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!
flatteries: (i was left to my own devices)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-03-07 04:05 pm (UTC)(link)
His head slowly dips into a nod.

"It's okay. I understand." His voice sounds genuine as he says it. Like he really does understand, rather than just saying this to placate her, to make her feel like she isn't the odd one out here. Because she truly isn't.

"No matter how nice the people here are, we were still taken here involuntarily. Awful things still happen from time to time. We constantly lose people we care for." He's somehow still smiling as he says it, especially compared to her slightly darkened expression. "That way it's hard to forget that we were kidnapped."
consider8: (Examine)

[personal profile] consider8 2021-03-08 06:19 am (UTC)(link)
Eight leaned in on him a little, despite herself. Since hearing the message from the train she felt adrift, and has been unsure what to do. She's starting to realize that while she needed time away, the one thing she absolutely should not have done was remove herself from everyone like she did.

As she was sitting close, a thought drifted to her mind. "Inigo..." She shook her head, breaking distance a little. "...no, never mind."
flatteries: (a rhythm for the songs)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-03-09 08:31 am (UTC)(link)
".. hm?"

There's a little noise of interest and attention coming from him, even when she adds that 'never mind' part. Maybe he's projecting a little bit, but Inigo knows he usually was going to say something pretty important when he cuts himself off like that - being held back by some worry or insecurity.

He doesn't know what's holding Eight back, but he figures he should at least say something to comfort her here.

"What is it? I won't push you to tell me, but.. you know you can tell me anything, right? I won't judge."

After all, Eight already saw his super embarrassing hobby and thought it was something amazing. There's no right left for Inigo to judge absolutely anything.
consider8: (Deb8)

[personal profile] consider8 2021-03-09 09:17 am (UTC)(link)
Eight's eyes opened wide and she moved away to look him in the eyes. Though she was used to being supportive, she still had trouble with others being supportive of her. A soft hand raises to obscure her smile as she nodded.

"I was just thinking... I have spoken a lot of myself, and my world... but I haven't really heard about your world. If it's not too painful to think about, can you tell me a little more of your home? And... maybe... what you'd want to do if you go back?"
flatteries: (an optimist about this)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-03-09 03:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Sweet Naga, maybe he shouldn't have said that after all. Inigo didn't expect this to backfire on him. Mayday, mayday!

"A-.. About my world?" His smile even turns into a surprised expression, his voice stammering a bit. "Um, I mean.."

That sure is a dilemma. Because he trusts Eight enough to tell her the truth about his world, but..

"I'm not sure if you'd want to know about it," he ends up saying, gaze downcast now, the smile returning on his face, but a little sadder this time. "It's not exactly a fun story." Especially not the answer to that last question she asked in particular.
consider8: (Puzzled)

[personal profile] consider8 2021-03-09 05:42 pm (UTC)(link)
He was doing it again, that dismissive thing where he tries to reduce the enormity of what they were talking about with charm and cheeriness. She could have easily called him out on it, or to let it go with a quick out.

But the more he talked about himself, the more down he seemed to be. Octopi are naturally curious creatures, Inigo, and this one considers you a friend.

A disarming gaze pierces into Inigo, inquiring and concerned. She takes a moment before articulating her thoughts. "I do want to know about it. Especially if it's something you may cause you pain should you return."
flatteries: (so smile right before you fall)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-03-09 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, I don't know about pain.." He's still doing the same thing as he says it. Trying to smile, even when there's something awkward or even sad around its edges.

But at least he's not totally fleeing or avoiding the subject. Nor is he lying. Instead he sucks in a breath, deciding to just throw it out there. It's not like she'd be the first one to know.

But he's still going to try and say it all with as light of a tone as he can muster. Like he's just talking about the weather, or about something that isn't all that bad. Nothing anyone ought to worry about.

"My world basically got completely destroyed. Everything there was slowly dying off, so my friends and I realised the only way to save any part of our world was by traveling to the past and preventing that destruction from happening in the first place. But by traveling to the past and changing the future, we were basically destroying our own future. The one we come from." He shakes his head a little. "In the past we've gone to, our parents will have new baby versions of us. We've pretty much given up our place in time. So when I go back.. I'm going to finish setting things right and preventing our future from becoming reality, and then there's really nothing left for me."
consider8: (Panic)

1/2

[personal profile] consider8 2021-03-10 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
She asked and now she knows. He wasn't kidding when he said that where he came from was sad. How much did he experience -- to see the end of his world, and to take that back to a time where it could make a difference. Only to know that the future he made would be one that no longer existed. Where he no longer existed. It was enough to make Eight's heart stop and breath seize.

In that moment so many thoughts came to her mind. The sorrow of the eventual loss. The grief of hearing that he had to live through such an event. Yet there was more. The admiration for the bravery to jump into the unknown. The respect that he was carrying on the fight despite the end of it all. She couldn't be sad for him. She shouldn't shed him tears. There was valor and honor in what he did. In what he was doing as he took each step into uncertainty.

There was nothing to say to change anything. Nothing she could do to change his fate. Nothing... nothing...

No... there was something...
consider8: (8eauty sleep)

2/2

[personal profile] consider8 2021-03-10 07:05 am (UTC)(link)
In one swift motion she almost tackles him with a hug. It was one not for herself, but for him. To share with him this moment and the support that she could offer. Without pity. Without despair. What more could she do to honor his sacrifice?

"Thank you." She muttered, her face buried in his chest. "Thank you for sharing. You truly are... remarkable."
flatteries: (a rhythm for the songs)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-03-10 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
The near-tackle hug is a surprise. Obviously so, since Inigo lets out a slight surprised sound when he's nearly thrown flat to the floor with the sudden force against him - but when he realises what's happening, that she's just hugging him tightly, the surprise fades into a small, touched smile.

Eight has always been too nice to him, hasn't she. Nicer than he deserves.

"I'm not that remarkable. Anyone would've done that." But he isn't fully deflecting everything she's doing here. He's at least accepting the hug - slowly wrapping his arms around her too. "Besides, what's the use of living on in some place that's already ruined, that's beyond saving? I wanted to at least give my father and mother a shot at living a long and happy life, even if it wasn't with me."
consider8: (Assess)

[personal profile] consider8 2021-03-31 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
Eight shook her head, content with that story. She knows very well the meaning and loyalty and family. Though she removed herself from her home and everything she knew, she never wished her family ill. She loved her family. Wanted their happiness, and knew that they were not ready to embrace the wider world. Though her horizon was vaster than theirs, she also wanted them to be safe. Should they be in trouble, she would like to think she would find some way to be there for them, even if they were apart.

"I think it's great." And then, a frown. "Did you do it? Did you... save your world?"
flatteries: (i was left to my own devices)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-04-01 01:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah.." Inigo's voice trails off at that small sound for a moment, and then the guy slowly shakes his head.

"Not yet." Honestly, the answer is 'no'. But Inigo likes to make it 'not yet', likes to say that out loud, like he's manifesting a certain kind of energy. Like just by saying 'not yet' makes it so that it'll happen in the future.

He squeezes her a little. "Not before I left home, anyway. I've been here on the train for so long now.. maybe my friends and my parents may have defeated the threat back home already while I'm stuck here."

He smiles at that, though there's an edge of something sad in it.