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!
foxyou: (wh)

[personal profile] foxyou 2021-03-11 02:39 am (UTC)(link)
"Most things can't be gained without a little work--"

Aaaand suddenly the spider woman is touching his ear. It attempts to flick in protest, while the rest of the body it's attached to freezes up for a second at the unexpected invasion of personal space. That feels weird!?

He'll back away once he unfreezes, a backstep as hurried as if he'd just stepped into a room full of walking killer fish and would like to step back out as soon as possible...
kumoko: (arachne - cute!!!!!)

[personal profile] kumoko 2021-03-13 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Honestly she doesn't even notice his reaction for a good long moment. His ears are so soft. If she'd been reincarnated as a fox, she'd have been made for life, huh? Unfortunately for him, she has eight legs and two brains, both of which are just showing the word 'fluffy' repeated a thousand times in 70pt font, and it's a matter of a half-step for her to stay with him as he moves back.

Then she blinks, and she's stroking a guy's ear.

...

Hm.

Hm!

She'd apologise, but... But that would mean admitting to wrongdoing! Also, if she backs down now, won't it seem like she's done something weird? Sorry, Mr. Fox, this is just how it's done in the demon world, okay? Believe your upperclass-spider!

"So it's agreed!" Oh right, hand off ear. She pulls back, reluctantly. "Come to the dressing carriage when you're ready to study, okay?"
foxyou: (seriously stop)

[personal profile] foxyou 2021-03-14 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
To be fair, his fur is extremely soft...but also nobody has ever petted this fox before and he hasn't the faintest idea how he's supposed to feel about it. Pleased? Offended?? What he is feeling is...that actually feels kinda good now that any rational thoughts have frozen up on him.

He almost leans towards her when she pulls back, but then there's a blink and a shake of the head and he's back to...attempting to look like that was normal. Yes. Maybe it is? The spider seems to think it's normal, but what is normal for spiders? But it's not like he's all that familiar with demon customs anyway--ugh.

"...The dressing carriage. Yes. I'll...keep that in mind."
kumoko: (magic - bored)

[personal profile] kumoko 2021-03-19 07:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Alright! Good, he's not being all, kyaa, a perverted spider, help, so it's fine, right? She guesses she'll find out if he ever shows up for magic lessons.

"'Kay! Good luck on your first day, Mr. Fox!" is her final word. Short-range teleports take no time at all to construct, and the doors are open back into the train, so she offers a slight wave, and disappears in a blaze of glowing magical squares.

Ahh, is it too late to order a pet? She wants to touch his ears again...