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!
chocobosnap: (Selfie grin)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-03 05:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Even if he had scratched him, it was a small price to pay for getting to scritch a friendly dog.

At least, Prompto seemed a lot calmer when he was done, leaning back with a bit of a pleased sigh.

"Heh, sorry about that."
helborn: (nope too cute to function)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-03 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
He stepped back and suddenly Casper stood in front of him again, smiling. "It's fine. I don't mind being the therapy dog. And pets feel really good... I also have a form that's like a bipedal labrador retriever, only pastel blue. ... That world was a weird one."
chocobosnap: (Chocobo selfie)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-04 11:35 am (UTC)(link)
"I-I figured you must like it." Prompto said even though he had a sheepish smile. "I think the Oracle's messengers do too."
helborn: (Default)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-04 12:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oracle? What kind of - oh. Probably one that tells the future, duh." Hence the 'oracle' name.
chocobosnap: (pic#12045180)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-05 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"I th-think so?" Prompto said with a bit of a frown, thinking about it.

"I mean, I think she sees the future. Or maybe not. I don't know. I know she talks to the Astrals."
helborn: (i'm not an anime protag i swear)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-05 05:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"Those are your... gods?" It sounds like it, anyway.
chocobosnap: (pic#12045171)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-05 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"Uh huh." Prompto said with a nod. "She talks to the Six."
helborn: (Default)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-05 05:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"What are their names?" Or maybe they're not named. No way to know but to ask.
chocobosnap: (Can I take your picture?)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-05 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, well there's the Fulgarian, that's uh, Ramuh. There's um, the Archean which is Titan. Then there's the Hydrean, Leviathan. I uh, haven't met her." He smiled nervously.

"Then um, there's the Glacian, Shiva, the Draconian, Bahamut and finally the Infernian, Ifrit." Prompto ducked his head a bit.

"I've gotten to see Ramuh and Titan, weird experience."
helborn: (i'm not an anime protag i swear)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-05 09:19 pm (UTC)(link)
... He's heard a few of those names before, and a lot of the others from mythology. "I bet it was... so earth, time? Maybe? Water, ice, dragons, and fire. Interesting spread... there's a lot more gods in my world but most of them aren't worshiped anymore."
Edited 2021-03-05 21:20 (UTC)
chocobosnap: (Selfie grin)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-06 12:57 am (UTC)(link)
"If you mean Ramuh, he's the god of the storm. More uh, lightning based, kind of thing. He's usually responsible when we're trudging around in the pouring rain." Prompto said with a bit of a chuckle.

"People don't worship Ifrit. He's fallen or something...I'm not that into the Cosmogony. Probably should've read it more but uh, I wasn't expecting to actually meat them or whatever." He admitted with a sheepish smile.

"Bahamut is the one who protects Lucis, or so it goes."
helborn: (you're kind of cute)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-06 01:39 am (UTC)(link)
Lucius... wasn't that part of Noctis' name? Huh. "It's fine, I'm just kind of a nerd about it. I was even into mythology before I found out about the divine parent thing..."
chocobosnap: (Heh Nervous)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-06 02:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"I mean, the stories are fine? I didn't really spend much time uh, going to shrines or anything. Making offerings that kinda stuff. Although maybe I should have huh? Real awkward to meet a god and be like hey I never prayed to you before." Prompto said with a nervous chuckle, as though they'd had that conversation. He hadn't but he felt a bit weird about it.
helborn: (i'm not an anime protag i swear)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-06 05:39 pm (UTC)(link)
"It could be, but hopefully your gods are nicer people than the ones in my world." He'd imagine it'd feel weird if he was a regular guy talking to a god... hm. "But I hope you can get the help you need from them."
chocobosnap: (pic#12045179)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-07 10:51 am (UTC)(link)
"Uhhh, well...?" Prompto considered that. "I don't know about nice, but uh, so far two of them are helping! Titan only tried to kill us a little bit."
helborn: (okay well maybe not)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-07 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"... Why did Titan try to kill you?"
chocobosnap: (Selfie grin)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-10 01:40 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm not sure he meant for us to die, he just wanted to punch Noct a little to see if he was all worthy." He chuckled. "I mean. Who knows? I don't know how the Astrals think."
helborn: (you're kind of cute)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-10 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah. One of those kinds of things. I get it. Tests of strength or whatever?"
chocobosnap: (Heh Nervous)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-03-11 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah probably!" Prompto chuckled. "I mean, blah blah blah, have to see if he wants to help us. It's a lot. It'd be easier if they were more cooperative and we didn't have to get knocked around first. Ramuh was kinda nice!"
helborn: (Default)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-11 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
"In my experience, a lot of gods unfortunately seem to have a stick up their ass... but my interactions with most gods in my world haven't been the best."