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!
helborn: (right up your ass)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-06 11:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Casper just groaned. "Sorry, it's just... I can't get drunk and I never got the chance to do it before I developed that ability. Only magic-laced wine can get me drunk now. Alcohol counts as a toxin, and anything I eat has all of its toxins neutralized. So I can technically eat anything organic... doesn't mean it tastes good, though."
10billionpercent: (Ha Ha)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-06 11:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah." He chuckled. "We're not drinking it. It's going to be used along with nitric acid in the fomulation of the revival fluid. It's an important component for waking people up from the stone."
helborn: (i'm not an anime protag i swear)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-06 11:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"More useful than drinking it, good. ... I don't mind drinking, it's just annoying when your pantheon has the stereotype of loud drinking parties and you can't... really partake." He'd be the designated driver if he ever really got a chance to drive.

"Nitric acid and alcohol... is there more than that?"
10billionpercent: (Default)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-06 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"No, it's the ratio that makes it difficult. Nital is common in the modern world, or it was, at least as an etching product and it was commonly made in 10-15% concentrations." Senku explained. "But I need something much stronger, at 30%. The other 70% is alcohol." He continued. "The alcohol substitutes the energy that's not be expended while the person is in something of a cold sleep. Their consciousness lasted, hm, at most ten days. It was about every ten days that it became a struggle to keep my awareness."

He considered. "I have an occasional drink at times. After the last mission I did get very drunk with Xue Yang." Senku chuckled lightly. "As an experiment of sorts."
helborn: (huh wha i didn't do it)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-07 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
"Huh. ... Wait. You said your world had civilization crumble. And you struggled to stay awake... just how long were you awake?"
10billionpercent: (Huh?)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-07 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
"Just about 3719 years." Senku answered. "Short by 63 days." He clarified as he was wont to do. "But close enough to give you a decently accurate representation."
helborn: (Default)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-07 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
"... Jesus, dude. How did you not go insane?" Or possibly more insane. Sanity's a weird thing.
10billionpercent: (This...is exhilarating)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-07 12:20 am (UTC)(link)
"I think at this point that point is debatable." Senku shrugged. It didn't bother him if people thought he was insane. He usually delivered on his promises, regardless how insane they sounded.

"It's incredibly strange to be nothing but consciousness keeping track of time, but after that I was alone on the planet for six months, presumably at the time, which was far more damaging to my psyche." He didn't want to get into it, it was just a fact.
helborn: (the dark is scary)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-07 12:31 am (UTC)(link)
"... Ah." He couldn't relate, obviously, but the feeling of isolation... that he understood in some ways. "At least you've got people around now. And hopefully some good people to give you a push if your mental state starts drifting too far."
10billionpercent: (Default)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-07 12:38 am (UTC)(link)
"I do at home too." Senku said. "That was four years ago now." He made a noncommittal noise.

"It doesn't bother me very often." That may or may not be a lie, he did just come back from a severe panic attack not very long ago.
helborn: (Default)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-07 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
"Four years? Have you been on the train that long, or just not had them with you on your trip?" Either is possible.

"... All right." He's not picking up any real indication of a lie, but... "It seems like there's good people around here if you do need help."
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-07 12:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"I was at home just shy of four years awake and ambulatory before arriving here. That was four months ago though, so I've been here awhile too." Senku hummed.

"I'm sure. I'm just...not that enthusiastic. I never liked psychology much."
helborn: (i'm not an anime protag i swear)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-07 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, that's what you meant." Whoops. "Yeah I... I kind of like it? I just don't have training. Just hands on stuff... once the titan war is over and I ascend to godhood I'm probably gonna have my avatar go to college and get training in grief therapy. Which sounds lame for a god to do, but I want to help."
10billionpercent: (This Is So Exciting)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-08 02:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"I've studied every other aspect of science and medicine, but I find psychology to be too subjective for me to understand." Senku frowned a bit. "And it relies on being able to read people, which I really cannot do."
helborn: (Default)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-08 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's fair. My senses are strong enough now that I can hear when someone's heart beat speeds up, so it's not too hard to tell when someone's getting nervous."
10billionpercent: (Default)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-08 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"That could be useful. I'm stuck guessing." Senku shrugged. "I'm used to it though. Eh, if it's important enough, someone will make sure I get it."
helborn: (i'm not an anime protag i swear)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-08 09:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah. If you need it, I can point it out for you. If you want me to. ... Never been good at the ratio of 'talking' to 'shutting up'."
10billionpercent: (Avoiding Emotions)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-10 02:11 am (UTC)(link)
"If you think I need to notice something I'd appreciate it. Gen does that kind of thing for me too." He said with a hum. He wasn't ashamed or embarrassed though, more matter of fact.
helborn: (okay well maybe not)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-10 04:02 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, good. It's always helpful to have friends around who can do that." ... His were just... in another place at the moment... hmn.
10billionpercent: (This Is So Exciting)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-11 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, but I'm willing to adapt as needed, or try anyway." Senku sighed. "It can take people a long time to warm up to me."
helborn: (Default)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-11 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
"I... never had that problem as much as I had a problem being open. I'm trying to be better at it and not just hide it under the rug, so to speak."
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-03-13 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
He chuckled. "That too." He shrugged helplessly.

"I'm not really working on that. One thing at a time. I can be more agreeable or I can be myself, I can't really be both." He delivered that with a bit of a more deadpan lilt. His version of humour.