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!
cureofmanyworlds: (Nozomi - Not Sure...)

Re: The Train

[personal profile] cureofmanyworlds 2021-03-01 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Nozomi gasped as Lu’lim spoke to her in her mind. So cool...

“Something like this, yes. I’ve been to other worlds but nothing as grand as what we’re doing. You?”
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Thinking)

Re: The Train

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-03-01 08:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"'Tis similar for myself and Lu'lim, though our previous time going about the multiverse was certainly more obviously fraught with danger so for us this will be somewhat of a break."

Q'uila continues to unpack her bag and fold her spare clothes, "There did seem to be a number who arrived with us who are new to it all, though those who have been on this train for a while appear to be doing well at helping them. I am glad, I have heard stories of places like this that are less pleasant."
cureofmanyworlds: (Default)

Re: The Train

[personal profile] cureofmanyworlds 2021-03-01 08:58 pm (UTC)(link)
“Yes, there are a lot of places that were terrible. I’ve been to a few.” Nozomi admitted. Honestly, this first was where she was “born”.

“Let’s hope we can make a difference here!”
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Grin)

Re: The Train

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-03-03 05:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"Absolutely!" It seemed like the two of them would get on well, and work together well if Q'uila's read on Nozomi was correct.

She regards Nozomi curiously, "So what sort of places have you journeyed to before?"
cureofmanyworlds: (Nozomi - Huh?)

Re: The Train

[personal profile] cureofmanyworlds 2021-03-03 06:06 pm (UTC)(link)
“Oh, gosh... um...” Nozomi took a moment to think things over just a bit.

“Well, the first world was a computer world they made to look like a town in another country. Then, there was a world where everypony... Er, everyBODY, was a pony.” Stupid habit. “Then there was the world we were told to save as we were Heroes of Light...”
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Thinking)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-03-04 07:38 am (UTC)(link)
Q'uila listens in rapt attention to Nozomi, her tail swaying slowly.

"Computer worlds are strange, Eorzea does not have these sorts of things outside Allagan ruins and Garlemald so I was completely lost." She giggles at Nozomi's slip and her ears perk up.

"Heroes of Light? Tell me, did that world have chocobos?"
cureofmanyworlds: (Nozomi - Huh?)

[personal profile] cureofmanyworlds 2021-03-04 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah, yes, it did!" Nozomi said. "Why do you ask?"
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Joy)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-03-06 03:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Q'uila claps her hands in delight, ears wiggling, "That world must have been adjacent to where I come from! There seem to be quite a few of them, though in Eorzea we are called Warriors of Light."

She sighs, "Ah it makes me miss my chocobo, though I know that he is being well looked after."
cureofmanyworlds: (Nozomi - proud)

[personal profile] cureofmanyworlds 2021-03-06 03:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Nozomi smiled as she went to join Q’uila on her bed. “Oh, wow, that is so cool!” She said, happy to find someone who understood that bit. “I wish I could show you what I could do, but the device I had wasn’t in my bag.”
dragoonrouge: (Default)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-03-07 11:28 am (UTC)(link)
Q'uila shuffles her bag to the side to allow Nozomi more room and Lu'lim takes the opportunity to bunt Nozomi in order to start demanding ear scratches.

"'Tis always a delight to meet others who hold the mantle, what sort of role were you in your party?"
cureofmanyworlds: (Nozomi - Not Sure...)

[personal profile] cureofmanyworlds 2021-03-07 04:01 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah..." Nozomi thought it over a bit. That one was a bit hard - they didn't really have roles? "I was mostly an attacker? Defense and such went over my head."
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Grin)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-03-09 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Q'uila laughs brightly, "A fellow damage dealer! I mostly wield the lance though I have training in quite a wide variety of weaponry. What weapon did you wield?"
cureofmanyworlds: (Default)

[personal profile] cureofmanyworlds 2021-03-09 07:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah... I believe it was a rapier." Nozomi said. "Also used a set of magic with them. I think it was called a 'Red Mage'?"
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Excited)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-03-11 08:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Q'uila trills and her ears perk right up, "A fellow student of the Red!" In a shimmer, a sparkling Red Mage Job Stone appears in Q'uila's hand, "'Rhun would be so excited to know that there are other Vermillion Duelists doing deeds about the realms!"