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!
blitzcheer: (head scratch)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-03-01 10:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh--yeah," he lifts a hand up himself, just to signal he gets it. Got it, got it! But moving on to hopefully not be...too confusing now. More than everything already is.

"So as crazy as it sounds, that train over there?" He points back in quick indication. "It stops at a platform every half a month, and there's new people waiting to get on. No one chooses to," he's sure to clarify, "and there's no choosing to get off either. I know that sounds bad, and it is...but one thing I can tell you is that everyone on board? We've all gone through this. And we eventually end up leaving too."
chocobosnap: (pic#12045179)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-02 06:08 am (UTC)(link)
Prompto stared at the train for a moment, just looking at it.

"I've never been on a train like this before." He paused, that wasn't quite what he meant to say.

"I m-mean, uh, so you don't know how I can get back?" His brow furrowed a bit. "I was kinda busy, and I mean, I don't want to miss my friend's wedding!"
blitzcheer: (always always always always)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-03-02 12:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sorry," he says straight off, voice dropping with the apology; his expression too, mouth pulling tight. "We have no clue how to get people back home, or how people get stuck here in the first place. And you can't really stay here on the platform."

Well-- "I mean, you can until the train signals it's time to go."

Since hey, no rush getting on board, right? Like that's a positive to any of this.
chocobosnap: (pic#12045180)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-02 07:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh man." Prompto groaned a little bit, this was kind of a mess wasn't it?

"I guess that's how trains work anyway." He agreed with a nervous running of his fingers through his hair.

"Okay, well.." He considered things for a moment. "Then I guess I h-have to get on board." He looked at the train with trepidation.
blitzcheer: (is a chore!!!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-03-02 08:10 pm (UTC)(link)
He should get on board - they both should get on board. But it's not really the greatest situation, is it? He shouldn't have to, none of them should, and either it's that or the nerves of the guy that makes Tidus hesitate, frown as he looks back at the train and then grunt, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Sure, but..." But... mhhhrr. He looks back at Prompto, and tries for a more decided expression as he nods.

"Hey, no matter how weird this is, I'll help you out, 'kay? I'll tell you anything you want to know. So...I guess I can take you to where all the drinks and the mountains of cookies are, if you're into cookies," he offers jokingly.

(But also not jokingly.)
chocobosnap: (Heh Nervous)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-03 09:03 am (UTC)(link)
Prompto shouldn't. He really shouldn't give in and indulge in cookies, but he was finding this situation to be kind of stressful.

"Astrals, cookies sound great right now." He felt compelled to admit.

He nodded. "I'm just kinda...processing, you know? It's not what I was expecting today."
blitzcheer: (mmm kimahri)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-03-03 02:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"Processing makes sense," Tidus shakes his head, if agreeably. "Cookies and processing. And maybe we can talk about something normal. If you want."

Whatever normal might be, but he gestures - "This way" - and he'll lead Prompto over to the open dining car, the food that's been laid out onto plates. ...and indeed, most of them being cookies.

"Take a seat," he offers, a gesture to the bench, the cookies easy to reach. "You want me to get you a drink? We've got tea, coffee... some juices?"

He's looking away, spots the jugs of water. Hmm, were they any juices around?
chocobosnap: (Heh Nervous)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-03 05:40 pm (UTC)(link)
"Normal's good." It wasn't that he didn't want to think about this whole kidnapping to a strange place thing, except it was exactly that.

He took two cookies on a napkin and sat down where Tidus pointed. "Uh, water's fine." He was already having cookies anyway.

"Do you like chocobos?" That seemed to be about the most normal thing that came to mind.
blitzcheer: (who asked you!!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-03-03 05:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Water get, and water got. Tidus sets down the jug and cup, just as the question's asked and his eyes light up.

"You know what--" he starts, but wait, he knows that Prompto knows what chocobos are! Nevermind that, and instead a more cheerier reply. "Yeah, they're great! Haven't seem them in months! You ride them?"

He settles down onto the bench with Prompto, bending a knee to face him better.
chocobosnap: (Chocobo selfie)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-03 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Prompto was just naturally chocobo crazy. He grinned brightly. "Yeah, totally! Noct let me go to the chocobo post, I finally got to see on in person and Oh. Em. Gee. They're the cutest things ever! And the little babies are small and round and waddle around looking for greens with their puffy feathers..."

It had been a very exciting time for him.
blitzcheer: (wibbly wobbly)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-03-03 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Tidus laughs likely, waving a hand.

"Man, I never got to see any of that. Chocobo chicks? I just saw the big ones used for renting. These guys called the Crusaders used them too for getting around and protecting the different villages where I came from. Spira didn't deal with trains or cars."
chocobosnap: (Selfie grin)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-04 11:51 am (UTC)(link)
Prompto grinned brightly. "They're so so cute!" He gushed. "And of course, being chocobo chicks they're totally perfect and yeah, we can rent the big ones sometimes and we do if it's like, a lot of traveling and not being able to drive there." They had a nice car, it was just as fun to relax in it.
blitzcheer: (awww yeah babeyyy)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-03-04 12:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"Unfortunately, I haven't seen any chocobos yet anywhere we've been too," he says, the bearer of bad news. "Plus, any time I brought up chocobos... I don't actually know how many people know about 'em! It's a mixed bag. Most don't know. Everyone's always been like, what's that?"

A small laugh. "You might need to get a book to show people."
chocobosnap: (Chocobo selfie)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-05 04:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"But chocobos are the best, they should be everywhere!" Prompto exclaimed, because he believed that to be true. It was a little disappointing.

"A book huh." He mused thoughtfully. "I bet I could get a book full of great chocobo pictures. Or some of those movies you know, the ones where the chocobos try their very best until someday they win the race?"
blitzcheer: (prince aliii prince aliii)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-03-05 04:58 pm (UTC)(link)
"I wonder if there is any here?" Tidus hums a little in thought. "We've got a cinema car a few carriages...well, a lot of carriages that way," he corrects, a finger pointing in the right direction.

"But I never saw any chocobos for real 'til a few months before I showed here. Not even movies! Wouldn't know what to look for."

Unlike a guy like Prompto.
chocobosnap: (Tada!)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-05 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'll totally have to check! I mean, I've seen them a bunch of times but they're always fun." Prompto gushed a little bit.

"We used to watch a lot of movies and play games and stuff." He explained. They'd been such ordinary teenagers, as much as possible.
blitzcheer: (i need one hands behind head)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-03-05 06:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"You're gonna have a lot of time for games and movies here," he says with a laugh in his voice. "There's more board games than anything, but we got four VR. That's it though." Said, with a disappointing tone.

"But you can always order somethin'! We don't use money 'round here -- you get points, depending on what the train feels like giving you. I mention the missions any we go on? Might be worth getting into those."
chocobosnap: (pic#12045178)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-06 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
"That's not so bad then!" Prompto said with a bright smile. "Maybe we could get a console or something and a bunch of games!" It was something to look forward to.

"Missions, right, I don't mind that kind of stuff I think. I'm a pretty good shot."
blitzcheer: (whoa woah hey heyyy)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-03-09 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"What kind of a shot?" Tidus asks, realising- "Don't think I know what you use in a fight."

Unless the guy's talking about taking pictures now, here - that enters Tidus's mind, but he keeps that thought to himself, for now.
chocobosnap: (Tada!)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-09 05:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"I keep guns in the armiger." Prompto said with a grin, although he would mean that about his camera too.

"Sometimes I use Niff machinery, but mostly I stick to my guns. I should have a few in there."