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!
nobodys_puppet: (Caught By Roxas)

Her hood is still up, but I love this icon too uch to not use it here

[personal profile] nobodys_puppet 2021-03-02 08:20 am (UTC)(link)
"No," she said. She tried to sound strong when she said it, she really did, but her voice was weak. She tried to push herself up, but she was shaking terribly.
miseris_socios: (grr...)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-03-02 08:23 am (UTC)(link)
"Does it... does it hurt? I can heal you, though it's going to be loud..." Shit... he didn't want to leave her here, but he also needed to get help...
hotheadwarmheart: (Serious)

Big bro the the rescue!

[personal profile] hotheadwarmheart 2021-03-03 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
Fortunately, he didn't need to go looking for help, as help was already approaching. Lea had been discreetly keeping an eye on Xion and had started toward her the moment he noticed the signs of her impending collapse.

"She doesn't need healing," he said. "What she does need is rest." He crouched down next to them and helped Ken support Xion. "I told her not to push herself, but she insisted on coming out today."
nobodys_puppet: (Hooded Pain)

Re: Big bro the the rescue!

[personal profile] nobodys_puppet 2021-03-03 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
She tried to give Axel a weak smile, but couldn't quite manage it. She was still clinging to the book, having not dropped it. "Axel... what is a father?" she asked.

Because, yes, that was what was important now.

Well, actually the thing that to her was important to her she didn't want to bring up in front of someone else. (And not just because that thread hasn't progressed. Okay, yes that is a factor, hush.)
miseris_socios: (blankly)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-03-03 05:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Ken looked up in relief at the sight of Axel. “Sorry, I. I was trying to explain how Vexen adopted me and -“ He cut himself off, blinking away the beginnings of tears. “I’m sorry...”

His voice was rough and he took a deep breath. “I can help you with her... where is she going? Medical, quiet car, or her room?”
Edited 2021-03-07 07:37 (UTC)
thawed_pride: (Nort-My patience is wearing thin.)

[personal profile] thawed_pride 2021-03-07 07:59 am (UTC)(link)
Vexen had noticed Xion's collapse, but chosen to hang back and allow Axel to handle it. As much as it pained him, he knew she trusted the ex-Nobody far more than she did him. He still hovered within earshot, however, and at the sound of Ken holding back tears, he knew he had to step in.

He walked over and crouched down to put a gentle hand on Ken's shoulder.

"You have nothing to apologize for, my boy. Xion was pushing herself merely to be out here."

Then he looked over at Xion, still crouched down close to her eye level.

"Why don't we get you in somewhere you can sit down, then we can answer your questions."
hotheadwarmheart: (Serious)

[personal profile] hotheadwarmheart 2021-03-07 09:53 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah," Lea agreed. "It's not your fault. She's just a bit too stubborn for her own good sometimes."

He then directed his attention to Xion. "Yeah. I think you're done with the platform for the day. Let's get you back aboard, maybe get you some tea or something, and then we can talk a bit."
nobodys_puppet: (Retrieved By Axel)

[personal profile] nobodys_puppet 2021-03-07 10:03 am (UTC)(link)
There was... a lot of attention on her. She shrunk in on herself, head still a bit off she gave Axel a small nod. Roxas wasn't here, so she didn't have any reason to argue. And with them all bunched up like this... someone might notice.

She needed to tell Axel about... no. Not out here. Once they were inside and it was just the two of them she could warn him. He would be with her until then, so he'd be safe.

She wasn't fully sure which he was in danger if they met, though...
miseris_socios: (wh-what?!)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-03-07 03:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah... I can go get tea or something, I... you guys probably need to talk..." He felt faintly like he was intruding. They all knew each other from before and he didn't. He was the outsider on this.

He leaned into Vexen's touch, the tension obvious from his shoulder.
thawed_pride: (Nort-How amusing.)

[personal profile] thawed_pride 2021-03-07 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"She...has a limited grasp of certain concepts. I don't believe we need to have an especially personal talk, so much as we do a discussion about what a family is."

He gives Ken's shoulder a light squeeze and offers a tired smile.

"Fetching some tea would be very helpful, however. I think we could all use it."
nobodys_puppet: (Hooded and Grounded)

[personal profile] nobodys_puppet 2021-03-08 07:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Well there was something she had to say that would be a lot to explain to someone else but... Axel was good at explaining things. So she could let him do that. But she wanted to be back inside now, away from so many people...
hotheadwarmheart: (bridal carry)

[personal profile] hotheadwarmheart 2021-04-07 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, we'd really appreciate it," Lea said to Ken, offering him a small but grateful smile. "We'll be taking Xion back to her room in medical, so you can just meet us there. And I'm sure she'll want to look through the book you got her once she's feeling better; it was a really good idea, getting that for her."

To Xion, he said, "Alright now, up we go..." He got both his arms underneath her and stood, picking her up in the same sort of gentle carry he'd used to bring her to medical the first time.

"You wanna grab the book there, Vexen? I've got my hands full, and since Ken's gonna be getting tea..." It had ended up next to Xion on the ground after she'd collapsed, and he wanted to make sure it wasn't left behind.