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!
famtastic: (you're clever)

[personal profile] famtastic 2021-03-04 08:00 am (UTC)(link)
"Sometimes you don't have to get it, it's enough to just experience." She smiles at the description.

"I love that. I'd love a good beach holiday, nothing but the cool breeze and the lime green sea. Do you swim?"
blitzcheer: (prbly huffin' 'bout dad)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-03-04 12:01 pm (UTC)(link)
"I guess," he concedes easily, if tiredly, the whole thing still leaving his head a tangled mess. Thinking, it's not for him. But he opens the door up to the next carriage as the woman speaks on, and he hums first in response.

"Did more than swim - I played a sport. Underwater ball game. It was big where I'm from, but you need to know how to hold your breath a good deal. You know how long you can hold yours?" he adds as a joke.
famtastic: (eyebrows)

[personal profile] famtastic 2021-03-04 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh that sounds brilliant. What kind of game is it?" She wants to see. Actually, she wants to play! It's been a while since she's sported since last go round she wasn't exactly built for strenuous activity.

"Mm, Well! About an hour and a half on the outside. Two if I get a good lungful."
blitzcheer: (awww yeah babeyyy)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-03-04 09:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hey, that's a great amount!" So much even, it's distracted Tidus from the door and that whole 'entering' thing for a moment as he looks at her. "Is that normal where you're from? The game's blitzball -- all the best players know how to hold their breath that long! You heard it?"

Maybe? Maybe? It'd make his day, and it's the closest possibility he's gotten that someone else might know the game -- just because of a decent lung capacity (look, he doesn't get a lot of potential 'maybes' with this, ok). But he'll remember about that door now, lead the woman with him through the passage to the next carriage, the pair finally reaching the storage car.

At the very end is a wall, with on that wall - though it might be difficult to see at first - a message about not attacking it, and a very cute pouty angry face.
famtastic: (yes?)

[personal profile] famtastic 2021-03-04 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
"More or less yeah. And I haven't, but I'd love to learn." As they approach the wall she puts her hands on her hips.

"Right. Cute face. And the engine is just beyond this?" She taps the wall her fingertips, knocks on it. After a moment she presses her ear to it, hand flat against the wall and closes her eyes. There's something there. She can tell. But she can't make anything out but just the knowledge of existence.

After a moment she experimentally licks the wall and smacks her lips.

"Mm. Well that got nothing. It's a mystery. But I like it." And she does. More or less. "Have you ever attacked the wall?"
blitzcheer: (/)_(\)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-03-04 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
...

well that's something he just witnessed.

"Uh." Wait, she had a question? "No? I watched a friend talk to it."

Double wait. "I mean--the thing behind it. The train?"

The whatever it is. Sorry, he might be ???ing inside some at her licking the wall.
famtastic: (listening)

[personal profile] famtastic 2021-03-04 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
She tilts her head, watching him.

"What did it say?"
blitzcheer: (mrhrhrhrhrhgghgh)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-03-05 12:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"Nothing? It's more like...it's listening, you can feel it listening? But it doesn't actually say anything back."

It's been a while, but he's pretty sure that's how that song and dance goes. Recollecting a little easier:

"They had a whole big circle of trying to connect to it a while back, but it didn't change anything. To be honest, I don't know if you can talk to it like that, you know?" He shrugs. "I mean--it talk to you. But it can talk if it wants. With the computers."

He waves a hand over to the nearest ICP console.