his hair if he tried, although it was getting rather long.
adregem: (attaboy!!!!!)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-22 02:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Let's focus on that little fact why don't we? Roland jokes openly, eyes wide pretending he'd just heard the wildest thing.

"What? You can tie your hair? I'll believe it when I see it." Roland doesn't quite touch the top of his hair, but he does gesture to it from a distance, holding back a chuckle.
10billionpercent: (Ponytail)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-02-25 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
Senku chuckled lightly and without a word, summoned from his arms band a length of silk rope he had from the wedding. He held it with his teeth as he reached back, pulling his hair down into a ponytail at the base of his skull. His hair was getting pretty long at that point so it was definitely falling to his shoulders. It would be longer if it wasn't tied up.

He tied it off with a bit of an unusual knot on the top of the ponytail, so the little ends could be seen, instead of hiding that under the ponytail.

"Not really a magic trick." Senku snickered. "But it's a pain in the ass if I don't condition it." He didn't really care to. "If I did that it would just fall to my shoulders." He paused. "Well maybe longer. I need a haircut."