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!
its_dad_sanzo: Ibun-era (up to no goddamned good)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-03-07 01:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"A pet, in a... in a box, Dev-chan?"

Koumyou's a little concerned. He doesn't even see any air-holes! And he certainly doesn't hear any movement inside.
worthallthis: (look aside)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2021-03-08 07:57 am (UTC)(link)
Soldat has not a single idea what a jockey is, let alone what a suit for being one would entail, so they just nod and eye the box. They might be slightly concerned, too. "An. Alive pet? Or a not-alive pet?" Like their little ghost friend, currently tucked away in their cabin.
subcircuits: (embarrassed)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-03-15 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
"Not alive, not alive!" Dev hastens to reassure them, a little sheepishly. "I, er, ordered myself a companion drone."

He sets the box down on the floor and crouches over it, opening it up and pull out a...nother box. This one is clearly merchandise packaging, though, sleek and glossy and printed all over with ad copy and pictures of the drone inside. He pulls the product box out of the train mail box and stands to show it to the two of them.
Edited 2021-03-15 01:09 (UTC)
its_dad_sanzo: (moonlight)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-03-15 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh," Koumyou is visibly relieved at that, "good. A technology pet -- a techpet!"

He looks at the images on the box and beams, "It looks very cute! How big is it?"
worthallthis: (smile)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2021-03-15 06:06 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, nice." Soldat peers at the box, at the image on it, and smiles. "Definitely cute. Not one you had before, I guess?" If it's in all new packaging.
subcircuits: (count me in)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-03-16 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
"I've wanted one of these since they released the first model, but I didn't really have time for a pet at Techstead," he says. "Too-- much going on otherwise." He probably just means his work, right?

Flipping up the front flap on the box, he reveals the machine inside. It's in its folded-up cam mode, powered down so none of its LEDs are are on, so it's not terribly impressive looking; he includes them both in his bright smile anyway.
its_dad_sanzo: (the face of innocence)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-03-16 10:19 am (UTC)(link)
Koumyou leans in close to peer at it, and thanks to the images on the box he's at least not confused about why it's shaped like that right now.

"I can't wait to meet it...!" Because yeah, he gets that it's basically asleep right now. "You're going to name it, right? I can help! Or do you have something in mind already?"
worthallthis: (smilesad)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2021-03-18 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Soldat settles back to let the two gush a little. It is quite cute, but naming things is the opposite of a skill Soldat has. Their own little ghost friend has no name, and hasn't had a name for over a year.