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!
wisdominshadows: HW: watching carefully (fifteen)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2021-03-03 06:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Zelda bows her head.

"It's a kindness that you would think of me," she says, "and I thank you for it. But I'm afraid I wasn't asking to make conversation. Clef... have you happened to look at the passenger roster recently?"
guru_clef: (Uplifting smile)

[personal profile] guru_clef 2021-03-03 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"No, I don't generally look at..." he trailed off, realizing - incorrectly - who she had to be speaking about.

"Link?" he asked, sliding off his stone and dropping down, for once not caring how short he was. "Link is here?" he was so happy and didn't bother to hide it. His boy was here? Of course Zelda would come to tell him. "Let's go find him then, Zelda. I can give you your gift later."
wisdominshadows: OoT: The dark age will end! (twenty four)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2021-03-04 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
"No one's arrived yet," she says, shaking her head.

"I don't know if he will. But Clef- when was the last time you spoke to Nita?"
guru_clef: (Dramatic)

[personal profile] guru_clef 2021-03-04 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
"Nita?" he repeated, having a very bad feeling. "I don't recall exactly. Her sister was in a few days ago, I think, so maybe a week or two... why...?" He really really was having a sinking sensation. And since he was now standing on the ground, he couldn't even blame gravity.
wisdominshadows: (three)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2021-03-05 08:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, no. He'd really had no idea.

"Her name's been in gold for over a week- and today we arrive at the platform. She may not appear, of course. But if she does...."

He looks so crushed that all of this is becoming very hard to say.

"Clef, I think you may want to be there today. If she leaves, you might not want to hear of it second-hand."
Edited 2021-03-05 20:11 (UTC)
guru_clef: (Upset)

[personal profile] guru_clef 2021-03-06 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
"I... see..." he said softly. "If she is among those who are leaving, is there any known way to stop her, and keep her here?" He was hurting. He was trying to be practical, but he was hurting.
wisdominshadows: Manga: Three quarter profile (thirty)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2021-03-08 01:29 am (UTC)(link)
"Those departing ignore all attempts to hinder them. If she leaves, Clef, then that is the end of it."

Zelda closes her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Clef. I don't know how to make this easier."
guru_clef: (Upset)

[personal profile] guru_clef 2021-03-08 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
He nodded once. "I appreciate you letting me know," he said softly, closing his eyes.

If he went out there he'd try to stop her. And possibly do damage. He.. couldn't risk it. He was too powerful his emotions...

He was here without Link. Zelda didn't remember him. And now Nita was leaving.

He needed to remember his age, his position, he needed to not lose control of his temper like he used to. He learned that In Nautilus, how ease it was for him to hurt people without meaning to. And now, as far as he knew, no one else here had Bending. No one here had the right power to match his, to defend everyone else if he snapped.
wisdominshadows: (twenty eight)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2021-03-11 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
"It's no trouble," Zelda tells him, then turns as if to leave.

But at the last moment, she looks back.

"If you've no wish to go... would you care for me to inform you should the situation change?"
guru_clef: (NO!)

[personal profile] guru_clef 2021-03-11 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
"Please... and when you return... I still do have something to give you," he said. He could just give it over now, but... he knew he needed to settle himself so he didn't do something... stupid.
wisdominshadows: HW: concerned (fourteen)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2021-03-11 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Very well," Zelda nods, "Until then."

There's still time to kill until the train reaches the platform, and there are a few things she needs to see to afterward. But some hours later she's back, checking to see if Clef has moved at all in the meantime.
guru_clef: (Upset)

[personal profile] guru_clef 2021-03-11 04:47 am (UTC)(link)
Clef... had created a shield around himself and dealt with his emotions in magically created privacy. Until he could push them down within himself enough to pretend they didn't exist.

So when she came back, he'd be back on his rock, working on crafting something that looked like an artist's drawing model. But it was proof that something was not right that he not only wasn't reading, but that he looked up as soon as she entered, aware that she had.
wisdominshadows: Manga: Side Profile (thirty one)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2021-03-15 04:17 am (UTC)(link)
"Clef?"

The world runs in cycles, Zelda understands that, but she can't help but think this one has come around rather quickly. And she doesn't have any better news this time.
guru_clef: (Upset)

[personal profile] guru_clef 2021-03-15 08:20 am (UTC)(link)
"Did she leave?" he asked in a whisper.
wisdominshadows: Manga: (sixteen)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2021-03-17 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Her mouth twists, hesitating, but after a long moment she gives a single nod.
guru_clef: (NO!)

[personal profile] guru_clef 2021-03-18 07:03 am (UTC)(link)
He was quiet for a long moment, shoving his pain down so he wouldn't lash out. This room was full of precious things. Zelda and the books. He wouldn't do anything to damage any of it.

Finally he spoke again, his voice no louder than his last question. "And no one from Hyrule, Naut, or Ceiphro arrived?"
wisdominshadows: SSBM: Zelda in Blue (forty three)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2021-03-27 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
"No one from Hyrule," she shakes her head.

"And if there's been any mention of Nautilus or Cephiro, I did not hear it."
guru_clef: (Upset)

[personal profile] guru_clef 2021-03-27 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
"Thank you," he said, quietly. Because what else could he say? Nita was gone. She just left, without saying so much as goodbye. Nash. Jane. Now Nita. And he showed up here without Link, without having saying goodbye...

Perhaps he needed to be working on spells to punch through whatever was keeping them from using their Ascended abilities to travel. If he could have done it without risking everyone on the train he would have tried to brute force it already.

Perhaps on a mission or a platform day. Something to research and consider...
wisdominshadows: Zelda in three-quarter profile (forty two)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2021-03-28 09:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"Clef-"

-oh, goddesses, how to put this-

"-you know this changes nothing about her regard for you, don't you? She didn't choose this. No one on the train ever does."
guru_clef: (Intense)

[personal profile] guru_clef 2021-03-29 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
"Perhaps she couldn't. In Naut we could." But the pain remains, either way. And this was Nita. If anyone could have found a way to leave a message, to fight....

"I need to do more research. Clearly."
wisdominshadows: (twenty eight)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2021-03-29 07:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"Not even the train seems to know why passengers leave," she reminds him. "And it denies choosing when it happens."

Though who knows? Perhaps he'll come on more information should he keep pushing.

guru_clef: (Default)

[personal profile] guru_clef 2021-04-01 06:09 am (UTC)(link)
"Then we need to be the ones to figure it out!" He was trying not to take it out on her. But there was just too much emotion, too much hurt running through him.
wisdominshadows: HW: Zelda praying (thirty eight)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2021-04-03 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
"I am not saying that you should not, Clef, but I think you may want to sit down and consider what you will do if you cannot."

This was bad, this was very bad. She could see the fervor in his eyes, the determination to throw himself against a wall that might be unable to be broken.

He needed something else to keep him sane. Anything else- but what was there?

And what was there but to try and get through to him now?

"I do not enjoy being kidnapped. I doubt anyone on this train appreciates the circumstances of their arrival, whether they care for the train itself or not. But Clef, the tools to tackle this problem may be beyond our reach, and if you ignore that possibility you will only martyr yourself for nothing."
guru_clef: (Insecure)

[personal profile] guru_clef 2021-04-04 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
"I have no intention of dying," he said. He'd have snapped the words at nearly anyone else. Because it was Zelda, he softened his tone. And added "Link would never let me live it down if I died doing this," in a mutter.
wisdominshadows: HW: watching carefully (fifteen)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2021-04-10 03:59 am (UTC)(link)
There's a magic word right there- Zelda sighs at the mention, and when she continues her voice is softer.

"And what would he say to see you cooped up in here, never leaving at all, focusing on nothing but a way out?"

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