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!
ourtomorrow: (attention)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-07 12:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Ken blinks - the mundanity of the question, when compared to their situation, is throwing him, but there would have to be food, wouldn't there. Wormmon's reaction is much more immediate, and decisive.

"We can eat whenever we want?"

He is a polite and mature Digimon, so his mandibles are not watering.

Much.
famtastic: (yeah?)

[personal profile] famtastic 2021-03-08 07:47 am (UTC)(link)
"Well that I don't know. Maybe? We can see what's there. Maybe throw something together. It's been a while since I've thrown something together." She put her hands in her front pocket.

"Come on." She headed to the dining car but made sure they were following.

"How are you feeling?"
ourtomorrow: (angst)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-08 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Hungry is Wormmon's answer, but Ken-chan's answer is more important so he remains silent and waits for his partner. For his part, Ken is weighing his options, but decides the Doctor has been concerned enough about his well-being that it won't be a bother to her if he's honest.

At least, he hopes not.

"...Apprehensive," he admits. "This isn't the first time I'm saving another world. But we can't go home...."

The moment he says it he regrets it, looking down and clenching his jaw. That is so spoiled of him. Plenty of the other children in his home world didn't have the same agency or choices he's had, just because his Digivice is a different model. Short-sighted Ken. Petty Ken.

Good-at-beating-himself-up Ken.
famtastic: (yes?)

[personal profile] famtastic 2021-03-09 06:50 am (UTC)(link)
"Everyone says that, but I don't really believe it." She wrinkles her nose. "There's always a way out somewhere and I'm a master at wiggling into and out of just about everything. We'll get home one way or the other." She puts her hands on her hips. "Though if I had my ship here it would be much easier."
ourtomorrow: (chat)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-09 11:35 am (UTC)(link)
What kind of doctor has a ship that can travel....in the void....?

Not the point of the conversation, though. Ken's expression clears, somewhat. The Doctor's optimism is a good reminder. "That's right. If we decide that it's impossible, we'll never manage it."

He'd thought he was getting better at not being so negative. The more he thinks about the fact that the Doctor can say such things, the wider his smile grows. She and his best friend from home are both distinct individuals, but it's...nice....to think that there's multiple relentlessly positive people in the world.
famtastic: (you're clever)

[personal profile] famtastic 2021-03-11 07:24 am (UTC)(link)
"Just so long as you keep trying." That was the problem with impossible. It made people give up too easily.

"Anyway, there's plenty to look forward to, I've heard. Good food." Hopefully. "Good company." Probably. "Plenty of adventure." That she was sure of. "Sounds almost like a holiday."
ourtomorrow: (love)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-13 11:17 am (UTC)(link)
"We do have to make the most of it." Ken has more misgivings than the Doctor, but he can admit that much. She really is....like the person he's thinking of.

"Ken-chan, we're good at trying, right?" Wormmon knows the answer to this, but he likes to remind himself his boy sometimes.

"Mm. We'll be fine." Ken ponders this half a second more, then nods in resolution. "For sure."
famtastic: (doctor)

[personal profile] famtastic 2021-03-17 06:30 am (UTC)(link)
"You'll be more than fine, the both of you." A smile. "You'll be brilliant." She has faith enough for the whole world and then some-- and even when she doesn't, she can fake it like a master.

In this case, though, it's something she believes whole-heartedly.
ourtomorrow: (relieved)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-17 10:53 am (UTC)(link)
...Brilliant?

It's warm. Ken beams. He looks like a completely different child when he's happy, like the weight of the world has slipped away and he's free. "Thank you!"