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!
enthunder: (wait ☇ why are you doing this)

[personal profile] enthunder 2021-03-02 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah," the response is automatic, even as pain shoots up her arm. Definitely broke something, but fury is still creating far too much white noise in her brain to think about it. Talking to Xiao Xingchen isn't something she's done much, though she's been in medical during his procedure and visits after. He's familiar enough that she doesn't snap, but it's close.

Shit, does she remember where Qing kept her notes for his surgery? She'll have to make sure they're around somewhere. "And that's her brother over there. What crappy timing."
stardustofdawn: (08)

[personal profile] stardustofdawn 2021-03-02 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh..." He takes in a deep breath. This is real. It doesn't feel like long ago he was in the med car, being a patient himself. So with Wen Qing gone, this troubles him.

He was struck with an idea. "I think that's the only doctor on the train? I know there isn't many healers on staff in the medic car. I don't know how I could help. Do you think she may have left behind anything? Books? Journals? Records? I think, I have some reading to catch up on."
enthunder: (ugh ☇ FML)

[personal profile] enthunder 2021-03-02 08:29 pm (UTC)(link)
His questions are practical enough that she can focus on them. Blinking, she considers.

"She's always buying books." Was buying them that morning, she's almost sure. There are other medics, but none that she knows as well as Wen Qing to vouch for in the moment. "They'll be... in medical, most likely. If they didn't just disappear with her to--"

To where? Her last memory was burning alive. Just where is she going?

Not helpful. She shakes her head. "They'll be in medical."
stardustofdawn: (08)

[personal profile] stardustofdawn 2021-03-02 08:40 pm (UTC)(link)
He swallows thickly, feeling her hurt profoundly. He knows a few on the staff, having spoke to them as a patient before. With a nod, "I'll go look for the books in the medical section. I'll speak to Ichigo and the others on the team and let them know."

A pause, before he steps back, giving her distance and space. "But your hand. I hope nothing is broken. Get that heal, okay?"
enthunder: (hmph ☇ you're right BUT)

[personal profile] enthunder 2021-03-03 06:37 pm (UTC)(link)
The hurt is, if not subsiding, sinking to the depths like so much silt; she breathes out slowly. He's trying to help out, the least she can do is meet that halfway. Deal with it later. Move forward.

"It's fine. I'll come with you, see if I remember where she put them." She glances at her hand, and snorts. "And get this sorted out."
stardustofdawn: (02)

[personal profile] stardustofdawn 2021-03-12 10:09 pm (UTC)(link)
It will take a while for the hurt to simmer, and time to heal. For him, he doesn't know the woman much, but she gave him a gift that can't be repaid. And he knows people who left beyond the barrier seldom come back. He himself cannot return home.

"Okay. Hopefully we can find something and I have to learn in her place. I can't match her years of experience and knowledge." With a nod to her hand, "But let's do our best."