voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2021-03-01 05:44 am

A New Platform [Intro Post March]

On the Train

Once again passengers are awoken by the morning announcement.

"Good morning passengers, it is day One of the month of Kazoo. 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 is thick, the air is warm and humid and there are rumbles of thunder, the air heavy with the promise of rain.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Alfredo Martini, Daia, Enna Alchiba, Lord El-Melloi II, Natsuno Yuuki, Nita Callahan, Saku Gyousou, Sakura, V and Wen Qing

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, and seems smaller with twenty-seven 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.

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'). Those not new to the train will note the addition of an eighth sleeper carriage. The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, it seems the month of Kazoo is defined by the tomato and there are plenty of them.

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 as thunder rumbles further and the storm threatens to break. 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!
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Surprised)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-03-01 12:25 pm (UTC)(link)
The feel of the excitable individual careening towards and into Q'uila registered subconsciously first, causing her arms to automatically wrap around Cherry so that the young Miqo'te didn't bounce back off of Q'uila's unmoving form.

"Cherry?!" Q'uila blinked down at the young girl in surprise, "What in the seventh hell are you doing here?!"
fightcreamsundae: (Default)

[personal profile] fightcreamsundae 2021-03-01 09:29 pm (UTC)(link)
At first Cherry spoke into Q'uila's shoulder, rendering her words a bunch of muffled mmphs, but then she pulled away to repeat herself. Even as she pulled away she didn't let go of Q'uila, hands gently gripping Q'uila's forearms. Her ears are up and her tail swishing gently in a mixture of excitement and confusion.

"I don't know! I just showed up one day and spent some time on board! I'm a little confused because I should be coming off the train and not starting out here on the platform, but..." She shrugs. She's none too bothered by this. "What are you doing here!? Home needs you!"
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Love and Kisses)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-03-01 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Cherry's muffled stream of chatter ears an easy laugh from Q'uila and a gentle bunt to the top of her head, her own tail swishing and curling in response to Cherry's excitement.

"Curious, do you remember anything between then and now?" Q'uila takes a moment to examine Cherry's aether but the bright warmth felt unchanged so there was no sign of any issues there. The young miqo'te's comment about home has Q'uila chirping and she ruffles Cherry's hair in retaliation.

"I am sure home will be fine, after all from my perspective I have been away from home for at least a year. But that just makes me happier to see you Cherry Berry."
fightcreamsundae: (011)

[personal profile] fightcreamsundae 2021-03-03 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
"Nope! 'Tis as if I went to sleep last night and woke up here!" When she admits to that her ears do droop a little, her cheerful tail swishes slows a little. Her brows furrow a little, maybe slightly troubled, but she doesn't become fully overtaken by her concern about this.

Cherry's smile returns at the nickname, her ears perking up and her tail curling in joy. She's trying really, really hard not to bounce in place. She's subtly shifting her weight from one foot to the other instead. "Well, yeah, you've been on the First and all, but... Gosh, aunt Uila, I'm so, so, so glad to see you!! I've missed you and everyone else so much."
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Grin)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-03-04 03:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Q'uila gives Cherry's hair one more ruffle before reaching down to link their arms together, "Ah well, it has not just been the First that I have been busy on but I will have to regale you with those tales later. For now, it seems like you are the expert on this place between the two of us. I will be relying on your guidance and knowledge."
fightcreamsundae: (020)

[personal profile] fightcreamsundae 2021-03-10 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
Cherry giggled at the idea that she knew something that Q'uila did not. Her aunt and the rest of the Warriors(tm) were the front lines, they were the ones that went and found stuff out and came back and reported in.

"Well, mostly, we spend a lot of time here on the train. And there's a lot of people and not a lot of space so it's kinda... It's a bit much, even for me sometimes, but each month we go on missions to help worlds! We all have teams and our hoodies mark what team we're on... That helps split us up on missions..."

She continued to explain, trying to keep it as brief as possible. The goal was to impart enough information to give Q'uila a clear picture of how things worked but without rambling. A rather impressive display of self control for Cherry, but she has a focus to her where she spoke of this almost more like it were a mission briefing than their new living situation.

"Um, I think that's about the basics of it. Does that all make sense?"
dragoonrouge: (Default)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-03-27 01:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Q'uila listens attentively as Cherry outlines how this place works and the similarities and differences to Travelling were certainly something to look into later.

"Aye, that all makes sense. Thank you for explaining it to me, Cherry. So, when you were here, did you make any friends?"