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!
10billionpercent: (Huh?)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-01 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"I think...I've heard a little bit about cultivators, but not much." Senku admitted. "I think that's what Xue Yang does."

At least, that's what he gathered from what he knew about the explanations and how it correlated to what other people told him.

"I'd be interested in hearing more about that. The swords and martial arts are not the kind of thing I would know about." Nor did he have much of an interesting. He couldn't physically do it it even if he wanted to.
fennu: (tu11952)

[personal profile] fennu 2021-03-01 10:53 pm (UTC)(link)
The name immediately has Jiang Cheng's spine going straight, his eyes sharp and suddenly dangerous. Xue Yang. He knows more than enough about that man, but he swallows some of the anger in his heart, letting his hands clench at his side.

It feels like a problem to deal with later, but it's very clear that the teacup in his hand is very close to breaking into dozens of pieces.

"I. Can teach you." His hands relax, but then curl up again. "I'd be happy to."
10billionpercent: (Side Glance)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-01 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
For someone as tone-deaf to body language, Senku caught that and considered it. He had the impression from everything he knew about Xue Yang that he caused trouble on more than just the train, but as long as he wasn't causing trouble now, Senku couldn't be bothered to worry about him. The majority of people couldn't let go of things so easily as he did.

"I look forward to it." He admitted it. "I've been broadening my horizons a little bit since being here. I'm learning to speak Dutch because Siebren taunted me." That was right, he was going to learn a language out spite.

"And I've been trying to learn magic and I've got a book now I think will work, but I need to put some effort into it. Magic doesn't exist in my world, so I find it endlessly fascinating."
fennu: (047)

[personal profile] fennu 2021-03-02 10:26 am (UTC)(link)
It's difficult to let go of something as intense as what he knows about Xue Yang, about what had happened in both the past and the present, but there's no time to think about that now - no time to worry about someone as stupid as that man.

"Learning more is always useful," he admits, nodding his head. It's why he had been sent to other Sects to learn, after all, why he had spent so much time at Gusu. Learning is a benefit.

"I'd be happy to teach you some sword techniques. It was my role as Sect Leader."
10billionpercent: (Default)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-02 10:50 am (UTC)(link)
"I always wanted to know how everything worked." Senku said, he was a scholar at heart.

"I'd accept, but I don't think I could keep up with you. In a pinch, my weapon of choice is a crossbow because it doesn't require much force to execute and doesn't have much recoil." Senku commented.

"What I know about sword fighting from watching the warriors in the Kingdom of Science, is that you need to have a decent amount of strength and a lot of stamina, both of those things I lack. Walking the train is enough to leave me tired and breathing heavily. Typically, I just have people who defend me if anything happens." He smiled and half shrugged. "There are people on the train willing to do that too." He sipped at his tea, that was just the realistic fact of his situation, he was never going to be athletic. He'd made his peace with it.
fennu: (124)

[personal profile] fennu 2021-03-02 11:05 am (UTC)(link)
"You don't have to learn it to fight," Jiang Cheng offers gently. "And I am an archer too."

He shifts, sipping more of his tea for a moment before he sits up straighter. This is what he's used to; offering things, giving some idea of his skill, his talent, and guiding as best he can. His disciples look to him for guidance, so it's almost too easy to step into the role.

"Even practice drills can be good for the mind, for keeping calm and for meditation, if you are interested. Otherwise I will find something else."
10billionpercent: (Sentimental)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-02 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Senku opened his mouth to decline again, but he hesitated a moment and closed it. As much as he didn't need meditation, he'd had thousands of years worth and he was as calm as a person could be, he was on the heels of a distressing panic attack the week before.

A little mindfulness could be a good substitute to some kind of therapy which would involve talking about his feelings and he would like to avoid that at all costs.

"I'll accept." Senku said instead with a small smile. "But if you deem it unsuitable for me because of my physicality, just tell me. I'm not gonna be offended." He chuckled. "I already know they keep me around because of my brain." He tapped his own forehead.
fennu: (043)

[personal profile] fennu 2021-03-02 05:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"I will tell you."

There's no way he's not going to tell him - even when he's been raising his own disciples or his nephew he's never been afraid of telling them that they're wrong or that they need to stop or do something different. It's what he's done for the last sixteen years - but he does it.

"You have my word."
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-02 10:01 pm (UTC)(link)
"Appreciate it." Senku said, sipping his tea again. "If you do think of any questions, I'm not very hard to find. Then again, you have a lot of options when it comes to people who can provide you with information, but the invitation is open." He inclined his head slightly. A last chance to get something in before he'd get on his next project.
fennu: (tu12241)

[personal profile] fennu 2021-03-03 04:36 pm (UTC)(link)
"If I think of something I will find you." Jiang Cheng shifts, offering another careful bow. "I appreciate your help."
10billionpercent: (Default)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-03 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Senku offered a grin and a nod of acknowledgement and left Jiang Cheng to his own devices. He didn't return the bow though, which if he had thought about it was probably rude of him but his culture didn't really have that anymore.