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!
nutkrusher: (Family Portrait)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-03-06 06:43 am (UTC)(link)
"I appreciate that," Cassie says. "I've got a handle on it, though. I came back from it, got stronger. Stayed badass."

The expression on her face shows that she's not lying to herself - she truly means it. Because she knows that if she can come out the other side of being possessed by blood magik, there's no one, anywhere, that can truly touch her.

"I have looked seriously into setting up more serious therapy stuff on the train, though. Mostly for my mother, who's had to survive everything I've had to and then some."
Edited 2021-03-06 06:44 (UTC)
helborn: (Default)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-06 06:49 am (UTC)(link)
"Got it." He has no intention of pushing, just offering. "... Is she on the train?" He's not sure if it'd be better or worse to have parent-child teams on the train. Wash and Rose had been fine, if weird, but...
nutkrusher: (Mom Needs a Hug)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-03-06 06:52 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah," Cassie says. "Sonya Blade. She spent the first couple months recovering after coming on here...injured. But she's better now."
helborn: (the dark is scary)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-06 06:56 am (UTC)(link)
"... I'll keep an eye out for her. No pushing, I promise." He's made enough people uncomfortable to want to try to not... do that. "... Oh. Um. Speaking of injured." If she's in the leadership of his team...

He pulls up one of his pant legs, revealing a hint of ivory-colored metal before dropping the fabric. "If you walk in on me cleaning my leg just... don't mention it? It's kind of embarrassing for me to have to do and I just... kind of don't want to talk about it while I'm doing it."
nutkrusher: (Listening Intently)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-03-06 07:00 am (UTC)(link)
"No problem," Cassie says. "My uncle's got two metal arms, so...I know how it is."
helborn: (i'm not an anime protag i swear)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-06 07:03 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah." He scratches the back of his head a little bit. "Most people around me knew in the last place I was at, but... new place, new people, new awkward and more chances for people to be dumb and weird about it."
nutkrusher: (Hey There Soldier)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-03-06 07:06 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, I promise I won't be one of 'em."
helborn: (right up your ass)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-06 07:12 am (UTC)(link)
"I appreciate it. I once had a six week mission on a world that... wasn't kind to people with 'deformities' and essentially sent them back to die."

Home was... not a fun mission for him on multiple levels.
nutkrusher: (wut)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-03-06 07:35 am (UTC)(link)
"That's...fucked up."
helborn: (the dark is scary)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-06 11:06 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, probably one of the worst missions I've been on. ... Though I had some bad ones when I - in the last place sometimes when we were sent to a place we ended up being unconscious and stuffed into the heads of someone who was already existing in that place. Something about us 'resonating' with that person... a lot of us had skills that could wake up our unconscious Travelers."

"... Anyway uh... I ended up in the head of a merman who was not the nice cute thing you see in movies." He shudders. That had been... awful.
nutkrusher: (Worried)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-03-06 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"I don't like the idea of someone else being in my head," Cassie says. "I can't imagine the reverse is much fun either."

She pauses.

"Were you sent to another...interdimensional place before this one?"
helborn: (Default)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-06 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"Usually they weren't aware, unless someone woke us up. But yeah, I was. I was there for... maybe three years? I'm not sure. Time is weird in between worlds."
nutkrusher: (Worried)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-03-06 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Cassie sighs. "Well, I hope your next stop is home, whenever this train decides it's done with you."
helborn: (the dark is scary)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-06 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
He actually flinches at that. "... I'm hoping to get dumped back into where I was before, actually. I want to say goodbye to people, maybe see my boyfriend home... my world's about to explode into a big war with things that are basically embodied concepts trying to break free. Fire, darkness, ice... that sort of thing."
nutkrusher: (Worried)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-03-07 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
"Well...home's more than just where you come from," Cassie says. "If that was where you felt like you belonged...that's where I hope you end up."
helborn: (i'm not an anime protag i swear)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-07 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
"... Yeah. You're right. I have to go back eventually but... I'll get there." Even if Fate yanks him back there, he'll find a way to do things his own way.
nutkrusher: (Into the Distance)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-03-07 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
"I hope so."